DTRA News

U.S. Army Major Drew Hargraves, receives the Medal of Merit from Netherlands Vice Admiral Boudewijin.

June 10, 2022

DTRA’s Nuclear Enterprise Team Member Receives the Minister of Defense of the Netherlands Medal of Merit

Hilversum, Netherlands — U.S. Army Major Drew Hargraves, who serves as the Nuclear Enterprise Senior NATO Surety Support Team Lead, received the Netherland Medal of Merit Award from Netherlands Vice Admiral Boudewijin on 17 May 2022 in Hilversum. Major Hargraves received the medal for his outstanding performance and support during real world operations and the detailed preparation for Exercise DIAMOND FALCON III. The Minister of Defense of the Netherlands may present the Netherlands Medal of Merit, which is a distinguished honor, to foreign military members for their extraordinary personal conduct and commitment supporting Dutch interests in general and the armed forces in particular.

General-Major Niyazi Zamanov, Head of the Main Department for the Organization of Civil Defense of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, personally welcomed participants to the seminar and requested participants share lessons learned with their respective agencies.

May 24, 2022

Azerbaijan Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Security Cooperation

Azerbaijan — In the second half of April, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) led two Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) training events in Azerbaijan in support of the United States European Command (USEUCOM). The DTRA team guided a National Response Framework Seminar and conducted a Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Awareness Course for the Ministry of Emergency Services of Azerbaijan. The training built on past U.S.-Azerbaijan cooperative efforts, expanded the CWMD knowledge of a key international partner, and emphasized the importance of interagency cooperation and strategic planning for CWMD and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incident response. The events are part of a multi-year effort to train and equip Azerbaijan to respond effectively to WMD incidents.

Joint Forces team members prepare the "Sprayable Slurry" demonstration at a decontamination station. The photo, taken at the 2021 CBOA, showcases the many technological advances, prototypes, and DTRA's capabilities.

May 16, 2022

DTRA Kicks Off the 2022 Chemical and Biological Operational Analysis (CBOA)

Eglin Air Force Base, FL — The Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) is holding the 2022 Chemical and Biological Operational Analysis (CBOA), the annual, scenario-based exercise that analyzes chemical and biological technology prototypes from both U.S. Joint Force and adversary perspectives. This training event provides researchers an opportunity to elicit joint force feedback during the technology development process.

Members from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in support of U.S. European Command (EUCOM) conducted Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) training with Polish Special Forces in Poland on 18-29 April.

May 9, 2022

DTRA Partners with EUCOM and Polish Special Forces for CWMD Training

WARSAW, Poland — Members from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) in support of U.S. European Command (EUCOM) conducted Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) training with Polish Special Forces in Poland on 18-29 April.

The United States handed over a ship maintenance repair facility to the Vietnam Coast Guard at a squadron in Hai Phong. Photo: Facebook U.S. Embassy in Hanoi posted May 4, 2022.

May 5, 2022

U.S. hands over more ship maintenance workshops to Vietnam Coast Guard

Hanoi — The Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) recent hand over of a ship repair and maintenance facility, with ship lifting capability, to the Vietnam Coast Guard further enhanced Vietnam’s ability to protect its sovereignty and security.

UNICRI Director Antonia De Meo visited DTRA

May 3, 2022

UNICRI Director Antonia De Meo visited DTRA

UNICRI Director Antonia De Meo visited DTRA on May 3rd to discuss ongoing and future CBRN capacity-building collaboration. Director De Meo met with the Cooperative Threat Reduction and On-Site Inspection and Building Partner Capacity directorates. UNICRI currently partners with DTRA's Global Nuclear Security program to build regional counter-nuclear smuggling capabilities in the Black Sea region. UNICRI's broad reach and reliable partner engagements ensure development of sustainable counter-WMD capabilities in regional, multilateral, and international fora.

Ms. Rebecca Hersman is welcomed as the new Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency on April 11,2022. Seen in the photo left to right: CSM Brant Syrigh, Rear Admiral Ryan Scholl, DTRA Director Ms. Rebecca Hersman and Acting Director Dr. Rhys Williams. ( Photo: Sunghee Chon, DTRA Photographer).

April 12, 2022

Ms. Rebecca Hersman is welcomed as the new Director of the DTRA

Fort Belvoir VA — Ms. Rebecca Hersman is welcomed as the new Director of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency on April 11,2022. Seen in the photo left to right: CSM Brant Syrigh, Rear Admiral Ryan Scholl, DTRA Director Ms. Rebecca Hersman and Acting Director Dr. Rhys Williams. ( Photo: Sunghee Chon, DTRA Photographer).

Congratulations to the DTRA ABQ MILCON for being recognized by SAME – Society of American Military Engineers with a Merit Award as Best Design 2022. This award was given for the design of the new Facility that just broke ground in December at Kirkland Air Force Base, NM.

March 31, 2022

DTRA ABQ MILCON receives Merit Award as Best Design 2022 by SAME

Kirkland AFB Albuquerque, NM — Congratulations to the DTRA ABQ MILCON for being recognized by SAME (Society of American Military Engineers), with a Merit Award as Best Design 2022. This award was given for the design of the new Facility that just broke ground in December at Kirkland Air Force Base, NM.

Mr. Matthew Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security visits Acting Director Rhys Williams and DTRA senior leaders.

March 30, 2022

U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security visits Acting Director Rhys Williams and DTRA senior leaders

Fort Belvoir VA — Mr. Matthew Axelrod, Assistant Secretary for Export Enforcement at the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security visits Acting Director Rhys Williams and DTRA senior leaders.

DTRA’s Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Security Cooperation Engagement Program continued their partnership to train and equip First Responders from the Republic of Georgia to effectively respond to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents. In mid-March 2022, DTRA proudly partnered with personnel from three Georgian government agencies to participate in realistic CBRN Defense Training while operating in an environment with live Chemical Agents.

Czech Republic March 25, 2022

DTRA’s Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction Security Cooperation Engagement Program continued their partnerships

Field Live Chemical Agent Testing and Training Facility — DTRA’s Counter Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) Security Cooperation Engagement Program continued their partnership to train and equip First Responders from the Republic of Georgia to effectively respond to Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) incidents. In mid-March 2022, DTRA proudly partnered with personnel from three Georgian government agencies to participate in realistic CBRN Defense Training while operating in an environment with live Chemical Agents.