AL DHAFRA AIR BASE, United Arab Emirates -- Ryan D. McCarthy, the acting Secretary of the Army, visited Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates, during a trip to the Arabian Gulf region Sept. 20, 2019. The secretary received a mission brief from Airmen assigned to the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing, specifically discussing counter-unmanned aerial systems capabilities. Additionally, McCarthy walked the floor of “Kingpin,” the lead control and reporting center for the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility. Discussion with Airmen from the 727th Expeditionary Air Control Squadron and coalition partners within the CRC provided McCarthy a bird’s eye view of the AOR and insight into the critical mission of command and control. Next, McCarthy headed out for a site tour and overview of the Patriot battery capabilities and defensive support to the base with U.S. Army partners in the 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment. The visit culminated with a lunch and small group discussion with 4-3 ADA soldiers.