Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Monik Phan | Soldiers assigned to Battery D, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment...... read more read more
OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea – The 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade Patriot modernization effort that started in January came to an end Aug. 4 when 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment completed their new equipment validation exercise across South Korea.
In coordination with contractors from Raytheon and the Lower Tier Project Office, the brigade carried out the largest Patriot modernization project ever conducted outside a continental depot facility, said Steven Knierim, Raytheon project manager.
“The purpose of the battalion netted exercise was two-fold. First, it was to validate the systems to ensure everything worked and met the industry standard for performance,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Tara Gibbs, 35th ADA Brigade Patriot modernization project officer. “The second was to qualify the Soldiers and crews on the new equipment.”
The training consisted of the batteries networking into the battalion data link architecture from geographically dispersed locations around the peninsula, and conducting air battles. Each crew was required to complete a series of competency tests to demonstrate proficiency.
“Prior to the exercise, we spent three weeks split between formal classroom training and hands-on learning,” said 2nd Lt. Nathan Jackson, C/6-52 ADA Battalion fire control platoon leader. “The contractors taught us how to isolate faults in order to better diagnose problems in case the equipment goes down.”
According to Jackson, some of the biggest benefits of the modernization overhaul was the replacement of many legacy systems and updating outdated technology. The combination of the two improve the tactical capabilities and reduce maintenance requirements.
“For the Soldiers that work in the engagement control station, one of the smaller but more comfortable enhancements were the ergonomic improvements,” said Jackson. “Touch screen maneuverable displays, along with improved adjustable seats make long shifts more endurable.”
Throughout the modernization process, the brigade carefully balanced the ‘Fight Tonight’ mission in the Korean theater of operation while rotating batteries through the improvised depot at Suwon Air Base.
The brigade is scheduled to modernize their platform of Avengers in the coming months as part of an ongoing plan of enhancing air defense capabilities on the Korean Peninsula.
Editor’s note: Readiness and modernization remain fixtures among the Army's top priorities, both of which are initiatives 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade is addressing as the brigade upgrades their Patriot fleet. Upon completion of the largest Patriot modernization project ever conducted outside a depot facility, the Dragon Brigade will operate with the most technological advanced equipment within the ADA community. Furthermore, the brigade will execute a comprehensive new equipment training cycle to maintain Fight Tonight readiness throughout the transition. This article is part of a three part series that will follow the modernization and readiness effort as it materializes.
| Date Taken: | 08.03.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 08.13.2017 22:28 |
| Story ID: | 244730 |
| Location: | KR |
| Web Views: | 171 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Battalion exercise caps Patriot modernization feat, by MAJ Jonathon Daniell, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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