RRAD, TRMD receive new Patriot equipment

The Theater Readiness Monitoring Directorate and Red River Army Depot celebrated the Initial Operations Capability for the Patriot PM 560 March 5 with a ceremony.

The event signified that all verifications and validations are complete and Patriot missiles will now be processed using the PM 560 certification process at RRAD.

RRAD commander, Col. Douglas J. Evans, along with Ed Walston, TRMD chief and other distinguished guests were a part of the ceremony.

"The Patriot program has many things on the horizon and I'm always highly impressed with this team," said Theodore Dickenson, director for Multi-Tier Protection Programs, Patriot Integrated Defense Systems. "The Patriot program is an international project and depot cooperation is what this is all about."

TRMD was given the task of ensuring the quality of Patriot missiles in 1987 and opened the first facility in Weilerbach, Germany. In 1988 Red River opened the first state-side Patriot Missile Facility.

With a desire to improve the PM 460 with newer, more reliable technology, RRAD worked with its partners, NATO Maintenance Supply Agency, Raytheon and the Aviation and Missile Life Cycle Management Command to initiate a capital improvement plan to upgrade the equipment to the PM 560.

"Many people had a big part to play in the success of completing this project," said Evans. "Why do we make investments like this - to support the Warfighter."

Udo Klockenhoff, of NAMSA, also gave remarks during the ceremony and also presented a memento plate.

"The completion of this project is very important," said Klockenhoff. "There has always been great cooperation and we are very proud to serve you."

The ceremony was followed by a brief demonstration and reception.