- 18.1.2026
Tradition, top expertise and responsibility towards allies. Soldiers from the 31st Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Regiment returned after six months from an alliance deployment in Lithuania, where they participated in strengthening the security of NATO's eastern flank. Their return continues the long history of the unit, which has also made a significant mark in the modern history of the Czech army.
For the first time since the end of World War II, Czechoslovak soldiers found themselves in a real war operation at the beginning of the nineties during Operation Desert Storm. Shortly after the fall of the communist regime, the then Czechoslovakia was given the opportunity to clearly demonstrate that it was among the states willing to defend international law not only with political statements but also with concrete actions. Specialists whose expertise was of fundamental importance in the given situation were sent to the operation, soldiers of the chemical troops from Liberec.
The reason for their deployment was quite specific. The regime of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein had repeatedly used chemical weapons and there was a real risk of their use against coalition forces. Czechoslovak chemists therefore found themselves in the front line of the advancing units and were among the first to enter the occupied territory. Their professionalism, preparedness and technical sophistication earned the respect of the allies and the wider international public. It turned out that even a relatively small Central European country can offer world-class capabilities.
These capabilities did not arise by chance. Expertise in the field of protection against weapons of mass destruction had been systematically developed in the Czech lands since the First Republic, based on the experience of the First World War. It gradually grew, became more professional and in 1977 resulted in the creation of a comprehensive brigade group, which was one of the best equipped of its kind. Despite the reorganization and downsizing of the army in the 1990s, the chemical troops maintained a high standard of training and professional level.
This tradition is being continued today by the 31st Radiation, Chemical and Biological Protection Regiment, whose members have long been among the most sought-after specialists within the Army of the Czech Republic and the North Atlantic Alliance. Chemists are regularly deployed in foreign operations, where they perform key tasks related to protecting units, monitoring the environment and supporting multinational groups.
Soldiers from Lithuania have recently returned from such an alliance deployment, where they served for six months as part of NATO's enhanced forward presence. Their task was to contribute to the security of allies, develop joint capabilities and at the same time clearly demonstrate the cohesion of the Alliance in protecting its territory. Returning home thus represents not only the end of one mission, but also confirmation of the continuity of a professional service that has strong roots in history and a clear place in the present.
From Desert Storm to today's alliance operations, the chemical army remains a symbol of high professionalism, reliability and responsibility. The soldiers who are now returning from Lithuania to the Czech Republic are continuing this tradition with dignity and reaffirming that the Army of the Czech Republic is ready to fulfill its obligations at home and abroad.
Welcome back home.
