BAUMHOLDER, Germany -- "A high-tech unit with a challenging mission," was how Bernd Alsfasser, District Mayor of Baumholder, described it. Together with Mayor Gunther Jung, City Mayor of Baumholder, and their first and second assistant mayors, he visited the Baumholder-stationed 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery.
Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Douglas Lynch had invited the local leaders and the U.S. Army Garrison Rhienland-Pfalz Baumholder Military Community Deputy Garrison Manager Debra Jordan to an information visit of his unit during the course of an exercise on the Military Training Area last week.
"It is a great honor to me and the Soldiers of the battalion to have the opportunity to introduce our unit to you," Lynch welcomed the German guests at the U.S. airfield on the training area where the battalion had set up their Tactical Operation Center. The commander and his staff explained the mission, unit structure, and equipment of the Air Defense Battalion. By example of the total deployments over the past year -- parts of the battalion were deployed on seven occasions within Europe --Lynch explained what Soldiers need to accomplish nowadays for training and readiness.
Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Hillburn also briefed the guests about the battalion's family support measures.
"We place great importance on ensuring that our families are doing well. Then the Soldier can fully concentrate on his mission," said Hillburn.
Lynch clearly highlighted that his unit feels at home here at Baumholder thanks to the significant support of the Baumholder Military Community and the local German community since the battalion relocated from Kaiserslautern in 2015. "Wherever you go at Baumholder you feel to be welcomed," said Lynch, "and you all make an important contribution."
Lunch was a new experience for the guests with MRE's (Meals Ready-to-Eat) at the airfield hangar. Everyone picked a meal and prepared it with the assistance of a soldier. "I am totally impressed. With a few drops of water I heated my meal," said Mayor Jung, "and it really tasted good."
After lunch, the visiting party drove to the highlight of the itinerary -- an Air Defense Artillery Battery. The battery commander and first sergeant showed the battery operations center, fire control and the launchers. There, the battalion commander pointed out that the Air Defense Artillery mission is to defend its own airspace against the entry of hostile aircraft and missiles
As a thank you for the visit, the commander and his senior NCO presented certificates to all visitors. The mayors were also presented with an art print of the battalion, which displayed the name of the battalion, its motto and the German-American friendship flags.
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