Strategic leader spends time with Soldiers

By Jason B. Cutshaw (SMDC/ARSTRAT)October 13, 2017

Strategic leader spends time with Soldiers
Lt. Gen. James H. Dickinson, commanding general, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command, meets with members of the South Korean Agency for Defense Development during a recent trip to Guam, Japan, Okinawa and Korea. ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Alabama -- The U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command leader recently traveled half-way around the world to spend time with Soldiers in the Pacific theater of operations.

Lt. Gen. James H. Dickinson, USASMDC/ARSTRAT commanding general, visited local leaders and Soldiers of air defense units, Theater High Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, batteries; and Joint Tactical Ground Stations, or JTAGS, detachments in Guam, Japan, Okinawa and Korea to learn what SMDC can do to support the mission and improve the quality of life for those stationed overseas.

He talked about how Soldiers are performing critical missions in support of ballistic missile defense across the theater day-in and day-out.

"This command provides Soldiers to man the JTAGS, AN/TPY-2 and satellite communications management, and we have to battle the 'Tyranny of Distance,'" Dickinson said. "When you look at the vast area U.S. Pacific Command is responsible for, it is easy to see they rely quite a bit on satellite communications. This command brings that capability in terms of managing satellite communication for the joint force, and we tailor that based upon the demand of the users in the theater."

Dickinson used the opportunity to meet with leaders from the U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Army Pacific Command and U.S. Forces Korea. He said that senior leaders throughout the area of responsibility are impressed by the air defense Soldiers and are also embracing the space training, assets and capabilities and are wanting more of that capacity.

"The leadership is very interested in space and missile defense capability and forces," Dickinson said. "They have been and always will be given the threat they are facing. They are interested in space-based capabilities and the Soldiers we bring to that particular enterprise, in terms of space."

While on Guam, the general learned how the Soldiers are engaged in the community and well received by the leadership from the governor down to the adjutant general.

"The Soldiers have a great reputation on the island," Dickinson said. "Their capability is robust in opposition to the threat they are put there to defend against.

"THAAD has a great track record," he added. "It is 15-for-15 against targets. I was serving when THAAD was just coming on-board in terms of research and development, so for me it is great to see a weapon system mature like that. Now it is in the hands of the Soldiers doing great things around the world."

Dickinson was briefed about the changes in the threat environments in Japan and Okinawa. JTAGS on Japan provides a missile warning capability throughout the theater. He said those small units are doing very critical work and have a no-fail mission.

"As you look at how we have expanded the missile defense capabilities within the theater, it is pretty remarkable," Dickinson said. "They are rather mature from a missile defense perspective.

"We are prepared to defend our allies and ultimately the United States with the capabilities we have," he added. "We are in a layered ballistic missile defense posture on the Korean peninsula. Those weapon systems and Soldiers are trained and ready to perform that mission in defense of South Korea."

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