7th CSC Soldiers mentor KSF HAZMAT Unit

by Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Chlosta
7th Civil Support Command Public Affairs

PRISTINA, Kosovo — Soldiers from the 7th Civil Support Command’s 773rd Civil Support Team helped the Kosovo Security Force’s Civil Protection Regiment HAZMAT Company build a nuclear, biological and chemical detection equipment storage room here and develop standard operating procedures for the room, July 6 to 19.

The Kosovo HAZMAT team’s current missions include civil protection and to assist their government’s authorities in response to natural disasters and emergency incidents.

“From the last training we had from DTRA and the 773rd CST back in May, we saw that learning how to properly build a (nuclear, biological and chemical) detection equipment storage room is necessary for us to learn,” said Sgt. Bajram Peci, leader decontamination station, 1st Platoon, HAZMAT Co., CPR, KSF.

Personnel from DTRA, EUCOM and the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo put together a list of equipment they would need to perform their functional HAZMAT duties, said Sgt. Eric Song, survey team member, 773rd CST, 7th CSC.

“We’re working alongside Sergeant Peci and his team to also set up an NBC detection equipment storage room for some of the sensitive items that may be included,” said Staff Sgt. John Bennetts, survey team chief, 773rd CST, 7th CSC.

In the future, KSF HAZMAT Company Soldiers will also store CBRN analysis and detection equipment in the new NBC storage room.

“It is necessary, because all of the equipment is expensive and sensitive and has to be secured,” Peci said.

The two NCOs worked for four days to help create the standard operating procedures.

“We’re also writing the procedures on how the Kosovo military will properly maintain the detection equipment as well as how to store, maintain and account for it,” Bennetts said. “They’re motivated, actively engaged, listened and implemented everything we’ve taught them.”

As the NBC equipment storage room progressed and the procedures were reviewed, the NCOs complimented each other and voiced their excitement with an eye toward possible future joint CBRN and HAZMAT training.

“It’s good to be with professional CBRN Soldiers,” Peci said. “I would like to continue this professional relationship and training in the future with the U.S. CBRN unit.”