BARRIGADA READINESS CENTER, Guam — Members of Guam’s National Guard B Company, 1st Battalion, 294th Infantry Regiment, known as “Team Binadu,” have made history by winning the prestigious Alexander Hamilton Award that is usually reserved for artillery units.
The award, given on April 12, recognizes the best Army National Guard unit using various criteria including mission performance, training excellence and community impact.
Gen. Ronald P. Clark, U.S. Army Pacific commander, presented the award to the company. He highlighted the evolving nature of warfare and the critical role infantry units now play in complex air defense operations.
“This company, despite winning an award that is normally reserved for an air defense formation, is vital and integral to the air defense mission,” Clark said. “As the 94th AAMDC commander, Sea Dragon 6 Brig. Gen. Patrick Costello said, ‘We’re all air defenders when it comes down to it.’”
Members of Team Binadu, whose name signifies the pack mentality of the local deer on Guam, distinguished themselves during their year-long mobilization in support of Task Force Talon, providing security for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense battery on the island.
Their accomplishments included rebuilding security infrastructure devastated by Typhoon Mawar, successfully deterring site incursions, and becoming the first unit to down a drone on U.S. soil using the Fixed Site-Low, Slow, Small Unmanned Aircraft System Integrated Defeat System (FS-LIDS) counter-Unmanned Aerial System (UAS).
“Their ability to use the FS-LIDS, for example, to down unmanned aerial systems is something that is a little bit different as we look at what a traditional infantry mission would be,” Clark said. “Going forward, it really underscores the importance of our ability to leverage technology and capabilities to get after emerging threats.”
Beyond their security mission, Team Binadu demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the local community. Team members organized supply drives for animal shelters, participated in numerous beach and memorial cleanups and volunteered countless hours to help reopen schools damaged by Typhoon Mawar.
“Fit. Disciplined. Motivated. They embodied what’s best about our Citizen-Soldier and the National Guard, but just Soldiers in general,” Clark said. “That focus on the warrior ethos, lethality as their watchword.”
This historic win underscores the strategic importance of Guam in the Indo-Pacific region and recognizes the dedication and adaptability of the Guam National Guard in facing evolving security challenges.
“Guam is the homeland,” Clark said. “Our ability to be able to defend the homeland from Guam with Soldiers who have skin in the game; it’s their island, it’s their families, it’s their mission to defend the homeland and they’re doing it at such an exceptional level.”