“IM-SHORAD Academy” prepares 5-4 ADA Soldiers to operate new weapons system

Photo By Sgt. Vincent Wilson | Sgt. Brendan Rooney, an air and missile defense crewmember assigned to 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (5-4 ADA), instructs Soldiers on the capabilities of the Initial Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense weapon system (IM-SHORAD) weapons system during “IM-SHORAD University'' on Shipton Kaserne Feb. 2, 2021. The week-long training was designed to prepare soldiers for the incoming weapons system and maintain mission capability of 5-4 ADA, and is taught by Soldiers who attended a 6-month testing and fielding for the IM-SHORAD at White Sands Missile Range in 2020.  

ANSBACH, GERMANY

02.02.2021

Story by Sgt. Vincent Wilson 

10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command

ANSBACH, Germany – Soldiers assigned to the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (5-4 ADA) conducted training for the Initial Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense weapon system (IM-SHORAD) on Shipton Kaserne Feb. 2, 2021. 5-4 ADA will be the first unit in the U.S. Army to receive the IM-SHORAD later this year.
The weeks-long class, dubbed “IM-SHORAD University” was put together by 1st Lt. Ryan Pitcher, an air defense artillery officer assigned to the 5-4 ADA, and is designed to familiarize air defenders with the IM-SHORAD system prior to its arrival to the unit in 2021. Pitcher, as well as his non-commissioned officers who received extensive training on the system at White Sands Missile Range last year, are instructing the course. The class will be given in three separate iterations to the entire battalion as a way to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“The knowledge that we gained at White Sands was from the contractors who built these systems,” said Pitcher. “We got first-hand experience with the engineers and the coders to not only understand what happens but also why it happens, which is why I feel that my NCOs and I are qualified to teach the battalion about the system.”
Over the course of a week, the IM-SHORAD University class covers all aspects of operating and maintaining the IM-SHORAD system, as well as how the IM-SHORAD will affect 5-4 ADA’s capabilities as a unit following the replacement of the Avenger weapon system.
“Learning the new system will be challenging for Soldiers, but it’s still super exciting,” said Sgt. Brendan Rooney, an air and missile defense crewmember assigned to 5-4 ADA, who also attended the White Sands IM-SHORAD testing. “I thought the new system was awesome, it’s a lot more proficient and maneuverable, and I can't wait for these guys to get their hands on it.”
”The purpose of the class is to familiarize Soldiers with not only functions but the lingo and acronyms that relate to the system as well as how we will fight differently with this system compared to the Avenger,” 1st Lt. Pitcher added. “This class will get everyone started ahead of time, to make sure we are mission capable.”
“I’m glad we received this because I wouldn't want to operate a vehicle I know nothing about. This class will definitely help adapt to the new system when it finally gets here,” said Pfc. Octavia Martin, an air and missile defense crewmember assigned to 5-4 ADA.
Lt. Pitcher, who was assigned to 5-4 when it became the first short range air defense battalion in Europe, said he is excited to be a part of the unit that will be the first to receive the IM-SHORAD weapons system in the entire U.S. Army. “I think that the fact that we have this system shows the innovation and progression of air defense in Europe.”

• Date Taken: 02.02.2021
• Date Posted: 02.09.2021 08:24
• Story ID: 388596
• Location: ANSBACH, DE