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Dragons train to "fight tonight" during annual exercise

  • Published
  • By Spc. Shawn Denham
  • 35th ADA Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  The 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conducted their annual field training exercise across the Republic of Korea, Oct. 20 - 25

Dragon Brigade elements from across the peninsula took part in this regularly scheduled exercise which is designed to ensure the brigade is trained and ready to serve alongside joint U.S. forces as well as our Republic of Korea and other allied nations' militaries.

The FTX started with early-morning movements of the brigade's subordinate units, the 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment. Once at their respective tactical operations locations, the Air Defenders emplaced their Patriot missile systems and practiced their main mission of defending their assigned sectors from airborne threats.

The scenarios facing the Air Defenders weren't just limited to their air defense capabilities. Soldiers acting as opposing forces carried out simulated small arms attacks on strategic locations throughout the brigade.

"We were 'attacked' Friday night," said Sgt. Shawn Dixon, supply sergeant with 35th ADA.
The Soldiers defended their positions with rifles, utilizing training rounds to simulate the sights and sounds of actual combat, said Dixon.

The brigade was able to repeatedly repel 'enemy assaults' while learning how better to operate and plan for possible future engagements.

"I think it was a success, I think it went really well," said Dixon. "We learned how to secure the brigade better than when we first planned the exercise."

A media engagement scenario trained the Air Defenders on how to interact with journalists and how to tell the Army story while conducting video recorded interviews, keeping operational security in mind at all times.

Soldiers with Battery D, 6-52nd ADA also participated in decontamination training with Republic of Korea counterparts. The combined forces operated a spray-station to wash vehicles, simulating the removal of chemical, biological or nuclear contamination. They also worked together to exchange contaminated protective suits for clean replacements.

The brigade battle staff operated for the first time out of its new operations center, verifying that it was fully functional and capable of directing the air and missile defense efforts in the Korean Theater of Operations.

"The upgraded capabilities of the new operations center made our battle tracking and staff coordination much more effective," said Capt. Josh Mitchell, a battle captain with the 35th ADA.