Soldiers from the Australian Army 7th Brigade units recently participated in a groundbreaking chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear defense (CBRN-D) training exercise at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane in May. The training included an equipment decontamination medium (EDM) serial, which marked the first time heavy vehicles and machinery were integrated into a combat brigade’s capabilities. Hosted at the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment (2CER) compound, the exercise involved subjecting heavy vehicles, such as the Boxer combat reconnaissance vehicle (CRV) and an HX77 truck towing an M777 howitzer, to the equipment decontamination medium process. This process effectively neutralizes chemical, biological, and radiological hazards, ensuring the safety of both the vehicle and its crew following exposure to a CBRN environment.
Captain Callum Griffiths, of the ADF Joint Defensive CBRN Program said, “It was good to see the process conducted practically. Testing this concept with platforms like the Boxer CRV is a significant milestone for Defence Projects like Land 2110-1B and Land 400-2.”
Warrant Officer Class Two Luke Burden, of ADF Joint Defensive CBRN Program said, “It was important the activity was hosted at 2CER.It’s great that it was held here at Gallipoli Barracks because the 7th Brigade is the directed formation for Army’s contribution to the CBRN-D capability within Defence. This was the opportunity for the brigade to see the EDM in action, so they can start having conversations about logistics and how it is operated within the battle space.”
The equipment decontamination medium serial comprises four stations spread across hundreds of metres, and the decontamination process ranges from the removal of gross environmental hazards, to the sensitive cleaning of vehicle internal components. It will be used during Exercise Diamond Strike, and elements of the Navy, Army and Air Force are being trained in the capability. Project Land 2110-1B will provide a scalable and flexible joint chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) defence capability to enhance the protection of Australian Defence Force personnel against exposure to CBRN substances and toxic industrial materials in land, maritime and air domains.
