From the 3rd to the 11th of October, the Portuguese Army will conduct the Celulex Exercise, in Vendas Novas. The exercise aims to test the use of Biological, Chemical, and Radiological Nuclear Defence Element, in a joint, combined, and interagency environment.
Lieutenant Colonel Hélder Parcelas, a spokesman for the Army, states that the exercise aims at “the improvement and technical proficiency and interoperability with national and international entities.”
The activity falls within the scope of civil support operations, in which support tasks are carried out in response to biological, chemical, and radiological accidents, including explosives.
Among the entities, the Army highlights the participation of an NBC Company from Spain, ANEPC, Firefighters, the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA), and the General Inspection of Agriculture, Sea, Environment and Spatial Planning (IGAMAOT), among others. Observer entities include the WHO, DGS, GNR, PSP, PJ, WHO, and the French NBC counterpart.
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
Photos: JM/Portuguese Army
