[sfc_darrel]

Hagel: Gee, I Guess We Won't Deactivate NYC's ONLY Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team Now

"Make the sequester hurt" hit's a hurdle after terrorism in Boston


Ya think?

The only U.S. military team assigned to New York City to support first responders in case of a disaster will remain on duty. It was just saved on the brink of elimination.

A day after the bombings at the Boston Marathon, Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel rescinded his decision to disband the rapid-response unit based at Fort Hamilton in Brooklyn.

His abrupt change of mind was a relief to New Yorkers amid the sudden new concerns about terrorism. During testimony on Capitol Hill, Mr. Hagel announced that the Pentagon won't deactivate the 24th National Guard Weapons of Mass Destruction-Civil Support Team (WMD-CST)[...]

WMD-CSTs are trained to provide rapid military support to civil authorities in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear threat.

Mr. Hagel acknowledged that his reversal on funding the pair of units in New York and Florida means they will not become the victims of federal cost-cutting[...]

"The 24th National Guard WMD-CST team has done exceptional job, not just in New York, but also in Boston, where they were on the ground responding to the horrific attack on the marathon," Mr. Grimm said. "This week's events have reminded us that we must remain vigilant, and this elite team assists that effort." [More..]

Wake up call to those still living in a pre-9/11 bubble, again.

http://mypetjawa.mu.nu/archives/215748.php