REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Jan. 30, 2015) -- Army Chief of Staff Gen. Ray Odierno visited leaders at the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, or USASMDC/ARSTRAT, Jan. 29, where he was introduced to the command's mission as well as its technology capabilities to provide space and missile defense forces to the warfighter.
This was the first visit to USASMDC/ARSTRAT headquarters by any Army chief of staff.
"This visit was something I have been wanting to do for sometime," Odierno said. "Most people don't understand the important role the Army plays in space operations and so I wanted to make sure I experienced it firsthand."
Odierno, the 38th chief of staff of the Army, previously commanded U.S. Joint Forces Command; served as commanding general of U.S. Forces - Iraq and its predecessor, Multi-National Forces- Iraq, and also served as the III Corps commanding general. Odierno is the 12th U.S. military officer to command at the division, corps and Army level during the same conflict. He assumed his current assignment, Sept. 7, 2011.
SMDC conducts space and missile defense operations and provides planning, integration, control and coordination of Army forces and capabilities in support of the warfighter and U.S. Strategic Command. The command serves as the Army force modernization proponent for space, high altitude and global missile defense; it serves as the Army operational integrator for global missile defense and conducts mission-related research and development in support of Army Title 10 responsibilities.
"Gen. Odierno's visit provided an opportunity to highlight how our military and civilian teammates support the warfighter with critically important space and global missile defense capabilities while pursuing leading edge technologies," said Lt. Gen. David L. Mann, SMDC's commanding general. "I believe the chief of staff was also very impressed with the command's team of enthusiastic and extremely talented engineers… 'seed corn,' vital for the future. Overall, it was a very enjoyable and important visit for the entire USASMDC/ARSTRAT team."
"It was a great opportunity to present Gen. Odierno with a detailed overview of the operations, capability development and material development capabilities that the Soldiers and professional Army civilians of U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command provide to the warfighter," SMDC Command Sgt. Maj. James N. Ross said. "He was very interested in our emerging technologies in missile defense and was appreciative of the command's efforts in publishing and executing our Army space training strategy."
After his arrival, Odierno received a command overview where he was briefed on the overall importance of the command's missions and how the command's Technical Center and Future Warfare Center coordinate and develop current and future technologies.
He also received a briefing on the Reagan Operations Center -- Huntsville, or ROC-H, that controls the Reagan Test Site located at U.S. Army Garrison-Kwajalein Atoll in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and learned about its mission of monitoring space and missile operations.
The center also provides the command with the necessary tools to remain the Army's operational integrator and force modernization proponent for space, global missile defense, high altitude and related technologies. Odierno was briefed on the of myriad ways the facility communicates to provide up-to-date information for the nation's space warriors.
"This communications piece is really important to us as we are looking to the future," Odierno said. "Because as we deploy to remote places, we want to have communications working quickly without having to bring a lot of additional equipment."
Odierno also presented coins to Barry Anderson, SMDC Future Warfare Center; Barbara Cantrell, SMDC Technical Center; and Kelly Dimitri, SMDC G-1, for their outstanding support to the command and to the warfighter.
"I felt very honored to be nominated," Dimitri said. "When I told my kids, they were so excited, and they can't wait for me to bring it home tonight to show them. It feels great to be appreciated. I absolutely love my job. I love helping Soldiers, civilians and family members and supporting them."
Odierno also visited the Concepts Analysis Laboratory, or CAL, where he learned how the command trains college students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, disciplines and newly hired engineers and scientists.
"It was a real pleasure for us to present our work to Gen. Odierno," said Andrea Weathington, CAL supervisor. "Our students, young engineers and scientists were honored to get to speak with him and share their experiences going through our development program. I really believe encounters like this with Army and Department of Defense leadership strengthen their commitment to the DoD, and I think maybe those leaders leave our lab feeling optimistic about what we are doing here, as well."
While in the CAL, Odierno also received an Army astronaut presentation by Lt. Col. (Dr.) Drew Morgan, an Army astronaut candidate, and a space kit overview and demonstration by Col. Eric Handy, division chief, SMDC G-31 Training and Exercise Division.
Odierno was then escorted to the Future Warfare Center's Joint Air Defense Operations Center-Developmental to see what the command does to support and protect the National Capital Region.
"I wanted to be able to look at the great work that's being done on technology and engineering that can be used, not only for space application, but for some other applications that are important to the Army," Odierno said.
Odierno also was able to witness the High Energy Laser Mobile Demonstrator, or HEL MD, and learned how in the future, it will use directed energy against rockets, artillery, and mortars; unmanned aerial vehicles; and cruise missiles to protect Soldiers on the battlefield.
"It is a tremendous opportunity to get the number one Soldier in the Army down here to see what technology we're working on and show him what it can do for our Soldiers in the future," said Terry Bauer, HEL MD program manager. "This is a brand new technology that the Army is showing a lot of interest in, and this will give him an opportunity to see what it looks like in real life.
"We want the chief of staff to see for himself and know that HEL MD is designed to provide our Soldiers with a level of protection that exceeds anything we've got right now," Bauer said. "It is also going to save the Army a lot of money with its ability to destroy enemy targets once fielded."
Before leaving, Odierno shared his appreciation for what the Soldiers and civilians here do for the defense of the United States.
"I think the people who work here, the Soldiers and civilians, have a unique responsibility and capability for the Army," Odierno said. "The high-tech nature of what is done here and the importance of what it does for our nation in terms of ballistic missile defense, and also in thinking about what we do in space operations, is really looking to the future and is something that is going to be very important to our nation's security in the future."
"USASMDC/ARSTRAT should be very proud of what they do and I am very proud of them in what they do to help the Army and contribute to its mission," he added. "I am very thankful for the service of all the civilians and military members who are here, and I appreciate the support they get from the local community."
Related Links:
Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray Odierno
STAND-TO!: U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command
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