DVIDS:
The top air defense crews assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, and 6th Battalion, 52nd ADA Regiment, competed in the 35th ADA Brigade Missile Defender of the Year competition Oct. 23-27 at Osan Air Base, Republic of Korea.
Ballistic missile defense plays an integral role in maintaining the armistice in the Republic of Korea, and 35th ADA Brigade is charged with leading that effort for U.S. forces. With 11 firing batteries spread across five locations on the Peninsula, each participating crew already demonstrated elite status just by making it to the brigade level competition.
Six crews from each battalion competed in 16 different events over a five-day period for the coveted Missile Defender of the Year title. For some, earning the best crew nod would validate months of hard work and training.
“It would mean a lot if my crew won the competition,” said Pfc. Kyle Varner, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6-52 ADA. “Everyone has been working really hard all year, and it would prove we’re always prepared and ready to fight tonight.”
The honors for the top Information and Coordination Central crew went to 1st. Lt. Almert Gorbach, Sgt. Erick Larsen and Spc. Marquee Massie of HHB, 6-52 ADA. The ICC is the battalion’s control center. The crew provides tactical supervision while networking with firing batteries and adjacent units.
Spc. Daniel Cannoy and Pfc. Jeffery Kidwell assigned to D Battery, 6-52 ADA won best Battery Command Post crew. The Battery Command Post crew monitors joint information networks to provide early warning detection, and relays that information to the Engagement Control Station.
The best Engagement Control Station crew was comprised of 1st Lt. Nathanael Agront, Sgt. Robert Dingle and Pfc. Christopher Kline of C Battery, 2-1 ADA. The ECS is the battery’s control center for air battle management, and the crew and is responsible for launching interceptors at enemy missiles during air battle operations.
The winners of the best Launcher Station crew were Sgt. Eric Areizaga and Pfc. Peter Cwalina of B Battery, 2-1 ADA Battalion. Soldiers working in this crew execute the loading and reloading of interceptors, conduct routine maintenance and maneuver the Patriot station between firing locations.
Sgt. Austin Eddins and Pfc. Jameson Medellin of C Battery, 2-1 ADA won the best Systems Maintenance crew. The System Maintenance crew conducts scheduled and preventive maintenance and services exclusive to the Patriot station to sustain continuous operations.
The best Tactical Command System crew was Sgt. James Harris, Pfc. Breton Tucker, Pfc. Bernardo Benavidez and Pfc Kyle Varner of HHB, 6-52 ADA. The TCS crew is a battalion asset that directly supports the ICC by providing early warning detection and situational awareness for the commander.
Each winning crew will be recognized at the Missile Defender of the Year banquet held at the Dragon Hill Lodge in Seoul, Nov. 18. Riki Ellison, a former NFL player, and the chairman and founder of the Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance will present all of the awardees medals for their achievement.
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