Fort Detrick

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Logo of Fort Detrick

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Fort Detrick is a United States Army Medical Command installation located in Frederick, Maryland. It is a major center for biomedical research and development, medical logistics, and global medical communications. Fort Detrick is home to the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC) and the National Interagency Confederation for Biological Research (NICBR).

History

Fort Detrick was originally established in 1931 as a municipal airport. During World War II, it was transformed into a biological warfare research center. The installation was named in honor of Major Frederick L. Detrick, a flight surgeon who served in World War I.

In the post-war period, Fort Detrick became the center of the U.S. biological warfare program. This program was officially terminated in 1969 by President Richard Nixon, and the focus shifted to defensive research and public health.

Current Role

Today, Fort Detrick is a hub for biomedical research and development. It hosts several key organizations, including:

• The U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID), which conducts research on infectious diseases and develops medical solutions to protect military personnel.
• The National Cancer Institute (NCI), which conducts cancer research and is part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH).
• The Department of Homeland Security's National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC).

Research and Development

Fort Detrick is involved in a wide range of research activities, including:

• Development of vaccines and treatments for infectious diseases.
• Research on biodefense and biosecurity.
• Cancer research and development of new therapies.

Environmental and Community Impact

Fort Detrick has been involved in several environmental cleanup efforts due to its past activities. The installation works closely with the local community to address environmental concerns and ensure public safety.

Also see

• U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases
• Biodefense
• National Cancer Institute
• Biological warfare