Turkish Army Holds Ceremony Honoring US Air Defenders

By Chaplain (Capt.) Jasmine Johnson, 5th Bn., 52nd ADSeptember 22, 2015

Turkish Army Holds Ceremony Honoring US Air Defenders
Soldiers of the "Fighting Deuce," 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, proudly stood shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish Army's 5th Armored Brigade leaders and Soldiers during a ceremony Sept. 15, honoring the United States' particip... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

GAZIANTEP, Turkey -- Soldiers of the "Fighting Deuce," 5th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, proudly stood shoulder to shoulder with the Turkish Army's 5th Armored Brigade leaders and Soldiers during a ceremony Sept. 15, honoring the United States' participation in support of NATO Operation Active Fence.

Patriot units from the United States deployed to southern Turkey three years ago as part of NATO Operation Active Fence at the request of the Government of Turkey to provide ballistic missile defense from the Syrian missile threat. This ceremony commemorated the successful conclusion of the U.S. deployment of Patriot batteries and air defenders to Gazientep in support of NATO's Active Fence.This ceremony represented the end of the Active Fence mission for U.S. air defenders in Turkey.

Col. Janell Eickhoff, 10th Air and Missile Defense Commander, who served as the senior U.S. Army Europe representative, said that the "United States continues to value Turkey as an Ally and remain committed to NATO, our Allies, and a continued strong relationship with the Turkish Armed Forces."

Over the last year, Lt. Col. William Parker and Command Sgt. Maj. Eric McCray, Battalion Commander and Command Sergeant Major of the third U.S. rotational unit, took each day as an opportunity to build relationships, strengthen the Alliance, and accomplish the mission together with the 5th Armored Brigade.

"Since we arrived, we have felt like a part of the 5th Armored Brigade and more than anything, these feelings stem from the hospitality and acceptance shown to us by the 5th Armored Brigade," said Parker.