FORT SILL, Okla. (May 9, 2013) -- The "I Strike" Battalion of 4th Battalion, 3rd Air Defense Artillery recently made history in the air defense community by successfully executing a three-day mobility exercise (MOBEX) and transition to war exercise while deployed.

With support from the battalion headquarters, batteries A and B planned and executed the exercise to validate a contingency air and missile defense mission that involved rapid transition and deployment to a previously unoccupied strategic location.

"It was unexpected to conduct this kind of training while in theater," said Sgt. Enock Placide, A Battery tactical control assistant. "It felt great knowing we have the ability to move on a moment's notice, if required."

A Battery moved to a strategic location with less than 24 hours notice, with no impact on its operational capability. The unit collaborated with C Company, 67th Expeditionary Signal Battalion to enhance its communication link using tropospheric scatter equipment (TROPO).

"It was a privilege and a great training experience to be involved in 4-3 ADA's MOBEX," said 2nd Lt. Samuel Davila, C Company TROPO officer in charge. "I know my Soldiers gained a lot of knowledge and were proud that we got the link up and helped the operation become a complete success."

In addition to the tactical challenges, the battalion had logistical challenges to overcome as the location had no organic U.S. forces in support of it. In the weeks leading up to the exercise, the battalion staff sections worked relentlessly to coordinate and provide logistical support to ensure the unit had all supplies and resources necessary to be successful.

During the MOBEX, B Battery played a vital role by providing support of launcher crew members for A and B Battery tactical sites and also providing defensive coverage of defended assets in the vicinity of the area of operation through remote launcher operations.

Not only did B Battery provide continuous wartime coverage of defended assets and the quick reaction force, but they also provided one of the communication links that helped ensure mission success. They also used a dual hot crew to service and man multiple launcher stations.

"At every step during this exercise all Soldiers were aware of the required key tasks, and this knowledge allowed the execution to occur without incident," said 1st Sgt. Carl Paddie, B Battery first sergeant, at the conclusion of the exercise, emphasizing the importance of every Soldier's role in the mission.

Throughout the MOBEX, 4-3rd ADA executed the exercise with challenging scenarios called injects that stressed decision-making and systems.

The injects were initiated on a random basis and spanned from simulated medical emergencies to equipment hazards. Units had to react accordingly, request assistance as needed and submit all required reports.

The MOBEX along with the transition to war exercise not only provided units with critical training, but allowed the staff sections to focus on executing their battle drills for different scenarios.

Overall, this exercise allowed the battalion to prove that its Soldiers and systems are ready to execute its wartime mission and defend critical assets in theater when called upon.

Within a three-day span, the battalion moved a firing battery to a new proposed location, validated all mission objectives and conducted many training events to exercise and sustain the Soldiers' Patriot knowledge.