Air Defense Artillery Online 31 July 2009

HHB/3-3 ADA Hosts VIPs at Joint Base Balad, Iraq Article and Photos by Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Johnson

Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 3rd Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery (HHB/3-3 ADA) hosted a visit from the Honorable Mr. Dean G. Popps, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisitions, Logistics and Technology (ALT) with additional duties as the Director of Iraq Reconstruction and Program Management for ALT; General Anne E. Dunwoody (first female four-star general), Commanding General of the United States Army Material Command; and Major General James R. Myles who is the Commanding General of the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command, to Joint Base Balad (JBB).      “This was a great opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the Counter-Rocket -Artillery and –Mortar (C-RAM) system  to members of the senior leadership of the Army.  This system is a good news story and protects many lives on Joint Base Balad,” said the Commander, Captain Anthony G. Dunat, of HHB/3-3 ADA.      The very important persons (VIPs) were shown the Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System (LPWS) and received an overview of the system’s capabilities.  After a block of instruction on firing procedures the visitors were given an opportunity to fire the weapon system. Both the Honorable Mr. Popps and General Dunwoody unleashed the fire power of the massive 20mm cannon.      HHB/3-3 ADA protects over 25,000 Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors, Marines and Civilians from artillery, rocket, and mortar attacks on JBB.  During the briefing, CPT Dunat and Lieutenant Tom Purvis Deputy Commanding Officer (DCO), US Navy, talked about how the unit is comprised of Army and Navy personnel and operates under the control of the Air Force securities group on Joint Base Balad.      “This unit is truly joint. We have Army, Navy and Air Force working together to counter the indirect fire threat to JBB.  What an excellent way to show what a joint unit is truly about,” said General Dunwoody. Article and Photo by Sergeant First Class Jeffrey Johnson, HHB, 3rd Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment.