Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Healy | Capt. Laura Burdick, commander of Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense...... read more read more
The soldiers of Bravo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade get a lot of attention from their Air Force partners on Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar.
“We’re lucky enough to have site visits from them probably once a week,” said Capt. Laura Burdick, commander of Bravo Battery, 2-43 ADAR. “We’ve got all different agencies from the Air Force visiting.”
Burdick is waiting outside the site to greet the group of airmen visiting on August 17, 2017. Most of them arrived on the base the week before.
The soldiers run the tour. This is often the Air Force personnel’s first introduction to the world of Air Defense, and the soldiers are well prepared, said Burdick.
“We’ve been lucky enough to learn from them as well as share our knowledge and our site,” said Burdick. “It’s been great building that relationship.”
The two branches work together on a daily basis defending the airfield. Face-to-face interaction goes a long way in clearing up some of the idiosyncrasies inherent in each branch, said Burdick.
“Whether its tactics or logistics, we need that support from them and they need it from us,” said Burdick. “Getting together on a weekly basis allows us to build that personal relationship and work closely together.”
The airmen are eager to peek behind the walls of Bravo Battery, 2-43 ADAR.
“This is really amazing, actually seeing it,” said 1st Lt. Alycia Smith, a Cyberspace Operations Officer for the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing. “They tell us some of the communications that these sites would use, but to actually see it in person is pretty amazing.”
Growing up in Fayetteville, North Carolina, home of the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Smith is no stranger to seeing the Army operate. What impresses her most is professionalism of the soldiers.
“They have Pfc.’s and specialists out here handling this big of a mission,” said Smith.
Air Force personnel of all ranks come to visit the site. Lt. Col. Shawn Walrath is the officer in charge of the Directorate of Intelligence for Air Force Central Command.
“I’ve been in a number of operating locations that have had Air Defense sites in different theaters, but this is my first time actually visiting a site,” said Walrath.
Walrath is used to seeing data from the Air Defense units in his reports. Having the chance to visit the site helps him to visualize the capabilities that Air Defense brings.
“It’s rather reassuring to know that we have the capability, to know that the site and these soldiers are ready to go,” said Walrath. “It’s an impressive capability, especially if you understand it.”
Walrath intends to send more of his airmen to visit the Air Defenders on Al Udeid Air Base. Doing so will make them more competent in their own mission.
“Getting the exposed to the other services and the capabilities within those services is a focus area from the Air Force Chief of staff on down,” said Walrath. “Leaders at all levels look for opportunities to help make our company grade officers and our NCOs smarter, more knowledgeable, and more comfortable working in a joint environment.”
| Date Taken: | 08.22.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2017 06:27 |
| Story ID: | 246879 |
| Location: | AL UDEID AIR BASE, QA |
| Web Views: | 679 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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