OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- Soldiers of 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade took part in the Air Force centric, theater-wide exercise, Vigilant Ace from November 1-7 at various U.S. and Republic of Korea Air Force bases throughout the peninsula.

The Patriot weapon system defends critical assets from Tactical Ballistic Missiles and serves as a second layer of Defensive Counter Air on the peninsula. An Army and Air Force partnership is crucial to enable engagement deconfliction and positive identification of potential enemy aircraft.

Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Officers, 35th ADA Brigade staff, Battalion Information and Coordination Central crews and four Patriot Batteries deployed to Osan Air Base, Camp Humphreys, Kunsan Air Base, and Jungwon Air Base to exercise this critical task.

"The end state of this exercise was to develop a shared understanding on how to employ ground-based air defense capabilities into the Joint Integrated Air Defense System," said 1st Lt. Katrina Muchmore, 35th ADA Brigade ADAFCO. "I feel like we definitely met this intent by working alongside our Air Force and ROKAF partners; we've built quite the team."

ADAFCOs at Osan Air Base teamed up with airmen from 621st Air Control Squadron to operate as an integral connection in the Joint Kill Chain between 35th ADA Patriot units and Air Force operators as they monitored the skies for simulated threats during the exercise.

"I've definitely seen a change from the first day to the last," said Private First Class Ryan Brown, 35th ADA Brigade Air Defense Artillery Fire Control Assistant. "We've kind of adopted an Air Force way of life and they've gained a considerable amount of appreciation for what Patriot defense brings to the fight."

An ADAFCO correlates joint aircraft digital signature with Patriot radar picture to ensure positive identification and if necessary, obtains engagement commands from the Air Force engagement authority to the Patriot battalion.

"This exercise provided extremely realistic training, which allowed us to refine our joint air defense operations in Korea," said Muchmore. "Essentially, we're now positioned even better to fight tonight, if required."