Pacific Defender Fall 2013

94th Army Air Missile Defense Command

PACIFIC DEFENDER FIRST LINE OF DEFENSE

First Historic THAAD Deployment FTO-01 Proves THAAD METL

Sisters in Arms Program brings female mentorship and development

LANPAC Assuring Security and Stability in the pacific

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94th Army Air Missile Defense Command

PACIFIC DEFENDER

P U B L I SH E R Brig. Gen. Daniel Karbler Commanding General B OA R D OF DI R E C TOR S Col. William Stacey Chief of Staff Command Sgt. Maj. Finis A. Dodson Command Sergeant Major E DI TOR IA L B OA R D E DI TOR S Maj. Gabriella Mckinney Public Affairs Officer, 94th AAMDC Sgt. 1st Class Karry James Public Affairs NCOIC, 94th AAMDC Sgt. Louis C. Lamar 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office L AYO U T & DE SI G N T E A M Element Media, Inc. Jamie Giambrone Keith Usher Tiffany Davis-Rustam PUBLISHER: 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command Public Affairs Office, Building 334, Ft. Shafter, HI 96858. The Pacific Defender is a bi-annual authorized publication of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. The views expressed herein are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army. Unless others wise stated, material in this magazine may be reprinted without person; please credit the magazine and the author. The Pacific Defender can also be found online at www. usarpac.army.mil/94AAMDC.

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The Official Magazine of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command

C ON T R I BU T I NG W R I T E R S 2nd Lt. Peter Mitchell Task Force Talon, Tactical Control Officer Sgt. Louis C. Lamar 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office Capt. Shane Mercer 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office Sgt. 1st Class Karry James 94th AAMDC Public Affairs Office Capt. Ed Ellingson 35th ADA, Public Affairs Office Sgt. Justin Engle 1-1 ADA, Public Affairs Office Spc. Issac Castleberry 6-52nd ADA, Public Affairs Office Spc. Shawn Denham 35th ADA, Public Affairs Office Master Sgt. Anthony Wyatt 94th AAMDC Command Operations Training NCOIC Sgt. Maj. George Quincy Walker 94th AAMDC Logistics Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Dale Sproule 94th AAMDC Communications Sergeant Major Sgt. Maj. Glenn Caspari 94th AAMDC Operations Sergeant Major Staff Sgt. John H. Johnson III 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office Sgt. Shaun A. Dillon 2-1 ADA, Public Affairs Office

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94th Army Air Missile Defense Command TABLE OF CONTENTS FALL EDITION 2013

Integrating Air Missile Defense in the Pacific

Page 4

Cover Story

Page 4

Demonstrating the critical interoperability of air missile defense assets while protecting the Pacific

Shield of Guam: THAAD and the Surging Role of Air Defense Artillery in the Pacific

Forging Partnerships

Page 12

“Back to the Basics” Sergeants Major Style

Page 18

Community Works

Page 28

Retirees Honored

Page 33

Building relationships with our partner nations in the Pacific

Senior Enlisted Soldiers speak out about what it means to get “Back to the Basics”

Soldiers at work giving back to the community

The command pays tribute to the Soldiers that have selflessly served this nation.

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Sea Dragon 6 Aloha once again! This is our second edition of the Pacific Defender. Much has happened since our last edition. I am excited for you to discover just how vital the relentless work of the 94th AAMDC has been to our nation’s security.

I must say that I am so very grateful to be in command of such hard-working professional Soldiers, civilians, and contractors. With several key leader personnel changes within the year, our command’s mission success has been seamless. Sea Dragons, you make it look easy, although I know that being a part of a complex organization is anything but simple work.

This edition highlights our lead role in the nation’s effort to reblance its military efforts to the Asia-Pacific. With the great responsibility of Mission Command over the first historical deployment of a THAAD battery, all eyes were certainly on our command and the Fires community, making the 94th AAMDC a central figure in local and national media headlines.

I invite you to read the article about the deployment efforts as well as additional articles that focus on Integrating Air Missile Defense in the Pacific Area of Operation.

Additional focus areas for this edition include LANPAC, “Back to the Basics”, Flight Test Operational 01, our newly inducted Sisters-in-Arms Female Mentorship program, and a visit from the Secretary of the Army, John McHugh. Secretary McHugh had previously stated at the President’s 2013 U.S. Army Budget Request meeting, “As we develop jointly into our new strategy, the Army has expertise in those missile defense platforms and if we can fulfill an expanded role in that mission that would be something that we would want to pursue very anxiously.”

Our command continues to expand and build partnership capacity across the Pacific theater, trained and ready to defeat the current and future air and missile threat. I remain incredibly proud to continue serving on this capable Team!

First Line of Defense - One Team!

BG Daniel L. Karbler Sea Dragon 6 First Line of Defense!

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CSM LETTER Aloha, Konnichiwa, Ahn Neyong Ha Seyo, and Hello! I am humbled by this opportunity and privilege to be the 94th AAMDC CSM. As I begin my tenure, I would like for all to know that my top priorities are accomplishment of the mission and health and welfare of all the great Soldiers, Families and Civilians of this truly remarkable command. Always remember that there is no replacement for adherence to safety, standards, and discipline. I know that everyone will continue to do their part to ensure the continued success and excellence in every action of our great Team… always remember that TEAM = Together Everyone Achieves More.

The year 2013 has been one of great success and accomplishments for the 94th AAMDC. Not only have you accomplished deploying a THAAD battery to Guam, standing up a Forward Command Post in record time, you also conducted another successful live-fire test with A2 THAAD in Kwajalein during FTO-01. Much more was executed behind the scenes, including many training and readiness activities that serve as the USARPAC example. The HHB team conducted training that gets back to the basics of Soldier discipline, training, welfare, and morale by conducting such events as Warrior Challenge and an NCO induction ceremony.

I’m sure you will enjoy reading the various exciting stories inside this second edition of “Pacific Defender” involving not only the 94th AAMDC Headquarters in Hawaii, but also all of our other units, to include stories about the 35th ADA’s new facility in Korea or 2-1 ADA’s Soldier who helped out locals who were injured in a car accident.

The way ahead is to continue to sustain the momentum and to remain the most professional Soldiers and dedicated families in our Army. I consider it an honor to have this chance to serve with the best Soldiers and leaders in the Army.

First Line of Defense!

CSM Finis A. Dodson Sea Dragon 7 First Line of Defense!

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Shield of Guam: THAAD and the Surging Role of Air Defense Artillery in the Pacific FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII — The most complex missile defense Far to the west, four time zones and an international date line past Hawaii over the emerald expanse of the Western Pacific, lies an island whose miniscule size belies its massive strategic importance.

The isle of Guam, a United States Territory wrested from the hands of the decaying Spanish Empire in 1898, is America’s western most possession and an unsinkable aircraft carrier critical to power projection in the Pacific. When tensions began to rise on the Korean peninsula with threats of launching missiles at Guam, the Commander in Chief took an unprecedented course of action: ordered the first deployment of a THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) air defense artillery battery in military history. Its mission is to provide a strategic deterrent to any attack on Guam and, if deterrence fails, to engage and destroy any incoming ballistic missiles.

THAAD is the latest step in the interlocking ballistic missile defense system.

Unlike the predecessor MIM-104 Patriot (Mobile Intercept-aerial Guided Missile), THAAD was exclusively designed to engage and destroy enemy short- and

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medium-range ballistic missiles using kinetic hit-to-kill flight. Its powerful technology gives THAAD a defendable footprint much more significant than Patriot batteries combined, as well as integrated support with other missile defense units such as the U.S. Navy’s Aegis Combat System.

For Alpha Battery, 4th Air Defense Regiment (A-4 THAAD), the news of its pending Pacific excursion came as a notentirely foreseen surprise. Having returned

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from a missile flight test in the Marshall Islands to Fort Bliss only a few months previously to assume a quick reaction force role, A-4 had to quickly prepare all soldiers and equipment for a deployment of indeterminate length. This unprecedented assignment was matched by unparalleled facilitation from the air defense community on Fort Bliss. Nothing was lacking in the support from A-4’s parent – the 11th Air Defense Artillery (ADA) Brigade – and the 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command (AAMDC). A family readiness group town hall meeting was hosted by the brigade command team to help quiet the fears and concerns of worried family members, while other ADA battalions were called in to collaborate in readying equipment for transport across the waves of the Pacific Ocean. Without the tremendous support of other ADA units, A-4’s transition to the Marianas would have been accomplished with considerably more difficulty. Instead, the rapid deployment of the battery, , coupled with their rapid setup once landed in theater, established the standard for future THAAD deployments.

In order to support A-4 THAAD personnel in their mission on Guam, the 94th AAMDC in Hawaii designated a command team and built a fully operational task force out of a medley of different units. The 25th Infantry Division donated the bulk of personnel to the newly formed Task Force Talon. Soldiers from the 307th Signal Battalion and 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB) were given the difficult task of building and maintaining an entirely self-sufficient communications infrastructure. A detachment from the 84th Engineer Battalion stripped and leveled acres of thick jungle in torrid heat and pouring rain to establish a site. The engineers set up concertina wire and gabions while Soldiers from the 558th Military Police Battalion were assigned to guard the perimeter, reinforcing existing security

and protecting against foreign intelligence gathering. Even in light of the mission that the task force personnel had set before it, such was their efficiency and discipline that setting up the THAAD battery to fully combat ready status was accomplished in half the time expected. Within 48 hours of operation, Task Force Talon relieved the Aegis destroyer USS Fitzgerald and assumed defense of the island of Guam.

From an international perspective, the ripple that Task Force Talon created when landing in Guam made great waves around the Pacific rim. It is a message of U.S. power in the Pacific that closely follows President Obama’s unveiled strategic vision to shift our military’s focus to Asia.

It also shed light on the increasingly vital role that U.S. Army Air Defenders are playing in the Pacific.

Though remotely located on the tiny island of Guam, Site Armadillo, so named for the peculiar resemblance of the THAAD radar to the terrestrial mammal, has proven no obstacle to visitation from distinguished visitors. Prestigious guests have come through the perimeter, a testament to the operational significance of this historical deployment. The Japanese Minister of Defense Itsunori Onodera paid a personal visit to the THAAD site with a military entourage, as well as the Deputy Commander of U.S. Army Pacific Australian Army General Richard M. Burr,.

Additionally, U.S. Navy leaders such as PACOM Commander Admiral Locklear and Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Haney have also toured the compound, a telling appreciation of the far-reaching joint strategic influence that Task Force PAC I FI C

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Talon brings to bear. Of all these visitors however, none have yet been as highly placed in the chain of command as Secretary of the Army John McHugh.

During a recent visit to Site Armadillo, McHugh said, “THAAD is an example of the type of mobile, re-locatable missile defense capability that makes it possible to move assets from one region to another in time of crisis, which is important to our national military strategy.”

The age-old importance of deterring threats as a supplement to more conventional diplomacy has seldom been as apparent as in the attraction of A-4’s presence on Guam.

Article by : 2nd Lt. Peter Mitchell Task Force Talon, Tactical Control Officer 5 11/4/13 12:48 PM

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Air Defenders

Meet Secretary Of The Army

FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII— With the United States Army’s growing strategic role in the Pacific region, Secretary of the Army John McHugh was at the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command 16 July, where he was briefed on the unit’s successful deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System to Guam.

“The men and women of the 94th AAMDC provide our nation and the region with a critical strategic capability,” McHugh said.

“Their efforts strengthen our defenses for American citizens in the U.S. Territory of Guam and U.S. forces stationed there.”

Brig. Gen. Daniel Karbler, the 94th AAMDC commanding general, briefed McHugh on the 94th AAMDC’s role in supporting the rebalance in the Pacific.

“THAAD is an example of the type of mobile, re-locatable missile defense capability that makes it possible to move assets from one region to another in time of crisis, which is important to our National Military Strategy,” McHugh said.

McHugh also received a fully engaged tour of the 613th Air Operations Cell (AOC) at Hickam Airbase as a part of the visit.

Capt. Stephen Mercer, a sensor manager for the 94th AAMDC, provided an interactive overview of the mission of the sensor management cell located within the AOC. 6 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 6

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“The Sensor Management Cell is an integral element of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Cell within the AOC. On a day to day basis, we pull crew shifts 24 hours, seven days a week and are Non Commissioned Officers are widely recognized as subject matter experts on ballistic missile defense for the entire theater,” said Mercer.

Earlier this year, McHugh noted the Army’s leadership in missile defense during Congressional testimony on the President’s 2013 U.S. Army Budget Request meeting. “As we develop jointly into our new (national defense) strategy, the Army has expertise in those missile defense platforms and if we can fulfill an expanded role in that mission that would be something that we would want to pursue very anxiously,” McHugh said.

The 94th AAMDC continues to expand and build partnership capacity across the Pacific theater to ensure U.S. forces; allies and partners are trained and ready to defeat the current and future air and missile threat.

Article by: Sgt. Louis C. Lamar 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office D EFEN D ER

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94th AAMDC BRIEFS INTEGRATED AIR AND MISSILE DEFENSE IN THE PACIFIC AT LANPAC

HONOLULU, HAWAII— Senior leaders from the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command attended The Association of the United States Army Institute of Land Warfare LANPAC Symposium and Exposition on April 9th –11th 2013 at the Sheraton Waikiki Hotel.

The events theme was “Land Forces: Assuring Stability and Security in the Pacific” and was held in order to exchange ideas with our joint, combined and industry forces as well as other partners within the United States Pacific command community to highlight and discuss the role of Army Air and Missile Defense in relation to the land force as well as the joint and combined forces.

The desired outcome after the open forum discussion was for senior leaders and audience members to better understand and visualize the impact and role of Integrated Air and Missile Defense in the Pacific Region and its effects on joint and multinational operations.

“With the operations that are ongoing right now, I just want to let you know

that throughout U.S. Pacific Command starting with the command and control and the mission command up at the Pacific Air Forces Headquarters manned by Airmen and Army Soldiers we just deployed throughout the region the patriots prepared in both Korea as well as Japan,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel Karbler, the commander of 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.

On order, the 94th AAMDC deploys in the Pacific Command area of responsibility and conducts joint and combined theater air and missile defense in support of designated operation plans and contingency operations.

“It is an entirely joint and combined effort to do the air and missile defense mission here which is why I am very excited to do this panel and the timeliness really could not be any better,” said Karbler.

The Army’s Field Manual 7-0 states, “Unified action and joint interdependence require leaders aware of the institutional cultures of organizations making up or working with a joint force. This awareness includes understanding how joint and

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multinational, military and civilian partners operate and make decisions. Individuals, units and their leaders develop that understanding only by continuous education and by regular training with these partners.”

Karbler also added, “We are fully integrated within this area of responsibility in the Integrated Air and Missile Defense mission and our sensor managers not only have a responsibility here within PACOM but also deal with homeland defense.”

The LANPAC Symposium and Exposition consisted of a seven panel discussion on topics of Operation Tomodachi – Challenges of Setting the Theater, Security Environment in the Asia-Pacific Region, Agile Mission Command Panel, Force Posture – Employing Land Power in the Pacific, Sustaining Land Power in the Pacific, Joint and Multinational Operations and Integrated Air and Missile Defense.

Article by: Sgt. Louis C. Lamar 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office

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The Forward-Based AN/TPY-2 Radar

& The Sensor Manager

AN EMERGING ARMY CAPABILITY TO COMBAT AN EVOLVING BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT As potential ballistic missile adversaries continue to develop and test ballistic missile technology designed specifically to target and threaten the United States and our allies, a relatively new and often under reported Army asset is increasingly being relied upon to counter this extremely perilous threat.

The Forward-Based Transportable Phased Array, or AN/TPY-2 (FBM) radar, is currently forward deployed to locations in Japan, Turkey, Israel and Qatar with a mission to acquire, track and conduct intelligence collection against ballistic missiles from North Korea and Iran.

This tremendous asset is tactically controlled and operated by Soldiers assigned to our designated Army Air and Missile Defense Commands (AAMDCs). At 8 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 8

Hickam AFB in Oahu, Hawaii, Soldiers of the 94th AAMDC and the assigned Sensor Managers are fully integrated at the joint level, the highly trained Specialists through Captains serving alongside our sister components are helping to augment defense designs, supporting testing of integrated ballistic missile defense, and providing subject matter expertise to senior leaders within the joint community on the employment of the AN/TPY-2 (FBM).

The Forward-Based AN/TPY-2 Radar The AN/TPY-2 is a phased array, high resolution, X-band radar with an extensive range, field of view, and discrimination capability. The radar can be deployed either in a Forward-Based mode (FBM) or in the Terminal mode (TM).

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system. THAAD is an army, land-based air defense system capable of shooting down a ballistic missile both inside and outside of the atmosphere. This Endo and Exo-atmospheric capability makes THAAD highly effective against short and medium range ballistic missiles, as well as asymmetric ballistic missile threats. When deployed with a THAAD battery, the AN/TPY-2 (TM) radar is utilized in a Terminal mode, responsible for acquiring and tracking ballistic missiles in post boost phases of flight and guiding THAAD interceptors for kinetic kills and processing those engagements. In THAAD mode, the AN/TPY-2 (TM) is operated by Soldiers located at the radar’s location with the mission of supporting an area defense of military or civilian assets against a short or medium range ballistic missile threat.

The Forward-Based AN/TPY-2 is a variant of the THAAD radar. This

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variant uses the same hardware but different control software, operating logic and communications packages to accomplish the unique mission of the radar in a Forward-Based mode. Unlike THAAD, the Forward Based AN/TPY-2 is deployed without interceptors or launchers. In this mode, the forward stationed radar detects ballistic missiles early in flight to provide precise tracking data to all of the other ballistic missile defense systems.

Essentially, the radar in a Forward-Based mode acts as the advanced eyes of the United States Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS), detecting all classes of enemy ballistic missiles early in flight and then cueing other sensors and shooters, allowing for earlier engagements, longer engagement windows, increased probability of a successful intercept and enhanced early warning.

Unlike THAAD, the Forward-Based AN/TPY-2 is operated remotely by Sensor Managers, typically located in an Air Force Air Operations Center (AOC), using the Command and Control, Battle Management and Communications (C2BMC) computer system. C2BMC is the integrating element for BMDS, providing critical mission coordination among sensors and weapon systems, as well as providing the battle management capability used

by Sensor Managers to execute tactical control of the AN/TPY-2 (FBM).

AN/TPY -2 (FBM) Operations and the Role of the Sensor Manager AN/TPY-2 (FBM) operations include two distinct functions and areas of primary responsibility: radar operations and sensor management operations. Radar operations take place at the radar site and include maintenance operations, sustainment operations, operational support activities and security of the radar site. At the AOC, 94th AAMDC operators conduct sensor management operations through integration, asset management and tactical control of the sensor in support of mission priorities of the supported Combatant Commanders and the Area Air Defense Commander. The Forward-Based AN/ TPY-2 Missile Defense Detachment in Japan OPCON to 94th AAMDC consists of 22 personnel divided between the radar site and the sensor managers operating at the Area Air Defense Commander’s command and control center within the AOR’s

Air and Space Operations Center (AOC).

Unlike most sensors, the Forward-Based AN/TPY-2 radar is controlled remotely by these sensor managers operating hundreds or thousands of miles away. These sensor managers, who hold the 14H MOS(Air Defense Enhanced Early Warning Operator), remotely operate the radar by using the C2BMC system, in addition to providing situational awareness of other ballistic missile defense assets and weapon systems to the Area Air Defense Commander (AADC) and the supported Combatant Commands.

Doctrinally, the Sensor Management Cell is an integral element of the Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) Cell within the AOC. On a day to day basis, the sensor managers pull crew shifts 24 hours, seven days a week within the AOC, exercising tactical control of the AN/TPY-2 (FBM). In addition to controlling the radar, sensor managers are fully integrated into the joint IAMD cell, providing daily briefings to the Combat Operations Chief within the AOC and coordinating daily with the Senior Air Defense Officer (SADO) and Navy BMD planners and operators to ensure strategic and regional ballistic missile defense postures are met.

Employment of the Forward-Based AN/TPY-2 The Forward-Based concept of the radar was developed about a decade ago and continues to be fielded globally in support of strategic, as well as theater level OPLANs and CONPLANs. It utilizes X-Band frequencies giving the radar excellent discrimination and data collection capabilities against ballistic missile threats and test launches.

With the emerging ballistic missile threat posed by rogue nations such as Iran and North Korea, the role of numerous air defense platforms such the Army’s Patriot system and the Navy’s Aegis system is often well reported and understood.

What is often not reported or well understood is the role that the Forward-Based AN/TPY-2 (FBM), controlled by sensor managers, play in contributing to complex defense designs in order to support both regional and strategic missile defense objectives. To increase the probability of engagement success against ballistic missiles, a ballistic missile defense strategy PAC I FI C

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must support engagements in the boost phase, midcourse phase and terminal phase of a ballistic missile’s flight. The AN/TPY-2(FBM), because of its ability to acquire and track ballistic missiles in the boost and early midcourse phases of flight due to forward-basing, allows other missile defense weapon systems to engage much sooner, thus expanding battle space by allowing for earlier engagements of threatening ballistic missiles. Furthermore, due to the extremely high resolution capability of the radar and its ability to discriminate reentry vehicles and warheads, the data that is passed to other sensors and missile defense weapon systems is remarkably good and thus significantly increases the likelihood of a successful engagement.

While the ballistic missile defense system contains numerous early warning sensors and satellites designed to acquire and track ballistic missile threats early in the boost phase of flight, the X-Band frequencies utilized by the AN/TPY-2 (FBM) allow for extremely high resolution and high quality tracking data on detected ballistic missiles and are simply head and shoulders above what other forward-deployed sensors are capable of providing currently.

As North Korea continues to expand its ballistic missile inventory, the relevance of Forward-Based AN/TPY-2 radars cannot be overstated. Because these emerging threats may be mounted on mobile launchers, launches may occur at any time with little or no warning. The AN/TPY-2 (FBM), which provides persistent coverage over all of North Korea, provides constant coverage for the United States and the PACOM AOR against these threats.

Furthermore, as North Korea continues to test their missile technology, the radar will continue to perform invaluable data collection against these threats to provide American engineers useful data to use in analysis of new threats and to develop future technology to counter them. As the United States military continues to conduct joint planning to develop defense designs to deter and ultimately defeat the growing ballistic missile threat, the role of the sensor manager and the AN/TPY-2 (FBM) will be at the forefront of the fight.

Article by: Capt. Shane Mercer 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office

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MDA Live Fire Test Proves METL of THAAD Battery with Help from 94th AAMDC

KWAJALEIN ATOLL, REPUBLIC OF THE MARSHALL ISLANDS — The Missile Defense Agency (MDA) and the Ballistic Missile Defense System (BMDS) Operational Test Agency, in conjunction with Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen from multiple combatant commands, successfully completed a complex missile defense flight test Sept. 10, 2013, resulting in the intercept of two medium-range ballistic missile targets.

The test, Flight Test Operational-01 (FTO-01), was conducted near U.S. Army Kwajalein Atoll/Reagan Test Site at several locations in the western Pacific, stressing the ability of the Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) and Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) weapon systems to defeat a raid of two nearly simultaneous targets.

The THAAD system, using an Army-Navy/Transportable Radar Surveillance and Control (AN/TPY-2) radar in Terminal Mode (TM) tracked one of the targets. THAAD developed a fire control solution, launched a THAAD interceptor missile, and successfully intercepted its target.

Soldiers from the operational unit, A-2 THAAD Battery, 11th Brigade, 32nd Army Air Missile Defense Command (AAMDC), out of Fort Bliss, Texas were the personnel operating the THAAD system in the vicinity of Kwajalein Atoll.

The top priority mission of the A-2 THAAD battery during FTO-01 is to be ready at a moment’s notice to deter or neutralize any tactical ballistic missile threats to the combatant commander’s critical assets. Keeping focus on the top priority during testing can be a challenge when a number of other real-world mission essential responsibilities also have to be accomplished.

Capt. Pete Lawall, battery commander, A-2 THAAD said, “In addition to the execution of this test, we also have multiple responsibilities in the rear, including Preparation to Deploy Order (PTDO) responsibilities and train-up of incoming personnel, so trying to execute all those requirements simultaneously is a challenge.”

Lawall added later that they were able to overcome the challenges with having flexible junior leaders, empowering those junior leaders in the rear to execute those tasks necessary to prepare for deployment, and receiving a lot of help from mission command.

Several MDA officials and contractors were present to observe the flight test activities along with six 94th AAMDC Soldiers who provided the mission command element to the battery Lawall mentioned.

“We are the link between MDA and the war fighters,” said Lt. Col. Anibal Vazquez, deputy chief of current operations, 94th

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AAMDC, and task force officer-in-charge, FTO-01. During the course of the two month-long exercise, simulated scenarios were executed along with the real live-fire test of the missiles. Information about when the THAAD battery would actually fire the missiles was kept secret in order to keep the test more operationally realistic. 94th AAMDC personnel acted as “trusted agents” and only relayed information to the battery that was pertinent to accomplishing the tasks to complete either the simulation or the real thing.

“We did not want the Soldiers to identify when the live-fire would happen; we just wanted them to be prepared and ready at all times,” said Vazquez. “Overall, I am very impressed with all the Soldiers in A-2 on how hard they worked to stay ready. If a piece of equipment went down, everyone, from the private up to the warrant officer, got involved to fix it. If a part arrived, that thing was installed within the next little while.”

94th AAMDC also helped the THAAD battery with coordinating personnel arrivals and departures and other routine administrative and logistical tasks.

“We also took care of some of the things that the THAAD normally would do for themselves, such as delivering and picking up laundry and organizing recreational activities, so that they could concentrate on conducting the testing,” said Master Sgt. Anthony Wyatt, current operations senior enlisted leader, 94th AAMDC, and FTO-01 senior enlisted leader.

THAAD has previously completed at least 10 successful intercept tests, including operationally-realistic tests in March 2009, June 2010, October 2011 and October 2012.

FTO-01 demonstrated integrated, layered, regional missile defense capabilities in a combined live-fire operational test. The test provided the Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen who operated the systems a unique opportunity to refine operational doctrine and tactics while increasing confidence in the execution of integrated air and missile defense plans.

Article by: Sgt. 1st Class Karry James 94th AAMDC Public Affairs Office

AIR DEFENDERS FIRE LIVE MISSILES

CAMP CASEY, South Korea – Echo Battery, 6th Battalion 52nd Air and Missile Defense Battalion practiced engaging remote controlled aerial targets with Stinger missiles here, Sept.

9-13.

Echo Battery is the only forward deployed short range air defense unit in South Korea and defends the airspace of the 210th Fires Brigade operations from hostile aircraft The unit employs shoulder-fired Stinger missiles as well as the vehicle-mounted version on the Avenger weapon system that also includes a .50 caliber machine gun.The Avenger provides mobile, short-range air defense protection against cruise missiles and aircraft.

Twice each year they head to the field to train and qualify with live munitions to ensure they are ready to “Fight Tonight.”

“The Soldiers were very excited to be out in the field doing their job, shooting missiles and engaging aerial targets” said Capt. Corey Chester, Echo Battery’s commander. “Morale was high and it was a great week.”

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The event culminated with Echo Battery naming one platoon as the “Best Platoon” based on overall scores and one team as the “Top Gun” for the most hits with the machine gun and a direct hit with the Stinger missile.

Second Platoon, led by 2nd Lt. Norris Potter, took top platoon honors and the team of Sgt. Luis Dejesus-Delgado and Pfc. Luis Muniz were named as the “Top Gun.” Leading up to the live fire event, the crews’ expertise was tested through the Avenger Gunnery Skills Test, which involves everything from maintenance to trouble shooting the system, said Chester.

Soldiers also completed the Army physical fitness test, qualified with their personal weapon, and took both an aircraft recognition test and a general knowledge test.

Article by: Capt. Ed Ellingson 35th ADA, Public Affairs Office D EFEN D ER

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FORGING PARTNERSHIPS

Working ‘Shoulder to Shoulder’ with our Allies

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FORGING PARTNERSHIPS

UFG:Annual Exercise Builds Solidarity

FORT SHAFTER — Conducting combined command post exercise training helps soldiers stay prepared for real-world situations and future exercises. Thus, Soldiers from the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command participated in “Ulchi Freedom Guardian,” an exercise held at Combined Forces Command and Republic of Korea military installations throughout South Korea, Aug 19-30.

UFG enhances the combat readiness of ROK and U.S. supporting forces through combined and joint training while improving ROK and U.S. combat readiness and joint/combined interoperability.

“One major key task for this exercise was to enable regional security in our partnership capacity through bilateral training events just like UFG,” said Sgt. 1st Class Luis A. Reyes, the 94th AAMDC battle systems manager. “The 94th AAMDC is in the business of

professionalism and by being at UFG we were able to build partner capacity by exporting professionalism.”

As with any exercise, UFG has many Soldiers participating that have different skill sets and various levels of training to accomplish the mission.

“My role in UFG was to support my noncommissioned officers and the forward deployed part of my section in providing products to the 94th AAMDC commanding general so that they could keep track of information that was needed during the exercise,” said Spc. Brett M. Boehm, a 94th AAMDC intelligence analyst.”

“This was my first UFG exercise,” said Spc. Jason Puening, a 94th AAMDC G6 senior local area network manager.

“I worked on setting up the combined air missile defense operations center and I hope to gain a lot of knowledge on the various communications systems.

Exercises like UFG help to foster

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relationships and build solidarity of missile defense within Pacific Command’s area of operations.

“UFG is a great opportunity for the 94th AAMDC to show our partners and allies in the region that we are committed to missile defense in the Pacific,” said 1st Lt. Richard Eriksson, the 94th AAMDC headquarters and headquarters battery executive officer.

Ulchi Freedom Guardian is an annual training event designed to ensure readiness to defend the Republic of Korea and sustain the capabilities that strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance. It also is a defense-oriented exercise developed around realistic scenarios designed to defend the ROK, protect the region and maintain stability on the Korean Peninsula.

Article by: Sgt. Louis Lamar 94th AAMDC Public Affairs Office

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FORGING PARTNERSHIPS

Combined Battlefield Coordination Detachment Focuses on Interoperability JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM — More than 27,000 U.S. and Australian personnel are participating in the training exercise Talisman Saber 2013 conducted at multiple locations in the U.S. and Australia from July 15 to August 05. The focus of the exercise is to improve U.S. and Australian combat training, readiness, and interoperability by bringing the nations’ service members closer, improving their ability to work together and preparing them to provide regional and global security.

This focus holds to true to members of the Combined Battlefield Coordination Detachment (C-BCD) participating in the exercise from the Pacific Air Force’s 613th Air and Space Operations Center (AOC) on Joint Base Pearl Harbor - Hickam.

This team was comprised of members from the United States Army Pacific’s 5th BCD, the Australian Army’s 6th Brigade, and the New Zealand Army’s 16th Field Regiment. Thirteen Australian and three New Zealand Soldiers traveled to Hawaii to combine with the 40 members of the 5th BCD for the Talisman Saber 2013 exercise.

The C-BCD’s mission during this year’s Talisman Saber was to liaison with the Combined Forces Air Component Commander (Pacific Air Forces), in support of the Combined Forces Land Component Commander (I Corps), to coordinate ground, air, and intelligence activities, facilitating both agile mission command and component-level synchronization of the combined and joint force, in order to enable cross-domain integration into unified land operations.

“The BCD is a mission command node supporting U.S. Army forces in the Pacific during phase zero operations as well as during contingency or crisis,” said Col. Jon Howerton, commander, 5th BCD. “Our role in the AOC is to integrate airpower into the Army force’s scheme of maneuver and facilitate common situational awareness and mutual understanding of what is happening in both domains so commanders can make better, more informed, 14 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 14

quicker decisions that help reduce risk to force and to mission.”

Howerton also said that the importance of U.S., Australian, and New Zealand Soldiers combining as a BCD during the exercise was to further enhance the interoperability between the mission partners through continuing relationship building, developing common operating procedures, and gaining a better understanding of each other’s capabilities.

“Having a Combined BCD is a key initiative in our ability to enable the combined and joint force,” Howerton said.

“These partnerships are very important for all sides from a practical perspective in that they foster redundancy and allow them all to develop skills that can be drawn upon in the event of a crisis,” said Capt. Samuel Baumgarten, aviation, air defense and air space management officer, 6th Brigade, Australian Army. “It also allows cross-pollination of ideas and learning from one another techniques and experiences, and particularly for Australians, to observe a more experienced standing capability that we don’t always, as a smaller army, have exposure to.”

“The BCD is a new concept for New Zealand and for me,” said Staff Sgt. Heath Southcombe, battery guide, 1-63 Battery, 16th Field Regiment, New Zealand Army.

“It has been a very rewarding exercise; there’s a lot of experience that I am taking in, and I think that, if anything, it’s about P AC I FI C

establishing a rapport with our American allies and strengthening our relationship with our Australian allies as well.”

“The advantages of coming to U.S. facilities for us is that it allows us to train on equipment, especially the vast computer networking capability, that we don’t have in Australia,” said Lt. Col. Grant Cassar, director, Army Air Support, 6th Brigade, Australian Army, and deputy commander, C-BCD. The challenge that they discovered, however, is in working with the sheer size of the U.S. military’s assets all over the globe.

Cassar said, “The Australian AOC is kind of small and a lot of what we do, we can be dual-hatted, so you find that we do what we do with a smaller number of people, and getting our heads around the scale of what we are talking about with the volume, breadth, and reach of those (American) assets gets interesting.”

This is the fifth time the Talisman Saber exercise has been conducted. The exercise merges the previous exercises of Tandem Thrust and Crocodile into one biennial, joint combined exercise that is designed to maintain a high level of interoperability between U.S. and Australian forces.

Article by: Sgt. 1st Class Karry James 94th AAMDC Public Affairs Office

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FORGING PARTNERSHIPS

Joint Combatives Training

JAPAN — The ability to defend oneself has played a huge role in warfare since the beginning of recorded history. As strategic warfare evolves over time so does the art of self defense.

Militaries train their soldiers in specific curriculums which rarely give them the opportunity to experience different views of self-defense. The future of combatives looks bright because militaries are now cross training with their bilateral partners to certify soldiers in different aspects of combatives.

On March 18, 2013 six American Soldiers stand next to their Japanese counterparts practicing offensive strikes and self defense moves. An instructor stands in front of the class giving commands, he is known as Sensei, the Japanese word for teacher. It is a great week for the bilateral partnership between Japan and the US because as the week draws to a conclusion, all six of the US Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery will be a certified Japanese Air Self Defense Force (JASDF) combatives graduate.

This is significant because it will mark the first time any US service members have received a JASDF combatives certification.

The dictionary definition of “bilateral” is best described as, “through both parties equally.” US Soldiers training in JASDF combatives are a perfect example of a bilateral partnership, one which we share with Japan. All of the Soldiers in attendance unanimously agreed that everyone had an eagerness to relate and positively discuss differences. According to specialist Michael Dezarn, “Being around a different culture motivated me to learn.”

He also stated, “The combination of American training and Japanese training enabled me to feel all around more capable.” SPC Kyle Mecum went on to say this partnership extends well past the combatives class, “We were all eager to learn each other’s customs and courtesies, our Japanese partners were interested in American culture as much as we were interested in theirs.” Friendships PAC I FI C

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were also made. SPC Omar Gallegos said, “I am now friends with some of the JASDF soldiers and we discuss the differences between our militaries outside of work.”

The benefits of bilateral training can be gauged through each Soldier’s experiences. While the Japanese combatives course focuses on striking, the American combatives course focuses on grappling techniques which complement each other. We can see by fully integrating ourselves with our bilateral partners that the benefits far exceed the practical aspects of the partnership.

Soldiers gained friends from this training, a better understanding of their JASDF counterparts, improved proficiency and most importantly realized that the JASDF are no different from their US battle buddies. This training has set the stage for two great nations to build relations and capabilities through a partnership with unlimited potential.

Article by: Sgt. Justin Engle 1-1 ADA, Public Affairs Office

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FORGING PARTNERSHIPS

6-52nd AMD Partakes in

ROK Memorial Ceremony

SUWON AIR BASE — For centuries warriors and have held ceremonies to honor and remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in battle.

Today this tradition is still plays a huge part in military customs and courtesies.

Key leaders from the 6-52nd Air Missile Defense Battalion participated in a Republic of Korea memorial ceremony on June 6, 2013.

Lt. Col. Norman Spivey, the 6-52nd AMD battalion commander along with Sgt. Maj. Scott Pinkham, the 6-52nd AMD operations sergeant major respectively honored fallen U.S. and ROK warfighters during ROK Memorial day celebration.

More than 3,150 Soldiers, veterans, government officials, students and guests came out to pay respect to those that gave their life in the defense of freedom.

In keeping with Korean funeral and memorial tradition since the late 19th century participants approached the altar, bowed their heads and placed a white chrysanthemum flower on an altar. They also burned incense in a pot placed in the middle of the altar.

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“Koreans believe using incense removes unclean spirits and refreshes the body and soul linking the latter to heaven,’” said 1st Lt. Seong Won Kim, the 6-52nd AMD civil-military operation officer. “It is also believed that the fumes of the incense alert the spirit of the dead.”

The Memorial Address was given by Yum, Tae Yong, Suwon city Mayor who implemented a plan to ensure the efforts of the warfighters would not go unnoticed.

Yum also weighed in with his opinion of how veterans should be treated.

ROK, U.N. Soldiers, police and anyone who died for the nation should be respected for what they did for this nation, said Yum. Also Suwon city will open a sports facility for veterans who fought for the country against its enemies.

Governor Kim, Mun Soo, governor of the Gyonggi Province spoke on the luxuries that South Korea enjoys because of decisions they made during and after the war and similar decisions should be made by their neighbors to the north.

South Korea’s sacrifices enabled us to build our economy and enjoy our freedom, said Kim. North Korea should be open to P AC I FI C

following the ways that South Korea took instead of isolating themselves from the rest of the world.

“I really appreciate the Korean Government and other citizens have not forgotten what the United State did for this country,” said Kim. I’m happy to know they will continue to have ceremonies to honor US Soldiers who sacrifice their life.”

Article by: Spc. Issac Castleberry 6-52nd ADA, Public Affairs Office

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Dragons Show Off Their New Lair

OSAN AIR BASE — After seven years of occupying multiple locations across Osan Air Base, the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade ‘Dragons’ are consolidating into one central location in a newly built office building.

Brig. Gen. Chris Gentry, the deputy commanding general of sustainment, Eighth Army, toured the old and new facilities on Jan. 10, 2013.

The visit included a briefing by the 35th ADA’s command group and was followed by a tour of the new facilities. Gentry also saw the old staff offices which gave him a perspective on the practical benefits of the relocation.

Featuring over 67 thousand square feet, the building complex will accommodate roughly 350 personnel, said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Brian Libby, brigade mobility warrant officer with 35th ADA. “The building includes 35th Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, brigade staff and two subordinate batteries,” said Libby.

The third floor will be home to the 3rd Battlefield Coordination Detachment.

With a total of seven levels, the new building offers more than 100 offices, conference rooms, state-of-the-art communications infrastructure and storage under one roof. This gives the Dragon Brigade the ability to consolidate their assets into one secure location.

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This new building will replace the original staff offices which were intended as temporary facilities and were constructed out of modified freight containers and smaller structures.

“Its central location on the airbase also allows us to be more immediately engaged with the Osan community on a daily basis,” said 1st Lt. Richard Chapman, the 35th ADA brigade adjutant.

Article by: Spc. Shawn Denham 35th ADA, Public Affairs Office

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BACK TO BASICS

Great Warriors Are Forged Like Swords FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII — For the past decade or so, “the basics” have been associated with being able to simultaneously shoot, move and communicate with your fellow Soldiers as one.

But what are the basics now that war is winding down?

Are “the basics” now rudimentary Soldier tasks like conducting police calls, polishing boots, and pressing uniforms? Perhaps, as some may believe, that they are more generalized concepts such as strictly enforcing policies and standards and getting back in touch with the roots of our customs, courtesies, and traditions.

For me, getting “back to the basics” is a much simpler thing than all of that. It is fostering an environment of discipline, where no one element of Soldiering is more important than any other.

Let us examine how the typical swordsmith made a sword.

Beginning with raw metals in a rough form, under intense heat, they forged, beat, and hammered the glowing hot metal against an anvil into the desired shape. The process of hammering, reheating, and folding the metal was repeated over and over again.

The metal became denser, stronger, and more resilient as it was processed through the forge and with the hammer.

At one point, the smithy began to sharpen the blade. This made it a deadly force to be wielded on the battlefield. In keeping with customs and traditions, if you wished to learn the art of the swordsmith, you would first have to become an apprentice or assistant at a local forge.

Our NCOs and leaders at the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command strive do the same thing with our new Soldiers. As we gain Soldiers, their assigned sponsors immediately introduce them to our policies and procedures and unit battle rhythm, and then insert them into the training schedule where they will simultaneously learn the material in a way that enables them to pass it on to the next new Soldier.

As the swordsmith does with the raw metal, leaders at the 94th AAMDC endeavor to light the fire of our Soldiers wills with ruthless determination and forge them in the fires of selfdiscipline, motivation and esprit de corps. We attempt to mold our Soldiers with rules and regulations after laying down the “hammer” of standards, keeping them in the proper shape and making them stronger. Finally, we hone our Soldiers minds and bodies through our intense training and competitions. This keeps 94th AAMDC Soldiers razor-sharp and ready to perform on the modern battlefield.

Gen. George S. Patton said, “There is only one type of discipline, perfect discipline” and “No sane man is unafraid in battle, but discipline produces in him a form of vicarious courage.”

If Patton were alive today, I believe he would agree that getting back to the basics means instilling discipline and promoting healthy competition as we train.

Here at the 94th AAMDC, getting back to the basics means shifting focus to our Soldiers’ minds and bodies, shaping them into a well-trained, lethal, and modern combat force. It means taking the experiences of those who were on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan and passing them on to our future Army leaders through the traditions of apprenticeship and leading by example.

Like the basics of making cold, hard, tempered steel, these are the basics that make us Army Strong.

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Article by: Master Sgt. Anthony Wyatt 94th AAMDC Command Operations Training NCOIC

11/4/13 12:48 PM

BA AC CK K T TO O B BA AS SIIC CS S B

Garrison Fundamentals Are Key FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII — I remember coming into the Army over 31 years ago during the Cold War era.

The discipline and standards were much different than they are now. Back then, we had more time to train for garrison operations because we were not at war.

Soldiers in today’s Army came in while we were fighting wars in Iraq and Afghanistan and have become exceptionally skillful warriors. Some of them have even deployed three or four times, with little to no garrison time.

With having to spend the majority of their time on education on going to war, basic garrison skills were put on the back burner.

So, when it comes to training on how to conduct garrison operations, Soldiers have been short changed.

“Combat Operations” is different than “Garrison Operations,” and we, as senior leaders, must help today’s Soldiers adjust and understand what those differences are.

Here at the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, we are training not only our newest Soldiers, but also re-training our seasoned veterans and noncommissioned officers to function in a garrison setting, with the knowledge, skills and abilities to be effective within that environment.

Some of our efforts include sergeant’s time training on flag detail or other basic military drill and ceremony events, incorporating military doctrine and manuals, increasing interpersonal skills, and devising other training curriculum to target our specific limitations.

As stated in FM 7.22-7, “The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide,” an NCO’s priority is training and taking care of Soldiers. In order to do that, leaders must get to know their Soldiers, be able to relate to them on a personal level and understand their strengths and weaknesses.

That can be more challenging in a garrison environment, due to distractions and less control over Soldiers, but the 94th PAC I FI C

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AAMDC is taking those difficulties head-on by conducting home visits, barracks inspections, professional development, and positive and corrective counseling beyond what is mandatory.

Home visits are scheduled quarterly with at least two weeks notification so that the spouses of the Soldiers can adjust their schedules to be present during the visit.

The 94th AAMDC considers the families of our Soldiers as an integral part of the success of our team. We want our leaders to get to know them and have them get to know their Soldiers’ leaders.

We believe that this builds trust in the Soldiers and in their families toward the 94th AAMDC’s ability to take care of them in the event of a deployment or a long temporary duty assignment.

Professional development is accomplished by being in tune with the Soldiers wants and needs for schooling, promotion, and assignments, which goes back to having interpersonal relationships, and devising a plan with the Soldiers to get them to where they want to go in their careers.

Our Soldiers and families have sacrificed greatly, time and time again, to adhere to the call of our nation, and we are thankful for what they have given up in honor of America. But, our Army will only get better by ensuring our Soldiers are fully trained both in war and peace time.

94th AAMDC Soldiers have proven their courage and dependability in war. We’re determined to employ that same courage by teaching them how to be just as responsible and effective in a garrison environment.

Article by: Sgt. Maj. George Quincy Walker 94th AAMDC Logistics Sergeant Major

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BACK TO BASICS

Hitting The Books Is Crucial FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII — When I was a young Soldier, I was required to enroll into correspondence classes and was asked constantly by my superiors specific questions about my job or general questions which were covered under the various Army regulations that governed me at the time.

I was taught well by my role models who gave me a solid foundation on what I should do as a leader.

Now, I must prepare the next generation to pass down the torch.

Army Field Manual 6-22, “Army Leadership,” defines leadership as influencing, motivating and giving direction while operating to accomplish the mission and improving the organization.

The first step in implementing that leadership definition is to assess your Soldiers to see what motivates them, figure out what and how much direction they need, and find and apply solutions to any barriers to improvement.

At the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, we have seen Soldiers that do not know how to balance a check book, what an Army Emergency Relief loan is, what it is used for or who is eligible for it.

We have seen Soldiers who could not immediately name a field manual or an Army regulation in direct relation to the task at hand.

When asked, some Soldiers cannot name any professional book they have read recently.

In response, we have developed a “Back to the Basics” systematic approach for Soldiers to learn about what programs are available to assist them with life managing tasks and the invaluable information contained in Army manuals and regulations and in professional publications.

How many junior Soldiers actually realize that Sergeants’ Time Training (STT) is governed by a field manual or understand 20 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 20

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that just about everything that we do in the Army is covered in a FM, TM, or AR? Field Manual 7-22.7, “The Noncommissioned Officer’s Guide,” outlines STT in Appendix A. Through strictly adhering to STT scheduling, we are creating a knowledge base and then reinforcing those learned skills through practical hands-on exercises.

The 94th AAMDC’s leaders are striving to be the example that FM 6-22 points out: Be, know, and do.

For example, the 94th AAMDC is teaching junior Soldiers how to take care of their subordinates and fellow Soldiers by ensuring every leader has, implements and updates a leader’s book to track the welfare of their Soldiers.

We are teaching our future senior leaders that in order to better help Soldiers or guide them in the right direction, you must know them, well.

Since we are a profession of arms, we at the 94th AAMDC are also emphasizing the importance of professional reading. We encourage reading books and publications from the U.S Army Chief of Staff’s Professional Reading List, which includes the U.S. Constitution.

The knowledge gained from the readings is tested in our monthly and quarterly Soldier and NCO boards and competitions.

The programs and data are in place; now, it’s just a matter of training on what the programs are and identifying where the information can be found, and then we can move on to how to implement them in the unit and with the individual Soldier.

Article by: Sgt. Maj. Dale Sproule 94th AAMDC Communications Sergeant Major D EFEN D ER

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BACK TO BASICS

TRAINING PREPS FOR THE NEXT ENEMY FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII — The strength of our nation is our Army, the strength of our Army is our Soldiers, the strength of our Soldiers is our families – all of which make us Army Strong.

Throughout my career, I have seen our Army grow and contract, bend, and change continuously. The one thing that I could always count on was that things will change.

Change is always uncertain for those of us who must go through it. The more drastic the change, the more uncertain are the outcomes.

In these times of change, as always, the nation turns to her Army when strength is needed, the Army turns to her Soldiers when strength is needed, and Soldiers turn to their families when strength is needed. Those things that are solid will remain.

As our environment changes, the Army will adapt to these changes just as we always have done. The Army is now and has always been an agile, adaptive, flexible force. Flexibility in the face of change has been the hallmark of our units due primarily to the quality of the Soldiers in our formations.

As Leaders, we must realize that some things should remain as they have always been, but it is important to examine what is changing and then further ask ourselves questions such as how do we manage the change that we are facing and how do we stabilize the pace of the change?

For the last 10 years, our focus had to be getting boots on the ground and keeping the deploying units filled. To accomplish this, we out sourced as much training as possible, and we depleted our base of qualified trainers.

Those noncommissioned officers who were our resident experts on training moved out to fill slots in deploying units because deploying was the priority. We now have many experts on how to execute the battle, but our experts on how to get Soldiers trained are few. Training is a skill which atrophies if not exercised.

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We need master trainers who know how to plan the training, train the trainers, recon the training site, issue the order, rehearse the training, execute the training, evaluate the training, re-train as necessary, and motivate both the trainers and trainees. Back to the basics with the eight step training model is the most basic concept for an Army.

Mentorship and training for our future leaders about how to train Soldiers is fundamental to the health of our Army and our nation. Senior leaders must remain engaged with training and with trainers at all levels.

In the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, mentors actively insert themselves in the eight step training model from the first step of planning the training right through to retraining. Taking the time to explain, not only how something has to be accomplished, but why it is important to accomplish it in that manner, and also observing the rehearsals and making on-the-spot corrections to improve the quality of the training is so important that it cannot be stressed enough.

We have to remain flexible. Our priorities must shift from fighting the enemy in front of us to training to fight the next enemy, where ever he might be. Re-learning how to train Soldiers must be a priority. Our instructor positions in our training establishments like our NCO Academies have to receive the recognition and prestige they deserve, both in the operational Army and throughout the promotion process. With a cadre of highly qualified and highly motivated expert trainers, our Army cannot fail; without them how can we succeed?

Article by: Sgt. Maj. Glenn Caspari 94th AAMDC Operations Sergeant Major

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Warrior Challenge

94TH AAMDC SOLDIERS PARTICIPATE IN WARRIOR CHALLENGE

FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII — Each Soldier started the Warrior Challenge at an even slate. After a week of combatives, a physical fitness test, land navigation and numerous other events, two Soldiers stood ahead of the rest.

With great anticipation, the winners of the 94th AAMDC Warrior Challenge competition were announced on May 13, 2013.

Staff Sgt. Joshua McCall, 94th AAMDC Chemical Operations Specialist Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, was named NCO of the Year and Spc. Derek B. Hibbs, 94th Passive Defense Operations Sgt., was named the Soldier of the Year.

“I was selected to participate in the warrior challenge after winning one of the Soldier of the Quarter board,” Hibbs.

“I was selected to be in the warrior challenge after winning the 2nd Quarter NCO of the quarter board,” said McCall.

During the competition Soldiers participated in events from land navigation, urban orienteering, reflexive fire, 22 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 22

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combatives tournament, a written essay and an oral board.

Hibbs said, “I prepared for the competition by studying my Soldier tasks, working on my physical fitness, getting assistance from my leadership and training as much as possible. My sponsor was a former winner of this competition and he had a lot of knowledge on how to perform and what to expect during the events.”

“My sponsor prepared me for the warrior challenge by motivating me, taking time on the weekend to help me study and plot grid coordinates,” said McCall. “Through years of expertise and studying my warrior tasks, I was able to prepare for the competition.”

The warrior challenge lasted four days and was full of challenging events.

“The most challenging event for me was the daytime land navigation,” said Hibbs. “It posed a challenge

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because it’s a perishable skill, and we don’t train on it as much as we probably should.”

“All of the events were challenging,” said McCall.

“For me the most challenging event was the land navigation course.”

Soldiers of all ranks should always find ways to brush up on their basic Soldier tasks.

McCall also added, “It is important to have events like warrior challenge because the Army wants to get back to the basics, and competitions like this give us an opportunity to use our basic skills as a Soldier.”

Hibbs later said, “When I found out that I won the 94th AAMDC warrior challenge and was named the Soldier of the year I was happy because I preformed to the best of my abilities and I didn’t let my leadership down.”

McCall later stated “When I found out that I won the 94th AAMDC warrior challenge and was named the NCO of the year, I was happy to be a chemical operations guy winning this in an air defense unit.”

McCall and Hibbs will go on to compete in the United States Army Pacific Command’s Warrior Challenge, which will commence 9-15 June.

USARPAC winners then compete at the Army-level Warrior Challenge.

Story by Sgt. Louis C. Lamar 94th AAMDC Public Affairs Office

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SISTERS IN ARMS BUILDING STRONG BONDS THROUGH FEMALE MENTORSHIP

FORT SHAFTER — Being in a new environment with a predominately male unit, new females will face unfamiliar situations and difficulties. However, with females making up such a small portion of the unit, junior female Soldiers, most of them having no female leadership in their ranks, were without guidance or a senior female leader to turn to. Recognizing this need, the unit established the Sister in Arms Female Mentorship Program.

The program was started on September 11, 2012 at the Fort Shafter Flats and was instituted to assist new female Soldiers in establishing goals, mentor them on acceptable behavior and provide guidance that enhances their decision making skills.

Command Sgt. Maj. Ted Pritchard showed his support at the initial meeting for the Female Mentorship Program by speaking openly about the need for the program with the female Soldiers and the command team’s support for the program.

Over the course of a year, the program has accomplished a host of events and endeavors. Some of those events include hosting quarterly off duty events, physical training activities and cultural awareness tours, all to show command initiative to provide females Soldiers with a means to develop professionally through senior level mentorship.

Chief Warrant Officer 4 Doretha Magee, senior property account technician, 94th AAMDC said, “Due to the small population of female Soldiers in the company, it’s rare that seniors get to 24 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 24

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put a name with a face. I enjoyed meeting everyone and listening to their concerns. The program is another avenue to reach out and bond with junior Soldiers.”

Another milestone for the Female Mentorship Program was the Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) training that was conducted.

RAD is a basic physical defense program that teaches realistic self-defense tactics and techniques for women. The purpose of the class was to help the female Soldiers become empowered by developing and enhancing the options of self-defense so that they may become viable options to them if they were ever attacked.

“Our 94th AAMDC Sisters in Arms program means a great deal to me. Programs like this have not been a part of our military culture,” said Master Sgt. Veronica Atkins, logistics operations sergeant and senior female mentor within the command. “We cannot change the past but we can make a better future by integrating programs like the Sisters in Arms. The 94th AAMDC’s program has educated and provided many of our young female Soldiers with tools and resources that will help them become better Soldiers, Leaders and a better person as a whole. It provides us with the Total Army Concept.”

Article by: Sgt. Louis Lamar 94th AADMC Public Affairs Office D EFEN D ER

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94th AAMDC Inducts Its Newly Promoted Noncommissioned Officers into the NCO Corps

FORT SHAFTER FLATS — Holding to a tradition that dates back to Frederick the Great in the 17th century, Noncommissioned Officers (NCOs) of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense command took part in an induction ceremony to pay tribute its newest NCOs Aug. 1st.

Six newly promoted NCOs participated in the ceremony hosted by the unit’s command sergeant major.

“Our NCO induction ceremony is a celebration of the newly promoted NCO as they join the ranks of a professional NCO corps which emphasizes and builds on the pride we all share as members of such an elite corps,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Tedd Pritchard, former command sergeant major, 94th AAMDC. “Our legacy as a professional NCO corps must be instilled in these fine NCOs to carry on customs and traditions, standards, and discipline within our Army,” continued Pritchard. “One day, we will move on and these NCOs will continue the ever-living legacy of the NCO corps in our place.”

The ceremony is considered a rite of passage and designed to highlight the importance of the NCO corps.

“It’s all about taking care of our own and integrating new leaders into the corps,” said 1st Sgt. QP Bean, first sergeant, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 94th AAMDC. “Simply put, it

(Photos by Sgt. 1st Class Karry James, 94th AAMDC Publics Affairs)

gives them a sense of family and support; it lets them know that we are a band of brothers and sisters, and we will have their back in good times and bad.”

The 94th AAMDC NCOs inducted into the NCO corps were: Sgt. Kimberly Buenavista-Bowens, mechanic and motor pool clerk; Sgt. Nadine Gonzales, human resource specialist; Sgt. Jonathan Jackson, intelligence analyst; Staff Sgt. Russell Lane, intelligence analyst, who was just promoted from Sgt. shortly before the ceremony took place; Sgt. Danjelo Moore, signal systems specialist; and Sgt. Kindra Smith, human resource specialist.

Smith, who was promoted in 2012, said this event was a meaningful and touching way to begin her tour with the 94th AAMDC. “I wasn’t inducted when I was promoted at my last unit,” Smith said. “I feel taken care of now, and I feel that they see a PAC I FI C

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potential in me to do great things.”

Another one of the inductees, Moore, said, “I thought the ceremony was kind of neat. I have seen a ceremony like this before, but now, this time, since I was the one being inducted, I feel that I am officially in the NCO corps.”

Back in history when the NCO corps was just developing, an induction of sorts was conducted. Soldiers were required to stand four watches, one every four days before they could reach full status as an NCO. Pritchard said, “We celebrate this moment as a rite of passage and continue to follow customs and traditions; however, in a different manner, but with the same intent – to fully recognize a Soldier of yesterday as a leader of today.”

Article by: Sgt. 1st Class Karry James 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office

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94TH AAMDC MOVES TO JOINT BASE PEARL HARBO-HICKAM IN 2014

FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII — The 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command is slated to move to Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam in FY2014.

Early 2013, the Pacific Air Force Commander laid out a vision for an Integrated Air and Missile Defense Center of Excellence, which will enhance cooperation between the 613th Air and Space Operations Center, Pacific Air Forces and the 94th AAMDC. In response, PACAF and the 94TH AAMDC, requested the relocation and permanent bed down of the 94th at JBPHH to fully help realize commander’s integrated vision.

Currently, 94th personnel must work out of the AOC for access to special computer networks in order to communicate with our partners, especially during training exercises. Additionally, a significant portion of its headquarters already operates on the Pacific Air Operations Center domain for real world ongoing operations.

“The 94th AAMDC has shared an outstanding relationship with PACAF, the 613th AOC, and the former 13th AF,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel Karbler, the commanding general of the 94th AAMDC. “We conduct operations, actions and activities on a daily basis with our PACAF partners to ensure unity of effort and command for integrated air and missile defense efforts throughout the region.”

Karbler is doctrinally dual-hatted as both the Theater Army Air and Missile Defense Coordinator to the Joint Forces Land Component Commander or theater Army Commander and the Deputy Area Air Defense Commander to the Joint Forces Air Component Commander.

The 94th AAMDC is assigned to the United States Army

Pacific Command but in direct support of United States Pacific Air Force. All of the 94th’s operational plans are nested with both USARPAC and PACAF. 94th AAMDC works in close coordination with the 613th Air Operations Center and PACAF Staff on a daily basis to refine existing operation plans and maximize IAMD capabilities.

Karbler said, “Additionally, co-location of our staffs will further enable the direct support relationship that the 94th AAMDC shares with PACAF.” Moving to Hickam would provide a linkage to the same domains and greater engagement opportunities with the 613TH AOC staff.

With the U.S. Army’s strategic role growing and focusing on rebalancing the Pacific, the move to JBPHH would provide commanders with the Joint assets they need to complete their missions more effectively.

The 613th AOC currently serves as the Main Command Post for the 94th AAMDC. The command participates in several theater level exercises from this location. Additionally, during real world contingency and crisis operations, the 613th AOC is the location that 94th AAMDC command group fights from.

Merging the 94th AAMDC staff on Hickam enhances mission command by unifying the staffs.

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Article by: Sgt. Louis Lamar 94th AAMDC , Public Affairs Office

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94th AAMDC Soldiers stand down

For sexual assault, harassment prevention

FORT SHAFTER — To ensure that leaders and every member of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command family clearly understands that they are accountable for fostering a climate where sexist behaviors, sexual harassment, and sexual assault are not tolerated, condoned or ignored and where dignity, trust, and respect are core values that define how they treat one another, the unit conducted sexual harassment and assault response and prevention (SHARP) standdown day June 13.

“Don’t be afraid of reporting sexual assault or sexual harassment in this command because action will be taken,” said Brig.

Gen. Daniel Karbler, 94th AAMDC commander, to the Soldiers in attendance during the introduction to the training. “We don’t mess around; this is serious business.”

The daylong training included discussions on profession of arms, warrior ethos, the Army values, and suicide and how these topics applied to preventing sexual assault and harassment. Maj. Wayne Kinney, 94th AAMDC human resources planner and sexual assault response coordinator, planned and led the event.

“The commanding general started the ball in motion on May 23, when he conducted his leader engagement in the court yard of our headquarters,” Kinney said. “The Soldiers know trust starts at the top, and it started with Brig. Gen. Karbler.”

Soldiers who had been a victim of sexual assault in the past volunteered to tell their story to their fellow troops and answer audience questions. Pvt. 1st Class Lisa Novak, 94th AAMDC paralegal specialist, explained why she came forward to tell her experience after she was attacked by a Soldier in another unit in the barracks not long after she arrived to the 94th AAMDC. “I just wanted to make sure that everyone knew that when you actually speak up, action will be taken by our command,” Novak said.

Novak further opined, “I really think a lot of people will take what they heard here today home with them because of the high interaction rate between the participants and the audience through the discussions and skits.”

The skits were written out and planned by a group of Soldiers about a week before the event. Various scenarios were played out in the skits that in real life could lead to sexual harassment or sexual PAC I FI C

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assault. After each skit, the audience was asked to participate by offering recommendations on how to avoid a negative outcome.

The actors (94th AAMDC Soldier volunteer group) would then act out the recommendations followed by further discussion.

“Instead of pulling Soldiers out of the audience to act out a script, we formed a focus group where we all contemplated on different scenarios where we discussed, ‘Well, what if this happened, or that, or maybe this, ‘” said Pvt. 1st Class Kia Mullins, 94th AAMDC intelligence analyst and the lead producer of the skits. “ I think our skits pulled in the audience and got them thinking.”

Sgt. Kimberly Beunavista-Bowens, 94th AAMDC mechanic and motorpool clerk, said,”The training was much different than what we have been having in the past. It was interesting to be able to have a question session in person with people who have experienced sexual assault instead of just watching someone talk about it on a video.”

Another audience member, Spc. Joseph Paulino-Wood, 94th AAMDC sensor manager, said,” I found it relevant because a lot of people were uneducated on the fact that our command is already doing the proper thing and has always taken sexual assault seriously. Now they know for sure they can come to their chain of command if they are ever sexually harassed or sexually assaulted and be taken care of.”

According to Kinney, the 94th AAMDC currently has not had any reported sexual assault or harassment cases where the perpetrator was a 94th AAMDC Soldier.

Article by: Sgt. 1st Class Karry James 94th AAMDC Public Affairs NCOIC D EFEN D ER

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94th AAMDC Soldiers Participate In

School Awards Day

(All photos by Sgt. Louis Lamar, 94th AAMDC Public Affairs)

HONOLULU — The 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command continues to assist in outreach programs throughout community. During this particular occasion, senior leaders from the command presented awards to the children of Linapuni Elementary School during their end of year award day ceremony May 24, 2013.

The ceremony was held in order to recognize the children for all of achievements and hard work during the school year.

Parents, teachers, neighbors and other supporters throughout the community gathered in school the schools courtyard to show their support during the ceremony.

“Beyond the partnership between the Army and the local community there’s sort of a fatherhood and motherhood presence when we’re at the school,” said Sgt. 1st 28 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 28

Class Wesley Burton, the 94th AAMDC senior chaplain assistant and a Browns Mills, N.J. native. “A lot of those kids come from homes that may not be fully supported by both parents and for us to be role models whether male or female I think is a big deal for the kids.”

Burton later stated, “My favorite part of the award ceremony was when the kids came out and did the traditional dances. I think that was an awesome experience because you see kids reaching back to their cultural roots and still displaying it to us today.”

Linapuni Elementary School is an early childhood center serving pre-k to grade 1.

Many ethnicities are represented there.

The school has community partners that include the 94th AAMDC, Kokua Kalihi Valley, Hands of Hope and many more.

The school has students from Micronesia, Samoa, Philippines, Hawaii, Indonesia P AC I FI C

and Russia.

Various awards were given at the ceremony to most all of the children including perfect attendance. One award called the “bucket filler award”, which the school says is a type of special volunteer award, was given to several of the students for their outstanding work and dedication in assisting others.

The Partnership Program has been around since the 1980’s. It was created to increase rapport with the surrounding communities around military installations and build stable relationships with local schools. The 94th AAMDC plans to continue its support to the school throughout the next year and beyond.

Article by: Sgt. Louis C. Lamar 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office

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VOLUNTEERS:

94th AAMDC Soldiers & Civilians Strive to Make a Difference in their Communities

JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, HAWAII — For volunteering to help their communities, whether for months or years, several Soldiers and Civilians of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command (94th AAMDC) received recognition. The Soldiers received awards for their efforts to improve their local communities both off base and on base April 26, 2013.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commander, 94th AAMDC and Command Sgt. Maj. Tedd Pritchard awarded the Soldiers for their past selfless service to their communities during a company safety day with their friends and family present.

Karbler wanted to make sure that openly showed appreciation of the good deeds his Soldiers readily accomplished. “I just want to show a small token of appreciation for what you do,” said Karbler.

Both Karbler and Pritchard gave out Letters of Appreciation to all the volunteers expressing their gratitude that said, “The United States Army is an all volunteer force. We are proud to acknowledge you as an outstanding member of our ranks. However, our Army is supported by yet another Army, an Army of ready and willing workers able and ready to lend their personal time energy and support to everything we do. With the outstanding volunteer service of Soldiers and Family members like you, we are able to expand our efforts and enhance the quality of life for everyone in the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command. As a command team for the 94th Army Air and Missile PAC I FI C

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Defense Command we are acutely aware of the critical nature of extra service to our nation. This certificate is a symbol of the great pride and gratitude we have for you and your efforts. Thank you once again for your volunteer services you provided and will no doubt continue to provide to your community and the United States Army.”

Linapuni Elementary School receives our support through the School Partnership Program, a partnership between Hawaii public schools and the military. Soldiers that support this outreach effort were also recognized.

Staff Sgt. Travis Barriga, Data Systems Integrator, 94th AAMDC said, “I have dedicated so many hours to Linapuni. I enjoy helping the kids.”

Some of the outstanding volunteers have been volunteering at Linapuni Elementary School for their entire tour in Hawaii.

Sgt. Joshua Dickey, G6 Computer Support, 94th AAMDC is one of the long term volunteers. “I’ve volunteered over a 100 hours at the school outside of Fort Shafter for the kids that don’t have a lot of money and need guidance from us. As troops and leaders, we go there and we help them out with their home work and we give them that ambition to keep going in school,” Dickey said.

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Triumphs and Tribulations LOCATION — Over a year ago, Maj. George Corbari, force management officer, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command (94th AAMDC) faced unspeakable hardships from suicide attempts to war injuries within his family.

Corbari was suddenly chosen to attend the Commanding General Staff College instead of going on an imminent deployment. He could have fought going to school, but he chose not to. It was a big decision for him because both his daughter and his son-in-law were in the same unit; he was looking forward to the deployment as all three expected to deploy together to Afghanistan.

While deployed with the brigade, his son-in-law lost both of his legs on a patrol.

Corbari was still reeling from attempts by his son to take his own life only a couple of months earlier. This suicide attempt was his son’s third; he tried to kill himself this time by cutting his neck with a broken bottle. Suicide attempts by family members were nothing new to Corbari - his mother had attempted suicide multiple times over the years. Another stressor he was struggling with at this same time was the ongoing difficult process of adopting a child from China.

Throughout all of these hardships and tribulations, Corbari has gained valuable insight from his experiences and always tries to apply that wisdom to his life today.

Corbari said, “The biggest thing I learned from my experiences - by the 30 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 30

challenges we had supporting our son and my own personal battles with suicidal thoughts - was that people contemplating suicide lose the ability to rationally make decisions and that genuinely concerned people can make a difference.”

Just when his son seemed to be getting better and recovering from suicide attempts, his son got into a car accident when a woman ran a stop sign and broadsided the car he was driving. His son was not seriously injured, but the car which had just been fixed up for him to take back to college was totaled. Emotionally, it was a setback for all.

Corbari later fell into his own suicidal depression, feeling that he was not able to even turn to his wife for help because of all the experiences that they had both been through in such a short amount of time.

He didn’t want to burden her with his own personal problems, feeling like he would only be adding to the turmoil they were already experiencing.

Corbari said, “What made a difference for my son and I was that we realized that we mattered to people enough to make an effort to reach out to us. The people who genuinely cared about us and truly knew us made the effort to reach out to us, those same people understood that bad things happen to good people and they didn’t judge us or think less of us because of our struggles.”

Today, Corbari hopes to use his experiences in his life to help other Soldiers make it through any possible hardships they may P AC I FI C

have. More importantly, he wants to provide fellow Soldiers and leaders with the tools to be better prepared to help a comrade in need.

“My message is that as brothers and sisters in arms we need to take care of each other. To do that, I recommended three simple things: first, understand and believe that everyone matters and are worth your effort; secondly, genuinely care about your buddies, peers, subordinates and superiors by getting to really know them; and finally, understand that the enemy gets a vote. Bad things happen to good people and at some point, we all need help,” said Corbari.

Corbari continues to share his story with anyone that will listen. Most recently he had the opportunity to share his story with at the 2013 Pacific Regional Behavioral Health Summit held at Tripler Army Medical Center on September 5-6, 2013.

The summit’s theme was “Joining forces to explore well-being and purpose within Service Members, Veterans and their Families.

Behavior Health leaders, academics, administrators, and practitioners from universities, hospitals and clinics, all military branches, agencies and the civilian community gather from all over gather to share experiences and plan for the future in addressing the broad mental health needs of DOD beneficiaries, Veterans and their families.

Article by, Staff Sgt. John H. Johnson III 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office

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2-1 ADA SOLDIER HELPS KOREAN MOTORISTS AT CRASH SITE

WAEGWAN — A Soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, lived up to the unit name “Guardians” when he leaped into action, helping two Korean citizens out of a crashed vehicle here July 25.

Staff Sgt. Noel Ponce, platoon sgt. for 1st Platoon, pulled Lee, Ho-Jo, and an unidentified passenger out of their wrecked cargo truck near the Waegwan exit of South Korea National Route 1, a multi-lane major freeway.

The driver of the crashed vehicle fell asleep at the wheel and then lost control, causing the single vehicle incident, said Lee in a phone interview.

“I was driving when I noticed a crashed Bongo truck on the side of the highway,” said Ponce. “I then pulled up behind [it] and saw two people trapped inside.”

The doors would not open but the occupants were not pinned, said Ponce. Overcoming the language barrier, he motioned for the elderly driver to hold onto his shoulder and pulled him out through the broken driver side window.

The passenger, also an elderly Korean man, held a strip of cloth to cover a cut on his forehead that happened when he was thrown into the windshield, Ponce said. He helped that man out the same way as the first: through his door window.

Both men were able to walk away and Ponce directed traffic around the accident site after making sure they were safely away from the road, he said. He remained at the site until a towing service arrived to remove the disabled truck and give Lee and his passenger a ride.

Brightly colored poster board from his car’s trunk came in handy to warn other motorists about the wrecked vehicle on the busy freeway, said Ponce.

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Ponce once he is healed, although he is not sure how exactly he will thank the Soldier, said Lee. “It’s not about rewards or popularity; it’s just the right thing to do,” said Ponce. “The adrenaline was high, but because of all my military training, I knew how to react within the situation.”

“I am not surprised,” said 1st Sgt. Albert Fletcher, 1st sgt. of HHB. “The guy is the consummate professional and what he did takes selfless service.”

Just last year the platoon sgt. assisted a motorist out of a wrecked car on the same highway, Ponce said.

“Honestly, I was thinking, ‘what are the odds that I would be involved in [a car accident] rescue on the same highway and at the same exit twice,’” said Ponce. “I am just happy I was there to help.”

“I’m glad he is the one who was there,” said Fletcher.

Ponce was returning from a local hospital with a Pvt. 1st Class Jordan Broome, a network systems operator and maintainer with 2-1 ADA, and his wife, Jerrica, who had been treated for heat-related symptoms, when he saw the crashed vehicle, Broome said.

Ponce instructed Broome to stay in the vehicle with his wife while he handled the situation.

“In my eyes Staff Sgt. Ponce is the embodiment of what a [non-commissioned officer] should strive to be,” said Broome.

“He stuck his neck out for someone he didn’t even know, and he showed that no matter if you are [Korean] or American you should always help each other out.”

Ponce is married to Maria, and has four children: Brix, Nathaniel, Nathalia and Anthony. He is an eight year Army veteran and has been with the 2-1 ADA since August 2011.

Article by: Sgt. Shaun A. Dillon 2-1 ADA, Public Affairs Office D EFEN D ER

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COMMUNITY

Sea Dragon Selected as the 2013 All Army Women’s Basketball Team Head Coach

FORT SHAFTER, HAWAII— A Soldier from the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command was selected as the 2013 All Army Women Basketball team head coach.

Lt. Col. William “Nate” Johnson, chief of current operations, 94th AAMDC, was chosen as the 2013 All Army Women Basketball team head coach due to his hard work, dedication and prior coaching experience.

When receiving the word of his selection as head coach Johnson stated,“ It’s always a privilege. I was excited about it having the ability to contribute to the all army program. A lot of people don’t even know about All Army Sports. All they see on television is the war, but never anything about All Army Basketball. I want people to see another side of the Army.”

“I think its great that we have one of our own Sea Dragons selected to be the 2013 All Army Women’s Basketball team head coach,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel Karbler, commanding general, 94th AAMDC. “He is a great leader and has those intangible leadership traits that make Soldiers want to do well. He’s a great team builder and is the perfect coach and leader for the All Army Women’s Basketball team. We are very 32 EM_PD_0913-FULL.Layout-7.indd 32

proud of his accomplishment.”

“I’ve been dealing with the All Army program since 1995,” said Johnson. “I was the head coach of the Fort Hood men’s basketball team and used to scrimmage against the All Army men team, and based on how well we did, the men’s coach asked me to be the assistant coach of the All Army men’s team. Once I did that, my name started being associated with All Army, and I had great success being head coach of Women’s Armed Forces team. So almost every year, I get asked if I’m available to help with coaching the men or women’s team.”

-moreSome people are born with natural ability to lead and mentor others.

Johnson revealed that while playing basketball in high school and college, he always felt like he was the coach on the floor making sure everyone was in the right place or position and knew what was going on.

So, coaching came naturally to him after he finished playing college basketball.

Team coaches are charged with the responsibility of giving purpose, direction and motivation along with mentoring their players.

“My players know my background with playing basketball and coaching,” said P AC I FI C

Johnson. “So I brag on my skills and challenge them. I tell them that I’m an old man but can still make a left handed lay up or open jump shot, and then I set simple goals for them while telling them to try and do their best so that they can and put forth their best effort.”

There are various strategies to coaching athletic teams.

“I am a defensive minded coach,” Johnson said. “ I have a defensive concept that everybody is responsible for what happens on the court on the defensive end. I like to play up-tempo basketball, along with taking the first opportunity at a good shot, and moving the ball around while playing team offense.”

Johnson later added, “The Women’s All Army team has a great winning tradition, and I think that I have a great chance at winning a gold medal with the player selection with the support I receive from the commanders of the players.”

Due to budget constraints, the Women’s All Army basketball team schedule was cancelled for the FY14.

Article by: Sgt. Louis Lamar 94th AAMDC, Public Affairs Office

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The 94th AAMDC Bid

Farewell to Retirees

We honor you and salute your service. May we always remember that serving one’s country is the ultimate expression of love for family, friends and neighbors.

First line of Defense! One Team! Army Strong!

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