Florida Guardsmen Mobilized to Protect Nation’s Capital

Photo By Ismael Ortega | Soldiers assigned to 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Florida Army National Guard, depart from the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group here, to board an aircraft for a yearlong deployment at the National Capital Region July 19. Photos by Ismael E. Ortega, Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Public Affairs.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

08.04.2016

Story by Ismael Ortega 

Mobilization and Deployment, DPTMS Fort Bliss

Protecting the National Capital Region with ground-based air defense has been an ongoing mission since 9/11 and is a shared responsibility between five air defense artillery units in the country. Once again, the baton has been passed on to the men and women of 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Florida Army National Guard, who are deploying for the fourth time in defense of the NCR, which encompasses the District of Columbia, and parts of West Virginia, Virginia and Maryland. Soldiers assigned to 3rd Bn., 265th ADA, departed from the Silas L. Copeland Arrival/Departure Airfield Control Group for the yearlong deployment July 19 after completing training with the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security here.

Lt. Col. Patrick Thompson, commander, 3rd Bn., 265th ADA, said this mission has a huge impact on national security and the nation since the center of gravity for the United States lies in Washington, D.C. Soldiers have to be on call at a moment’s notice to ensure constant protection of the capital.

“We pride ourselves in the NCR mission and what’s called the zero defect, meaning the Soldiers are highly trained going into this in each and every aspect of this mission,” said 1st Lt. Daniel Allen, commander, minimum deployment package, 3rd Bn., 265th ADA. “There’s no mistakes made, there’s always that 24-7 coverage to provide the defensive capabilities to protect the assets that are in the capital … and (we’re) always ready to take on any task that’s needed.”

Over half of the unit has supported the NCR mission at one time or another, either with the 3rd Bn., 265th ADA or a different unit. To ensure a high level of proficiency and technical premise, training was divided into three phases.

Exercise American Shield at Camp Blanding, Florida, was the “crawl phase” of their training, a mix of annual training and re-familiarization of their equipment. Coming to Fort Bliss was “walk phase” where Soldier performed their duties in hundred degree weather in full tactical load out. The “run phase” was the Culminating Training Exercise where all their skills were tested and ended with a missile live-fire exercise here.
“Motivation has been extremely high, going through both exercise American Shield and (the Culminating Training Exercise) down here,” Thompson said. “I’m extremely proud of them, got a great group of leadership and it really starts down at the NCO level, their true backbone of the unit.”

With the unit’s highest priority being the safeguard of the NCR at all times, the command staff hopes to accomplish both unit and individual goals as well. Soldiers plan to complete their structured self-development courses and their civilian education. Physical fitness is also a high priority with a plan for Soldiers to improve and pass their Army Physical Fitness Test.

“All these Soldiers have worked hard from when we started (mobilizing),” said Command Sgt. Maj. Patrick Cruz, command sergeant major, 3rd Bn., 265th ADA. “They worked hard and tirelessly with their training and they didn’t stop, we set the standards high and they met and pretty much far exceeded those standards.”

• Date Taken: 08.04.2016
• Date Posted: 08.08.2016 09:00
• Story ID: 206388
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US