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An eye on the sky: 108th ADA defends the region

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Michael Charles
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  The five team members of the Bravo 5-52nd Air and Missile Defense Battery walk toward their launcher station. Each Soldier stares at the battery intently, ready to accomplish their set objectives. U.S. Army Capt. Juene Lowry, Bravo 5-52nd AMD battery commander, signals the alert.

Each soldier sprints to their position and, like clockwork, begins to replace each empty canister on the launcher station with a new one. Their goal is to completely replenish the launcher station in less than 30 minutes. In order to accomplish this feat, teamwork and attention to detail is a necessity. By the determined look on their faces you would never know that this was training.

As a mission partner of the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing, the 108th Air Defense Artillery trains daily to execute their mission if needed. Defending the region is a shared priority and one faulty link can snap the chain of security.

"We bring a unique capability to this part of the world to not only defend the installation but the region itself," said Lowry. "Each of my Soldiers understands that the assets we provide are the best defense we have against ballistic missiles. They also know that how we do our job can mark the difference between the safety of our troops and them being vulnerable to attack."

An ADA Battery refers to the machine which carries specialized weapons that counter tactical ballistic, cruise missiles, and advanced aircraft. These defense systems act as a deterrent and an umbrella of protection for the installation and the region against aerial attack, missile attacks and unauthorized surveillance. These defense capabilities make it an important asset to joint and coalition service members deployed throughout Southwest Asia.

"I have the most highly trained and hardworking individuals in the military," said Lowry. "They know their job and work hard to excel in it. They also know that we have an obligation to keep our service members safe."

"You never know what could happen," said U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Burnham, the team's safety NCO in charge. "Our job is to maintain that top cover for those here accomplishing their own unique contribution to the overall operations."

Each team is a certified five-man crew. The crew is made up of two taglines, which stabilize the canisters with ropes attached to each end; a crane operator, which operates the machinery; a signal, which directs the crane operator; and a safety NCO, which oversees the entire operation and ensures each Soldier is doing his or her job in the safest and most efficient manner.

"We take this job very seriously," said U.S. Army Spc. Ernesto De Jesus, the team's tagline.

Unlike the Air Force, which may have a team that include Airmen from several different locations, the launcher station Soldiers assigned here generally trained together in the states and later forward deploy in those same teams. This team was together at Fort Bliss, Texas.

"Typically each member of a team will work together for a while before deploying," said U.S. Army Spc. Issac Johnson, the team's signal. "By doing this we are able to immediately deploy and provide that same cohesion to the mission."

The team eventually becomes family, said U.S. Army Spc. Mervin Moore, the team's second tagline.

"When you work closely with a small group of people like we have, eventually you stop just seeing them as a co-worker and see them as your brothers or sisters," said Moore.

"These are the same people who I train with, carry out my shift with, eat with, and hang out with. They are essentially my family."

"We do everything together," added U.S. Army Spc. Jessica Wooten, team crane operator. "We are able to work together that well because we have built up those relationships and memories. I know what each of them struggle with and they know my difficulties. We make up for what each other lacks."

The 108th ADA continues to be vital to the defense of the region. The Soldiers who dedicate themselves to preserving this important capability are also well aware of the responsibility they are tasked with.

"This time it was practice," said De Jesus. "Next time it might be for real. Our job is to be prepared for either situation."