American soldiers from the 59th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) Company (Hazardous Response) “Mountain Dragons” are bolstering the Republic of Korea-U.S. Alliance combined defense posture during a rotational deployment near the Korean Demilitarized Zone.
Since arriving in South Korea in July 2023, the Fort Drum, New York-based CBRN company has trained with maneuver forces for a wide variety of combat missions in support of the 23rd CBRN Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and Eighth Army.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Philip M. Ellis, the 23rd CBRN Battalion warrant officer, said the Mountain Dragons have integrated with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division; 210th Fires Brigade; and 2nd Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade.
“The 59th CBRN Company has focused on warfighting first during its nine-month rotation to South Korea,” said Ellis, a native of Honolulu who has served in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps for 16 years. “The Mountain Dragons regularly practice their ability to quickly assemble and perform their mission of providing CBRN reconnaissance and decontamination support.”