By Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson , 380th AEW Public Affairs
/ Published January 06, 2009
SOUTHWEST ASIA -- It can take an Army to move a mountain; but who gets the Army set up to move the mountain? With the pending arrival of hundreds of Soldiers, Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing are stepping up and moving earth to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible.
More than 200 Soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas, will begin arriving over the coming weeks to set up a Patriot Battery here for the first time.
"It's a mutually-beneficial relationship. The Air Force gets the superior protection that only Patriot can offer while the Army is able to bed-down on a premier-tactical site at an established base," said Lt. Col. Shane Capaldi, chief of plans and programs for the 380th AEW.
Airmen from more than a dozen units have been actively involved in myriad activities and projects to include preparing new dormitories, host-nation security, site selection, facility renovations and maintenance-pad development to name a few.
"We are committed to enhancing our war-fighting capabilities here at the 380th; the patriot battalion will fortify our security measures and further our defenses," said Brig. Gen. H.D. Polumbo, Jr., the 380th AEW commander. "Our joint Airmen are on point to make sure our fellow warriors from the U.S. Army have the support and infrastructure needed to do their jobs."
The support and infrastructure extends from the tedious such as telephones and communication lines, to broad spectrum such as ensuring the existing facilities can manage the additional foot traffic. The impact will be felt, but accommodated.
"The most notable impact will be the increased number of Soldiers on the base," said Lt. Col. Frederick Thaden, 380th Expeditionary Mission Support Group deputy commander. "Our Airmen will see more people in the common areas such as the Chapman's Activity Center, dining facility, fitness centers and others."
The wing's leadership, however, have taken steps to prepare for this eventuality at one of the smaller bases in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility.
"There are plans in place to increase the common spaces to alleviate crowding and congestion," said Colonel Thaden. "The Air Force has chosen to embrace the Patriot mission here and find ways to make our tight real estate work for both services."
Flexibility, it seems, is not only the key to airpower but to ground power, as well.
Col. Joseph DeAntona, 11th Air Defense Artillery "Imperial" Brigade commander, has spent nearly two decades deploying Patriots and working with the Air Force.
"This particular deployment is 'hands down' the best coordinated effort I've seen," Colonel DeAntona said. "General Polumbo and the 380th AEW staff have put forth herculean effort preparing for the arrival of the Army's Patriot missile force."
The Scranton, Pa., native said the time he's spent in the joint environment has deepened his respect for his sister service and further verified his belief in the joint-warfighter mindset.
"This particular deployment creates conditions for the ground-based U.S. Army Soldiers and weaponry to live and work with some of the Air Force's most valuable Airmen and weaponry," Colonel DeAntona said. "Patriot Soldiers are inherently joint warriors. Our mission is joint; the assets we're oftentimes required to protect are joint. I have always told my Army friends, superiors and Soldiers, 'The Air Force has always taken care of us better than we could take care of ourselves.' I have the deepest respect for our Airmen and the Air Force."
The "tight real estate" could prove beneficial for the Airmen and Soldiers considering they will be confined to joint common areas and living spaces. They will be in an environment which will encourage more than sharing work space.
"I anticipate Airmen and Soldiers alike will gain an appreciation for one another's contributions to the operational efforts," Colonel Thaden said. "Aside from the professional benefits of learning from our sister service, the social interaction will also be beneficial. It's always a good thing when we can broaden our horizons and capitalize on another's perspective and experiences."
Before the Airmen and Soldiers join forces, an array of Airmen will continue to prepare through lodging, personnel and plans and programs offices, as well as force support, logistics readiness, civil engineer, security forces and contracting squadrons, to name a few.
"Our motto, 'One Team, One Fight,' is even more applicable as we prepare for their arrival," said General Polumbo, who calls Winter Haven, Fla., home.
The motto has crossed boundaries and found a home with Colonel DeAntona as he considers the small contingent of advance Soldiers who are already in place at the deployed base.
"The most significant factor is the AEW's Motto, 'One Team, One Fight,'" he said. "The 380th AEW has welcomed our Soldiers like one of their own. We are more than a tenant, we are active members of the 380th AEW."
The 380th AEW is also facilitating host-nation coordination through the U.S. Embassy Liaison Office here to make sure no stone is left unturned on the political front.
"The (USLO) role is critical to the success of this project considering the level of approval required to undertake an endeavor of this magnitude," said Colonel Thaden, who hails from Colorado Springs, Colo.
Months of preparation have established a firm location, a place to reside, host-nation clearance and enough plans to keep the Airmen and Soldiers busy well into the future. The base will transition from an air-only mindset to incorporate the Army's most advanced air-defense system from the ground.
"From the most junior-enlisted to the senior-officer ranks, we will work our missions together. It doesn't get any more joint than this," said Colonel DeAntona, who is currently deployed to a different location in Southwest Asia from Fort Bliss, Texas. "We look forward to continuing this outstanding relationship and assisting the 380th AEW in maintaining its status as one of the Air Force's premier expeditionary wings."
The Patriot saw its first combat in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. The platform consists of phased array radar, an engagement control station, computers, power generators and up to eight launchers each holding four ready-to-fire missiles. The Patriot is capable of defeating both high-performance aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles. It is the only operational air-defense system that can shoot down attacking missiles.
The versatile wing, boasting four diverse operational flying missions, will now add another venue to its résumé as the Airmen make room for their brothers and sisters in uniform.