As one of America’s assets, the Chemical Biological Incident Response Force, II Marine Expeditionary Force, remains second to none in fulfilling the mission of Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and High-Yield Explosive (CBRNE) consequence management.

In 1995, 31st Commandant of the Marine Corps General Charles Krulak provided planning guidance stating the need for a strategic organization to respond to the growing chemical⁄biological terrorist threat. The CBIRF concept was developed by the commandant’s Warfighting Laboratory and came to fruitation in 1996. Now, CBIRF is located at Naval Support Facility, Indian Head, Maryland.

CBIRF Marines and sailors hone their skills on casualty search and extraction, decontamination, medical stabilization and CBRNE consequence management. CBIRF’s primary mission is saving lives. More than 400 Marines from more than 40 military occupational specialties train to complete those missions.

When directed, CBIRF will forward-deploy and respond to a CBRNE terrorist incident in order to assist local, state or federal agencies and designated combatant commanders in the conduct of consequence management operations. CBIRF is capable of conducting agent detection and identification, casualty search and rescue operations, personnel decontamination, and emergency medical care and stabilization of victims in a contaminated environment.

To become a CBIRF Marine, one must complete the CBIRF Basic Course (CBC) at Navy Annex Stump Neck, Indian Head, Maryland. Marines learn to strategically move through collapsed structures, how to perform emergency medical care, how to extract mass casualties from a contaminated area, and many more skills.

To help support CBIRF’s mission, the unit is equipped with six major sections including, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, Technical Rescue Decontamination, Identification Detection Platoon (IDP), Medical, and Casualty Extraction. In the event of a real terrorist attack, IDP will deploy to gather the first wave of intelligence that other responders may use to clean a contaminated area. As soon as that information is passed down, Casualty Extractors deploy to extract casualties from the contaminated environment and escort them to medical personnel. These Sailors provide the casualties with their first line of medical care in a contaminated environment. After receiving medical care, patients are then taken to the decontamination tents. It is here where patients and emergency responders transition from the contaminated to decontaminated area. If the incident includes a high yield explosion or a collapsed building, CBIRF can respond by deploying its technical rescue element. These Marines are trained to the same standards as FEMA USAR teams and are trained in vehicle extrication, trench rescue, collapsed structure, and confined space skills. In a force protection mission, explosive ordnance disposal teams are liable to be deployed into the contaminated environment when the threat has been identified. Then, EOD goes down range and mitigates the threat so CBIRF Marines can continue with its life saving mission uninterrupted. EOD Marines also ensure that local assembly areas and routes are clear of any potential devices.

CBIRF has a rich history in supporting the War on Terrorism including supporting the United States Capitol Police in responding to the ricin incident on Capitol Hill in 2004. More than 140 Marines and sailors sustained 24⁄7 operations for one week in an effort to restore the U.S. Congress back to normal working conditions. Operations included sampling and mail collection in both House and Senate office spaces. Marines also responded to the anthrax attacks on Capitol Hill in 2001.

Live agent training marks the height of training for the unit at the Defense Research and Development Center-Canada. Marines and sailors travel to Alberta for live agent training, gathering further confidence in their life saving capabilities.

Total Employees: 483
Civilian: 0, Military: 467 and Contractors: 16