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ADA ONLINE
November
2011
(To hear the ADA March click on
the hyperlinked title above.
Also, to ensure you are viewing the most updated
version, please refresh the page.)
Kathleen M. Doyle, Editor-in-Chief |
We look forward to publicly recognizing great ADA units
and Soldiers
and are anxious to publish your
submissions! To assist you in getting started, or help
you over the speed bumps, we have developed the
ADA Online ~ Writer's & Photographer's Guide to
assist you.
To access the guide, click here or on on the
scroll and quill to the left.
To submit articles/photos or contact ADA Online click
here!
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 JOHN
E. PENINGTON
12 June 1953 – 16 November 2011
John Penington, one of Air Defense Artillery’s (ADA’s)
most familiar background faces and strongest advocate,
passed away on 16 November 2011 after a short but
devastating battle with cancer. Not all Air Defenders
are born such, and some like John, didn’t even serve
within the ADA branch while on active duty, which in
itself is why his rise to the position of Deputy
Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense
Artillery School (USAADASCH), Fort Bliss, Texas, and his
reputation as being an advocate and honest broker for
Air Defense Artillery was so remarkable. He was admired
and respected by all who knew him and his thoughts and
recommendations were often sought at the highest levels.
John Penington was born on 12 June 1953 in St. Joseph,
Missouri. He joined the Army in 1973 and served in a
variety positions including Army Club Manager of the
Buedingen Officers Club in Germany, the William Beaumont
Army Medical Center (WBAMC) Officers Club and the Fort
Bliss Golf Course Club House.
Upon his retirement from the Army in 1985 John entered
Federal Civil Service at Fort Bliss where he served for
over 20 years. His civil service career took him from
personnel actions, budget, manpower/structure and
culminated as the Deputy Assistant Commandant of
USAADASCH. Although John worked diligently to fairly
facilitate the Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC)
Committee mandated move of USAADASCH from Fort Bliss to
Fort Sill, Oklahoma, he made the personal decision to
retire in lieu of moving. This did not however, keep him
from ensuring that air defenders, both military and
civilian, were given every entitlement/benefit due them,
nor denied any leeway required to make the move as easy
as possible. John Penington acted as the ADA
honest-broker when working on the new School design and
requirements for the newly forming Fires Center of
Excellence (FCoE). As the voice of reason and calm, John
Penington provided Brigadier General Heidi V. Brown’s
(then Colonel Brown) the Assistant Commandant, the
benefit of his wisdom, expertise and managements skills
in facilitating the smooth transition.
Following his retirement from Civil Service in 2010,
John embarked on his third career as an Air Defense
training expert for the Northrop Grumman Corporation in
their Technical Services Division. John had an
incredible love of life and people, and people loved and
respected him in return. Always remaining fair and
compassionate in both his public and private life.
John's personal interests took him in a variety of
different directions. He was a licensed hot air balloon
pilot, the President of the El Paso German Shepherd Dog
Club, the former President of the Onate Trail Dog
Fanciers Association and had numerous other hobbies that
included camping, fishing, down-hill skiing and world
travel.
John is survived by his loving wife of 34 years, Ellen,
his daughter Angela Cole; sons John Penington, Jr. and
Steven Penington; Mother Alice Penington, his sisters
Judy Evans, Tina Bonwell, Jan Chambers, and Terri Jo
Strother and his grandchildren Evelyn Penington and Luke
Davis. Our condolences to the family, John will be
deeply missed by the Air Defense Community.
John was laid to rest on Tuesday, 29 November 2011 at
the Fort Bliss National Cemetery following a service
that was held at Center Chapel Number One, Fort Bliss,
Texas.
Anyone wishing to leave a condolence message for the
family can do so at the online Kaster Maxon & Futrell
Funeral Home Guest Book at the following link:
http://obits.dignitymemorial.com/dignity-memorial/obituary.aspx?n=John-Penington&lc=4034&pid=154721585&mid=4894340
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TEAM BLISS SAINT BARBARA’S DAY:
Continuing a Fires Community Tradition
Article by Staff Sergeant (SSG) Brandon Little
32d Army Air And Missile Defense Command, Public Affairs
The color guard for the 32nd
Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) hosted
Saint Barbara’s Day Ball held on 18 November 2011, at
the Fort Bliss Centennial Club, posts the colors to
formally begin the evening’s event. The color guard was
comprised of Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and
Headquarters Battery, 32d AAMDC; 11th Air Defense
Artillery (ADA) Brigade; and the 212th Fires Brigade.
(Photo by Specialist [SPC] Jacoby Davis, 32d AAMDC,
Public Affairs.)
FORT BLISS, Texas – Every year, across the Army,
Field Artillery (FA) and Air Defense Artillery (ADA)
units make time in their busy schedules to celebrate a
time honored tradition called Saint Barbara’s Day.
In honor of Saint Barbara, the Patron Saint of the
Artillery (FA & ADA), Soldiers and spouses of the Fires
community came together to celebrate their glorious
Artillery history; the recent successes of Fires units;
and the extraordinary contributions of a select group of
Fires Soldiers and their spouses.
On 18 November 2011, the 32d Army Air and Missile
Defense Command (AAMDC) hosted a world-class Saint
Barbara’s Day Ball for the Team Bliss Field Artillery
and Air Defense Artillery Soldiers and spouses at the
Fort Bliss Centennial Club. Truly a Fires
Community event, attendees included more than 700 ADA
and FA leaders from the 1st Armored Division, the 32d
AAMDC, the 212th Fires Brigade, the 11th Air Defense
Artillery Brigade, the Brigade Modernization Command,
Joint Task Force - North, the 5th Armored Brigade,
retirees and the great civilian supporters from the El
Paso Community.
“This is a very special, very unique event,” said
Brigadier General (BG) John G. Rossi, Commander, 32d
AAMDC. “This is the first time that we’ve really been
able to get the entire [Team Bliss] Fires community
together. We’re here tonight to do a couple of things;
one is to have some fun but also to reestablish this
important tradition.”
BG Rossi recognized past Team Bliss leaders who were the
driving force behind the development of Fort Bliss and
the Air Defense branch. “If you look at the head table,
here are some of the people who helped build Team
Bliss,” he said. “They are former commanders and command
sergeants major … I really appreciate the fact that they
took the time out of their busy schedules to be here
tonight.”
In past years, when Fort Bliss was the home of the U.S.
Army Air Defense Artillery Center, Saint Barbara’s Day
ceremonies were primarily ADA focused. However,
with the relocation of the ADA School to Fort Sill,
Oklahoma, and the recent activation of the 212th Fires
Brigade, the 2011 Team Bliss Saint Barbara’s Day Ball
was a true combined Fires event. For their strong
support of their first of many Team Bliss Saint Barbara
Day celebrations, BG Rossi gave special thanks to the
212th Fires Brigade, commanded by Colonel (COL) David
Hamilton.
SSG Michael Huddleston, a
Soldier assigned to the 212th Fires Brigade, lights a
candle at the
“Fallen Comrade Table” during the 32nd
AAMDC hosted Saint Barbara’s Day Ball held on 18
November
2011, at the Fort Bliss Centennial.
(Photo by SPC Jacoby Davis, 32d AAMDC, Public Affairs.)
The evening began with individual induction
ceremonies held by Headquarters and Headquarters Battery
(HHB), 32d AAMDC; 11th ADA Brigade; and the 212th Fires
Brigade. These units recognized by induction more
than 100 exceptional Soldiers and spouses into the
Honorable Order of Saint Barbara and the Order of Molly
Pitcher. These elite orders only induct service
members and spouses who have made significant
contributions toward the betterment of the Fires
branches.
“It’s a great honor to have been selected,” said
Lieutenant Colonel Will McCauley, Commander, 72nd
Brigade Support Battalion. “I’ve been providing direct
support to the Fires community for most of my career as
a logistician. It’s a great honor to receive this award
and be part of the Fires community”
Sergeant Major (SGM) Nyeedra Edwards, human resources
sergeant major for the 32d AAMDC, was also a unique
inductee for the Order of Molly Pitcher. “As a Soldier
and spouse of a Field Artilleryman, I am truly humbled
by my induction into the Order of Molly Pitcher,” said
Edwards. “I've had the distinct pleasure of supporting
the Field Artillery Community for the past eleven years
and being recognized on this magnitude is very
rewarding.”
Once dinner was complete, BG Rossi introduced the
evening’s guest speaker,
Lieutenant General (LTG)
Richard P. Formica, Commander, U.S. Army Space and
Missile Defense Command (SMDC)/ Army Forces Strategic
Command (ARSTRAT) and Joint Functional Component
Command – Integrated Missile Defense (JFCC-IMD).
Special guest and key
speaker Lieutenant General Richard P. Formica,
Commander, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense/Army
Forces Strategic Command and Joint Functional Component
Command – Integrated Missile Defense, congratulates
Colonel David Hamilton, Commander, 212th Fires Brigades,
upon his induction into the Ancient Order of Saint
Barbara during the 32nd
Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) hosted
Saint Barbara’s Day Ball held at the Fort Bliss, Texas,
Centennial Club on 18 November 2011.
(Photo by SSG Brandon Little, 32d AAMDC, Public
Affairs).
Formica stated that while the senior leadership
of the Army is making the hard decisions regarding its
future, there are three things we can do to make a
difference: focus on unit readiness, inculcate the
notion of selfless service, and shape the future fires
force.
“Whatever the strategic decisions are, the units that
remain in the structure must be manned, trained,
equipped, and well led,” said LTG Formica. When
discussing selfless service, he said “We all came in the
Army for different reasons, but we stayed when we
discovered the satisfaction that comes with being a part
of something bigger than ourselves.”
Formica also talked about the synergy developing between
the Air Defense and Field Artillery branches. His
insightful remarks highlighted the exciting things going
on throughout the Fires community.
Several distinguished individuals were inducted into the
Ancient Order of Saint Barbara and Order of Molly
Pitcher personally by LTG Formica. COL Hamilton was
inducted into the Ancient Order of Saint Barbara; while
Lucille Pittard, wife of Fort Bliss Commander Major
General Dana Pittard, and Millie Woods were inducted
into the Order of Molly Pitcher. Ms. Woods is an
active supporter of the military and Fort Bliss
community, organizing military appreciation weekends in
Ruidoso, New Mexico.
Dancing into the late hours of the evening illustrated
that the Team Bliss Saint Barbara’s Day Ball was an
enormous success.
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ADA Sends Display to
West Point
Article by First Lieutenant Justin Carter, photographs
by Private First Class Kyle Gorman
Three Paratroopers from Echo Battery, 3rd
Battalion (Airborne), 4th Air Defense
Artillery (E/3-4 ADA) Regiment participated in the
United States Military Academy Branch Orientation “Beat
Air Force Week” from 31 October through 4 November 2011.
First Lieutenant (1LT) Justin Carter (Platoon Leader)
and his Top Gun Avenger team, Sergeant (SGT) Octavio
Araujo (Team Chief), Corporal (CPL) Rudy Montejano (Team
Chief), Private First Class (PFC) Kyle Gorman (Gunner),
familiarized the cadets with the Avenger weapon system
and its capabilities. Additionally, they explained
the importance of Air Defense Artillery (ADA) and why
they, as future officers, should consider a career in
ADA.
The cadets and cadre were astonished with the
presentation, and consistently inquired about being a
platoon leader and opportunities for advancement.
Sending these Avenger experts and their platoon leader
added significant value to the interaction with the
cadets and ensured questions were answered in reference
to becoming an Army officer; ADA platoon leader duties
and responsibilities; Soldiers’ expectations of their
leaders; and the components and capabilities of the
weapon system.
The Avenger team also had the opportunity to be a part
of the Army-Air Force game pep rally. This
provided the cadets more time to ask individual
questions and get some hands-on familiarization with the
Avenger weapon system. The ADA Avenger Team
interacted with over 300 cadets, possibly impacting the
branch decision of many promising future officers.
 
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ADA SUPPORTERS CHEER ON ARMY AT
AIR FORCE ACADEMY
Photographs by Brandi Dearmon
 
Army and Air Force
play to a packed stadium at the Air Force Academy in
Colorado Springs, Colorado in November 2011.
 
LEFT -- Lieutenant Colonel
(LTC) Ronald L. Tucker Jr. (left), the Director of the
Office, Chief of Air Defense Artillery (OCADA), U.S.
Army Air Defense Artillery School (USAADASCH) at Fort
Sill, Oklahoma, and Colonel Joseph P. DeAntona, Brigade
Tactical Officer at the United States
Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York,
provided valuable Air
Defense Artillery (ADA) information to cadets interested
in becoming an ADA officer during the Army/Air Force
game in November 2011 at the Air Force Academy in
Colorado Springs, Colorado. RIGHT -- Army is maneuvering
to stop a potential Air Force scoring assault.
 
The United States Military Academy Cheer Squad with
OCADA fans. OCADA's Marketing Specialist, Brandi Dearmon,
is fourth from the left in the left photo and LTC Ron
Tucker, Director of OCADA, is fourth from the left in
the right photo.
LTC Ron Tucker (fourth from
the left), poses with other potential future air
defenders and Army fans during the Army/Air Force game
in Colorado Springs.
To view more photographs
of this event and the West Point Avenger display
above go to our Facebook site at the
following link
ADA.com
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A group
photograph of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade’s
flag football team after defeating the 212th Fires
Brigade in the annual Fort Bliss Turkey Bowl held at
Stout Field on 16 November 2011
(Photograph by Staff Sergeant Brandon Little, 32d AAMDC
Public Affair Office.)
OFFICERS COME TOGETHER TO CONTINUE
FORT BLISS TRADITION:
‘Imperial Brigade’ Carves Up ‘Gunstone’
Defense in Turkey Bowl
Article by Staff Sgt. Brandon Little
32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) Public
Affairs Office
Officers and Warrant Officers from the 11th Air Defense
Artillery (ADA) Brigade handily defeated their
counterparts from the 212th Fires Brigade, 20 to 0,
during the annual Fort Bliss Turkey Bowl, which was held
at Stout Field on 16 November 2011.
Amazingly, this traditional flag football matchup -
which kept supporters of both units, literally on their
feet - almost never happened.
“It’s been a tradition on Fort Bliss for a long, long
time; I can remember it ever since I was a lieutenant,”
said the 32d Army Air and Missile Defense (AAMDC) Chief
of Staff, Colonel (COL) Daniel P. Sauter III. “This
year, [due to other operations] we weren’t planning on
doing it, but he [Brigadier General John G. Rossi,
Commanding General 32d AAMDC] said ‘it would be great
for esprit de corps, and great for the Fires community.”
Even though the event was short notice, neither team had
difficulty finding participants for this historic
competition.
“Once we sent a note out, we were able to get quite a
few of our officers who are athletes, and want-to-be
athletes, as well,” said COL Reginald Davis, 11th
ADA Brigade Commander. “I think it’s a pretty good group
of folks who came out.”
“We had about 24 hours [to prepare] for this game … our
approach was to work on what we thought was important;
which is building our team, having our [Soldiers] work
together, and have some fun,” said COL David Hamilton,
the 212th Fires Brigade Commander. “At the end of the
day, again, it’s about working together, having fun and
hopefully coming out with a victory.”
While trying to evade the
defense, Second Lieutenant Lindon Bond, assistant
operations officer for the 72nd Brigade Support
Battalion, scans the field for an open receiver during
the Fort Bliss annual Turkey Bowl played on 16 November
2011 at Stout Field, Fort Bliss, Texas. (Photograph by
CPT. Traun Moore, 212th
Fires Brigade Public Affairs Officer.)
The game began with the “Imperial Brigade” striking
first, thanks to a touchdown pass by Captain (CPT)
Benjamin Anom, Commander, B Battery, 3rd
Battalion, 43rd ADA (B/3-43 ADA) Regiment.
After several strong defensive stands by both teams, the
11th ADA Brigade once again found themselves in the end
zone thanks to a touchdown reception by CPT Corey
Anderson, an operations officer assigned to 1-43 ADA. As
the first half came to a close, “Gunstone” found itself
with a two-touchdown deficiency, but they had a strategy
to get back into the game.
“We’d actually like to get some first downs,” said
Hamilton I think after we get a couple of first downs,
then we can focus on getting touchdowns.”
“We’re doing well,” said Davis. “We punched it in on our
first drive and we’re holding fast, as far as defense is
concerned.”
Defense was the predominant force at the beginning of
the second half, as both offenses had no success getting
close to the end zone. CPT Dominick Falcon, a defensive
back for the Imperial Brigade, recorded the game’s first
sack along with an interception a few drives later. In
the end, the 11th ADA Brigade’s offense proved to be too
much for 212th Fires Brigade’s defense as they reached
the end zone for the third and final time.
CPT Corey Anderson, an
operations officer for 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense
Artillery, tries to out run two defenders from the 212th
Fires Brigade on 16 November 2011, during the annual
Fort Bliss Turkey Bowl played on Stout Field, Fort
Bliss, Texas. (Photograph by Specialist Jacoby Davis,
32d AAMDC Public Affair Office.)
Both teams met in the center of the field after the
final whistle was blown, and in a show of great
sportsmanship, shook hands and congratulated each other
with “good game.”
“This was our first Turkey Bowl, and I think it’s a
great tradition,” said Hamilton. “I think it’s a great
opportunity for units that don’t really do much training
with each other to come out on a field like this, in a
competitive but friendly setting, and have some fun. I
think we’ll look forward to doing this every year.”
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CEREMONY
COMMEMORATES FALLEN GERMAN POWs
Article by Staff Sergeant Thaddius S. Dawkins II,
49th Public
Affairs Detachment.
Photographs by Specialist Paul A. Holston, XVIII Airborn
Corps Public Affairs Office
Soldiers from the 108th Air Defense Artillery
Brigade (ADA) present the colors for the German memorial
ceremony at the Fort Bragg Main Post Cemetery on 2
November 2011. The ceremony commemorated and recognized
eight German Soldiers who died while they were prisoners
of war (POWs) during World War II.
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina -- German Soldiers, U.S.
Paratroopers and special guests observed a special
memorial on 2 November 2011, at the Main Post Cemetery
commemorating eight German Soldiers who sacrificed their
lives for their country during World War II while
prisoners of war (POWs).
The service started with the presentation of the colors
by Soldiers from the 108th Air Defense Artillery
Brigade, followed by a speech from guest speaker
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Christoph Boecker, the German
Army Liaison Officer attached to the XVIII Airborne
Corps.
“During the month of November, people all over Germany
pause each year to remember and honor our Soldiers,”
said Boecker. “The main reason that we are gathered here
today is to pause for the fallen Soldiers, especially
the eight Germans resting here with their fellow
Americans.”
Boecker said this was the 10th year German Soldiers have
been remembered at the post cemetery.
"It [the observation] is always
necessary, it’s not dependent on what country it is, it
is just about the Soldiers and their comrades. These
Soldiers were fighting for freedom and peace,” he said.
After his speech, the German Soldiers presented a wreath
in front of the colors of both American and German
flags, paying respects to those who sacrificed their
lives for the flag draped over the decoration.
Lieutenant Colonel
Christoph Boecker, the German Army Liaison for Fort
Bragg, lays down a wreath in remembrance of the eight
German Soldiers that died during World War II while
POWs.
“If you look at where we are now, compared to where we
were in the past, they are one of our strongest allies
now,” said Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Dale Blosser,
the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations
Command CSM. “We need to support them because we’re
allies, brothers in arms, serving side-by-side with them
throughout the world, supporting the same search for
peace and democracy.”
“We wanted to participate and show our respects as well,
to these fallen soldiers,” said Sergeant Leroy Bradley
III, a Patriot fire control enhanced operator assigned
to the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery (1-7
ADA) Regiment, 108th ADA Brigade. “It was a wonderful
ceremony.”
“It is good that we are reminded to commemorate these
soldiers,” said Boecker. “Memorials such as this are
opportunities to honor those who died whether from the
past or the present. We must never forget them.”
Soldiers from the 108th ADA
Brigade post the colors during a memorial ceremony at
the Fort Bragg Main Cemetery for the eight German
Soldiers who died while POWs during World War II on 2
November 2011.
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THE FIRST ADAM-BAE CLASS
GRADUATES
Article and photograph by James
Brabenec
(Fort Sill Cannoneer/10 November 2011)
 In
today’s increasingly complex battle space, the Fires and
Aviation Centers of Excellence (FCoEs) developed a
course to train teams of airspace command and control
experts ready to inform and advise brigade combat team
(BCT) commanders when called upon.
Twenty-four officers, warrant officers and enlisted
Soldiers graduated from the three-week Air Defense
Airspace Management (ADAM), Brigade Aviation Element
(BAE) Course on 4 November 2011 at Fort Sill, Oklahoma,
preparing them for duties in Afghanistan.
(To read the complete
article, click on the link embedded in the photo below.)
(Left) Warrant Officer George C. Laqua and
Specialist Dennis Ramos work through the capstone
exercise for the Air Defense Airspace Management (ADAM),
Brigade Aviation Element (BAE). The course readies
airspace command and control experts to advise brigade
combat team (BCT) commanders. |
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HUMAN
RESOURCES COMMAND (HRC) NEWSLETTER
ISSUE 4 ~ Fall 2011
(Posted 16 November 2011)
Looking for the latest news on Air
Defense Artillery (ADA) officer career development?
Well, you came to the right place. Your branch managers
assigned to the Office of Personnel Management Division
(OPMD), Human Resources Command (HRC) at Fort Knox,
Kentucky, are providing you with the latest and greatest
by way of a quarterly newsletter.
The newsletter is filled with information on
assignments, retirements, deployments, the fiscal year
2013 (FY13) battalion command centralized selection
board, centralized selection list (CSL), promotion
boards, tech blogs, officer evaluation report changes,
insider information, hot topics, and much more.
These tools are at your finger tips and just a mouse
click away.
You can access the latest edition here by clicking on
the embedded link in the photograph below.
Human Resources Command's (HRC) Air
Defense Artillery (ADA) Branch, Officer Personnel
Management Division (OPMD) managers pose for a photo
outside the Lieutenant General Timothy J. Maude Complex
at the Human Resources Command Center of Excellence (HRCoE)
at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Standing back row, from left to
right: Ms. Rosalyn Ellis, Major (MAJ) Daphne Dixon-Reed, MAJ
Scott Dellinger, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Thomas Nguyen,
LTC John L. Dawber, Mrs. Carol Gallaway and Mr. David
Hairston. Kneeling front row, left to right: Captain
(CPT) Crowther, CPT Eric Soler, CPT Rosanna Clemente and
Chief Warrant Officer4 Chris Wehmeier. |
Above, the 1st
Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment formation
is lead by the Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel
David R. Baxter, and Battalion Command Sergeant Major
Gerardo Dominguez, in front of the new 1-7 ADA Battalion
HQ building on 21 October 2011.
NO FEAR HAS NEW HOME
Article by Captain Jamie A. Davis, photograph by
Corporal Jennifer Allstrom
(Posted 17 November 2011)
FORT BRAGG, North Carolina -- Soldiers from the 1st
Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery (1-7 ADA) Regiment
recently relocated to their permanent location on Fort
Bragg this fall. A storied unit, 1-7 ADA is part of the
108th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade and the 32nd
Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC). The
battalion displays 35 battle streamers for campaigns
ranging from the North African desert and the plains of
Europe during World War II, to the deserts of Southwest
Asia during Operation Desert Storm and more recently for
supporting Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring
Freedom (OEF).
Known as the “No Fear” battalion, they have completed
the transition to include the movement and establishment
of the new Unit Battery Operation Facilities, Battalion
Headquarters (HQ) and the Soldier’s barracks. All
facilities are within walking distance of each other and
have been specifically designed for the air and missile
defense (AMD) mission assigned to 1-7 ADA by U.S. Forces
Command (FORSCOM). The complex includes large motor
pools for Patriot equipment, four-story barracks and
battery offices located next to each other with more
individually assigned storage facilities and extra
offices in a separate building. The Battalion HQ is an
impressive two-story building that provides the staff
the much needed space required for planning and
conducting its daily missions.
The Soldiers have been excited about the change and are
especially keen to the private rooms in the barracks.
Specialist (SPC) Alyssa Nicholson, a Patriot Fire
Control Operator, has been with 1-7 ADA since September
2008. Assigned to Charlie Battery, 1-7 ADA (C/1-7 ADA),
SPC Nicholson is thrilled with the changes it brought to
her. “The barracks are nice; it’s always nice to have
more privacy. We are all looking forward to having our
own space and storing our TA-50 in our wall lockers at
the new COFs [company operations facility].”
The joy of the new complex is shared throughout the
ranks as Captain (CPT) Christopher Miller, Headquarters
and Headquarters Battery (HHB)/1-7 ADA Commander,
explains the best improvements in his eyes. “The most
obvious is the motor pool and size of the maintenance
bays. It is necessary to have the space in order to
maneuver the weapons system safely as well as the area
to conduct necessary maintenance on the equipment. Much
of our equipment requires specific tool sets. Having the
required space facilitates this need and shortens the
amount of time equipment is off line.”
The “No Fear” battalion is by all accounts glad to
finally have a home. The battalion had moved from Fort
Bliss to Fort Bragg in early 2008 after a deployment to
Korea as part of the base realignment plan. Setting up
shop in its temporary location on Ardennes Road, “No
Fear” Soldiers then deployed in support of OEF. With
Soldiers currently training for an upcoming deployment
they conducted the much anticipated Unit move this fall.
CPT Miller, a “No Fear” officer since 2006, had seen the
various layouts for the batteries in previous years and
is impressed with the current complex. “Having the
Commanders situated so close, sets the stage for more
dynamic planning as we construct our courses of action
for upcoming training events.”
The 1-7 ADA’s Command Sergeant Major (CSM), Gerardo
Dominguez is pleased to hear the endorsements of the new
complex. A major planner of the new facilities since the
early stages in 2007, CSM Dominguez is elated with the
new complex and is confident that the complex will
assist 1-7 ADA in accomplishing their mission more
efficiently.
When asked whether he thinks the move increased morale,
he said, “Absolutely! We have much better facilities
here than at our old location, better offices, motor
pool and living areas. Morale will continue to improve
as more buildings are completed, such as the new dining
facility; morale, welfare and recreation (MWR)
facilities; a new gym and the 108th ADA Brigade
Headquarters. My own personal favorite part is that the
brigade is in one area. It is a good thing to be right
next to each other in terms of safety, accountability
and space. This complex was designed for Patriot
equipment. We can conduct March Order & Emplacement
Drills here where we couldn’t at our old location due to
space.”
The nickname of “No Fear” is derived from the Battalion
motto, “Nullius Pavet Occursum,” translated from its
Latin form to mean he who fears no encounter. The
Soldiers truly live up to this motto, and now have a
first rate facility to match their reputation as a first
class Air Defense Artillery battalion.
Captain Jamie A. Davis, the
author, is currently assigned as the S2 for the 1st
Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery (1-7 ADA) Regiment.
The photograph was taken by Corporal Jennifer Allstron,
assigned to HHB/1-7 ADA as a Patriot Launching
Station Enhanced Operator/Maintainer (Military
Occupational Specialty [MOS] 14T).
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CALL FIRES - NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER
Provided by Lieutenant Colonel Will
Johnson,
Fires Team Chief, CALL, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas
Attached for your review is the November 2011 edition of
the Center for Army Lessons Learned (CALL) Fires
Newsletter. I just returned from Iraq, where I had the
opportunity to talk to folks in the fight about lethal
and non-lethal issues that concern us, and you will see
excerpts from some of those discussions here. We have
also attached the recently published Joint Fires
Observer Handbook for the Maneuver Commander and staff.
This Handbook discusses the support and certification of
this critical asset in the brigade combat teams (BCTs).
This month's issue continues to highlight the most
current Fires tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs),
trends and products emerging from the Fires Warfighting
Community. It also reflects discussions we have had with
units in the field, the combat training centers (CTCs),
military career transition program (MCTPs), and the
centers of excellence (CoEs).
From the CALL Fires Team, we thank you for your
continued interest in our products and services, and
invite your questions or requests for information
(RFIs)....
Articles and products in the November 2011 issue
that may be
of interest to you are:
Center for Army
Lessons Learned (CALL) Handbook 12-02: Joint Fires
Observer for the Maneuver Commander and Staffs, October
2011
***
Fires Brigade Warfighting Forum, 18 Oct 2011
***
The United States Army Field Artillery School White
Paper Fires Brigade Roles, Missions
and Functions, 26 September 2011
***
National Training Center (NTC) Air Defense and Airspace
Management (ADAM)/Brigade Aviation
Element (BAE) and Aviation (AVN) Liaison Officer (LNO)
Training Objectives, Focus Areas, and Brigade Combat
Team (BCT) Air Ground Integrations Lessons Learned,
2011-Part 1, 19 October 2011
***
Task Force (TF) Rakkasan: CALL Handbook BCT Fire
Effects Coordination Cell (FECC) Comments,
7 October 2011
***
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) Integrated Operations in
Support of Regional Command Southwest (RC [SW]), 4
October 2011
***
The United States Army Field Artillery Commandant's
Newsletter 01-12: October 2011
***
Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Lessons Learned Newsletter:
04-11
(To
read the November issue in its entirety, click here or
on the title above.)
To read past editions of the CALL
Fires Newsletter
click on the individually hyperlinked months below.
CALL FIRES - MAY 2011
CALL FIRES - JUNE 2011
CALL FIRES - JULY 2011
CALL FIRES - AUGUST 2011
CALL FIRES - SEPTEMBER 2011
CALL FIRES
- OCTOBER 2011
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2D
BATTALION, 1ST AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY REGIMENT SOLDIERS
TRAIN IN ANTI-TERRORISM MEASURES
By Second Lieutenant Foss Davis
Sergeant Robert Navarro of D Battery,
2d Battalion, 1st
Air Defense Artillery Regiment, briefs his vehicle
search team before conducting force protection measures
at Camp Carroll, South Korea on 27 September 2011.
Despite being air defenders, Navarro feels that
anti-terrorism and force protection are skills he and
his team need to maintain.
CAMP CARROLL, South Korea -- Soldiers from D Battery, 2d
Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery (D/2-1 ADA)
Regiment conducted quick reaction force training at Camp
Carroll, as part of a quarterly force protection level
exercise. The twelve-Soldier team
conducted vehicle searches and occupied defensive
positions at one of the post’s vehicle entry gates on 27
September 2011.
The exercise was not because of a change in the
designated force protection level, but rather a
quarterly training event aimed at keeping force
protection and anti-terrorism skills sharp.
Anti-terrorism and force-protection tactics are
quite different from 2-1 ADA’s wartime mission of
providing defense from North Korean ballistic missiles
to strategic assets, but these skills are important for
all Soldiers according to Captain Larry Summers, the 2-1
ADA intelligence officer.
“These training events are necessary,” Summers said, “in
case of an inclement situation regarding Camp Carroll
posturing against force-protective measures.”
Although the exercise only lasted a few hours, Soldiers
who participated felt that the event was quality
training and practice for skills they must maintain.
“This is good training for everyone who hasn’t done this
outside of AIT [Advanced Individual Training] yet,” said
Sergeant Robert Navarro, team leader for the vehicle
search team.
Navarro lead his team as they conducted 20 percent
vehicle checks of inbound traffic.
“This is a great opportunity to train in an environment
that isn’t quite so hostile yet,” Navarro said, “the
Soldiers can get some safe practice in before they might
have to do this for real.”
Private Tyler Draves served on Navarro’s team and
provided over-watch while the vehicles were searched.
“I’ve never done this kind of training in a line
unit before,” Draves said, “I think
it’s important to do this because even though we’re air
defense, that doesn’t mean we won’t be asked to do
something else in the future.”
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U.S. ARMY EUROPE FOOD
SERVICE SPECIALIST
EARNS ARMY AWARD FOR INNOVATIVE FIELD KITCHEN DESIGN
By Specialist Joshua Leonard
(WWW.ARMY.MIL/28 October 2011)
Specialist (SPC) Shaunta Cain assigned to B Battery, 5th
Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery (B/5-7 ADA)
Regiment displays her design for a streamlined Army
field kitchen. The design earned SPC Cain an Army Food
Advisor Innovation Award.
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Most Soldiers can tell you
from personal experience what it's like to live on Meals
Ready to Eat (MRE's) and which ones are their favorite.
Most would probably agree that the monotony of eating
them for days on end makes them crave something more.
SPC Shaunta Cain, a food service specialist from B/5-7
ADA, is helping the Army cook up that "something more."
(To read what that
might be, click on the photo to the left and read SPC
Leonard's complete article.)
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ENGAGEMENT FROM
HAWAII
By Kathleen M. Doyle
 A
Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) missile is
launched at a short-range ballistic missile target on 5
October 2011, during a test at the Pacific Missile Range
Facility (PMRF) on Kauai, Hawaii.
(Photo provided by the Missile Defense Agency)
A ballistic missile defense system successfully
intercepted two targets during a test from the Pacific
Missile Range Facility (PMRF) located on the island of
Kauai, Hawaii. The test took place just before 8 p.m.
local time Tuesday (4 Oct 2011). The Terminal
High-Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) System, which is
designed to destroy ballistic missiles, intercepted two
ballistic missile targets simultaneously.
The tests were conducted by the U.S. Army Test and
Evaluation Command, the U.S. Missile Defense Agency
(MDA) and members of the PMRF. The military says a
ballistic missile defense system has successfully
intercepted two targets during a test near Hawaii.
The U.S. Missile Defense Agency said it was the first
operational test and evaluation of THAAD and that during
the test, the system engaged and simultaneously
intercepted two short-range ballistic missiles. The
first THAAD missile intercepted an air-launched
short-range ballistic missile target, while the second
THAAD missile intercepted a sea-launched short-range
ballistic missile target.
In this photo provided by the U.S. Missile Defense
Agency, a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)
interceptor missile is launched during the system's
first operational test, Tuesday, 4 October 2011, at the
Pacific Missile Range Facility in Kauai, Hawaii. The
agency says that during the test, the system engaged and
simultaneously intercepted two short range ballistic
missiles. Officials will review data gathered from the
test to evaluate the effectiveness of the system.
To read more articles on this subject, click on the
links below.
THAAD MISSILE DOWNS TARGET
( Security Industry UPI.com/6
October 2011)
LOCKHEED: HARDEST MISSILE TEST A SUCCESS (Aviation
Week/6 October 2011)
THAAD MISSILE DEFENSE SYSTEM SUCCESSFULLY INTERCEPTS 2
DIFFERENT TARGETS
(World Tribune.com/7October 2011)
MULTI-INTERCEPT TEST SUCCESSFUL FOR THAAD (HIS
Jane’s/10 October 2011)
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AIR
DEFENDERS VISIT U.S. ARMY MATERIEL
SUPPORT CENTER-KOREA
Photographs by First Lieutenant Casey Harrell,
35th ADA Brigade Public Affair Officer.
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- The 35th Air Defense
Artillery Brigade Commander, Colonel (COL) Eric Sanchez
visits the United States Army Materiel Support
Center-Korea (USAMSC-K) on 7 October 2011 at Camp
Carroll. During the event, COL John P. Chadbourne,
USAMSC-K Commander, and his staff provide COL Sanchez
with an internal look at how their maintenance sections
provide sustainment-level and backup field-level ground
maintenance support to Army units in Korea.
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AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY TRAINS AT
ALTUS AIR FORCE BASE
By Mitch Meador
(Lawton Constitution/27 October 2011)
Training on Altus Air Force Base (Altus, Oklahoma), in
71-degree weather is a walk in the park for two Patriot
missile batteries from Fort Sill (Oklahoma) that have been
out in the field for much of an excruciatingly hot summer.
Alpha and Bravo Batteries, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense
Artillery (A and B/4-3 ADA) Regiment, sent a small
reconnaissance unit to Altus with the main body of
approximately 250 Soldiers following for a five-day training
event designed to test communications between multiple
battery sites and dispersed equipment. Their communications
were with C and D/4-3 ADA back at Fort Sill. Bravo Battery
Commander Captain Travis Tripp said that 4-3 ADA had been
extremely busy for the past six months, basically spending
at least two consecutive weeks of each month in the field.
To read more on the exercise at Altus and other exercises
4-3 ADA has been involved in
click on the photo below.
A C-17 flies overhead while Soldiers of
the 4th Battalion 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment
exercise battle drills simulating real-world emplacements
downrange.
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2-1 AIR DEFENSE ARTILLERY BATTALION CELEBRATES UNIT
STRENGTH DURING DINNING OUT
By Second Lieutenant Foss Davis, 2-1 ADA Public Affairs
Office
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) J. Michael Rose Jr. tastes
the ceremonial grog, surrounded by many attendees at the
2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery (2-1 ADA)
Regimental Ball, held in Deagu, South Korea on 23
September 2011. The evening’s grog ceremony was
described by LTC Rose as being the, “grog ceremony to
beat them all!”
~~ ~~
The 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery (2-1 ADA)
Regiment, hosted a unit ball for the Soldiers and their
family members at the EXCO Hotel in Deagu, South Korea,
on Friday, 23 September 2011.
The ball consisted of both a formal and informal portion
recognizing Army tradition and providing Soldiers the
opportunity to relax. After an informal cocktail hour,
Soldiers were asked to find their seats and participate
in the traditional toasts. A brief unit history was
then read by Specialist (SPC) Dallas Holloway, a
petroleum supply specialist and the night’s master of
ceremonies. Following a poignant slideshow tribute in
recognition of the tenth anniversary of the September
11th terrorist attacks, dinner was served.
“I think the formal and the social events balanced out
perfectly, neither was too long or overshadowed the
other,” Holloway said.
The evening’s guest speaker was Colonel (COL) Eric
Sanchez, Commander, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.
He gave a speech that highlighted 2-1 ADA’s recent
accomplishments. Following the speech, the unit
conducted a grog ceremony with heavy audience
participation. With each Solder that came forward to
add an ingredient from their battery, more and more
seats emptied as attendees got up and crowded around the
bowl to get a better view. By the time the grog was
deemed “safe for human consumption,” most of the
audience was up and cheering the toasters. “I’ve never
seen a grog ceremony where half the battalion got up
like that,” said Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) J. Michael
(JM) Rose Jr., Commander, 2-1 ADA, during his closing
comments.
The event was held in order to provide 2-1 ADA Soldiers
an evening of fun and the opportunity to enjoy the
company of their fellow Soldiers in a social setting.
“What I liked about the ball is that it was a chance to
put work aside for a night and do something besides
work,” said Private First Class (PFC) Dontavious Grier,
a unit supply specialist assigned to 2-1 ADA. “It
helped me to realize that we should spend more time with
each other outside of work. These are people I really
want to know outside of work,” Grier said, “This really
was a great night. I had a lot of fun hanging out with
the people I work with and I thought the September 11th
tribute was important to have this time year.”
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“ASSASSINS” EXPERIENCE REALISTIC
TRAINING
AS THEY NEAR DEPLOYMENT
Article by Captain Angel J.
Rios-Pelati
5th Battalion,
52nd Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Regiment, Air and
Missile Defense (AMD)
Several Soldiers from A Battery, 5th Battalion,
52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (Air and Missile
Defense) react to a training scenario during a mission
rehearsal exercise (MRE) from 19 through 30 September
2011.
Many challenges face Soldiers when
deployed in a foreign country; cultural awareness,
language barriers and reacting to situations on the
battlefield are just a few of these challenges.
The Soldiers of A Battery, 5th Battalion, 52nd Air
Defense Artillery (A/5-52 ADA) Regiment (AMD)
start the engines of their humvees and
put on their Kevlar helmets, body armor and eye
protection in preparation for the long day ahead. Danger
is hidden somewhere in the sky and on the ground; but
the Alpha “Assassin” Soldiers are ready.
This scene played out time and again as the “Fighting
Deuce” battalion spent 19
through 30 September 2011 completing a mission rehearsal
exercise (MRE) to prepare for its deployment to
Southwest Asia this summer. Approximately 81 “Assassin”
Soldiers trained in many different fields of expertise
-- including basic Soldier skills, field medical tasks,
and maintaining and operating AMD vehicles.
“This mission rehearsal exercise provides
post-mobilization training to units preparing for
deployment supporting overseas contingency operations,”
said Captain (CPT) Angel J. Rios-Pelati, commander of
A Battery.
“Part of our challenge is not only developing training
plans based on the latest and most current theater
tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) and lessons
learned, but also replicating the most realistic
operational environment possible for deploying
Soldiers.”
During the exercise, several different scenarios were
thrust at the Soldiers and they had to react in
“real-time.”
“Each scenario created was planned internally without
the Soldiers knowing the timeline,” CPT Rios-Pelati
said. “The intent of ‘chaos confusion’ will better
prepare Soldiers to have a quick reaction time.”
The use of in country role players, Rios said, allows
Soldiers to overcome obstacles like language barriers
and cultural sensitivity they may face downrange.
The meat and potatoes of the exercise were daily
scenarios that required Soldiers to perform tasks such
as air defense operations; dealing with local government
and contractors; gathering intelligence; and conducting
ground security operations.
"The ground security exercises challenged Soldiers to
work with locals contractors to establish good
relationships while gathering information about possible
insurgents," said Sergeant (SGT) Joseph Segura, a fire
control assistant platoon sergeant.
Comparing the training to his own previous 12-month
deployment to Southwest Asia, SGT Segura said the
exercise was very realistic. The addition of
international role-players to portray Middle Eastern
citizens boosted the exercise’s realism. These actors
were placed in as contractors during scenarios where
Soldiers must interact with local citizens just as they
would while deployed.
“Being able to engage with the local citizens and
leaders during training provides valuable skills that
pay off during deployment,” said SGT Segura.
“Working with the role-players helps Soldiers understand
that the unit’s missions are about protecting our host
nation and building good relations, not just about
kicking down doors,” added SGT Jerry Choet.
“More than 80 military and civilian personnel from
across the 11th
Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade supported the
training, to include highly-trained observer/controllers
to oversee the different training scenarios and provide
command and control”, said CPT Rios-Pelati.
For Specialist (SPC) John Johnson, also with A/5-52 ADA
and on his first deployment, interacting with the
role-players gave him a better understanding of the
cultural and language barrier he would face.
“These scenarios and having to communicate with the
role-players is giving me a better insight on what I
might face in a few weeks,” SPC Johnson said, after the
second scenario was finished. “They [role-players] made
it seem so real; with how the women were fully covered
to the local market place created … I definitely feel
more prepared now.”
“During the conduct of our hot-washes and formal [after
action review], Soldiers of
Alpha Battery
constantly commented on the training realism provided by
the role-players; how their expectations of training
were exceeded; and how better prepared they believe they
will be when interacting with the local populace in the
Southwest Asia,” Johnson concluded.
"Bringing members of many different organizations
together to assist in the training helps Soldiers feel
more confident about their upcoming deployment," said
Segura.
It was a cold month in the field and the hours were
long, but the Soldiers of
A Battery
wrapped up their exercise one step closer to a
successful deployment.
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SOLDIERS MEET
OKLAHOMA STATE FOOTBALL
PLAYERS AND SHARE VALUES
Article by Major Jay Taylor with photographs by
Sergeant Tara L. Cook
31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade Public Affairs
"Americans love a winner and will not tolerate a loser.
Americans play to win all the time," said General George
S. Patton.
This famous quotation is prominently posted in the
offensive line team room at Oklahoma State
University(OSU) and 35 Soldiers from Fort Sill,
Oklahoma, experienced how OSU football players applied
that particular military maxim to daily practice.
The Soldiers, from the 31st Air Defense Artillery (ADA)
Brigade, traveled to Stillwater, Oklahoma, to spend the
day with the Cowboy football team on 27 September 2011.
While there, they explored the similarities of
leadership, core values and team building between Army
units and college football.
 
At left --
OSU Cowboy’s Head Coach, Mike
Gundy, signs a football for long-time fan, Sergeant
(SGT) Robert T. Brower. SGT Brower is also the current
31st Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade
Noncommissioned Officer (NCO) of the Quarter. At right
--
OSU wide receiver Justin
Blackmon and CSM Kenneth Joseph take time for a photo
just after 31st ADA Soldiers had the
opportunity to sit in on one of their Special Teams
meetings.
The Soldiers spent the day at Boone Pickens Stadium
touring the facilities, joining players during team
meetings and watching a team practice. The OSU players
and Soldiers ended the day with dinner at the Cowboy
training table.
Mike Gundy, OSU’s head football coach, spoke to the
players and Soldiers during a team meeting, stressing
the importance of discipline and leadership.
Command Sergeant Major (CSM)
Kenneth Joseph provides Oklahoma State University (OSU)
football players with words of motivation and reminds
defensive backs to maintain a “no-fly” zone just as he
has for the past 22 years.
Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Kenneth Joseph, the top
enlisted Soldier for the brigade, led the Soldiers in
reciting the Warrior Ethos, which received a “hooah”
from the players and coaches.
"A football player and a Soldier share the same standard
of discipline and getting our individual jobs done to
create a winning team," said Joseph. "This is a great
opportunity for our Soldiers to see that and have an
appreciation that enforcing standards is required in any
successful organization."
"They were able to talk about their accountability to
each other and their training," said Gundy. "If they
[Soldiers] have a missed assignment, it's a bad thing
compared to what we have."
The Soldiers broke into small groups to shadow the
players as they went through their practice session and
quickly recognized familiar processes for the
improvement of performance.
"Watching the team, I could see the similarity between
what I do and what they do," said Private First Class
(PFC) Lindsey Claunch, a Patriot crew member from C
Battery, 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery (C/4-3
ADA) Regiment. "They talked about their mistakes but
didn't dwell on them. They learned from them and moved
on."
The air defenders got a rare opportunity to get an
inside look at the OSU football program and enjoyed the
VIP treatment. Staff Sergeant (SSG) Scott Smith, an
assistant operations sergeant for the brigade and
Oklahoma native, seized the chance to visit the campus.
"My parents are Cowboy football season ticket holders,
but I get them most Saturdays," said Smith. "This
facility is amazing and shows that the OSU football
program has a great future. It's been a lot of fun
visiting today and getting an inside look at the
program."
The idea for the event was sparked after a recent visit
to OSU by Major General (MG) David Halverson, Commanding
General of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill,
and Riki Ellison, a three-time Super Bowl champion.
Ellison is the founder and chairman of the Missile
Defense Advocacy Alliance (MDAA), a nonprofit
organization dedicated to building public support for
the development of missile defense systems.
"One of our biggest goals is to inspire Soldiers and
show them the gratitude they deserve for the things they
do every day," said Ellison. "The OSU Cowboys are a
championship-level football team and inviting [Soldiers]
to be a part of that team is a way to show them
[Soldiers] just how important their role is since they
do not get the recognition they deserve, we have the
ability to do this."
OSU and the 31st ADA Brigade are planning future events,
which pleases Claunch, who is also an Oklahoma native.
She wants the team to come to Fort Sill to show the
Cowboys what her team does.
"I am from Newcastle and watched Justin Blackmon tear us
up on the football field. He comes from a military
family and was very appreciative of us. He made time to
talk to us and made us feel very welcome. I would like
them to see what we do at Fort Sill."
The Cowboys next game is Saturday against Kansas. CSM
Joseph hopes to see the Cowboy defensive backs enforce a
"no-fly zone" against the Jayhawks the same as he has
spent his 22 years of service doing.
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READY AND VIGILANT
CONDUCTS PATRIOT LIVE-FIRE
Article and photograph by Major Jay Taylor
31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Public Affairs
The 31st Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade, “Ready and
Vigilant,” was tasked to conduct a live-fire exercise in
support the Patriot Field Surveillance Program (FSP)
with the firing of twelve Patriot Advanced
Capabilities-2 (PAC-2) missiles on 30 July 2011 at
McGregor Range, New Mexico.
The Brigade leadership seized upon this rare opportunity
as a chance to grow professional, multi-skilled and
adaptive leaders who could conduct a deployment exercise
in addition to firing live missiles. It would also serve
as an occasion to validate recently qualified sections
of 4-3 ADA to ensure home station training is as
effective and efficient as possible. For the brigade
staff, it provided an opportunity to design and develop
effective battle staff procedures with the unique
prospect of putting those procedures into practice. The
deployment of the Brigade from Fort Sill, Oklahoma, to
McGregor Range would also validate individual Soldier
and unit readiness.
The plan was designed to complete the mission in
four-phases. On 19 June 2011, with the publication of
the brigade operations order, phase one, preparation,
began. Phase one required elements from 4-3 ADA and
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 31st ADA
Brigade to begin preparations immediately to include
individual planning to facilitate the deployment and
live fire.
Phase two (movement), commenced on 20 July when
personnel and equipment departed from Fort Sill. More
than 155 Soldiers in 65 vehicles would complete the more
than 600 mile movement to New Mexico in three separate
segmented movements. By the 27 July 2011, all personnel
and equipment were in place at McGregor Range and
prepared to conduct the live-fire exercise.
On 30 July 2011, the brigade transitioned to phase three
(live fire), of the operation as final preparations and
checks were made and airspace de-confliction was
completed.
Firing was scheduled to begin at 1000 hours and be
complete by 1400. In all, 12 missiles were fired. Eight
were fired from three launchers assigned to 4-3 ADA, two
by elements of 1-7 ADA (108th ADA Brigade
from Fort Bragg, North Carolina) and four by elements of
the German Air Force Air Defense Center.
The 31st ADA Brigade conducted command and control
functions to ensure all the actions of participating
units were coordinated and safely conducted.
Upon completion of the live fire, phase four,
(redeployment operations) began as the Brigade returns
to Fort Sill. The 31st ADA Brigade completed movement
back to Fort Sill on 14 August 2011, where they
conducted recovery operations, refined and updated
tactics, techniques and procedures, and submitted
collected missile data to Lower Tier Project Office
(LTPO).
.JPG)
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108th OPENS NEW DINING FACILITY ON NEW COMPLEX
Article and photographs by Sergeant Eddie Smith
108th Air Defense Artillery Public Affairs
Office
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held on 19 October 2011
commemorating the grand opening of the 108th Spartan
Dining Facility (DFAC) located in the new brigade
complex. Prior to using this new DFAC, the 108th was
sharing a facility with other units on Smoke Bomb Hill.
The brigade will now have a facility they can call their
own.
“Today’s opening of the 108th ADA DFAC signifies a new
chapter in Spartan Brigade’s history, as we transition
to our new brigade complex,” said Lieutenant Colonel
(LTC) Curtis King, 108th ADA Brigade Deputy Commanding
Officer.
“The one thing about this new DFAC is that it’s going to
be a place Soldiers can call home,” said Chief Warrant
Officer 3 (CW3) Sharita Booth, Spartan DFAC’s
Officer-in-Charge (OIC). “The cooks are going to show
their pride around the facility.”
The Soldiers that are on a calorie-restricted diet will
have access to healthy choices and caloric information
for use in making good choices.
“We will have a display everyday with calorie cards
showing the amount of calories in the food being
served,” said Master Sergeant (MSG) Francis Simmons,
Spartan DFAC’s Noncommissioned OIC. “The food is going
to be within nutritional standards. We’re looking to
have a specialty menu; and to cater to observance days
by serving food from different ethnic backgrounds. This
will give Soldiers a variety of things to choose from”.
The first meal served at the Grand Opening of the new
DFAC was a Prayer Breakfast for the 108th Soldiers. In
addition to the wonderfully delicious breakfast served,
the Soldiers had musical entertainment, and Chaplain,
LTC Ron Leininger, guest speaker from Womack Hospital,
delivered a powerful message about teamwork.
“Cooks work long and hard hours to get the DFAC up and
running, excited and motivated”, said Simmons. “We’re
looking for maximum participation and support so we are
able to provide the best quality of food service to the
108th ADA Spartan Brigade.”
“The 108th ADA food service team did an outstanding job
preparing the facility and today’s meal continuing to
provide outstanding service for our Soldiers,” said
King. The 108th ADA Spartan Dining Facility’s hours of
operation are scheduled for Monday through Friday, 0730
to 0900 for breakfast, 1130 to 1300 for lunch and 1630
to 1800 for dinner. Saturday and Sunday breakfast is
scheduled for 0800 to 0930, lunch is scheduled for 1200
to 1300 and dinner is scheduled from 1600 to 1730 hours.
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 POKING FUN THE ADA WAY
The following cartoons are provided for your enjoyment
by Sergeant Erin M. Smith, assigned to the 6th Air
Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
You can also enjoy the cartoons on the 6th ADA Brigade
Facebook site.
Thank you, SGT Smith for sharing them with us!
ADA Online would be proud to showcase the works of other
artists or cartoonist that would like to submit their
work for publication. Please keep in mind that the
artwork should have an ADA specific theme or of interest
to ADA Soldiers.
To submit photos, artwork or cartoons contact ADA Online
by clicking
here! |
OUR CARTOONIST IS CURRENTLY ATTENDING A RESIDENT TRAINING
COURSE. UNTIL
HER RETURN, WE WILL RUN VINTAGE CARTOONS BY COLONEL
BOB MATLICK (CIRCA 1972) FOR YOUR VIEWING PLEASURE.
 |
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2011 ADA ONLINE ARCHIVES |
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UPCOMING
EVENTS
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