ADMC conducts THAAD pathfinder mission

By David Dillard, ADMCApril 2, 2010

ADMC conducts THAAD pathfinder mission
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala - Anniston Defense Munitions Center recently conducted a pathfinder training mission related to the receipt, storage, maintenance and shipping of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense missile.

Several representatives from the U.S. Army's Missile Defense Agency and contractors from Lockheed Martin were involved with this hands-on training mission.

The THAAD missile is a U.S. Army-designed missile that is used to shoot down short and medium range ballistic missiles. The THAAD differs from traditional missile defense systems due to the fact that it does not contain an explosive warhead. The missile relies on the kinetic energy of the impact to destroy its target. The THAAD was originally scheduled to be deployed in 2012, but that date was moved up to 2009 based on the current Army mission.

ADMC has been chosen as the storage site for the THAAD missile and has been working closely with the Missile Defense Agency's THAAD project office based at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Ala. The two agencies have spent countless hours devising the proper lifecycle management of the THAAD missile. Daryl Crowder, THAAD missile logistics lead, was on hand during this training mission to offer advice and training to ADMC personnel who will be involved with the THAAD missile lifecycle.

"All of our expectations have been met and/or exceeded by ADMC personnel I am extremely confident that ADMC is fully prepared for this important mission," said Crowder.

The pathfinder mission was developed after many months of coordination and planning to give ADMC personnel a first-hand look at what it will take to store and maintain the THAAD missile. This training will also give the MDA THAAD project office the chance to see their planning efforts put into action in a real time environment.

Derrick Butler, ADMC storage planner, who has been coordinating with the MDA THAAD project office, said "This training mission will give ADMC personnel a chance to practice THAAD Missile receipt and storage procedures, and train ADMC personnel how to maintain and monitor the missile while in storage."

The first THAAD Missile is expected to arrive at ADMC sometime this spring and members of Team ADMC are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to prove once again why they are known as "DOD's ammunition experts."

"Supporting the THAAD capability to protect our forces deployed throughout the world is quite an honor. ADMC was chosen to perform this mission because of its reputation for excellence in the munitions business. And, I have no doubts that the highly skilled people at ADMC will execute this strategically important mission exceptionally well - they're the best," said ADMC Commander Lt. Col. Duncan Macmullen.