2-43 ADA takes on mission in Southwest Asia

Photo By Sgt. Maria Kappell | Lt. Col. Douglas Waddingham and Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Villarreal case the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment's colors at the transfer of authorityh ceremony in Southwest Asia Feb. 4.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

02.04.2011

Story by Sgt. Maria Kappell 

69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

SOUTHWEST ASIA – The 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment from Fort Bliss, Texas, assumed the Air Defense mission in Southwest Asia Feb. 4, from the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, also stationed out of Fort Bliss.

In addition to the pre-deployment training that 2-43 ADA conducted prior to this deployment, the two battalions worked together diligently for the past few weeks to ensure that 2-43 ADA would be ready to take the reins from 3-43 ADA, the Courage and Honor Battalion, as they depart Southwest Asia.

The battalions sealed the deal with a Transfer of Authority Ceremony Feb. 4. The Transfer of Authority Ceremony symbolized the successful completion of 3-43 ADA’s deployment and the beginning of 2-43 ADA’s journey that is yet to come.

Col. James H. Jenkins, the commander of the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade in Southwest Asia, spoke at the ceremony to bid farewell to Courage and Honor and welcome 2-43 ADA, the Strength in Honor Battalion.

“The soldiers in [3-43 ADA] exemplify Army Strong,” Col. Jenkins said.

3-43 ADA has played a key role in wars and battles throughout history and now the soldiers of this battalion are included in that lineage, Col. Jenkins added.

The Courage and Honor Battalion used teamwork to get through this deployment; soldiers, non-commissioned officers and officers of the battalion have worked together to ensure that the unit’s missions and objectives were achieved. Now 2-43 ADA, a battalion known for its high standards and discipline, is moving in to take their place, he said.

During 3-43 ADA’s deployment, steps were taken to improve their PATRIOT sites for current and future soldiers deployed to the Southwest Asia region.

The battalion commander of 3-43 ADA, Lt. Col. Douglas J. Waddingham, applauded the Maintenance Company and the operators who maintained and updated the equipment during the past year. He also commended the battery commanders who have made their sites more secure and permanent.

With the support of 69th ADA and the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing in the area of operations, the Strength in Honor Battalion will continue on the path started by their predecessors to develop these sites, Lt. Col. Waddingham said.

“Southwest Asia is safer because of the protection you provided,” Lt. Col. Waddingham said to his soldiers during the ceremony.

The warriors of the Strength in Honor Battalion are ready to take on this mission, said Lt. Col. Alan A. Wiernicki, the Commander of 2-43 ADA. The battalion is ready to stand with 69th ADA to complete its mission, and the soldiers in the unit are proud to be members of this joint-forces team, he added.

As excited as 3-43 ADA’s soldiers are to be finishing their mission in Southwest Asia and to get back home to their families at Fort Bliss, 2-43 ADA’s soldiers are just as excited to get started on the year-long deployment that stands before them.

• Date Taken: 02.04.2011
• Date Posted: 02.11.2011 03:13
• Story ID: 65218
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)