Read more: German Defence Attaché visit to the JCBRN Defence COE

The German Defence attaché to the Czech Republic, Lieutenant Colonel (G.S.) Holger OSWALD, visited the Joint Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE) on 12 June 2020 in Vyškov. He was accompanied by attaché non-commissioned officer, Master Sergeant Maik HAHN. The visit was hosted by JCBRN Defence COE director, Colonel David MARTÍNEK, and the deputy director, Colonel Wolfgang REICH.

Read more: Scientific International CBRNe Conference (SICC) 2020

The Italian “Health Safety Environmental Research Association Rome” (HESAR) conducted for the second time a science focused CBRNe Conference – SICC 2020. Due to the COVID-19 crisis the conference took place virtually from 10th – 12th December 2020. As a preliminary remark: The “e” in “CBRNe” abbreviates “explosives”, example is improvised explosive devices (IED). However, “CBRNe” is not a NATO recognized abbreviation. HESAR cooperates closely with the renowned University of Rome “Tor Vergata”. The main areas of cooperation are environmental protection as well as occupational health and safety. The cooperation with „Tor Vergata“ originates in the Universities‘ master studies on CBRN defence.

Read more: Historical Austerlitz battlefield tour of its own kind

Quoting U.S. astronaut Neil Alden Armstrong not very precisely: “That's one short road march for a single COE member, but one giant leap for the Joint CBRN Defence back to normality.“ SARS-CoV-2-led to an extended home-office phase for the Joint CBRN Defence Centre of Excellence (JCBRN Defence COE), which ended on 11th May 2020 (Remark: This was the first period JCBRN Defence COE had worked at home in 2020. A second home-office phase followed starting in November 2020.). Consequently, the Joint CBRN Defence COE conducted a historical battlefield tour as a teambuilding event on 10th June. The Centre’s Deputy Director, Colonel Wolfgang Karl-Heinz Reich, participated and oversaw the tour. The tour itself took place in the COE’s front yard – in Slavkov u Brna (Austerlitz).

Read more: NCT Virtual CBRNe Europe conference

The JCBRN defence COE - for the first time - is partner to the NCT Virtual Europe CBRNe Conference 2020. Our contribution to this event is having a key-note by the Director of the JCBRN Defence COE , Colonel David Martinek, a presentation on NATO-EU Cooperation delivered by Colonel Wolfgang Karl-Heinz Reich, Deputy Director and in addition having a virtual booth presenting our Centre with information on how we contribute to the CBRN Defence COI and enhancing CBRN Defence Capabilties.