The Defense Threat Reduction Agency is a United States government agency that consolidates a number of Department of Defense functions to create a unified, consistent approach to deterring, reducing and countering weapons of mass destruction. A joint-service, Department of Defense agency tasked to safeguard America and its allies from chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and high explosives weapons, it provides capabilities to reduce, eliminate and counter the threat and mitigate its effects. The Defense Threat Reduction Agency was established in 1998. It performs four essential functions to accomplish its mission: combat support, technology development, threat control and reduction. These functions enable the agency to reduce the physical and psychological terror of weapons of mass destruction and enhance the security of the world. Under the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Department of Defense resources, expertise and capabilities are combined to ensure the United States remains ready and able to address the present and future threat weapons of mass destruction.