Fort Bliss Monitor

Troop Talk

During a run with 1st Air Missile Defense, 44th Battalion, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Soldiers asked the following questions:

How is the homeland defense mission 1-44 ADA recently completed at Point Mugu going to effect future missions of air defense units?

This is not a new mission for air defense; we have had air defense units protecting the homeland for several years. This was an exercise that simply demonstrated our ability to provide this critical capability.

Will 1-44 ADA be the first to do this mission again?

We have several air defense units that can perform this mission, and we can expect, as we do with other missions, to rotate it amongst all of the air defense forces. However, every service can be called upon to perform missions that best meet the needs of the nation. Air Force and Navy personnel are training here for detainee operations and driving supplies to depots in Iraq. Avenger units are pulling convoy duty and security patrols in Iraq. The focus of training throughout the services, whether a Soldier, Airmen, Marine or Seaman, is boots on the ground when necessary, regardless of specialty training.

Why can’t we wear patrol caps instead of berets on hot sunny days?

Regulations are specific about the wearing of headgear. Only personnel in a field environment, motor pool or specific details are permitted to wear the patrol cap. Soldiers in basic or advanced individual training have the patrol cap as a designated part of their daily uniform during duty hours. Berets, with few exceptions, are a part of the duty uniform for all Army personnel with exceptions noted above.

Why is there such a long wait for childcare at the Child Development Center? What can we do in the meantime?

Child Development Services provides childcare services at two CDCs and 30 Family Child Care homes. Currently there are no openings in the Main CDC, however, Logan CDC has openings in all their rooms. FCC also has openings for children of all ages. Individuals wanting care at the main CDC can be provided care at either Logan CDC or in an FCC home until there is an opening at main CDC. Once there is an opening in the main CDC, the parent will be notified. The parent will then have the choice of taking the opening at the main CDC or continuing service in the program they are currently using.

What is the future of the 14S Military Occupational Skill and Avengers?

MOS 14S is a vital part of air defense. The Avenger weapon system is fielded in six Avenger batteries within the air missile defense battalions, as well as the 5th Bn., 5th ADA and 2nd Bn., 44th ADA. 2-44 ADA was scheduled for deactivation in fiscal year 2009. However, that has been moved to fiscal year 2011. MOS 14S has been identified as the appropriate MOS for the Surfaced-Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile weapon system. As SLAMRAAM incrementally replaces the Avenger, the 14S AMD crewmembers will then be trained on SLAMRAAM and will be assigned to those weapon systems.

Will the situation in Lebanon and Israel have a bearing on Air and Missile Defense and Future Systems?

It is too early to predict what lessons will come out of this conflict that may be of benefit to air defense, but rest assured, we will take every opportunity to improve our war-fighting capabilities.

Are we going to deploy any of our Soldiers as part of United Nations Peacekeeping between Lebanon and Israel?

Peacekeeping forces to go into Lebanon have not been announced as of this date. Press reports indicate that France may be a part of this force, if certain conditions are met.

In Logan Heights (Ruckman Road), there is a problem with bad water in the lines, sometimes taking more than a week to get it fixed. What are the plans to fix the water problem?

Directorate of Public Works is looking into this water problem. It may be due to the heavy rainfall we had in the past two weeks.

Maj. Gen. Robert P. Lennox
Fort Bliss Commanding General

Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox
Fort Bliss Commanding General



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	Aug. 17, 2006

	Troop Talk During a run with 1st Air Missile Defense, 44th Battalion, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Soldiers asked the following questions: How is the homeland defense mission 1-44 ADA recently completed at Point Mugu going to effect future missions of air defense units? This is not a new mission for air defense; we have had air defense units protecting the homeland for several years. This was an exercise that simply demonstrated our ability to provide this critical capability. Will 1-44 ADA be the first to do this mission again? We have several air defense units that can perform this mission, and we can expect, as we do with other missions, to rotate it amongst all of the air defense forces. However, every service can be called upon to perform missions that best meet the needs of the nation. Air Force and Navy personnel are training here for detainee operations and driving supplies to depots in Iraq. Avenger units are pulling convoy duty and security patrols in Iraq. The focus of training throughout the services, whether a Soldier, Airmen, Marine or Seaman, is boots on the ground when necessary, regardless of specialty training. Why can’t we wear patrol caps instead of berets on hot sunny days? Regulations are specific about the wearing of headgear. Only personnel in a field environment, motor pool or specific details are permitted to wear the patrol cap. Soldiers in basic or advanced individual training have the patrol cap as a designated part of their daily uniform during duty hours. Berets, with few exceptions, are a part of the duty uniform for all Army personnel with exceptions noted above. Why is there such a long wait for childcare at the Child Development Center? What can we do in the meantime? Child Development Services provides childcare services at two CDCs and 30 Family Child Care homes. Currently there are no openings in the Main CDC, however, Logan CDC has openings in all their rooms. FCC also has openings for children of all ages. Individuals wanting care at the main CDC can be provided care at either Logan CDC or in an FCC home until there is an opening at main CDC. Once there is an opening in the main CDC, the parent will be notified. The parent will then have the choice of taking the opening at the main CDC or continuing service in the program they are currently using. What is the future of the 14S Military Occupational Skill and Avengers? MOS 14S is a vital part of air defense. The Avenger weapon system is fielded in six Avenger batteries within the air missile defense battalions, as well as the 5th Bn., 5th ADA and 2nd Bn., 44th ADA. 2-44 ADA was scheduled for deactivation in fiscal year 2009. However, that has been moved to fiscal year 2011. MOS 14S has been identified as the appropriate MOS for the Surfaced-Launched Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile weapon system. As SLAMRAAM incrementally replaces the Avenger, the 14S AMD crewmembers will then be trained on SLAMRAAM and will be assigned to those weapon systems. Will the situation in Lebanon and Israel have a bearing on Air and Missile Defense and Future Systems? It is too early to predict what lessons will come out of this conflict that may be of benefit to air defense, but rest assured, we will take every opportunity to improve our war-fighting capabilities. Are we going to deploy any of our Soldiers as part of United Nations Peacekeeping between Lebanon and Israel? Peacekeeping forces to go into Lebanon have not been announced as of this date. Press reports indicate that France may be a part of this force, if certain conditions are met. In Logan Heights (Ruckman Road), there is a problem with bad water in the lines, sometimes taking more than a week to get it fixed. What are the plans to fix the water problem? Directorate of Public Works is looking into this water problem. It may be due to the heavy rainfall we had in the past two weeks. Maj. Gen. Robert P. Lennox Fort Bliss Commanding General Brig. Gen. Robert P. Lennox Fort Bliss Commanding General