Fort Bragg first lieutenant, Austin native, leads support for air defense capability in Southwest Asia

Photo By Master Sgt. Jenifer Calhoun | U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates shakes hands with 1st Lt. Naleya Downer of the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery during Secretary Gate's visit to the lieutenant's deployed location in Southwest Asia, March 11. Downer is deployed from Fort Bragg, N.C. Her hometown areas are Austin, Texas, and Kingston, Jamaica.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

05.20.2010

Story by Senior Airman Jenifer Calhoun 

1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- First Lt. Naleya Downer knows that when she goes to work every day, both she and the Soldiers who look to her for leadership have to be ready for anything. Every day, while deployed to a combat zone, she said she knows she has to do what is necessary in maintaining readiness and capabilities for the Patriot missile system and air defense.

At a non-disclosed base in Southwest Asia with the 1st Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, Downer serves as the tactical site, or TACSITE, officer in charge and as a tactical control officer. She is responsible for the tactical employment, command and control and the airspace management of both gun and missile units of air defense artillery.

According to her official U.S. Army job description, Downer directs the technical and tactical operations, as well as the engagement techniques used by the various systems. She coordinates and provides the expertise at all levels of command and develops the doctrine and plans essential to the successful use of air defense artillery weapons in support of airland combat operations and defense against enemy aircraft and missile attacks.

Downer is also trained to develop organizational and operational concepts for future air defense systems, the job description shows. She also directs training, administration, communications, supply, maintenance, transportation and security activities of ADA units.

During her deployment, Downer said she is gaining valuable new skills as a leader.

"This deployment is giving me the experience that I need to be a more effective leader in the air defense artillery branch," she said.

Downer, whose hometown is Austin, Texas, but who is also a native of Kingston, Jamiaca, said she is also proud to be serving in the military – especially during a deployment.

"I am very proud to be serving in this environment," she said from her deployed location where she also works with a deployed Air Force wing. "I have learned a lot about the Air Force operation and its different rank structure along with other traditions and customs."

The 1-7 ADA is known as the "No Fear" battalion, according to its official history. The battalion is part of the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade and the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

The battalion displays 35 battle streamers ranging from the North African desert and the plains of Europe during World War II, the frozen battlefields of Korea, the jungles and highlands of Vietnam, the deserts of Southwest Asia during Operation Desert Storm to more recently with support for operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

• Date Taken: 05.20.2010
• Date Posted: 05.20.2010 09:56
• Story ID: 50003
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)