Foreign officers visit 31st for week-long exercise

1st Lt. Sabrina Smith
31st ADA Bde. Public Affiars

 

1st Lt. Sabrina Smith

First Lt. John Pendon of 1-1 ADA Battalion points out a particular feature of the Engagement Control Station to the visiting Croatian officers during the 31st Brigade Air Defense Exercise.

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The 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade conducted a weeklong air defense exercise at Tobin Wells.
During this exercise, 31st Bde. invited five foreign officers to observe the exercise, utilizing the time to improve relations between the air defense branches of the United States and Croatia.

The five officers invited were from Croatia, Col. Vladimir Superina, Maj. Zeljko Belic, Maj. Emil Curkovic, Maj. Mato Mikic, and Lt. J.G. Darija Gvozdencevic. Their main purpose in attending the ADX was to learn more about the air defense systems that the Army has in order to help them build their own air defense branch, a relatively new branch in the Croatian army.

“We are grateful for this opportunity,” said Superina. “It’s very important for us to be more familiar with this equipment and these procedures, because Croatia is trying to become a member of NATO, as the United States is, and we want to build our relationship with them, so it is very nice. The commanders have been very nice and we hope that this will be a very successful trip for us.”

The Croatian officers were escorted by Capt. Travis Cieloha, 1-1 ADA Bn. signal officer, to the motorpool to be shown around the equipment they would be observing in use out at the Drive Up System Training facility on Tobin Wells. All of the officers were impressed by the general ability of the Patriot system and hoped to take what they had learned back to their country.

Following their tour of the motorpool, the Croatians were escorted to the home of Lt. Col. Brian Disinger, 1-1 ADA Bn. commander, where they were able to mingle with the officers and NCOs of the battalion and learn a bit more about the way the U.S. Army conducts its daily business. The officers and NCOs of 1-1 were friendly and welcoming to the foreign officers, and eager to impart their knowledge of air defense to a country that, up until now, has had little in the way of an air defense branch.

“We were really grateful for the opportunity to have these officers visit us,” said Cieloha. “Being able to show them the ins and outs of Patriot to an extent, is very rewarding, because you know you’re helping another army become even better able to defend its country. I was glad to be their escort during their visit.”

The next day, the Croatians were escorted to the DUST facility, where they were shown what the unit does when they are training in air defense. 1st Lt. John Pendon, D Battery, showed them the general workings of the Engagement Control Station and also showed them around the Battery Command Post, explaining what each unit must do in order to have a successful site up and running.

The Croatian officers were also given a unique opportunity to view a new piece of equipment currently being fielded into the Army; the new Tactical Operating Center, that currently only 5-52 ADA Bn. is in possession of.
The Croatians were pleased with their tour and the willingness of the Army to aid them in their quest to build an air defense branch in their army.

“It was very useful to see this powerful set of equipment,” said Superina. “We unfortunately don’t have enough money in our country to buy this kind of system, but I believe learning about it will help us build our own air defense system that will be suited for our country. We are all very grateful to be given the opportunity to come here, and we thank you.”