Four years ago, the Centre of Excellence was equipped with a CBRN reach-back capability which allows substances discovered on the battlefield or elsewhere to be rapidly transmitted for analysis to the Centre so that precise forensic detection is accelerated and the right response is made. This is all the more necessary in an environment where an attack by a biological agent such as Q-fever could initially seem to be no more than a severe outbreak of influenza, thereby leading to confusion and a delayed or inadequate response by NATO Commanders.