Photo By Sgt. Jessica Collins | The Antenna Mast Group sits on the Patriot Missile Training Grounds Aug. 16 on Marine...... read more read more
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Soldiers with Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery, conducted Patriot Battery Certification training aboard Marine Corps Air Station Futenma Aug. 15-18.
1-1 ADA completes this certification every six months however, it has been four years since they have executed it on MCAS Futenma. This certification ensures the soldiers are proficient with the Patriot Air and Missile Defense System.
“Our certificate in U.S. patriot has two aspects,” said Army Capt. Thaddeus Morris, commanding officer of Bravo Battery, 1-1 ADA. “One is to completely prepare our equipment for movement, move it and set it back up. We must do each of those in under an hour. The second aspect is to demonstrate the ability to operate continuously on a static site. This allows us to give the movement order, move to Futenma and operate for several days while simulating missile defense for the island.”
Marines were able to tour the training area throughout the week giving them a chance to enhance interoperability.
“We want to integrate with other American armed services,” said Col. Peter Lee, commanding officer of MCAS Futenma. “We want to expand that to integrate with the Japan Air and Ground Self-Defense Forces. This is one of many steps that we are pleased to see moving forward.”
The Patriot is a surface-to-air defense capability designed to detect, target and destroy incoming missiles or aircraft. It flies through the air at five times the speed of sound, and is controlled by a ground-based radar that locates and tracks more than 100 potential targets from over 80 kilometers away.
“The Patriot is a jack of all trades in the missile defense world,” said Morris. “It has ballistic defense capabilities and air breathing threats capabilities, such as helicopters and jets. It’s purely a defensive system. We integrate with the joint theater and engage any threats that may come into the area of operations.”
The system uses two different types of missiles, the PAC-2 and PAC-3. Within three seconds of launch, the PAC-2 reaches Mach 5. An antenna in the nose relays the signal back to the command center where it receives guidance, adjusting its course. Once the missile reaches the point of closest approach to the target, its fragmentation bomb explodes. The PAC-3 contains its own radar transmitter and computer, meaning it can guide itself. Once it is launched, the radar turns on, finds the target and aims for a direct hit.
“We use both PAC-2 and PAC-3 missiles,” said Morris. “Most Patriot forces do. Both are still relevant in today’s fight based on the different threats. We have both missiles loaded in the launchers and the system uses algorithm software to determine which missile and launcher is most appropriate for the threat. We tell the system when to engage.”
The 1-1 ADA Patriot missile battery has 4 launchers, which are the size of a tractor trailer rig, in addition to the power supply truck, Engagement Control Station and personnel to man the stations.
“This particular unit is a vital asset,” said Lee. “Theater ballistic defense is a critical concern to not only the Marine Corps forces on Okinawa, but the Pacific Command at large. This exemplifies the strategic importance of our bases and units out here.”
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2016 03:47 |
| Story ID: | 207668 |
| Location: | FUTENMA, OKINAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | NEW YORK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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