by Tech. Sgt. Denise Johnson, 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) -- Airmen of the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing here are laying the groundwork to welcome more than 200 Soldiers from Fort Bliss, Texas, as they set up a Patriot battery here for the first time.
Airmen from more than a dozen units have been actively involved in myriad activities and projects to include preparing new dormitories, host-nation security, site selection, facility renovations and maintenance-pad development to name a few.
The Patriot missile saw its first combat in Saudi Arabia during Operation Desert Storm. The platform consists of phased array radar, an engagement control station, computers, power generators and up to eight launchers each holding four ready-to-fire missiles. The Patriot is capable of defeating both high-performance aircraft and tactical ballistic missiles. It is the only operational air-defense system that can shoot down attacking missiles.
"It's a mutually-beneficial relationship. The Air Force gets the superior protection that only Patriot (missiles) can offer while the Army is able to bed-down on a premier-tactical site at an established base," said Lt. Col. Shane Capaldi, the 380th AEW chief of plans and programs.
"We are committed to enhancing our warfighting capabilities here at the 380th. The Patriot battalion will fortify our security measures and further our defenses," said Brig. Gen. H. D. Polumbo Jr., the 380th AEW commander. "Our joint Airmen are on point to make sure our fellow warriors from the U.S. Army have the support and infrastructure needed to do their jobs."
The support and infrastructure extends from the tedious such as telephones and communication lines, to broad spectrum such as ensuring the existing facilities can manage the additional foot traffic.
"The most notable impact will be the increased number of Soldiers on the base," said Lt. Col. Frederick Thaden, the 380th Expeditionary Mission Support Group deputy commander. "Our Airmen will see more people in the common areas such as the Chapman's Activity Center, dining facility, fitness centers and others."
"This particular deployment creates conditions for the ground-based U.S. Army Soldiers and weaponry to live and work with some of the Air Force's most valuable Airmen and weaponry," said Col. Joseph DeAntona, the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade commander. "Patriot Soldiers are inherently joint warriors. Our mission is joint; the assets we're oftentimes required to protect are joint. I have always told my Army friends, superiors and Soldiers, 'The Air Force has always taken care of us better than we could take care of ourselves.' I have the deepest respect for our Airmen and the Air Force."
