PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. - U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command operations gave an inside glimpse of Space in today's Army to some 25 Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs on Tuesday morning in Building 3 here.
Deputy Commanding General for Operations, Brig. Gen. Kurt S. Story, welcomed the group and other members of the UCCS ROTC staff in the building's lobby by saying, "We are very happy to have the opportunity to bring you in here and give just a quick emersion on what we (the Army) do.
"We could spend days with you here to tell you what it is we accomplish in this building." Story pointed to a replica of the Explorer I satellite on the wall and said, "A lot of people are not aware that the Army, not the Air Force, put the first satellite in outer space in 1958."
He then directed the group's attention to a one-quarter scale model of a Wideband Global Satellite stating, "There are three of them up on orbit, and they are being used by the warfighter right now obstensively."
Story emphasized that USASMDC/ARSTRAT is a high tech organization.
"We do Space, missile defense, and cyber operations as well as serve as the proponent for Space and for high altitude airship. We've laid on some great junior lieutenants to interface with you today. We thought it would be much more beneficial to talk to people more close to your age and your peers than some old colonels and generals."
Afterward, Story turned the group over to his Aide de Camp, 1st Lt. Brendan Curran, who provided a command overview to the cadets. Other junior officers from throughout command gave briefs on the 53rd Signal Battalion, 100th Missile Defense Brigade (GMD), and the 1st Space Battalion roles in supporting the warfighter. The last portion of the day's short visit involved a demonstration and brief of an Army Space Support Team in the building's bay area.
At the end Lt. Col. James M. DesJardin, professor of Military Science, and leader of the cadets' visit said, "This has been great, and the cadets are really excited."
According to DesJardin the cadets' learning is really focused on combat arms. "Coming here today you see a larger picture of what the Army does in Space and for this nation - it is incredible!"
Asked if some of the cadets might consider the Space arena as their career field DesJardin said, "I guarantee you there will be some takers."
Social Sharing