Bioterror unit set up for Salt Lake Games

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Bioterror unit set up for Salt Lake Games Copyright © 2001 AP Online

The Associated Press

AURORA, Colo. (November 5, 2001 11:24 a.m. EST) - A special National Guard unit will be sent to the Winter Olympics in case of terrorist attacks.

The 22 weapons and medical specialists are trained to respond to biological, chemical or nuclear attacks. They will travel to Salt Lake City in February.

"We'll be there in case things turn ugly," said Lt. Col. Fred Hoon, the unit's commander.

The crew, the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team, is based at Buckley Air Force Base.

Formed in 1999, the crew typically works for the FBI and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It's one of 10 of its kind nationwide, and the only one based in the Rockies.

Since the Sept. 11 attacks, the mobile response team has been traveling from Colorado Springs to Glenwood Springs to gather and test suspected anthrax or other biological weapons.

The National Guard team will stay at Camp Williams near Salt Lake City during the Feb. 8-24 games.

http://www.nandotimes.com/sports/story/164416p-1570031c.html

-- Martin Thompson (mthom1927@aol.com), November 05, 2001


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