10th AAMDC soldiers leave for air defense mission in Turkey

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Zumer | Soldiers from the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, board a plane at Ramstein Air Base on Dec. 2 en route to a year-long deployment in Turkey. Approximately 300 Soldiers from 10th AAMDC are deploying as part of a NATO operation providing missile defense support in the southeastern part of the country. The battalion joins Patriot batteries from NATO allies Germany and the Netherlands which are deployed to separate locations in southern Turkey. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. John Zumer, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command public affairs)  

GAZIANTEP, 1, TURKEY

12.02.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. John Zumer 

10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany – Being home for the holidays is a luxury no soldier, regardless of rank or deployments completed, ever takes for granted. For almost 300 soldiers from U.S. Army Europe’s 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, the chance to celebrate the holidays at home must wait until 2014 because of pressing business in Turkey.

The Patriot missile batteries from the 10th AAMDC’s 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, left December 2 for a NATO operation providing missile defense support near the city of Gaziantep. They will replace the 3rd Battalion, 2nd ADA from Fort Sill, Okla., which has been in Turkey since last December augmenting Turkish air defense capabilities against potential ballistic missile threats from Syria.

“It will be hard being away for Christmas, but they’ll be really busy once they arrive,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Harold Lincoln, the senior enlisted Soldier for the 10th AAMDC.

The deploying Soldiers saw first-hand the difficulties of being away for what’s projected as a year-long deployment. Families and friends gathered the night before departure for a last farewell and some tearful goodbyes at Rhine Ordnance Barracks. As difficult as the upcoming mission will likely be, it’s one the Soldiers have long prepared for.

“Our Soldiers are well trained,” said Col. Greg Brady, commander of the 10th AAMDC.

Brady also stressed the importance of maintaining relationships with multinational partners such as Turkey. He said an additional key part of the mission is to strengthen the already strong relationship U.S. and Turkish forces have shared for decades. They will join Patriot batteries from NATO allies Germany and the Netherlands which are deployed to separate locations in southern Turkey.

The official transfer of authority between 5-7 ADA and their 3-2 ADA counterparts is scheduled for Dec. 13, which at least allows the latter unit a chance to return home for holiday celebrations with their respective families.

While the mission remains paramount, leaving home and family behind during the holiday season can be a tall order for anyone, not just the younger Soldiers on their first deployment.

But for Pfc. Tia Jones, a human resources specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5-7 ADA and a native of Goldsboro, N.C., who has been in the Army little more than a year, it comes with the territory.

“We’re looking forward to doing what we have to do,” said Jones.
Brady said the 5-7 ADA Soldiers will be augmenting the air defense capabilities of the Turkish military, and simply continues an already strong relationship within NATO for ensuring the safety of Turkish citizens. All the effort planning for departure to Turkey, however, would have been more difficult if not for many caring people, said Brady.

“Those volunteers in the Kaiserslautern Military Community who have given up their time have been great in helping us prepare for this mission,” said Brady, citing the contributions of Family Readiness Groups, garrison support organizations and others.

For many of the deploying Soldiers boarding the plane, the prospect of happier times and future holidays with Family and loved ones will keep things in perspective during their important mission to Turkey.

“I just want to tell them that I love them and I’ll see them next year,” said Jones.

• Date Taken: 12.02.2013
• Date Posted: 12.04.2013 11:51
• Story ID: 117696
• Location: GAZIANTEP, 1, TR