Chemical School at Fort Leonard Wood.While the nature of NBC threats have changed from large massed-forces battles to smaller, more diverse and unpredictable terrorist activities, the protective role remains the same, Spoehr said, and training for chemical soldiers has changed to reflect the current threats.“Training in the past was done more in the field,” he said. Now soldiers train to protect themselves and others in cities, sewers, buildings and other enclosed environments.Attacks by terrorists with small nuclear weapons “pose the most danger to Americans,” he said, simply because of the huge explosive power contained in such weapons. One nuclear bomb could kill tens of thousands or more, depending on where and when it was detonated.Chemical weapons, on the other hand, have a very limited range of lethality, he explained, but are still a danger because they are so “easy to synthesize.”Biological weapons are “the most scary” threat, Spoehr said, adding that changing a relatively benign organism such as e. coli to a more lethal form could be devastating. Despite the recent media attention paid to the death of a former Russian spy by radiological means in England, threats from low-level radiological sources are relatively rare and fairly easily contained, but they still pose a serious psychological threat, he said.Spoehr said the role of the Chemical Corps is to be prepared to counter this “wide range of threats,” and the corps uses an array of experts in each of the NBC disciplines at different levels across the corps to “keep us out of trouble.”Spoehr, who has held his position since June, said he is “honored by the promotion and the trust the Army has given him to preserve Chemical Corps readiness. While he praises the help he has been given since assuming the position, he said the promotion will help him lead soldiers in accomplishing the mission because “some things are just easier as a brigadier general.”But he also lamented the restrictions imposed by his new rank, noting that as a colonel he was able to visit and speak with Chemical Corps soldiers serving in Iraq a few weeks ago, something that will be much more difficult because of the increased security measures involved in visits by officers of star rank.The new general praised the versatility, enthusiasm and positive attitudes of soldiers he met during that visit, which took him to four company-sized chemical units, three of which were involved in non-chemical missions.One unit was guarding high-value detainees, he said, another was in charge of security for VIPs going to and coming from Baghdad’s airport, and another was charged with security on a forward operating base. The fourth was prepared to react to chemical dangers and hazardous material spills.Spoehr doesn’t believe Fort Leonard Wood is in any more danger of terrorist attacks than any other installation. “Terrorists tend to target icons,” he said, adding that he has been impressed by Fort Leonard Wood’s ability to respond to such threats.He praised the performance of the post’s Directorate of Emergency Services during quarterly training exercises aimed at countering attacks on the post. “They are well-rehearsed and well-prepare to respond,” he said.Spoehr said he is excited about the future of the Chemical Corps and noted the construction of the $15 million Lt. Terry Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Training Facility that is set for completion in July 2007. The facility is specifically tailored to train NBC service members in specific situations, such as in cave complexes, rail cars, tanker cars, and public facilities such as a post office or warehouse.“I believe this facility will be a ‘catch-stone’ for training that will draw others services here to train,” he said.Spoehr also praised the safety record at Fort Leonard Wood and the care with which the Army has protected the environment on the post and in neighboring communities. He cited the work done by the state of Missouri and the Army before the Chemical School’s transfer from Alabama to ensure that even harmless smoke does not leave the post during training exercises. He said the post was circled by sensors to see if anything was being blown off the post and nothing was detected.He said he wouldn’t hesitate to drink water from the Big Piney River where it flows through the post, he believes it is that clean and unpolluted. He also cited the air quality in the area and on the installation, adding that people with respiratory problems would be well-advised to move to the area to take advantage of the clean air.Spoehr, who served as commander of the 3rd Chemical Brigade from 2001 to 2003, noted many improvements he has noticed on post and in the surrounding area since his June return, including the new Post Exchange and the much-improved Missouri Boulevard in St. Robert.“I am delighted to be back,” he said.
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