FORT SILL, Okla. (Dec. 4, 2014) -- Soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 2nd Air Defense Artillery initiated their latest Standardized Patriot Engagement and Assessment of Reporting (SPEAR) Nov. 17 here at its new Mission Training Complex (MTC).
Air defense units do SPEAR's regularly to validate crews' ability to guard the skies from air breathing threats. SPEARs are an external evaluation using subject matter experts from the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command to assess Patriot crews' ability to conduct operations in accordance with the ADA gunnery program.
What made this SPEAR unique was it was held the first time at the new MTC.
In the facility, air defense units train as they fight much like they would when deployed. It features secure classrooms, digital platforms to run simulations and also has a 64,000-square-foot pad that aids battalion personnel to establish and consolidate their information and coordination central, engagement control stations and battery command posts in one location.
"Having our battalion headquarters along with battery command posts in one area is great. It streamlines training through which the battalion can observe and assess training much more efficiently than if we had trained at dispersed, traditional field sites," said Sgt. Ryan Perez, a Patriot fire control enhanced operator in Headquarters and Headquarters Battery 3-2nd ADA.
Patriot units typically train and certify using multiple field sites to simulate Patriot launch sites that would be spread across the unit's area of responsibility. The MTC allows units to be co-located and still simulate having multiple areas of responsibility.
"The facility is amazing, it provides these units with everything they need to conduct this SPEAR," said Sgt. 1st Class Rusty Bailey, 31st ADA Brigade, air defense master evaluator.
3-2nd ADA is one of two Patriot battalions in the 31st ADA Brigade. The unit returned from a NATO mission to Turkey last winter and leadership is ensuring they are trained and ready to fight if called on again.
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