The U.S. Army’s 1st Global Field Medical Laboratory (1st GFML), formerly known as the 1st Area Medical Laboratory (1st AML), recently completed a joint training exercise with the Republic of Korea’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological Field Analysis and Support Team (CFAST). Held from April 27 to May 2 in South Korea, the exercise emphasized mutual capacity building in sample collection, CBRN threat analysis, and laboratory coordination in response to real-world scenarios.
The training scenario culminated in a simulated chemical or biological incident requiring sample collection, transport, and processing under field conditions. These collaborative drills allow both teams to assess operational capabilities, refine methodologies, and strengthen cross-national preparedness in the face of evolving biological and chemical threats.
The 1st GFML: A Legacy of Rapid Response
The 1st GFML, headquartered at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, operates under the 44th Medical Brigade and the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command—one of the U.S. military’s premier deployable CBRN formations. From 19 installations across 16 states, the 20th CBRNE Command deploys to mitigate WMD hazards, conduct health hazard assessments, and provide force health protection.
This laboratory unit has a distinguished history dating back to World War II and has been operational in Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and more recently in Liberia and across Asia and Europe. In 2014–2015, 1st AML was one of the U.S. Army’s primary units deployed to Liberia during the Ebola outbreak. Its mobile diagnostic laboratories provided critical support under Operation United Assistance, a mission spearheaded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). This now-defunct agency, eliminated under the Trump administration, was instrumental in coordinating international outbreak containment efforts at the time.
In the COVID-19 era, the 1st GFML expanded its reach, supporting public health missions at military hospitals across Germany, Japan, and South Korea, as well as contributing to vaccination operations on U.S. soil.
Global Laboratory Cooperation for CBRN Defense
Joint exercises with partners like the Republic of Korea serve a vital role in improving collective CBRN readiness. The annual exchange between 1st GFML and CFAST helps both nations standardize protocols, share technical expertise, and stay ahead of threats that could endanger both military personnel and civilian populations.
Beyond training, this partnership reflects broader efforts within the Indo-Pacific region to enhance biodefense resilience through multilateral collaboration. In a geopolitical environment where emerging infectious diseases and chemical-biological threats pose transnational risks, scientific cooperation is a critical element of national and regional security.
The 1st Global Field Medical Laboratory remains a vital asset in the global health security landscape, balancing military readiness with public health capabilities. Its ongoing collaboration with international partners like South Korea ensures that lessons from past crises—like Ebola and COVID-19—continue to shape preparedness strategies for the future.
SOURCES:
- U.S. Indo-Pacific Command News
- Operation United Assistance – USAID Archive (deleted by Trump Administration)
- 20th CBRNE Command Overview