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Iraqi Army Establishes Chemical Defense Company

Multi-National Force-Iraq

Thursday, 08 October 2009

Multi-National Security Transition Command – Iraq
Public Affairs Office, Phoenix Base
APO AE 09348

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Release No. 091008-02

Oct. 8, 2009

Contact: pao@iraq.centcom.mil
DSN: 318-852-1332
IRAQNA: 0780-997-5063

Iraqi Army Establishes Chemical Defense Company

TAJI, Iraq – The Iraqi Military has established a unique chemical defense company to fulfill its obligations to the Chemical Weapons Conventions, signed this year by the Government of Iraq.

Classes started Oct. 6 to train the company at the Chemical Defense School here. Classes will continue over the next six months, as 69 soldiers from this special company receive training on operations affecting chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear response. Additionally, other members of the company are attending the Bomb Disposal School. The unit will reunite in spring 2010 to begin collective training.

In June 2009, the Ministry of Defense ordered the manning of the chemical defense company. As part of their strategic assets, the chemical defense company would be stationed at Camp Taji. The chemical defense company was given part of a multi-million dollar barracks facility built by the Coalition that will become their operational hub once they complete their training.

The partnership of US Forces and the chemical defense company will enable Iraq to be ready to fulfill their obligations within the international community as prescribed by the Chemical Weapons Convention. This chemical defense company illustrates the dedication that the Government of Iraq has towards the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and shows that the Government of Iraq is ready to return as a contributing part of the international community.

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FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION OR INTERVIEWS CONCERNING THIS RELEASE, CONTACT THE MULTI-NATIONAL SECURITY TRANSITION COMMAND – IRAQ PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE BY E-MAIL AT PAO@IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL OR BY PHONE AT DSN: (318) 852-1332 OR IRAQNA: 0790-194-0270. FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT OUR ORGANIZATION VISIT: WWW.MNSTCI.IRAQ.CENTCOM.MIL.