FORT BLISS, Texas - Soldiers from Battery A, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, spent several days training at McGregor Range, N.M., preparing their Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system for gunnery Table VIII certification, Jan 31.
The Table VIII certification is a bi-annual assessment that validates the unit’s training program and unit cohesiveness in regards to system operations. The goal is to see whether the unit can complete the certification process which assesses their ability to complete March Order, Emplacement, Reload and Air-Battle Management tasks without violating procedural steps or committing safety violations.
“This is an extremely important air defense system,” said Capt. Cesar Torres, recently appointed commander of Btry. A, 4th ADA Regt. “In that regard, we have to make sure incoming Soldiers are technically sound and that we validate their competence. So, before we’re called up to do a mission, we have very confident and capable soldiers.”
Many of its personnel have been through milestone flight tests such as FTT-12, which was the system’s initial operational test and evaluation in 2011; and FTI-01 in 2012, which was the first time the system was integrated into a broader web of missile defense platforms including Patriot Advanced Capability-3 missiles and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Systems.
“Since many of these soldiers have been through two of the largest air defense tests in history, I think they take their jobs pretty seriously,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Lucas M. Watterson, weapons system trainer for Btry. A, 4th ADA Regt. “There is a lot of pride in regards to them knowing their jobs and taking responsibility for the unique equipment they operate.”
“The reasons why the past flight tests have been such a huge success is because these Soldiers take ownership of their performance and constantly try to perfect it,” Torres added.
The THAAD crews spent several cold days at McGregor Range executing, assessing, perfecting and then re-executing their mission parameters. The focus was to align newer personnel with unit expectations and to reiterate the importance of continuous improvement to THAAD veterans.
“We need to constantly keep ourselves fresh on this system,” said Spc. Joshua Aroway, tactical control assistant with the unit. “Things are always changing; new people coming in or other folks are leaving the [unit]. I’ve done this quite a few times, so the trainings not stressful, but if we didn’t do it, I know we wouldn’t be prepared.”
After six long days in the field, the time had come for the battery to undergo the certification process.
At the start of the certification, Torres issued the order for the Reconnaissance, Surveillance and Occupation of Position team, or RSOP, to clear the route and secure a site large enough for the battery. Once the battery made it on to the site, emplacement crews were evaluated on their drills.
| Date Taken: |
02.08.2013 |
| Date Posted: |
02.08.2013 15:37 |
| Story ID: |
101713 |
| Location: |
FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: |
236 |
| Downloads: |
1 |
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This work, A-4 THAAD trains for, completes ‘Gunnery Tables’, by SGT Jacoby Davis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
