1-44 ADA takes on southern air defense

  • Published
  • By Pfc. Gretchen N. Goodrich
  • HHB 35th ADA Public Affairs
CAMP CARROLL, Republic of Korea --  The 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade welcomed a new battalion to the Korean peninsula in a transfer of authority and change of responsibility ceremony inside the Crown Jewel Gym here Nov. 16. 

The 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery, officially replaced the 2nd Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery, during the ceremony by uncasing their colors and having 2-1 ADA cover up theirs to symbolize the change. The 2-1 ADA Soldiers will be heading to Fort Hood, Texas, while those from 1-44 ADA will provide air defense support for the southern region of the Korean peninsula. 

"Two-one ADA has quickly and efficiently integrated 1-44 into their daily routine and mission responsibilities," said Lt. Col. Christopher T. Burgess, 1-44 ADA commander. "This transfer of authority represents a seamless exchange of the responsibility for the protection of the USFK commander's critical assets." 

The new Soldiers arrived in three separate groups to the country and used last month to transition into the new area and assume duty. 

"They inventoried property, reviewed plans, traded barracks rooms, passed on lessons learned ... and built relationships and formed friendships that will endure longer after today," said Col. James H. Dickinson, 35th ADA BDE commander. 

Before arriving, the new battalion went through extensive training in order to ensure all the Soldiers were prepared to provide the necessary support needed here. 

"These Soldiers from 1-44 ADA were trained and certified through a very challenging program that culminated in certification of the battalion for this specific mission," said Brig. Gen. Kurt J. Stein, assistant chief of staff J4, U.S. Forces Korea. 

The specific mission of the new air defenders is critical, said Colonel Dickinson. He pointed out that it's not an easy task to shoot down one missile using another when both are traveling faster than the speed of sound. 

"These rotations bring the most highly trained and experienced Patriot forces in the U.S. Army to the Korean peninsula in order to ensure we can provide the ROK-US alliance and the citizens of this great country the best possible protection against an enemy missile attack," added General Stein. 

The brigade rotates battalions to Korea every six months for a one-year deployment to provide air defense support for the entire peninsula. 

The change of responsibility had music provided by an 8th Army brass quintet and various citizens of the outlying areas present to acknowledge the new Soldiers present in the area.