1-62 ADA prepares for deployment with MRE

Photo By Kimberly Hackbarth | Spc. Ryan Gaetz (right) and Spc. Nathan Hartman, both air defense battle management system operators with 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, identify notional missiles during a mission rehearsal exercise June 19 on Fort Hood, Texas. The exercise, which took place June 17-26, helped validate and prepare Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 62nd ADA Regiment, 69th ADA Bde., for deployment this fall.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

06.26.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Kimberly Hackbarth 

69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

FORT HOOD, Texas – In preparation for a deployment to the U.S. Central Command area of operations this fall, 1st Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment participated in a mission rehearsal exercise (MRE), here, June 17-26.

The exercise simulated what operations the unit, which is assigned to 69th ADA Brigade, will be conducting while deployed, said Lt. Col. Curran Chidester, the battalion commander.

“For our case, we’re simulating the ability to defend assets through our Patriot weapon systems,” Chidester said, explaining that the unit simulates every aspect of a real deployment, to include communications, air battles and logistics.

Leaders from outside units evaluated the battalion based on a standard evaluation checklist from 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Chidester said.

There are multiple tasks that the unit must pass in order to be certified and allowed to conduct operations on deployment.

One of the ways that the unit is evaluated is through Operation Readiness Exercises (ORE). During the OREs, subordinate units under the battalion qualify on tasks including conducting air battles at a certain skill level and crew loading drills, Chidester said.

For Cpl. Tamara Payne, a Nodal network systems operator with B Btry., 1st Bn., 62nd ADA Regt., the MRE provided a valuable learning opportunity.

“So far it’s been very hectic, but it’s been good because it’s preparing me for the upcoming deployment,” she said.

The MRE builds confidence in the Soldiers who are participating in the exercise for the first time, Payne added.

Pfc. Arik Stockinger, a Patriot launching station enhanced operator with A Btry., 1st Bn., 62nd ADA Regt., also participated in the MRE for the first time and said he also enjoyed the exercise.

“My favorite parts since I’ve been at Fort Hood are the [field exercises] because I get to do my job,” Stockinger said. “You get muddy, you get wet, you get sweaty … but it’s fun.”

A positive mentality such as Stockinger’s is what helps make an MRE successful, said Chidester.

“The Soldiers being motivated and disciplined and doing their jobs and the junior leaders giving the guidance and the training ahead of time [ensure that] when it’s time to perform, they are ready and confident,” he said.

• Date Taken: 06.26.2015
• Date Posted: 06.29.2015 15:39
• Story ID: 168523
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US