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An Army unit responsible for researching and testing defense methods against weapons of mass destruction is preparing to leave Aberdeen Proving Ground in Harford County on Friday.

The 22nd Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Battalion has been based at APG's Edgewood Area since World War II, but officials said its units will transfer to military bases around the country as the Army reorganizes its ground combat units.

The CBRN battalion has 332 soldiers in five companies — four of them based at Aberdeen and the fifth at Fort Drum in New York.

The four local companies will relocate to posts in Georgia and Texas in a move that will transplant 266 soldiers, spokesman Maj. Ryan Donald said. The fifth company will remain at Fort Drum, he said.

Officials said the transition is expected to be complete by July 2017.

About 22,000 soldiers and civilians work at APG and the Edgewood Area.

The CBRN battalion handles decontamination, surveillance and defense from chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats. The units also provide advice, assessment and management support in operations regarding military or civilian agencies, Donald said.

The move of the local battalions from Aberdeen will start Friday with a ceremony in which the battalion's colors are taken down and placed in a storage case. The units will cease operating until they “uncase the colors” at their new posts, Donald said.

The army's overall 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and Explosives Command — which has about 300 soldiers and oversees the CBRN battalion as well as explosive ordnance disposal units across the country — will remain headquartered at APG's Edgewood Area.

The command also oversees defense of the United States from an attack with those kinds of weapons, according to its website.

Brig. Gen. William E. King IV, commanding general of the CBRNE Command, said in a statement that relocating the battalion companies will better enable the units to train with and support Army divisions and provide “ready, reliable and globally responsive forces.”

One of the five companies relocating from Aberdeen will be stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, home of the Army's 1st Armored Division.