Stars and Stripes:
U.S. troops are launching Stinger and Patriot missiles from the Greek island of Crete in an effort to boost the Army’s short- and long-range air defenses in Europe, an area of heightened focus as the Army works to close potential capability gaps.
For two weeks, NATO air- and missile-defense teams are testing the alliance’s ability to deter and, if necessary, intercept missiles entering its airspace.
Besides two Patriot batteries from the Baumholder, Germany-based 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Stinger missile teams from the 173rd Airborne Brigade and 2nd Cavalry will test newly acquired short-range missile defense capabilities. The infantrymen are fresh out of the Army’s missile defense school in Fort Sill, Okla.
