Spc. Benjamin Cateron and his wife Ashley embrace at the 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air and Missile Defense Family Readiness Group building prior to deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Courtesy photo.
2-43 AMD Soldiers depart for Southwest Asia mission
Sgt. Jonathan Montgomery, 11th ADA Public Affairs
Nearly four months ago, a fraction of Soldiers from E Battery, 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air and Missile Defense, deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Last week, the remaining “Earthquake” Soldiers followed suit for a 15-month excursion to fulfill mission requirements in Southwest Asia.
While the first group continues to conduct early-warning analysis, this next group of Avenger unit Soldiers will likewise assume an operational posture against threats to forward operating base security.
“They’re eager to go over there and start their mission,” said Capt. Ernesto Lopez, the unit commander and rear detachment battalion commander, adding that today’s unconventional battlefield would remain “not linear.”
In order to make Soldiers as lethal as their enemies, Lopez said the focus of the train-up for the mission centered on gaining Soldier proficiency in nontraditional air defense tactics.
Leaders accomplished this task by broadening Soldier fighting knowledge with infantry-related skills.
Convoy live fires, close-quarters marksmanship, urban terrain operations and entry control point protocol dominated the training schedule in order to more closely match the environment they will likely encounter downrange.
“They’re doing things outside the (air defense artillery) comfort zone,” said Lopez, noting the various material from field training exercises that is relevant to operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
With one-third of his battery having prior combat experience, Lopez, who performed more than 150 combat-related missions during the first year of the Iraq War, said the OEF mission presents a “great opportunity” for his junior lieutenants.
“I’ve put a lot of time in (them), passing on lessons so they can be effective,” he said. “They’re very prepared to perform under pressure.”
As for the noncommissioned officers and Soldiers of his unit, Lopez said he expects them to return more mature, battle tested, and with a readiness to handle a multitude of tasks.
“I expect them to come back different people, different Soldiers,” he said.
Spc. Elyse Elshenawey, a forward supply specialist with E Btry., is one such Soldier who will be tested as soon as she arrives in theater. Already accountable for approximately $10 million worth of equipment inventory, she will also be in charge of billeting and dropping off requests for logistical support to different agencies around base.
“She’ll definitely have her hands full when she touches ground,” said Sgt. Kharisma James, the rear detachment supply sergeant and Elshenawey’s mentor.
Altogether, Lopez said he believes his Soldiers will perform admirably as a “huge asset to the fight” in the Global War on Terrorism.