Secretary of the Army visits 35th ADA Brigade

Photo By Staff Sgt. Joel Salgado | From right, Pfc. Adrian Teneyck, Pfc. Olivia Church, and Pfc. Jeffery Freeman Soldiers assigned to 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, are presented a coin from Secretary of the Army Eric Fanning at Osan Air Base, South Korea, Aug. 2, for their contributions to the success of the 35th ADA's mission. Fanning visited 35th ADA and other units stationed throughout the Korean Peninsula as part of a 12-day tour to U.S. units in the Pacific to gain a better understanding of the unique missions conducted by U.S. forces and partner nations. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Joel Salgado 8th Army Public Affairs) 160802-A-BS718-0052  

SOUTH KOREA

08.02.2016

Story by Capt. Jonathon Daniell 

35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea - In the heat of the Secretary of the Army’s Pacific Rim tour, which included four countries, two states, and one U.S. territory, he visited the only forward stationed Air Defense Artillery Brigade in the U.S. Army, Aug. 2, at Osan Air Base, South Korea.

Mr. Eric Fanning executed a reload drill on a Patriot launching station, conducted air battle management inside an engagement control station, and smiled for a group photo, all before taking questions from local media.

“It’s great to see the Soldiers out here, many people think of the Pacific as being an Air Force or Navy domain, but we have 100,000 Soldiers and Army Civilians in this region,” said Fanning. “They are all motivated, and they are very excited about the mission they are part of.”

One of the motivated and excited Soldiers is Spc. Yeon Lee. A chaplain assistant assigned to 35th ADA Brigade, who served as the translator between Fanning and South Korean media outlet, Yonhap News.

“It was a great opportunity, and I felt honored to serve as the translator for the Secretary of the Army,” said Lee. “Although I was a bit nervous at first, it was a great experience, and it was a moment I will never forget.”

Prior to joining the Army, Lee served as a Korean language instructor at the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina from 2012-2014.

The Army’s top official also recognized a handful of high performing Soldiers with coins, a rare and coveted piece to anyone’s collection, while also taking time to snap a quick “selfie” with a beaming Soldier. It is without question, Fanning clearly enjoyed interacting with the Soldiers here - and they all reciprocated in kind.

Although Fanning’s visit was brief amid a busy Pacific region tour, the Soldiers of 35th ADA Brigade appreciated the opportunity to share all the great things the Dragon Brigade is doing in the Republic of Korea.

• Date Taken: 08.02.2016
• Date Posted: 08.04.2016 02:23
• Story ID: 206016
• Location: KR