An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Airmen, Soldiers unite to construct battery site

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tong Duong
  • 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  Airmen and soldiers worked hand in hand, constructing a new phased array tracking radar to intercept of target, or PATRIOT, Battery site completed here April 24.

The 2nd Battalion 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment's mission here is to provide theater air and missile defense from air borne attacks or tactical ballistic missile threats against critical assets in Southwest Asia, such as air bases and cities.

The site was relocated to provide room for future base projects, but maintains it's effectiveness out of the new location.

"Tactically, the relocation did not change anything or affect our defensive posture," said Army 1st Lt. Dhyan Tarver, 2-43 ADA battle captain. "However, the move did improve unit morale. Originally, it took the unit roughly 15 minutes to travel from [one of the base's living areas] to the old site on a five-ton, now the travel time is five minutes max and allows Soldiers to use existing transportation programs such as the bus or share-a-ride program."

In addition to improving troop morale, the Army gained separate office spaces for the commander and first sergeant, a morale tent, indoor and outdoor training facilities, an orderly room, a bigger motor pool, and air conditioning in all the infrastructures, Lieutenant Tarver said.

The 2-43rd ADA had to move because there is a construction project to build a parallel runway and taxiway in the area they used to occupy, said Senior Master Sgt. Christopher Vansile, 379th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron Heavy Repair Superintendent, deployed here from Misawa Air Base, Japan.

To plan the move, the 2-43rd command team was encouraged to create their own layout to better support their needs. With the layout in mind a 55 Airman 379th ECES team was able to prepare the new PATRIOT site effectively and efficiently.

"My team was able to relocate the battery from one area of base, to another three weeks ahead of schedule," Sergeant Vansile, the relocation project manager said. "I had an outstanding team, they worked very hard to go from nothing to a full-fledged operation.

A few of the civil engineer team's accomplishments include construction of five, 17,000 square-foot base course launch pads with blast barriers; paving more than 1.5 miles of new roadways; a 30,000 square-foot parking area; and new concertina wires and barriers, Sergeant Vansile said.

Completing the new site three weeks ahead of schedule required a lot of effort and teamwork between the two services.

"Hard work along with constant coordination and planning [helped to pave the way]," he said. "I had weekly sit downs with the Army and key Air Force players to ensure everyone was on the same page regarding what needed to be done. We also walked the site to make sure everything they needed was being addressed."

The Army is thankful to the [379th ECES] for their hard work and support in the relocation and establishment of a new PATRIOT Battery site and improving unit morale, Lieutenant Tarver said.

"Their strong efforts made it a smooth transition in addition to finishing the site ahead of schedule," he said. "This [project displayed] yet another example of the Army and Air Force teaming together to accomplish the mission."