Everyone that was of age in 2001 has their “9/11 Story”. Mine took place while attending the West Point Prep School, back when it was located on Fort Monmouth, NJ, just across the Hudson River from New York City. I wasn’t even an actual cadet yet, but a “cadet candidate” as we were called as prep students. “Cadet” was a title reserved for actual West Point students. I was just 18 years old with a brand new cell phone; a Sprint flip-phone that was state of the art! If only then I knew the kind of technology and mission I would have years later as a leader in the Army’s Air Defense Artillery Branch.
I remember coming out of the on-base convenience store attempting to make a call, to who I don’t remember. But I do remember the recorded message I received vividly, “all circuits busy now, please try again later”. I didn’t think much of it at the time, only that it was strange. That, and some dark billowing smoke in the distant sky I could see.
Shortly after taking a shuttle bus back to my living area, I joined a large group of my classmates in the common room as they watched the news in a trance. One of the World Trade Center Towers was on fire with reports that a plane had collided into it. A few minutes later, we all watched in horror as another plane slammed into the second Tower. In utter shock and disbelief, I peered out the open bay windows that ominously faced New York City and then understood the smoke.
We were at war, and have been ever since.
The next day, our company Tactical Officer, then Captain Mann, held a formation and addressed us about what occurred. Some of my classmates were former enlisted Soldiers that wanted to resign from the school and return to their previous units to deploy – and many did. But Capt. Mann said something thought provoking to our purpose: “Your job right now is to become the leaders our country and Army will need, now and in the future”. We were part of the investment to preserve freedom.
Air Defense Today
Since then, Air Defenders have contributed to every echelon of the fight that followed, emboldening its rich history. From short range, maneuverable coverage to calculated deterrence and protection, Air Defense calls for a unique blend of tactical and strategic application. In most cases, it’s applied from within the same unit. As a result, Air Defenders have conducted missions across the entire spectrum of operations such as combat patrols in Iraq and Afghanistan and strengthening diplomatic relations through strategically postured assets around the globe. The outcome? An operationally diverse culture of Air Defense enablers that eventually seduced me to seek membership amongst its ranks. Being an Air Defender has allowed me the opportunity to influence the force from unique environments and experiences.
The mission of Air Defense is simple: “Provide fires to protect the force and selected geopolitical assets from aerial attack, missile attack and surveillance”. And the proliferation of varied drones on the battlefield and suspicious missile tests by belligerent nations magnifies the importance of this mission. The complexity of these threats, in concert with other capabilities, requires the Air Defense community to remain agile for success. I believe it’s vision is more representative of the branch’s agility and best manages the expectations of those in her service: “Provide the Army and combatant commanders a flexible, adaptive, and tailorable ADA force able to defeat the full range of threats across the spectrum of operations”. True to this mantra, Air Defense formations are growing and adapting across the military.
The Expectations
9/11 changed everything, including modern warfare. Since, it’s been evolving faster than ever. During the initial invasion of Iraq, both surface-to-air missile and short-range missile capabilities were deployed into the combat zone to deliver coverage. After the Iraqi army dissolved and the insurgent forces rose, the priorities for Air Defense made its first adaptation. Surface-to-air missile units focused on more diplomatic effects to stabilize global regions while short-range units transitioned to support the ground fight (see my article on AD Maneuver here). Now, much of the military’s focus is on preparing for a near-peer threat.
Technical Proficiency
If you were to ask me what to expect from commissioning into Air Defense, I would say it depends on where you start. Air Defenders specialize on an array of weapon systems ranging from shoulder fired missile packs to surface-to-air missile systems. In addition, there are dozens of weapon system sub-components that require their own specialized personnel and crews to operate them. Successful Air Defense lieutenants need to understand the functionality and employment capability of them all. As such, it’s important to know how all the pieces to the puzzle come together in support of decisive operations.
The Air Defense Basic Officer Leader Course provides a simple overview of all relevant weapon systems as a foundation. However, when lieutenants arrive to their first assignment, the unit will rely on them to quickly perfect that foundation in the concentration of that unit’s capability package. Most Air Defense enablers are extremely technical with routine hardware and software implications. For example, if a system update occurs it can impact emplacement procedures, requiring leaders to learn and apply changes fairly often. Air Defense lieutenants need to become masters of understanding the impact of those changes and communicate the pertinent information efficiently.
Systems Overview
Air Defense lieutenants typically leave the Basic Course to serve in one of the following type of units: PATRIOT pure or PATRIOT and Avenger composite formation, Avenger and Counter-Rocket-Artillery-Mortar (C-RAM) formation, or a Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) formation.
The larger, and higher altitude weapon system assignments like PATRIOT or THAAD units offer a more strategic developmental experience, with Soldiers deploying to areas that are critical to preserving the nation’s diplomatic interests in areas like Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirate (UAE). These types of units are currently some of the most deployed formations in the Army. During these assignments, Air Defense lieutenants experience mission execution at the combatant commander level. They gain a better understanding of how their role affects the “deep fight”.
Smaller, and lower altitude weapon system assignments like Avenger or C-RAM units offer a more tactical and operational developmental experience. They provide Soldiers to areas that are critical to Brigade Combat Teams and lower. These types of units primarily deploy to close combat zones like Iraq and Afghanistan. They deliver protective fires for tactical units to operate with freedom of maneuver. The training and operational environment for these units will reflect the maneuver formations for which they are associated (i.e. Airborne, Air Assault, etc.).
Radars
In addition to these mission sets, a large aspect of Air Defense is to provide air picture and early warning of aerial threats. To do so, leaders must also become proficient in the branch’s radar inventory. The Sentinel radar is one of the branch’s most requested surveillance assets by BCTs and other various commands. It offers a quickly deployable air picture that can capture assets and threats as small as drones to large aircraft, and everything between. In addition, the PATRIOT and C-RAM radars offer unique air pictures to monitor missile, mortar, rocket, and artillery attack.
The latest transformation in Air Defense is the introduction of “Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD)” formations. The concepts are based on the development of two new primary weapon systems, the Multi-Mission Launcher (MML) and an undeclared M-SHORAD System. Regardless of weapon system, their fielding will offer new and exciting opportunities to Air Defenders. And, it will add competencies to place in their rucksacks.
Self-Develop to Bridge the Gap
Air Defense is a narrowly understood asset, and its leaders are often liaisons for the entire branch’s capability menu. As a Soldier, everyone learns how to shoot a rifle, execute standard battle drills, conduct basic patrols, use a radio, and manage people – it’s the essence of soldiering. Most leaders learn how to incorporate close air support and artillery fires. But, ask a non-Air Defense officer how to incorporate any air defense assets on the battlefield and they will most likely need to use a lifeline and “phone a friend.” Trust me, I know.
This is largely because Air Defense units aren’t currently embedded in Brigade Combat Teams. Subsequently, most branch-external leaders lack the exposure to fully understand ADA capabilities and employment factors. This is a tremendous opportunity for all Air Defense leaders to take on more responsibility, sooner. Regardless of rank or echelon, if a lieutenant is the only Air Defender in a unit, he / she is the go-to person for all related matters. This is most common in Air Defense and Air Management (ADAM) cell assignments. Furthermore, ADAM cells are small, standalone Air Defense teams that close capability gaps at the BCT-level or higher. Their primary assets are Sentinel radars and a Command and Control (C2) station.
The Community
Air Defense officers get to lead some of the most intellectually, technically and tactically proficient Soldiers in our great Army. ADA’s operationally diverse culture molds even the youngest Soldiers to effectively communicate information to the most senior leaders; from company commanders conducting inspections to politicians visiting diplomatic sites.
Finally, I am continually impressed by the high degree of competence I witness across the Air Defense community. Senior leaders expect lieutenants entering this environment to adapt quickly and uphold high standards. This expectation is to keep the formation engaged and the culture alive. As an aide-de-camp, my boss (LTG LaCamera) often said “we don’t owe Soldiers anything but good leadership”. That decree is magnified amongst this high prowess environment.
Conclusion
Since 9/11, war and the threat continues to do everything except go away. In response, the country continues to make it’s investment in young officers. New Air Defense officers should prepare to enter this highly versatile branch. Come in ready to contribute toward the mission, vision, and the preservation of our freedom. The spectrum of operations for which Air Defenders exists presents an array of opportunities to make the best of your career. But, maintain your personal motivation to serve. Best of luck.
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