New York National Guard's 2nd Civil Support Team Conducts Response Training

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Members of the 24th CST based in NYC conduct training in 2012.

LATHAM, NY (10/20/2015)(readMedia)-- Members of the New York National Guard's 2nd Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (CST) conduct team training here at the Colonie Fire Training Center. The unit training is open to the media.

WHAT: Some two dozen Soldiers and Airmen of the 2nd CST, based in Scotia, N.Y.

WHO: Members conduct a collective training exercise to conduct chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear hazardous incident response training to improve the team's ability to rapidly detect and identify CBRN threats.

WHEN: 1 p.m. on Tuesday, October 20, 2015.

WHERE: Town of Colonie Fire Training Center, 100 Wade Road, Latham, NY

Coverage Opportunity:

Imagery of the National Guard Soldiers and Airmen donning hazardous material protective suits and training in a simulated CBRN environment. Interviews with members and the unit commander about the organization's functions and responsibilities.

For access to this secure military facility members of the press must contact the NY National Guard Public Affairs Office at 786-4581.

Background:

2nd Civil Support Team

The 2nd Civil Support Team is based at Stratton Air National Guard Base in Scotia. The team can deploy throughout upstate New York or the northeast from that location. The 2nd CST routinely sends teams to be available during major events which could be the target of an attack like the Watkins Glen races, the U.S. Open, the opening of the United Nations General Assembly, and the World Series.

The 2nd CST is one of two Civil Support Teams manned by full-time members of the New York National Guard.

The New York National Guard also maintains the 24th CST which is based at Fort Hamilton, Brooklyn and focuses on operations in the New York City metropolitan area.

The abbreviation CST is short for Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team.