3-43 ADA Bn. holds field training exercise

 

Sgt. William Bolderson

11th ADA Bde. Public Affairs

Units of 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, trained for battalion certifications at Tobin Wells, Aug. 3 through Sunday. 

Headquarters and Headquarters Battery line units and support battery Soldiers performed real-time movement and operations as a battalion during this weeklong field training exercise.  

“This is the first time since their redeployment that units have been able to certify using their own Patriot equipment,” said Capt. Edward O’Connell, the battalion’s officer in charge of operations.

Throughout the day, batteries performed area reconnaissance, surveillance operations, movement and emplacement functions and maintenance of the Patriot system. Using linked communications, the battalion engaged in simulated air battles that reflected real-world situations.  This provided Soldiers the opportunity to train on the equipment, practice report methods and the execution of orders. 

Soldiers on down time studied system technical specifications and operating procedures in preparation for testing and assessments from the battalion’s evaluation team. 

Preliminary checks and services of the vehicles in a field environment was another crucial mission these Soldiers performed daily.  Equipment that is exposed to the elements requires maintenance to ensure proper functioning. Each morning, units took every measure to make sure their systems were working at full capacity and ready for inspection. 

Line units trained relentlessly on the movement and emplacement of the Patriot system during this field training exercise. Launcher crews from D Btry. critiqued each other as they practiced their timed drills, learning as they trained and making any corrections needed to help them succeed as a unit. Platoon sergeants participated as crews evaluators. 

The goal for the 3-43 ADA was to have all crews up to battalion level certified on the Patriot system by the end of the week, and the Soldiers of the “Courage and Honor” Battalion worked persistently to accomplish this mission.