U.S. Indo-Pacific Command on Thursday announced that Guam air defense forces of the E-3 Air Defense Force were using the newly developed Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System. developed, or THAAD, a remote launch capability to expand its ability to defend the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI).
For four days, E Battery partnered with the Marianas Region, Pacific Air Forces, various Air Force wings and squadrons, and signatories from the 307-Reinforced Expeditionary Signals Battalion from Hawaii, all contributed to the deployment of the THAAD launcher from Guam to Rota, CNMI. THAAD is an Army air defense system that specializes in intercepting ballistic missiles.
“What all must come together to make this mission a success is testament to the idea of joint operations,” said Major General Kyle Hermanson, Officer in Charge of Talon Task Force. “The Marianas Complex, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Pacific Air Defense Forces, E-3 THAAD, Guam National Guard Security Forces, all worked together to make this a great place to be. into one of the most successful anti-aircraft missions in [area of responsibility]”.
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This was the first use of THAAD’s remote launch capability outside of testing and proved to be a superior addition to THAAD’s proven combat effectiveness.
“The exercise was intended to demonstrate a new capability that we received in January – the remote launcher. We worked with Guam and CNMI leadership to find a suitable position on Rota, carry the launch pad, and wanted to send the message that we can protect the entire CNMI.” Lieutenant Peter Gonsalves, E3 executive director, said. “We took the best minds we had here, created a plan and were able to confirm our capabilities on Guam with a temporary location. Once we did it, there was nothing stopping us from doing it on Rota Island. We used what we knew would work, and we were the first THAAD unit worldwide to deploy the remote launcher outside of testing.”
Although this switch to Rota is only temporary, it is important to demonstrate that the remote launcher is a valuable asset to the THAAD system. The air defense also wanted to present a sign of strength and defense to all those living on the island chain.
“There is a misconception that we are only defending Andersen Air Force Base,” Gonsalves added. “By putting a launch pad out here, we can show everyone here on Rota that we are not just an organization that protects military assets, but we are here to protect the safety of people. surname.”
However, there are also challenges to overcome during the operation. Due to competing requirements for air transport, the original plan for airlift fell through, but by leveraging relationships, the 94th AAMDC planners were able to change rapidly. 535 Air Transport Squadron and 735 Mobile Squadron from Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Mobile Squadron 732 from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, arrived to ensure the mission could be completed. .
“As a major passenger and freighter in the Indo-Pacific, the 515th AMOW is committed to supporting energy projections for our mutual partners,” Col. Dan Cooley, pointing out 515th AMOW commander said. “Talon Lightning, integrated with our Nodal Lightning workout, is a great opportunity for our versatile Airmans to sharpen their skills, conduct integrated moves, and ensure energy nodal force is never the limiting factor.”
Air Mobility Group 715 provided additional support. “For this exercise, we deployed three teams of 12 members. Teams include aircraft maintenance specialists, air transport specialists, a cyber support specialist and a logistics readiness officer,” said Major Douglas Ruark, Director of Operations for 715th. . “By supporting this movement, we were able to demonstrate the combat commander’s ability to rapidly deploy and redeploy forces across the theater as required. By exercising regularly with our Joint Force partners, we are also able to implement more realistic scenarios that support our operational requirements and build relationships and familiarity with the each other’s processes. ”
As soon as they arrived at Rota, the team immediately began to establish their location, locate the launch pad, and arrange communication requests.
The role of ensuring communications from the THAAD launcher on Rota to the Tactical Fire Control Center in Guam was the responsibility of a team assigned to the ESB-E 307 from Hawaii. They provided the installation and commissioning of the Army’s newest tactical communications system – the Transportable Tactical Command Communication System that allows the launcher to connect to the host station’s TFCC radar.
“Being able to do your work on a real scale, not just for training, is great; I enjoy what I do,” said Cpl. Matthew Vadino, 307th ESB-E. “From setting everything up and getting to work, I’m pleased with the work we’ve done and it really feels like a mission. The job is done.”
Expectations for the drill were high, but given the ability of the entire team, they were met. THAAD’s newest device, the Remote Launcher, has proven its worth.
“I’m very pleased with the outcome of the campaign, but I couldn’t be happier with the performance of our soldiers,” Hermanson said. “We have to have the right system in place, with the right soldiers at the right time to successfully carry out our mission.”
The future perspective of what THAAD is capable of remains to be seen. For now, the ability to expand and better protect the Marianas island chain is what E-3 focuses on.
Hermanson commented: “Protecting our homeland is our number one priority. “With the validation of new capabilities, we have the ability to project forces across the area of responsibility and enable freedom of navigation in the Indo-Pacific region.”
