Photo By Jason Cutshaw | Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, commanding general of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense...... read more read more
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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command hosted an Air and Missile Defense Warfighter Forum to unite leaders, share lessons learned, and discuss emerging technologies and key challenges shaping AMD’s future.
Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, USASMDC commanding general, led the forum Feb. 18–19 at Redstone Arsenal to build shared understanding of current threats, update field tactics, techniques, and procedures, or TTPs, and strengthen mentorship within the air and missile defense community.
“This forum gives us an opportunity as leaders across the air and missile defense community to share what we’re doing to drive change and to set the future for the [Air Defense Artillery] branch,” Gainey said.
That change includes units like the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command in Europe and the 108th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Fort Bragg experimenting and validating counter-unmanned aerial systems.
“I’ve seen the experimentation going on in your formations,” he said. “Each of you are taking a different spin but have the same goal to push our branch forward.”
As the Air Defense Artillery Branch evolves, Gainey emphasized the importance of sharing lessons learned, maintaining continuity, keeping leaders informed on current activities and strengthening esprit de corps. A key topic Gainey planned to address was health of the force.
“As I talk to our Soldiers across the different formations, they always ask ‘What are we doing to help relieve the demand on the force?’” he said. “I really want your feedback on the way forward. You’re the leaders who will drive this change and help realize it in your formations.”
Prior to the forum, SMDC Command Sgt. Maj. John W. Foley said he was eager to hear the unique challenges from across combatant commands to identify similarities and differences which will help the commander prioritize resources, saving time and money.
He added that command teams can share how the air defense community is addressing threats, enabling allies to close capability gaps and be prepared to fight and win when called upon.
“Warfighter forums enable global synchronization of efforts,” Foley said. “Leaders across our air defense warfighting commands can share on-going operations and lessons learned in their respective theaters that help with prioritization of resources, from emerging capabilities to manning.
“Our warfighters will benefit when commanders and command sergeants major share TTPs from another theater or conflict to enable a more lethal and ready force,” he added. “Our Soldiers will see efficiencies over time through consistent collaboration and synchronization with warfighting units as well as the air defense institutional enterprise that support them.”
Maj. Gen. Richard A. Wholey, commanding general of the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, said warfighter forums are essential for collaboration among military personnel, government officials, industry leaders, and academic experts to address challenges and shape the future force.
He added these forums directly and indirectly benefit Soldiers by connecting them to a broader ecosystem of tactical innovation, technological advancement, and personal support — enhancing lethality, readiness and quality of life.
“Warfighter forums are critical for the 263rd AAMDC to successfully execute its unique and vital mission as the North American theater AAMDC,” Wholey said. “The impact is direct, multifaceted and essential for the defense of the homeland.
“Warfighter forums provide significant strategic benefits that extend beyond the individual Soldier, bolstering the security and prosperity of the nation and its network of international allies,” he added. “They serve as critical platforms for aligning military strategy, fostering technological collaboration and strengthening the very fabric of international partnerships.”
Attendees included leaders from the 263rd, 10th and 94th AAMDCs; the director of Department of the Army Military Operations-Fires; the ADA commandant; SMDC Technical Center and Space and Missile Defense Center of Excellence directors; and the SMD School commandant; among others.
| Date Taken: | 02.20.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 02.20.2026 15:17 |
| Story ID: | 558458 |
| Location: | REDSTONE ARSENAL, ALABAMA, US |
| Web Views: | 13 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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