U.S. Army 10th Air and Missile Command Put to the Test at Operation SHABLA 19

SHABLA, BULGARIA

06.13.2019

Story by Sgt. Robert Douglas 

126th Theater Public Affairs Support Element

SHABLA, Bulgaria – Training with allies is always an important step in ensuring any challenge on the battlefield can be met. In order to prepare for such a challenge, the United States Army 10th Air and Missile Defense Command, the Armed Forces of Bulgaria and the Armed Forces of Serbia are taking part in Operation SHABLA 19, a bilateral Joint Air Defense Live Fire exercise hosted by Bulgarian Armed Forces from June 10-14, 2019 in Shabla, Bulgaria at the Bulgarian National Air Defence Training Centre.

“We’re here conducting a combined live fire exercise of air defense weapons systems with our allies, showcasing the Avenger Weapons System.” said Lt. Col. Todd Daniels, commander of U.S. Army 5/4 Air Defense Artillery based in Ansbach, Germany.

A task that, taking into consideration the remarkably short time the 10th Air and Missile Defense Command had to master the Avenger Weapons System, is remarkable in its own right.

“Our Soldiers have worked very hard to get us to this point,” said Lt. Col. Daniels, “when I look back and remember that our Soldiers only saw this system for the first time this past March, I am truly impressed and honored to command them.”

In that short three month time frame, the 5/4 Air Defense Artillery was introduced to the new system, trained on it, and are now able to put themselves and their allies to the test in real world live-fire training exercises like Operation SHABLA 19. Designed to improve the readiness and interoperability of both the 10th Air and Missile Defense Command and the Bulgarian Air, Navy and Land Forces to ensure that no ally goes unsupported. As a result, Operation SHABLA 19 is an excellent example of just how far determination and training can go.

“If we have to go to combat, we’re not going to go alone.” said Lt. Col. Daniels, “and these exercises with our allies ensure that won’t happen.”

• Date Taken: 06.13.2019
• Date Posted: 06.14.2019 03:45
• Story ID: 327282
• Location: SHABLA, BG