ANAHEIM, Calif.—Nearly 11 years ago, President Bill Clinton promised that “this nation would do more to protect its citizens against the growing threat of chemical and biological terrorism” and other forms of use with weapons of mass destruction (WMD).
Presidential Directive 39, signed by Clinton in 1997, established the formation of Civil Support Teams (CSTs), under federal and state authority, operated by the National Guard, to protect U.S. Citizens from potential WMD terrorist threats. Ohio’s 52nd Civil Support Team (WMD) is one of 57 National Guard teams in operation today under the directive which stood-up for operation in June 2000 and is nearing it’s ten-year anniversary. |
Since the unit organized, three original CST members are still assigned to the team – 1st Sgt. James Dyer and Sgts. 1st Class Andreas Beneze and Timothy Stichler – and were recently recognized at the National Guard CST Conference in Anaheim, for 10 years of faithful service and dedication to duty. Maj. Gen. John S. Harrel, commander of the 40th Infantry Division, California National Guard, presented the award to Beneze, who also accepted on behalf of Dyer and Stichler.
Every American state and territory now has a joint Civil Support Team, staffed by 22 fulltime Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldiers and Airmen. National Guard CST members are highly-trained professionals with various fields of expertise in Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Explosive (CBRNE) detection and threat mitigation. CSTs assist local, state and federal agencies in the event of a WMD response or natural disaster. |
