Courtesy Photo | The 49th Missile Defense Battalion conducts its annual evaluation exercise at Fort...... read more read more
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FORT GREELY, Alaska – The U.S. Army’s Alaskan warfighters charged with the no-fail mission of protecting Americans from long-range missile attacks countered conventional and emerging threats during an annual evaluation exercise at Fort Greely, Feb. 9-12.
Over the course of the roughly four-day exercise, the 49th Missile Defense Battalion’s Fire Direction Center, which performs ground-based midcourse defense, and military police from Alpha Company were tested on a range of scenarios and performance measures within their two respective missions: defending the United States and designated areas from intercontinental ballistic missile attack and critical site security of the Missile Defense Complex at Fort Greely.
Soldiers with the 333rd Military Police Company, Illinois National Guard, also participated in the exercise during their rotation on post.
“The battalion has been standing guard defending the homeland for over 20 years,” said Lt. Col. Jorge Lorenzana, commander, 49th Missile Defense Battalion. "We are proud of that, but we do not rest on our laurels. These exercises show our higher headquarters and the American people that we are here, mission focused and ready. Given rising threats and contention, we must maintain readiness and stay focused.”
Because of Alaska’s unique geographic location and the post’s remoteness, the MPs must be prepared to leverage capabilities against complex next-generation threats, including rapid advancements in low-cost enemy air and missile technologies.
“The 49th is in a key location for missile defense,” Lorenzana said. “We are part of the nation’s Ballistic Missile Defense System and offer a key and unique capability to the U.S. Unmanned aircraft system proliferation is wide and can threaten critical infrastructure across the nation. Because our mission includes the security of key infrastructure, we must be innovative and ready to respond to emerging or non-conventional threats.”
During the exercise, those roleplaying as the opposing force introduced a variety of threats, such as visitors attempting to bring contraband onto the Missile Defense Complex, adversaries attempting physical attack resulting in a medevac scenario, and unmanned aircraft system strikes.
Evaluators from the 100th Missile Defense Brigade gauged the MPs’ response to such incursions, which could occur at any time over a 24-hour period for several days, without forewarning to participating Soldiers – all in sub-zero temperatures.
The unpredictable nature of the exercise served to validate military police readiness, medical response and casualty management, and personnel and supply coordination.
"2nd Platoon was extremely motivated to execute all critical tasks and isolate strengths and weaknesses to refine,” said Spc. Morgan Turner, 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 49th Missile Defense Battalion. “The team did a great job of applying the training while working in sync and coordinating with our mission partners. The medevac scenario allowed the team to hone tactical combat casualty care skills, which alone is invaluable while waiting for the availability of response. The medevac also helped develop MP skills by allowing Soldiers to see and participate in that immediate transition from patient triage and evacuation to crime scene procedures.”
The 49th Missile Defense Battalion, manned exclusively by the Alaska National Guard , resides at Fort Greely and takes mission directives from the 100th Missile Defense Brigade out of Colorado Springs, Colorado, as the brigade’s major subordinate element. Administratively, the battalion falls under 38th Troop Command, Alaska National Guard.
The 100th Missile Defense Brigade is the only unit in the Army with this 365 days-a-year mission, and a substantial part of that is executed by the 49th Missile Defense Battalion.
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 03.06.2025 14:33 |
| Story ID: | 491891 |
| Location: | FORT GREELY, ALASKA, US |
| Web Views: | 244 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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