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Total Force Effort Brings Soldiers Home

By Capt. Brandon NalleyOctober 21, 2020

A squad of Sentinel Radar Operators from Echo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment have returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina from their mission in Southwest Asia just as they approached the one year mark.

Sentinel Soldiers Return
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Daniel Morales of Echo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment collects his bags at Fort Hood, Texas in preparation for his next flight after serving in U.S. Army Central’s area of responsibility for nearly a year. (Photo Credit: Capt. Montrell Russell ) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers Return Home
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Hunter Clement of Echo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment is greeted by loved ones upon returning to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. (Photo Credit: 1st Lt. Brianna Hooker ) VIEW ORIGINAL

These eight Soldiers from the U.S. Army’s only airborne capable air defense force, as well as Sentinel teams from the 3rd Infantry Division, were deployed on short notice last year as part of the U.S. air defense surge that saw a major bolstering of forces throughout the region.

These Soldiers and their systems joined the Top Notch Brigade, which is the air defense organization responsible for the U.S. Army Central’s air and missile defense mission in Southwest Asia. The Sentinel Radar is a low-altitude, medium-range air defense sensor designed to detect fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, cruise missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles.

After providing early warning for air defense systems across the region in support of U.S. and partner nation operations, a total force effort was used to reunite these service members with their friends and families at home.

In order to get the Soldiers and their systems back before the 365 day mark, the Top Notch Brigade and 32d Army Air and Missile Defense Command in coordination with the U.S. Transportation Command were able to move the squad to Fort Hood, Texas and then back to Fort Bragg with the support of U.S. Army Forces Command and U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

The people who compose our formations are our greatest asset. Multiple organizations placed the right people and equipment in the right places to ensure that these Soldiers could successfully complete their mission and return home safely.