FORT SILL, Okla. (July 23, 2015) -- The Lawton-Fort Sill community said Godspeed to over 450 Soldiers from 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery during a deployment ceremony July 15, at Rinehart Fitness Center.
The "I Strike" Battalion's Soldiers will perform a yearlong mission in Kuwait defending against ballistic missiles with their Patriot missile systems as part of "Operation Spartan Shield."
Hundreds of fellow Soldiers, families, friends, veterans and post and community leaders attended the send off.
In his invocation, Chaplain (Capt.) Ronel Estorgio, 4-3rd ADA, said: "Heavenly Father ... I pray your mighty arms of love will embrace each one here according to their need, I pray upon your protection of each Soldier and I pray that you watch over our spouses, our children, our loved ones here."
Col. Kevin Ciocca, 31st ADA Brigade commander, said the deployment comes at the end of a one-year train up that began with new equipment upgrades, crew certifications, no-notice deployment readiness and live-fire exercises.
During that time from November through April, 4-3rd ADA Soldiers spent six months as the only Patriot missile response force global battalion, the colonel said.
They had to be ready for action anywhere in the world ready to deploy with only seven-days notice.
"This requirement that included not only extensive training at Fort Sill, but also included mission planning and rehearsals in both Korea and Israel," said the brigade commander.
In Kuwait, the 4-3rd ADA Soldiers will be will defend against missile attacks, the colonel continued. "And, their mission if that deterrence should fail, then shifts to saving lives and preserving Coalition combat power.
Though the Patriot missile system is a technological marvel, in the end it takes Soldiers to bring it all together, he said.
"Soldier like these assembled in this formation, and their battle-buddies who have already left Fort Sill earlier this week to go forward," Ciocca said.
Ciocca said the 4-3rd ADA military families here serve just as selflessly and just as honorably as the Soldiers they support.
The colonel concluded: "We are so very proud of each and every one of you. You represent the every strength of our Army and with it our nation. You will be in our thoughts everyday until you return."
During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Todd Schmidt, 4-3rd ADA Battalion commander, and 4-3rd ADA Command Sgt. Maj. Steven Bunch cased the battalion colors. This temporary casing signifies the movement of an organization prepared to execute its orders. The colors will be uncased when the unit arrives in Kuwait.
Schmidt said it will be the first deployment for about half of the battalion. He hopes his Soldiers grow from it and understand the pride they should take in the mission, and have trust and confidence in the training they did.
"The professionalism of the Soldiers of the 'I Strike' Battalion are second to none," Schmidt said. "They have worked so incredibly hard, sacrificed so much time away from home to be ready for this mission."
After the ceremony, fellow Soldiers and veterans, many from the Vietnam Veterans of America Lawton Chapter 751, wished the deploying Soldiers well.
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