Fort Bliss Monitor

Team ‘Deuce’ conducts FTX

Spc. Gregory Bush
5-52 ADA

Lt. Col. Joseph Simonelli and Majors Greg Brady and Matt Tedesco confer at the field training site.

For “The Deuce” Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, September ended with a bang with its System Integration missions and “Check Out” field training exercises.

The unit’s equipment was brought out of “reset” and taken out to the field. They completed their objectives ahead of expectations, according to Lt. Col. Joseph Simonelli, commander, 5-52 ADA.

Performing at an accelerated rate allowed 5-52 ADA to test their Communication Relay Group crews by giving them the opportunity to jump to remote locations.

“Their crews not only jumped safely but obtained their shots flawlessly. The Soldiers operated autonomously, pulling their own perimeter security as well as operating their systems,” Simonelli said.

At the battery locations, Soldiers performed their certifications. With new personnel additions to 5-52, units were certifying new crews as well as recertifying experienced Soldiers. Teams worked into the night running Missile Reload as well as March Order and Emplacement missions.

The Battalion recognized Sgt. Robert Anderson, and Specialists Eric Shepherd, Robert Hoffert and Whit-ney Johnson of D Btry. for their Table XII.

“They set the standard for launcher crews across the battalion,” Simonelli said.

1st Lt. Courtney Justice and her team at E Btry. were congratulated for their Table VIII certification.
“All logistical support operations for the battalion went off without a hitch. The log packs were challenging at times but gave realistic training for war-time operations,” said Capt. Myron Rone, battalion supply officer.

“I am impressed by the aggressive attitude and actions by every member of The Deuce. They truly exemplify our motto of “One Team, One Fight ... Team Deuce!,” added Simonelli.

After returning and attending to their equipment, the Soldiers looked forward to a much appreciated four-day holiday. The battalion will roll forward through October, accomplishing battery-level training and prepare for January’s Falon Nevada Joint Training Exercise.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	October 14, 2004

A helicopter lands next to 5-52 ADA’s training site. Sgt. Broderick Gardner, Head-quarters Battery, practices a Patriot crew drill. <map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Team ‘Deuce’ conducts FTX Spc. Gregory Bush 5-52 ADA Lt. Col. Joseph Simonelli and Majors Greg Brady and Matt Tedesco confer at the field training site. For “The Deuce” Soldiers of 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery, September ended with a bang with its System Integration missions and “Check Out” field training exercises. The unit’s equipment was brought out of “reset” and taken out to the field. They completed their objectives ahead of expectations, according to Lt. Col. Joseph Simonelli, commander, 5-52 ADA. Performing at an accelerated rate allowed 5-52 ADA to test their Communication Relay Group crews by giving them the opportunity to jump to remote locations. “Their crews not only jumped safely but obtained their shots flawlessly. The Soldiers operated autonomously, pulling their own perimeter security as well as operating their systems,” Simonelli said. At the battery locations, Soldiers performed their certifications. With new personnel additions to 5-52, units were certifying new crews as well as recertifying experienced Soldiers. Teams worked into the night running Missile Reload as well as March Order and Emplacement missions. The Battalion recognized Sgt. Robert Anderson, and Specialists Eric Shepherd, Robert Hoffert and Whit-ney Johnson of D Btry. for their Table XII. “They set the standard for launcher crews across the battalion,” Simonelli said. 1st Lt. Courtney Justice and her team at E Btry. were congratulated for their Table VIII certification. “All logistical support operations for the battalion went off without a hitch. The log packs were challenging at times but gave realistic training for war-time operations,” said Capt. Myron Rone, battalion supply officer. “I am impressed by the aggressive attitude and actions by every member of The Deuce. They truly exemplify our motto of “One Team, One Fight ... Team Deuce!,” added Simonelli. After returning and attending to their equipment, the Soldiers looked forward to a much appreciated four-day holiday. The battalion will roll forward through October, accomplishing battery-level training and prepare for January’s Falon Nevada Joint Training Exercise.