GRAND FORKS, N.D. - Soldiers from the North Dakota Army National Guard's 1-188th Air Defense Artillery recently fired three dozen Stinger missiles during weekend training in Texas.
The operation helped Soldiers maintain proficiency with the unit's Avengers.
Mounted atop a Humvee, the Avenger weapon system includes a turret with .50-caliber machine gun and two standard vehicle missile launchers that each hold four Stinger missiles. A two-person crew operates the system, which defends against helicopters and low-altitude fixed-wing aircraft.
For the exercise, 36 Soldiers representing 18 assigned teams will allow each Soldier the opportunity to fire one missile. An additional nine Soldiers in the battery served in support roles during the training.
"This exercise allowed Soldiers to complete their training for full annual certification," said Maj. Robert Fugere, officer in charge of the 1-188th ADA Battalion. "It also allowed Soldiers holding these (military occupational specialties) to actually do what they were trained to do. The past four years, we have been doing somewhat unrelated missions during deployments."
Members from the ADA have deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in recent years. Soldiers' active-duty missions have included using the Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment (RAID) system, a high-tech system used to protect forces; operating the Joint Land Attack Elevated Netting Sensor (JLENS), a tower that serves as an early warning and surveillance system; and serving as security forces.
"The ADA has had the opportunity to learn and use some of the military's most state-of-the art equipment, but it is pertinent to maintain proficiency in the unit's core tasks, as well," said Maj. Gen. David A. Sprynczynatyk, North Dakota National Guard adjutant general.
"This exercise offered an incredible opportunity for hands-on, real-world training of the highest caliber, something we always strive to provide our Soldiers."