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35th ADA ammo retrieval an exercise in teamwork and preparation

  • Published
  • By Capt. Ed Ellingson
  • 35th ADA Public Affairs
OSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  "Driving to the ammunition depot, loading, securing and returning with the cargo is merely the tip of the iceberg, the easy part," said Sgt. 1st Class Royce Wilcox, Headquarters Platoon Sergeant with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.

The Soldiers of Headquarters Platoon suited up in helmets, protective vests and had their chemical protective gear on hand as they moved out in their tactical vehicles to successfully accomplish an ammunition retrieval exercise, Feb. 27.

The devil is the details, according to Spc. Benjamin Fork, a Patriot missile launching station enhanced maintainer/operator with Headquarters Platoon, who spent many long hours preparing for the event.

"Allotments [of ammunition] change each year," said Fork. "And since accountability is critical, keeping paperwork up to date and correct, including ammunition recently turned in, takes a lot of attention to detail."

Teamwork is vital in such a complicated task.

"We train on this regularly to bring new Soldiers up to speed," said Fork. "The personnel at the ammunition depot are also one of our greatest assets, especially the [Republic of Korea] nationals who have worked there for several years."

Han, Kyu-Ung, a vehicle and ammunitions operations inspector is one such Korean citizen working on the depot.

"Specialist Fork and his team have always done a good job when coming to the depot," Han said.

Han's U.S. counterpart, Sgt. Robert Polmateer, a customer service noncommissioned officer with the 52nd Ordnance Company out of Camp Humphreys, agreed with Han's assessment.

"[35th ADA] has always been on it," Polmateer said. "Our teams work well together."