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Soldiers magazine's, Stephen M Harding and Heike Hasenaur visited Btry. C, 2nd Bn., 1st ADA, tactical site in Southwest Asia to view a Patriot launcher crew drill demonstration.

The simulated SCUD missile launch came from Charlie Battery's Command Post as personnel scurried to battle positions and relayed the SCUD launch alert to the Patriot Engagement Control Station and the downrange "Hot Crew".

"Scud Launch, Scud Launch, Scud Launch" said Spc. David Van Meter, a C Btry. early warning operator.

Standing ready, Sgt. Khristian Brading, Patriot launcher "hot crew" chief, repeated, "SCUD launch, let's roll" to his launcher crew of as they all jumped in a HUMVEE and raced downrange to begin arming C Btry's. Patriot launchers.

Once down range, Brading coordinated with the ECS, while he waited for his crew to announce each launcher was ready.

"Missile heat time is now," Spc. Daniel Boado, Patriot launcher crewmember, reported to Brading.

"Roger, ECS this is Hot Crew, request permission to remote launcher," relayed Brading to the Tactical Control Officer, 2nd LT Brendan Mcshea, , Btry. C, 2nd Bn., 1st ADA, from the ECS.

"Roger" acknowledged, Mcshea.

Thus, in a matter of seconds, a Patriot battery is ready to fire.

For the last 12 years, the Patriot air and missile defense soldier has become common figures around the world. Patriot soldiers have routinely rotated on deployments, serving on-point in protection of our Nation's interest.

Patriot soldiers have their own reasons for serving their country and are trained, confident, committed, and motivated.

"I am here serving my country in a foreign nation to ensure that my family's freedoms and customs are preserved," said Spc. Shawn, Romine, Patriot launcher crewmember, Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 1st ADA

"My being here is to ensure that the family I will eventually have is guaranteed the same way of life, which I grew up with," said Pfc. Monica Hall, Patriot system maintainer, Btry. C, 2nd Bn., 1st ADA.

Others had this to say about their service; "Having 2 young boys and a wife back home is the biggest reason I am here. I'm protecting their way of life," related Van Meter. "This is a historical time, and I am proud to be here."

Air defense leaders are quick to point out the Patriot missile and air defense system is all about soldiers. Many of the soldiers deployed today are veterans who, following Desert Storm, have deployed routinely all over the world. Patriot soldiers are competent in their war-fighting skills, confident in their equipment and training, and committed to accomplishment of the mission before them.

"Our soldiers are fully trained. We executed a very robust, Mission Essential Task List focused training from last summer to our present deployment this past fall," said Lt. Col. Joseph DeAntona, commander, 2nd Bn., 1st ADA.

Not only are these Patriot soldiers trained, they are motivated

. "Well trained, properly led and cared for soldiers are motivated soldiers, I truly believe our soldiers outstanding motivation is a direct reflection of their training and their leaders," said DeAntona.

A key contributing factor to a Patriot soldier's success when performing his or her job is the role of the Family Readiness Group.

"I'm particularly proud of the outstanding job our Family Readiness Groups are doing to assist our families in dealing with this deployment. Our FRGs are empowering our families and assisting them in taking care of issues until our soldiers return," DeAntona said.

Patriot soldiers remain ready and prepared to demonstrate their job to our adversaries if called upon by the President of the United States, should our country have to participate in a future contingency.

Under Secretary of the U.S. Army Les Brownlee speaks with Sgt. David Himes, and Sgt. Killo Gibson, both Patriot launcher crew chiefs from D Battery, 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery. D Btry., 2-1 ADA, is currently located in Southwest Asia.

Army under secretary visits deployed Fort Bliss troops

1st Lt. Michelle Nall
2-1 ADA Public Affairs

Les Brownlee, Under Secretary of the United States Army, visited with soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery and Delta Battery, 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, from Fort Bliss, Texas. HHB and D Battery are currently located in Southwest Asia.

During his visit, Brownlee told the troops a story about a young soldier in World War I who served in the famed Rainbow Division. His story's main character was a messenger named Pvt. Martin Fetco who was killed by heavy artillery fire while carrying out his duties. When his buddies found his body, they also found his diary. In the diary under the heading "My Pledge," Fetco wrote, "America must win the war. Therefore I will work, I will sacrifice and I will endure. I will fight cheerfully and do my utmost. As if the whole battle depended on me alone."

Brownlee asked the soldiers that when they wake everyday to do their job, to think of that kind of dedication and commitment. He then thanked the soldiers on behalf of the Secretary of the Army, Thomas E. White and expressed their collective appreciation for their service.

He ended by quoting President George Bush, "'We will rally the world to this effort by our courage, and by our efforts. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail,'" and added by telling the soldiers, "I know you won't."

Brownlee then toured the site as Battery D soldiers briefed him on Patriot capabilities. Sgt. David Himes and Sgt. Killo Gibson spoke to the Under Secretary on the new PAC-3 launcher and its capabilities. Both soldiers received coins of excellence from Brownlee for the brief. Brownlee also passed out four other coins: Pfc. Everett Barton, Btry. D, for scoring a 280 on his army physical fitness test and pumping more than 30,000 gallons of fuel without any environmental incident; Sgt. Jamie Dinger of HHB for organizing two mass casualty training exercises; Spc. Francisco Menjivar, HHB, for outstanding mechanical support on the Task Force power generation equipment; and Spc. Reginald Hawkins for superior job performance as a member of a communications relay group crew.

VITA volunteers needed
The Fort Bliss VITA Office is seeking volunteers to assist soldiers and their family members in preparing federal and state tax returns for the 2002 tax year. The VITA office will be open from mid-January to the end of the tax season in April. The IRS will provide approximately 40 hours of free tax training on post in early January. For information, contact Capt. Margaret Tomaro at 568-7141 or stop by the office in Bldg. 113.

Retirement briefing
Upon receipt of retirement orders, soldiers must bring a copy to the Retirement Services Office to schedule a pre-retirement briefing. The next pre-retirement briefing will be at 8 a.m. today. Soldiers should plan to attend the retirement pre-brief 180 days prior to starting permissive TDY/terminal leave. Information to build your retired pay account will be turned in at the end of the pre-brief. The following information will be covered at the pre-brief: Retirement ceremony, TRICARE, transportation, veterans benefits, education benefits, job assistance, final active duty finance and Survivor Benefit Plan. Soldiers must be in uniform (BDU or Class B). Spouses are encouraged to attend, however, small children may not attend due to limited seating. Attendees should bring retirement orders and should make reservations at 568-5204. Retirement Services is located in Room 100, Bldg. 515A. A follow-up, one-on-one session with the retiree's spouse must be scheduled after your pre-brief. Any soldier being processed for a possible medical retirement should contact the Retirement Services Office if medical retirement is being considered. Soldiers with approved medical retirements have only 90 days to complete all retirement/ elimination processing.

Marriage improvement
Improve your marriage by attending the Center Staff Chaplain's monthly Couples' Communication Class taught by the Fort Bliss Family Life chaplain. The class is always the first Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., second floor, Bldg. 112. Refreshments and lunch will be provided. Registration cutoff for each class is the Wednesday before the class. To register, and for more information, call 568-2623.

Newcomer orientation
Join us for the CSC Newcomers Orientation every Tuesday or Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Join us at the CSC, Bldg. 2494 Ricker Road, for an exciting day filled with information, opportunities to share ideas and to meet new friends, as well as a tour of Fort Bliss, highlighting MWR activi-ties. Spouses are welcome. Refreshments are provided. For free childcare arrangements, contact 568-5689. For information, call 568-6291.

Cpl. Tommie Bouler, C Btry., 2nd Bn., 1st ADA, checks Patriot missile cannister torque tube handles to ensure they are in the proper position.

PAC-3 missile system set to make own history

Capt. Enrique T. Vasquez
32nd AAMDC Public Affairs

In the past month scores of newly-delivered Patriot PAC-3 missiles have been pre-positioned at various locations throughout Southwest Asia.

"The historic role that these new PAC-3 missiles will play in a potential conflict may take shape within the upcoming months," said Col. Charles Anderson, 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, chief of staff.

As part of the Army's modernization program and the lessons learned during the Gulf War, the U.S. Army, in conjunction with the Department of Defense and Raytheon, began fielding this new missile.

"This will be the first time PAC-3 missiles will be fired in combat, should the United States be involved in a conflict in the Gulf region," said Anderson

"The PAC-3 missile is the final piece of the Patriot's PAC III program," said Lt. Col Joseph DeAntona, commander, 2nd Battalion, 1st ADA.

"It provides state-of-the-art, "hit to kill" technology and dramatically improves the Patriot missile system's ability to destroy tactical ballistic missiles," related DeAntona.

The "hit to kill" technology allows the PAC-3 missile to physically collide with an inbound tactical ballistic missile at a high rate of speed making a warhead kill more likely than the proximity-fused missile used in the first Gulf War.

"In essence, you are hitting a bullet with a bullet," says Anderson.

Although the PAC-3 is making history, so are the brave men and women from Fort Bliss' 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, who recently received some of the PAC-3 missiles that have been allocated for the Gulf region.

In addition to the addition of the PAC-3 components, 2-1 ADA enjoyed another memorable experience, when the Under Secretary of the Army, the Honorable Les Brownlee, visited Btry. D, 2-1 ADA. Brownlee came to give Patriot soldiers some words of encouragement and thank them for all the hard work they are doing.

"We've done a lot to try and get you the very best missiles that we can, and I promise you that people back in Washington have been working very hard to do everything we can to accelerate the PAC-3." said Brownlee. "And, we're going to get them all over here in your hands as soon as we can possibly crank them off the assembly line," Brownlee told the Patriot soldiers.

"I just want to tell you, on behalf of the Secretary of the Army, Tom White, and everybody in the Army how much we appreciate what you're doing," he said. Likewise, Patriot soldiers are very excited about making history with the new PAC-3 missiles.

"Our soldiers have been working with PAC-3 longer than any Patriot organization," says DeAntona. "They were actively involved with testing the PAC-3 system and were responsible for bringing the first PAC-3 capability to this theater of operation."

"I feel very important, I am making history, because I was the one that signed for the first missiles," said Spc. George Kise, unit supply specialist, Btry. D, 2-1 ADA.

"We made history, because we were the first unit to have these missiles operational," said D Btry.'s Sgt. Richard Robbins, Patriot system maintainer.

Patriot soldiers were also excited about the new PAC-3 missiles for other reasons.

"Once hooked up, the missiles popped right in and heated up just like they were supposed to," says Robbins. "They are easy to turn on and easy to test."

"I thought it was good the PAC-3's are finally here," said Spc. Darnell McCleod, automated logistics specialist, Btry. D.

"Although the Patriot system is better equipped to do its mission, we cannot forget the contribution of the men and women who employ America's best technology and stand ready to defeat whatever threat we face," said Anderson.

Robert Smith-Yanez, Ross Middle School seventh grader, explains his science fair project to Staff Sgt. Thomas Mason.

108th soldiers judge school's science fair

Sgt. James Montoya
108th ADA Public Affairs

Soldiers from the108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade went back to school recently, when they helped judge a science fair at Ross Middle School Friday, Jan. 17.

The event, organized as part of the Partners In Education program, brought 555th Maintenance Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 43rd ADA soldiers together to talk with seventh grade students about their science fair projects.

"I like to talk with the middle school students because they have some interesting thinking we may not have," said Spc. Jose Rodriguez, 555th Maintenance Co. "They're thinking about the future."

Rodriguez was judging Shayne Chaparro's, science fair project on which fertilizer grew best for the cost. Chaparro's project compared five different fertilizers.

"It's pretty cool to meet soldiers," Chaparro said.

Staff Sgt. Thomas Mason, HHB 2nd Bn., 43rd ADA, also liked meeting the middle school students to discuss scientific subjects.

"I enjoy listening to the kids come up with the creative ideas and thinking," Mason said. "I learned quite a bit from one young lady about weather. She wants to be a meteorologist. She actually educated me on some things about the weather."

This future meteorologist, Laura Zepeda, was one of several students from the 250 entrants to win the highest award of the Ross Middle School Science Fair. Zepeda scored a perfect 25 points to win the 'Sweepstakes Award' to advance to the El Paso Independent School District Science Fair.

"Our students worked hard and this is a good experience for them," said Aida Castorena, science fair coordinator. "I want to thank all the science teachers and our "partners in education" for all their hard work," Castorena said.


Jan. 23, 2003

Serving the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community