Lieutenant General Buster Hagenbeck, United States Military Academy (USMA) Superintendent, and Rich Ellerson, Head Coach of the USMA football team, visited C Battery, 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery’s (C/1-43 ADA) Patriot tactical site in the Central Command (CENTCOM) theater of operations on 4 June 2009.
     Hagenbeck visited to observe USMA cadets operating in a deployed environment during their Cadet Troop Leadership Training (CTLT) and to gain insight into the Patriot mission in a joint environment.
     Cadets Juan Trevino and Alex Saul, who are attached to B and C/1-43 ADA respectively, spearheaded the mission orientation to their superintendent. After introducing themselves and their mentors, the cadets gave an introduction about the basic responsibilities of a forward-deployed Air Defense platoon leader.
     The Superintendent’s introduction to Patriot operations began in the battery command post. Cadet Saul explained the key U.S. and coalition assets Air Defenders protect and their contribution to the war on terror. Saul also detailed the two chains of command and control present in every Air Defense unit at the battery, battalion and brigade levels. One chain in the Army, command; and one chain under the Air Force, control.
     “We wanted to show (Hagenbeck) the chain of command we need in place when it comes time to engage a threat,” said 1st Lieutenant Benjamin Smith, B/1-43 ADA fire control platoon leader. “A Soldier unfamiliar with Air Defense would not understand how our ‘Joint Kill Chain’ works.”
      The cadets then escorted Hagenbeck to the engagement control station where Trevino described how a threat would be identified and engaged. He also detailed how an air battle is conducted.
    Saul and Trevino concluded with an orientation of the radar and missile launchers. Saul explained the capabilities of the radar used at a tactical site. Trevino detailed the differences between Patriot launchers, the capabilities of various missiles and how Patriot missile intercept targets.
     “Lieutenant General Hagenbeck walked away from this with knowledge about the Patriot mission and all the elements that come together to make it successful,” said Second Lieutenant David Preston, the C/1-43 ADA support platoon leader. “The cadets did a great job.”
     Hagenbeck concluded his visit by showing his appreciation and the importance of having cadets conduct their CTLT training in a deployed environment.
     “This is a great opportunity for our cadets,” said Hagenbeck. “You (Trevino and Saul) are gaining a valuable experience including what it means to plan and execute in a deployed environment. This is what will be expected of you as young officers.”
     The cadets were awarded the superintendents coin for their outstanding performance.
     “It was great being able to tell our superintendent about the mission we are executing while in CENTCOM,” said Saul.

(Top Left) United States Military Academy (USMA) Cadet Alex Saul briefs Lieutenant General (LTG)  Buster Hagenbeck, the USMA superintendent, on Patriot operations in a deployed environment during his visit to the C Battery, 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery site in the Central Command (CENTCOM) theater on 4 June 2009. (Top Right)( Cadet Juan Trevino briefs LTG Buster Hagenbeck on the Patriot launcher during the superintendents’ visit to CENTCOM. (Left) Hagenbeck steps out of engagement control station during his visit with the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade June 4 in the CENTCOM.