DVIDS:
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – Soldiers of 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conducted their second world-wide defense simulation exercise utilizing netted remote terminal battle labs Aug. 9-14.
“The focus of the training was to conduct air-battle management and engagement operations while simultaneously training the brigade and battalion level staff functions,” said Maj. Eric Soler, 35th ADA Brigade operations officer. “This exercise validated our proof of concept of incorporating [Continental U.S.]-based Patriot units into a realistic wartime scenario optimizing our readiness to defeat an air or missile threat.”
More than 300 Soldiers took part in the Missile Defense Agency-generated air battle simulation.
Additionally, about 30 MDA personnel from War Games and Exercises Directorate, a part of the Directorate for Test, maintained and operated the air battle simulation designed to replicate realistic threats for air defense Soldiers to detect through the Patriot missile system.
Patriot missile system crews organically assigned to the brigade consolidated at Osan Air Base to share institutional knowledge between firing units and to build unit cohesion.
“This exercise provided us the opportunity to conduct a tactics review and to standardize engagement operations across the brigade,” said 2nd Lt. Clinton Keeley, an air defense officer assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment headquartered more than 250 km south of the brigade.
Keeley said that line units often do not see operations at a higher echelon until they are promoted and fill that role themselves.
“It provided my crew the opportunity to get a bigger picture of air and missile defense,” said Keeley.
“It really provides the Soldiers with a better understanding of how each staff section supports and reports the missile fight,” he said.
During the exercise, Soldiers from South Korea, Texas and Okinawa, Japan worked around-the-clock monitoring their designated air space and engaging simulated air and missile threats.
“I am extremely proud of the outcome of this exercise,” said Col. Mark Holler, 35th ADA Brigade commander. “The Patriot crews were tested on their ability to defend their assigned assets against a significant threat and the staff streamlined operations to support that mission.”
Holler said that he expects the brigade’s world-wide defense simulation exercises to continue and only get more refined with time and practice.
