The organizational colors of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School and Center, the 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and its three battalions were cased Wednesday at Memorial Circle for its relocation to Fort Sill, Okla. Due to the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Act, the ADA school will be consolidated with the Field Artillery School and Center to create a Net Fires Center at Fort Sill. “Thank you to those who came before us in the past, the commandants, sergeants major and Soldiers that brought the [ADA] branch to where it is today,” said Maj. Gen Howard B. Bromberg, Fort Bliss commander and commandant of the ADA school. “I’m absolutely confident that we will set new standards at our new location, and absolutely confident that we will remain first to fire, now and forever.”

     During World War II, Fort Bliss’ main role as a cavalry installation changed to become an air defense post. In 1940, the War Department introduced its anti-aircraft artillery, and between 1948 and 1966, construction began to support AAA and guided missile programs. In 1954, the U.S. Army Anti-Aircraft Artillery and Guided Missile School at Fort Bliss was born. In 1968, the Air Defense Artillery School was founded. Now, 41 years later, Fort Bliss is in the process of transforming from a U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command installation,
to a U.S. Army Forces Command installation which is set to become the future home of the 1st Armored Division, currently headquartered in Germany. The ADA school trains Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, civilians and allied forces in ADA concepts and weaponry. Curriculums range from the Patriot missile, Avenger, and man portable Stinger systems; Command,
Control, Computers and Intelligence; Basic Officer Leadership Course; and training future leaders through the noncommissioned officer academy. The 6th ADA Bde. supports and oversees the school with advanced individual training for Soldiers in specific military occupational specialties and common military task training.

      “You look at all these [ADA organization] colors and you know they represent the air defense branch, and they represent the air defense Soldier, and the Soldiers of the 6th ADA Bde., who have always represented [ADA] with great distinction and will continue to do so. It’s just that they’re going to have a new home,” said retired Maj. Gen. Donald Infante, the ceremony’s guest speaker. The casing of the school’s and 6th ADA Bde. colors is just the beginning of the future for the ADA branch. The air defender statue at the entrance of Pershing Gate will move with the school to Fort Sill. The statue was modeled after the soul of the ADA branch and replaced the static display of a NIKE-AJAX missile, which was the first operational missile for air defense, said Infante. “What better way to represent our Soldiers, our branch and our weaponry, NCO Corps, high technology, than with a Stinger statue,” said Infante. Since Fort Sill will be the new home of the ADA, the statue will move and be placed in front of the newly built facilities for the ADA school and 6th ADABde. headquarters.
“The ‘First to Fire’ statue will remain a memorial for all air defenders past and present, and future,” said Infante. “As the ‘Iron Mike’ statue at Fort Bragg, [N.C.], represents the soul of the paratrooper, and the ‘Follow Me’ statue at Fort Benning, [Ga.], represents the soul of the infantry, the ‘First to Strike’ statue will continue to represent the Soul of the Air Defense Artillery.