The United States Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) conducted a “Searching for and Securing Radioactive Orphan Sources” workshop in Ashgabat June 1-5, 2015. Three NNSA experts worked with their counterparts from Government of Turkmenistan agencies that are engaged in protecting radioactive sources in Turkmenistan, such as the Academy of Sciences and the State Border and Customs Services of Turkmenistan. This training covered such topics as the risks posed by orphan sources, types of orphan sources, the operation of various types of radiation detection equipment, packaging and transporting an orphan source, and proper search procedures and techniques. The weeklong workshop concluded on June 5, 2015. Ambassador Allan Mustard participated in the closing ceremony of the workshop and presented certificates to the participants.
