2-43 ADA defends base with sharp skills, minds

Published Oct. 27, 2008
By Senior Airman Clinton Atkins
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Omnipresent sensors probe through the dust-blanketed skies engulfing the base. Eyes and minds consumed by the task at hand safeguard the well-being of thousands of lives.
Like a guard dog alerted to the scent of an intruder, the 2-43 Air Defense Artillery Battalion could unleash an impeding force with its Patriot missile sites resulting in complete destruction of any airborne threat. The Patriot missile sites have defended U.S. and Coalition airspace in Southwest Asia since the Gulf War.

"We are here to provide theater air and missile defense in case any nation decides to threaten our nation's interests or those of our Coalition partners in this gulf region," said Army Maj. Jason Vranes, 2-43 ADA Battalion executive officer.

"We're probably the most important organization in this AOR (area of responsibility) - only when we're needed that is," he said. "Otherwise we understand that we must sit and wait."

The Soldiers of the 2-43 ADA Battalion are directly responsible for the
defense of more than 8,000 U.S. and Coalition servicemembers.

"It's very easy to fall prey to complacency," said the Knoxville, Tenn., native, deployed from Ft. Bliss, Texas. "But we know that we have to be ready at a moment's notice."

To ensure the unit maintains its operational readiness, maintenance and training are made top priorities to keep Soldiers and equipment in optimal condition.

"We conduct our own internal exercises in order to keep ourselves ready, about once every six to eight weeks lasting two to three days," Major Vranes said.

"We can simulate an aircraft and say, 'OK, what would happen if X, Y or Z threat was coming at us from location A, B or C,' and then react to the threat," he said. "We put the scenario together, script it out, and then run the staff and subordinate units through the exercise."

"The exercise allows the Soldiers to completely understand what their jobs are during a heightened alert state," Major Vranes said. "Training and maintenance are the two most important things we do here."

Maintenance can come with more angst than training, he said.

"I find it easier to get a Soldier motivated for training because they are learning something new," Major Vranes said. "But the same Soldiers will look at maintenance and think it is monotonous, because they find themselves looking at the same truck, the same system, the same radio again and again and again. They will end up getting tired eyes if leaders are not actively engaged. Every soldier has to realize that training and maintenance go hand-in-hand. If the truck is broke it is not going to be of any use in a time of crisis and if the soldier is not trained, they are not going to execute in a time of need."

In addition to training and maintenance, the Army unit uses a bevy of checklists to make sure no task goes unfinished.

"There's a checklist for everything," said Sgt. Tony-Arron Peraza, 2-43 ADA Battalion Battle NCO. "When shifts change out, the next person coming on retraces each footstep before the other Solider leaves for the day."

Due to the intensity of routine maintenance and training derived from the importance of the Army unit's mission, the Soldiers are susceptible to high stress. The unit combats the tension in a variety of ways.

"At least once per month we try to do an esprit de corps event," he said. On one occasion, the unit executed a Summer Olympics. "We had swimming, horse shoes, basketball and indoor volleyball. We also participated in the Bataan Death March, some of the marathons and things of that nature. We also encourage Soldiers to go downtown to see the sights.

"In a stressful environment, it is good to break up the monotony and do something out of the ordinary to relieve some of that tension," Major Vranes said.

During their 15-month deployment, the Soldiers are also encouraged to work on their education, he said.

"I think that's what every soldier needs to do," Major Vranes said. "You have to find an outlet. There are plenty of things that the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing offers to these Soldiers."

With the Soldiers and equipment consistently performing at an optimum level, the 2-43 ADA continues to provide a critical defense capability here.

"Championships are won by defense," he said. "The great defense wins the 'Super Bowl.' That's us; we'll help this team win the 'Super Bowl' because of our defense."