Today, ADA Soldiers remain fully engaged in the Global War on Terrorism. ADA Soldiers crew Counter Rocket, Artillery and Mortar (C-RAM) systems to counter indirect-fire attacks on forward operating bases in Iraq and Afghanistan. ADA Soldiers assigned to Air Defense Airspace Management (ADAM) Cells manage the airspace above the battlefield in Iraq and Afghanistan, coordinating combat air support missions with friendly rocket, mortar and artillery fire missions. At home, in Europe and across the Pacific, ADA Soldiers who operate newly fielded Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) and combat-proven Patriot and Avenger systems stand ready to defend deployed US forces, allies and host population centers against air and missile attack anywhere around the globe. Army National Guard ADA units defend the National Capital Region against potential terrorist aerial attacks and operate Ground-Based Interceptors in Alaska and California to defend America against long-range ballistic missile strikes.

 Meanwhile, ADA continues to evolve to defeat the diverse air and missile threat anticipated in the early part of the 21st century. The Patriot system is gradually being replaced by the more mobile and more lethal Medium Extended Air Defense System (MEADS). ADA future short-range air defense system, the Surface-Launched Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (SL-AMRAAM), will soon replace Avenger. Receiving target data from Air Defense Artillery’s soon-to-be-fielded Joint Land Attack Cruise Missile Defense Elevated Netted Sensor (JLENS) System aerostats,
SL-AMRAAM will significantly enhance the branch’s capability against cruise missiles.

ADA’s air and missile defense systems are fully integrated into America’s Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD). The BMD “system of systems” is a network of ground-based, sea-based and airborne missile defense forces and technologies. The BMD system is rapidly becoming international
as it integrates air and missile defense forces from allied and friendly nations. As an Air Defender assigned to a theater air and missile defense battery, battalion, brigade or command, you will lead Soldiers tasked to defend deployed U.S. forces, allied and friendly forces, and host
population centers against air and missile attacks.