Military

            The Department of Defense notified Congress today that Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CSTs) from the New Jersey and Indiana National Guard are now certified.   These teams are fully ready to assist civil authorities respond to a domestic weapon of mass destruction incident, and possesses the requisite skills, training and equipment to be proficient in all mission requirements.

            They are the 21^st WMD-CST, stationed at Fort Dix, N.J. and the 53^rd WMD-CST, stationed at Indianapolis, Ind.

            The teams certified today are part of the 12 teams authorized in the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal 2004.   All 32 of the teams authorized in fiscal 1999, 2000, and 2001 have already been certified.   This brings the total certified teams to 34.

            Congress has authorized 55 WMD-CSTs.  Twelve teams were authorized in fiscal 2004 and are nearing completion of the certification process.  Eleven teams were authorized in fiscal 2005, completing the Congressional mandate to field at least one team in every state, territory, and the District of Columbia.  These final teams will be certified by November 2006.