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CAMP VICTORY, Iraq --- Soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division in Iraq are working in the first deployed Air Defense Air Management or ADAM cell.
ADAM cells will be part of the new units of action slated to form Armywide, officials said, adding that the 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Commandos" are already partly structured as a UA.
The ADAM cell in Baghdad will be responsible for assuring that fire support and aviation don`t conflict with each other in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team`s area of responsibility.
"We are the first ADAM cell in a combat zone in the Army," said Sgt.
Ryan Hignight, ADAM cell non-commissioned officer in charge. "We`re the middle-man; ground control. We coordinate fire support and aviation so we`re not firing into air corridors where aircraft fly though. Anything that flies through our area of responsibility goes through us. If an aircraft goes through our area of responsibility, we get advanced notice so firing won`t conflict with them."
Hignight said the ADAM cell will assume responsibilities for the area of operations when his team replaces Soldiers from the 1st Cavalry Division.
The 2nd BCT `s ADAM cell is a sign of things to come for the new UA meant to combine all necessary assets for successful deployment into one brigade, said 1st Lt.
Eric Rose, Headquarters Company, 2nd BCT. He said they were given an opportunity to be the first deployed unit to use the ADAM cell.
"We had the option to do it first," he said. "The brigade isn`t completely structured as a UA. But I think (the command) thought we can either do it now before we go, or do it later when we redeployed. They opted to do it now."
The ADAM cell, which will soon be a mainstay for UAs, is meant to consolidate air defense and aviation into one cooperating cell, said Capt. Ryan Leonard, ADAM cell aviation liaison officer.
"We`re pioneers in the new Army transformation and what we experience in Iraq will help enhance other units that follow," he said.
Leonard said the ADAM cell comprises Soldiers from the 10th Aviation Regiment and 3rd Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, both which fall under 10th Mountain Division. Brigades not working under a UA still have aviation and air defense separated.
"Other unit`s air defense and aviation operate independently," Leonard said. "Their assets aren`t combined, and it doesn`t create an organized picture. A commander has to go to individual liaison officers to get the complete information. We`re a team coordinating resources to get the better picture."
Soldiers are often attached to a brigade without ever working with the brigade.
They have to work together without common experience or common procedures. The new UA merges both assets and makes them a permanent fixture within the brigade, Rose said.
"We`re a superior version simply for the fact we are an organic part of the brigade," he said. "The ADAM cell provides a permanent link for the brigade commander."
Since this is the first combat-tested ADAM cell in the Army`s history, there are bound to be growing pains, Hignight said. They are working through the difficulties, however.
"We`re all new to this," he said. "We are establishing standard operating procedures and job descriptions as we advance.
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Rose said that although the new ADAM cell is still developing, it will contribute greatly to a brigade`s abilities.
"The ADAM cell is going to be an important asset down the road," he said. "Right now everyone is trying to get their feet wet, including us. Once we start doing complex operations, we`ll be very important, and we will have a positive impact on mission success." |
