94th AAMDC Commander visits Suwon Airbase, gives perspective on future of Air Defense

By Capt. Jeremy Tennent, 6-52d Air Defense Artillery, 35th ADA Public AffairsMarch 7, 2012

94th AAMDC Commander visits Suwon Airbase, gives perspective on future of Air Defense
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SUWON -- While in Korea for the annual, peninsula-wide Key Resolve exercise, the 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Commander Brig. Gen. James Dickinson took the time to visit the Air Defenders stationed on Suwon Airbase.

The soldiers of the 6th Battalion, 52d Air Defense Artillery met with the senior Air Defender in the Pacific Command during a luncheon hosted by the "Iron Horse" Dining Facility.

"Whenever I can get out and visit with the Soldiers, it's a good day," he said. "Lately the Pacific theater has been given emphasis from the President on down, so it is good to be able to visit with the Soldiers out here every day, doing the mission."

Dickinson encouraged the Soldiers gathered in the DFAC, "You guys are out here every day, doing your job and doing it well. I tell you, everyone has only good things to say about the 35th ADA Brigade."

During the luncheon, he was asked how the looming Army drawdown will impact the Air Defense force. "What we've done is shift some slots around. Our force will remain at around 15,000 soldiers, in aggregate, but structured a little differently than it is now. We won't have to cut down, but we won't recruit as many new Air Defenders," he said.

Dickinson then visited A Battery's tactical site on Suwon Airbase, taking the time to shake hands and give an overview of the Army's AMD plan for Korea.

The 94th AAMDC is based in Fort Shafter, Hawaii, and is responsible for supporting Air and Missile Defense operations across the Pacific theater.