The scene at the El Paso International Airport on Monday (23 March 2009) was one of relief and joy as Soldiers of E Battery, 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery (E/2-43 ADA), were welcomed home from a 15-month deployment in Afghanistan.
     “They went over there prepared to do a multitude of missions,” said Captain. Ernesto Lopez, the battery’s commander and rear detachment commander.
     The battery’s missions focused on security operations and included operating the force protection Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) system, used for gathering intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance information. The Soldiers worked in both Korean and Egyptian hospitals, where they used an automated system to track foreign nationals, keeping a record of whether personnel had a history of criminal or suspicious activities. They also conducted security patrols and manned Air Force security towers.
     As with any deployment, it was a learning experience that included team building and camaraderie. Being deployed to a hostile area, Soldiers learn to depend on and look out for each other, exemplifying the term “battle buddy.”
     “I learned a lot about esprit de corps and companionship,” said Specialist Joshua Morgan of the 15-month assignment.
     “For me, it’s like watching my own kids come home,” said Lopez.
     “They’ve done an awesome job, and I am proud of what they did,” said First Sergeant Scott Pinkham, the rear detachment first sergeant. “They had engagements and [suffered] no casualties.”
     The immediate plans for E/2-43 are reintegration training, a reverse Soldier readiness program, and much deserved time off (half-days and block leave); however, the unit’s future includes transitioning to a Surfaced-Launched Advanced Medium-Range Air-to-Air Missile (SLAMRAAM) test battery. SLAMRAAM is intended to replace the air defense short-range weapon systems that use Stinger missiles. The new system will enable the unit to engage targets beyond the line-of-sight and at longer ranges than the Stinger systems.