OSAN AIR BASE, South Korea -- U.S. and Republic of Korea air defenders from across the Korean peninsula culminated the fourth annual Korean Peninsula Missile Defender of the Year competition with a banquet at U.S. Army Garrison Yongsan's Dragon Hill Lodge Nov. 20 to honor top performers.
The PMDOY competition was originally designed to identify U.S. service members from each branch that currently deploy a U.S. Missile Defense System, but recently has been expanded to include ROK Air Force and Navy, as well as U.S. Short Range Air Defense Soldiers attached to the 210th Field Artillery Brigade.
"We have a strategically important mission on the Peninsula and the success or failure of our mission depends on our Soldiers," said Col. Mark Holler, 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade commander. "I've been inspired by the performance of our Soldiers, and I can't wait till next year's competition."
U.S. SHORAD Soldiers from Echo Battery, 6-52 Air and Missile Defense Battalion based in Camp Casey competed in a crew competition to determine the best Avenger Air Defense System and Sentinel crews. Events included a physical fitness test, a test of general military knowledge, crew drills, a ruck march, ground and aerial gunnery using the system's M3P .50 caliber heavy machine gun, and SHORAD radar employment. Sgt. Gregory Brookes and Pvt. Marc-Anthony Villarreal earned top AADS crew. Pfc. Benjamin Masek and Pfc. Joseph Dohmen earned top Sentinel crew.
"It's an honor to have participated in a competition focused around what we do every day," said Masek. "It's definitely something I'll never forget."
Soldiers from 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade competed in a crew competition to determine the best Information Coordination Central crew, best Engagement Control Station crew, best Battalion Command Post, best Launcher crew, and best System Maintenance crew. The competition had nine events over a 48-hour period: a physical fitness test, a test of general military knowledge, an evaluation of warrior tasks, written tactics, crew drills, air battles, a 6-mile ruck march, weapons qualification and a dress uniform inspection.
The ICC crew with the highest score consisted of: Capt. Jared Kuntz, Sgt. Kevin Sells and Spc. William Smith of 2-1 Air Defense Artillery Battalion. The ECS crew with the highest score consisted of 2nd Lt. Andrew DeFabio, Staff Sgt. Donald Robertson, and Spc. Corey Simm of 6-52 Air Defense Artillery Battalion. The BCP crew with the highest score consisted of Sgt. Kyle Gannon and Pfc. Derek Nunly of 2-1 ADA. The Launcher crew with the highest score consisted of Pfc. Cade Dangca and Pfc. James Taylor of 2-1 ADA. The System Maintenance crew with the highest score consisted of Sgt. Dwight Doran and Pfc. Zachary Suttle.
"This was a really challenging competition," said Suttle. "I'm just glad I was able to make my unit and my parents proud."
Air Force Maj. Christopher McAlear, of the Seventh Air Force, was recognized for his contributions to missile defense as the chief of Air Defense Plans, Combat Operations Division. McAlear is assigned to the 607th Air Operations Center.
Navy Lt. Cmdr. Aaron Austin, of Joint U.S. Military Assistance Group - Korea, was recognized for his contributions to missile defense as the director of Navy-Marine Corps programs. Austin is the principal advisor and liaison on ROK Navy modernization plans, force structure and indigenous weapon systems development to the U.S. Ambassador to South Korea, U.S. Navy, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Forces-Korea and U.S. Pacific Fleet.
ROKAF air defenders competed in a crew competition to determine the best ECS crew. Events for the competition included an evaluation of engagement control operations, execution of emplacement procedures and missile system operational status validation during numerous exercises throughout the year.
The best ROKAF ECS crew from 3rd ADA Brigade consisted of: ROKAF 1st Lt. Chan Yi Jae and Senior Master Sgt. Sung Yong Kim. ROKAF Sgt. Seung Jun Sim was recognized as the best launcher operator.
The best ROKAF ECS crew from 2nd ADA Brigade consisted of: ROKAF 1st Lt. Yong Un Nam and Master Sgt. Byoung Chae Jung. ROKAF Chief Master Sgt. Min Ho Jang was recognized as the best launcher operator.
All awardees received a trophy, a Missile Defense Advocacy Alliance coin, a medal, a 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command coin, a Combined Naval Forces -- Korea coin, a Seventh Air Force coin, an autographed San Francisco 49ers jersey and football signed by the founder of MDAA and three-time Super Bowl champ, Riki Elllison.
In addition to Ellison, attendees of the PMDOY banquet included U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Bill Byrne, commander of U.S. Naval Forces -- Korea, U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Terrence O'Shaughnessy, commander of Seventh Air Force, and Brig. Gen. Eric Sanchez, commander of 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
"It is a privilege to stand here and recognize the air power team that dedicates themselves day in and day out to enabling the defense of Korea," said O'Shaughnessy. "It doesn't matter what uniform we are wearing, we are one team, ultimately protecting 51 million people here in Korea."
"Every night we sleep well knowing that you are out there," he said. "Every day you are becoming more interoperable and there is no doubt in my mind that, if called upon, we are ready to fight tonight and defend the Republic of Korea."