6-52 ADA Soldiers Showcase Air Defense Capabilities to Future Officers

by Sgt. LYNNE STEELY

214th Fires Brigade Public Affairs

Soldiers from B Battery, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, demonstrated what air defense is all about to West Point cadets during Mounted Maneuver Training at Fort Knox, Ky. July 23.

The battery, along with Soldiers from its sister unit, the 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, from Fort Hood, Texas, spent a month at Fort Knox demonstrating the capabilities of the Patriot missile system and showcasing their skills to the groups of cadets rotating through the training.

Because little is known about the field of air defense to most outsiders, said B Battery commander, Capt. Joseph Westerman, branch officials saw this as an opportunity to try and change that. 

“The Office, Chief of Air Defense Artillery, decided that it wanted to showcase the branch here during West Point’s annual training,” said Westerman. “The 6th-52nd was tasked with the mission and B Battery was lucky enough to be able to support that.”

“The West Point cadets come to Fort Knox for four days to really see the heavy pieces of equipment that the Army has to offer,” said Westerman. “They focus a lot of the time on armor and cavalry and how those pieces of equipment maneuver on the battlefield.”

“Because Air Defense is considered a heavier type of force rather than light infantry and those types of things, we come here and showcase our branch as well,” said Westerman. “We don’t really have the opportunity to do that anywhere else.”

Maj. Lisa Bartel, 6-52 ADA’s operation officer, said that technology and equipment are not the only things the air defense branch has to offer those who join its ranks.

 “We’re showcasing not only the branch, but we’re showcasing the knowledge of our Soldiers to the cadets to say this is the level of intelligence that you’re getting when you come into air defense, and this is what the Soldiers can offer, and what the branch can offer as a whole,” said Bartel.

Pfc. Krysti DeThomas, B Battery, 6th-52nd ADA, explains how PATRIOT missiles are loaded onto the launcher using the GMT crane.

“They may not have a good idea of what air defense does,” added Bartel. “I think it’s a good opportunity for us to come out here and showcase the branch and what our Soldiers can do and their level of knowledge and training and discipline.”

Pfc. Issac Castleberry is trained to operate and maintain the Patriot launching station and briefed cadets on its mechanisms and operation. The cadets also received some hands-on training during a presentation. With launcher crewmembers by their side, cadets were able to maneuver missile canisters using the guided missile transporter.

 “We’re out here to inform the cadets about air defense and our capabilities,” said Castleberry.  “We give them some insight into our job and what we do, our equipment, and how we operate on a day to day basis.”

“I love what I do. It’s one of the best jobs in the Army,” said Castleberry, who said his first choice in Army careers was Military Intelligence. “Protecting the air space is really an important job.”

Although all positions within the Air Defense Artillery branch are open to women, it is still predominantly male. Pfc. Krysti DeThomas, one of six women in a battery of more than 70 Soldiers, said she can’t understand why. She said she has never faced any additional challenges or adversity as a female air defender.

DeThomas has been with the battery only five months and has already completed two certification exercises. Along with her crew partner, she earned the highest score in the battalion on Table VIII certification, and received a coin from Maj. Gen. Robert Lennox, the Chief of Air Defense Artillery and Commandant of the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery School.

 “That was exciting,” said DeThomas. She also certified on missile reload during her first time as a crane operator during the recent downpours.

“I didn’t imagine myself when I joined at 26 being able to do half of the things I’m doing now,” said DeThomas. “I love this job. I wouldn’t give it up for the world.”

DeThomas attributes much of her success and love for her job to those she works with on a daily basis. “I love my crew partners, they’re awesome. It’s really like a big family. Everybody’s got each others back,” said DeThomas.

“There is not a position for an air defense officer or enlisted personnel, that a female cannot fill,” added Westerman. “From platoon leader to brigade command, they are all available.”

Staff Sgt. Patrick McGrath wanted to dispel rumors that the field of air defense is going to disappear.

 “I think it’s good for the cadets to be able to come and see what air defense has to offer,” said McGrath. “There are a lot of rumors that Patriot and air defense are pretty much all but done. I like to be able to tell them facts and to show them that air defense isn’t going anywhere. It’s reliable defense for our country. The country needs us so we’re not going anywhere. They need to know that. That’s our job is to make sure they understand that before they leave here.”

With the help of B Battery crewmembers, cadets maneuver an empty missile container through the air. Although only certified personnel are permitted to actually load or unload missiles from the equipment, the cadets were able to get a feel for the power behind it and the actual strength required to hold it in a steady position. At right, B Battery launcher operator, Pfc. Issac Castleberry, shows a cadet how to hold the rope that controls the missile canister while it is being transported between the GMT and the launcher.

Some cadets expressed an interest in air defense following the demonstration, said McGrath, which he attributed to the battery’s unique presentation.

“The way we’re presenting air defense this time is more interesting than the way they’ve seen it before,” said McGrath. “They’re doing a lot more hands-on activities. For example, getting to do the reload, and just to understand what they’re looking at. They hadn’t really been explained the capabilities and the power of the Patriot system itself before now.”

Cadet Alex Farinelli, who is entering his sophomore year at West Point, said he is seriously considering the air defense branch after his visit with B Battery.

“I knew almost nothing about air defense before I got here,” said Farinelli. “After today my knowledge of air defense has grown.” Farinelli said that the hands-on experience was one of the deciding factors for him.

Westerman attributed the success of B Battery to his Soldiers and said he is confident in their ability to handle this mission. “Intelligent questions are being posed by the cadets and they’re able to answer all of them and give great, professional presentations,” said Westerman. “I’m impressed with my Soldiers’ ability to do that, because this is not a traditional mission that we do.”