Fort Bliss Monitor

Friends of 6th Brigade tour training facilities

Capt. Fredrick Harrell
Special to The Monitor

El Paso veterans take a tour of 6th ADA Brigade and learn about the newest air defense systems in the Army inventory. Col. Kendall Cunningham watches as two veterans learn how to engage enemy aircraft with the Patriot Missile System while inside the Patriot Conduct of Fire Trainer.

Col. Kendall Cunningham, commander 6th ADA Brigade, recently took Friends of 6th Brigade on a tour of the brigade’s training facilities.

This is the second tour conducted by 6th Bde. This one was a special event with invitations being extended to local veterans groups in addition to Team Bliss members. The brigade wanted to show appreciation to veterans for their service in honor of Veteran’s Day and to show how much the Army has changed over the years.

The El Paso, Texas Veterans Association Chapter 187, along with other members of Team Bliss attended the tour which included a walk through 1-56 ADA’s Initial Entry Training Barracks, briefings from 2-6 ADA and 3-6 ADA Soldiers on the latest air defense weapons, and some hands-on experience at the Patriot Conduct of Fire Trainer.

The tour also included a chance for the veterans to share war stories with young Soldiers while having lunch at Bamford Dining Facility. The older veterans joked of the luxuries our new Soldiers seem to have compared to their days in the military. However, they were extremely impressed with the high standards set by the Soldiers and leadership of the brigade. They were also impressed with the quality of training being given by 6th Bde. instructors.

The tour was inspiring to the other Team Bliss members who have worked with the brigade for many years, giving them the chance to see how their contributions affect the success of the brigade. “Some of us have worked here for quite a while, and had no idea of what our guys actually do. What a grand idea to afford civilians from all walks of life (those currently in the workforce from other directorates, retirees, veterans) an opportunity to see the internal works of this brigade. I certainly have a newfound respect for all of the hard work and dedication our civilians and military alike put in to make this brigade what it is,” said Florence Spruill, 6th Bde. Program Management Office.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	November 18 , 2004

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