WEST VIRGINIA, TENNESSEE, AND MICHIGAN CIVIL SUPPORT TEAMS CERTIFIED
February 05, 2003

The Department of Defense notified Congress today that Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CST) from the West Virginia, Tennessee, and Michigan National Guard are now certified. These teams are fully ready to assist civil authorities respond to a domestic weapon of mass destruction incident, and possesses the requisite skills, training and equipment to be proficient in all mission requirements.

They are the 35th WMD-CST, stationed at St. Albans, W. Va.; the 45th WMD-CST, stationed at Smyrna, Tenn; and the 51st WMD-CST, stationed at Augusta, Mich.

The teams certified today are part of the five teams authorized in the National Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal 2001. All 27 of the teams authorized in fiscal 1999 and 2000 have already been certified. This brings the total certified teams to 30.