DoD Agency Specializes in WMD
Jim Kouri, CPP
July 18, 2005
[This article is based on a Pentagon report obtained by the National Association of Chiefs of Police.]
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency safeguards America's interests from weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives) by controlling and reducing the threat to the United States and its allies, and providing quality tools and services for the warfighter.
DTRA uses a comprehensive set of tools to reduce the threat of WMD. Arms control, threat reduction, technology development, combat support and chemical and biological defense make up DTRA's toolbox. The agency supports the US's nuclear deterrent capability; reduces the threat from nuclear, chemical, biological, conventional and other special weapons; and counters threats posed by WMD. DTRA provides operational and analytical support for nuclear stockpile stewardship duties and technical support for nuclear weapons in Department of Defense custody.
The agency focuses DoD efforts to prepare for and respond to chemical or biological attacks on US or friendly forces. DTRA also oversees the development and implementation of special weapons technologies. These technologies provide US military commanders with options for effective targeting against underground or hardened structures and enhanced capabilities to assess battle damage. The agency implements on-site arms control inspection, escort and monitoring activities and supports arms control confidence building activities, while developing treaty verification monitoring technologies.
DTRA implements the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, which assists former Soviet Union countries in reducing their WMD infrastructure and provides verifiable safeguards against WMD proliferation. DTRA conducts force protection vulnerability assessments designed to protect military and civilian personnel and their families from terrorist acts. The agency leads DoD efforts to support operational forces and develop field systems to counter WMD proliferation.
The Secretary of Defense's November 1997 Defense Reform Initiative directed that DTRA be created to strengthen and improve WMD threat reduction. DTRA, a designated combat support agency, was established on Oct. 1, 1998. The agency is authorized 1,890 military and civilian personnel and has a fiscal year 2005 budget of $2.6 billion. The director reports to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs.
Sources: US Department of Defense, American Society for Industrial Security, National Security Institute, National Association of Chiefs of Police
The Defense Threat Reduction Agency safeguards America's interests from weapons of mass destruction (chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives) by controlling and reducing the threat to the United States and its allies, and providing quality tools and services for the warfighter.
DTRA uses a comprehensive set of tools to reduce the threat of WMD. Arms control, threat reduction, technology development, combat support and chemical and biological defense make up DTRA's toolbox. The agency supports the US's nuclear deterrent capability; reduces the threat from nuclear, chemical, biological, conventional and other special weapons; and counters threats posed by WMD. DTRA provides operational and analytical support for nuclear stockpile stewardship duties and technical support for nuclear weapons in Department of Defense custody.
The agency focuses DoD efforts to prepare for and respond to chemical or biological attacks on US or friendly forces. DTRA also oversees the development and implementation of special weapons technologies. These technologies provide US military commanders with options for effective targeting against underground or hardened structures and enhanced capabilities to assess battle damage. The agency implements on-site arms control inspection, escort and monitoring activities and supports arms control confidence building activities, while developing treaty verification monitoring technologies.
DTRA implements the Cooperative Threat Reduction program, which assists former Soviet Union countries in reducing their WMD infrastructure and provides verifiable safeguards against WMD proliferation. DTRA conducts force protection vulnerability assessments designed to protect military and civilian personnel and their families from terrorist acts. The agency leads DoD efforts to support operational forces and develop field systems to counter WMD proliferation.
The Secretary of Defense's November 1997 Defense Reform Initiative directed that DTRA be created to strengthen and improve WMD threat reduction. DTRA, a designated combat support agency, was established on Oct. 1, 1998. The agency is authorized 1,890 military and civilian personnel and has a fiscal year 2005 budget of $2.6 billion. The director reports to the Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Nuclear and Chemical and Biological Defense Programs.
Sources: US Department of Defense, American Society for Industrial Security, National Security Institute, National Association of Chiefs of Police
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