6-52 ADA Trains, Gains Perspective on Service in Korea

By Sgt. Kang, Ji-Suk, photos by Pfc. Shin, Young-Jae, 6-52 ADA Public AffairsJanuary 24, 2014

Air defenders in South Korea visit DMZ
1 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 178 Soldiers from 6th Battalion 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment tour the Korean Demilitarized Zone during a training rotation to Warrior Base, Jan. 10.
At the DMZ, 90 Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Battery D and Company F al... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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Soldier visits DMZ
2 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 2nd Lt. Zachary Stewart, a communications platoon leader with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6-52 ADA Battalion, reads the story of the First Tunnel of Aggression at the Third Tunnel Museum at the Korean Demilitarized Zone, Jan. 10. The Air D... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Air defenders qualify on machine guns in South Korea
3 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Zachary J. Staeven (right), an automated logistical specialist with Company F, 6-52 ADA Battalion, fires an M2 machine gun, assisted by Staff Sgt. Sloan Uys, a Patriot launching station enhanced operator/maintainer with Headquarters and Headquar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Air defenders hone hand grenade skills
4 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cpl. Joon, Hee Lee (right), an administrative specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6-52 ADA BN, ducks while the M67 hand grenade he had just thrown explodes at Warrior Base, South Korea, Jan. 11. In the fighting position with Joon i... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Air defenders practice chemical protection
5 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Pfc. Justin Hughbanks (left), a medic with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6-52 ADA Battalion, helps Spc. Lauren Wood, also an HHB medic, to properly seal her chemical protective suit before entering the gas chamber at Warrior Base, South Kore... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Air defenders conduct field training
6 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 6-52 ADA Battalion "Iron Horse" Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Battery secure the area after simulated explosive material was detected during the counter " improved explosive device training at Warrior Base, South Korea, Jan. 13. The Air... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Air defenders conduct field training
7 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Troops form Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6-52 ADA Battalion perform a tactical movement during counter improvised explosive device training at Warrior Base, South Korea, Jan. 13. The Air Defenders also trained with their various weapons sys... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Air defenders practice medical evacuation training
8 / 8 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Two medics with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6-52 ADA BN, Pfc. Joel Joseph (left), and Spc. Jennifer Stobb (right), work together to move fellow medic, Spc. Siu Leatoa, who was simulating an injured Soldier during counter improvised explos... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Suwon Air Base -- Soldiers with the 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment "Iron Horse" got back to basics while also getting a unique perspective of the history and current situation on the Korean peninsula, Jan. 6 - 15 at Warrior Base, South Korea.

Not only did the Air Defenders practice and qualify with their various weapons systems, they also had the opportunity to visit the Demilitarized Zone, including the Third Tunnel of Aggression, which is a mere seven minute drive from where they were training.

"This was a great tour of the DMZ," said Sgt. Rafael Roca, a fire control crew member with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6-52 ADA. "I found it interesting that the tunnel was made by North Koreans and [is] so close to Warrior Base."

The tour included a visit to Dora Observation Post, with its clear view into North Korea and a stop at the Joint Security Area, where Soldiers witnessed firsthand the North and South Korean guards who stand face to face every day at one of the most fortified national borders on Earth.

"I can really understand the reason for our mission here," Roca said.

Training for the mission is what a rotation to Warrior Base is all about, including operating in a chemically contaminated environment.

The Air Defenders honed their various warrior skills while wearing their chemical protective suits and masks and even endured a training event commonly known as the "gas chamber."

During the exercise, a small room was filled with tear gas and the Soldiers removed their masks, endured a slight amount of the irritant, and then put their masks back on in order to breathe freely again.

"The training allowed Soldiers to trust their chemical equipment," said 2nd Lt. James Choi, a chemical officer with 6-52 ADA.

Rounding out the training regime were classes on techniques to counter improvised explosive devices, an ever present threat on the modern battlefield.