News release: “A panel of retired senior U.S. military officers, former Members of Congress, National Guard generals and academics with expertise in responding to domestic disasters today delivered to the Congress and the secretary of defense a far-reaching report that details how defense officials can better support the nation’s response to a major disaster on United States soil. The congressionally mandated panel, supported by staff from the RAND Corporation, told lawmakers and the secretary that the United States has an urgent need to implement changes in the way the Department of Defense plans for and would respond to a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear or high-yield explosive (CBRNE) incident. In all, the report provides more than 40 recommendations for the president, the Congress, the secretary of defense, other federal Cabinet secretaries and governors about how to overcome obstacles that complicate the nation’s ability to respond effectively to CBRNE incidents…The Advisory Panel on Department of Defense Capabilities for Support of Civil Authorities After Certain Incidents was mandated by Congress through the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2008, as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2009.”