Army, Air Force Partners Transport Patriot Missiles

By Sgt. Shaun Dillon, 2-1 ADA Public AffairsDecember 23, 2013

2-1 ADA Soldiers, Osan Airmen team up to transport Patriots.
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

DAEGU GARRISON -- Soldiers with the 2nd battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment "Guardians" transported Patriot missiles from Area IV and Kunsan Air Base to Osan Air Base, the first week of December.

The missiles, part of the Patriot system with defends against airborne threats, were headed back to the U.S. for maintenance.

Soldiers from Battery A and Battery D, 2-1 ADA, worked together to get the missiles to their destination. The Guardians used a guided missile transporter, an eight-wheeled tactical truck with a crane, to lift and move all six missiles onto two semi-tractor/trailers for the move.

2nd Lt. Laura Ruiz, a fire control platoon leader with Battery A was the officer in charge of the mission and noted that no problems arose during the movement.

"I was very proud of my [crew,]" said Ruiz.

Sgt. Raymel Shaw, the armorer with Battery A, was a part of the missile movement team and said that such operations are nothing new to them.

"We received the mission on short notice," Shaw said, "But we are combat ready at all times so that when we get the call we can execute."

Airmen from Kunsan's 8th Fighter Wing helped to secure the missiles on the trailers once they were loaded, highlighting the joint nature of the mission to defend the Korean peninsula.

The teamwork between the Army and Air Force was "very smooth," said Sgt. Brian Krokey, a section sgt. with Battery A, who was one of the guards assigned to protect the missles en route.

Air Defenders with Battery C, 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment "Cold Steel," based at Osan Air Base, were on hand to download the missiles before they are loaded onto aircraft for the flight back to the U.S.

Moving missiles requires extensive planning and consideration of various factors including weather, terrain, traffic, security and safety, to name a few.

"There were numerous changes of plan for this mission," said Ruiz. "But I am very proud of how my crew accomplished their mission."