South Carolina Army Guard Air Defenders Deploying to CENTCOM

EASLEY, S.C. - A departure ceremony was held Oct. 19 for South Carolina Army National Guard Soldiers deploying to support Operation Inherent Resolve in the CENTCOM area of responsibility.

The Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 263rd Air Defense Artillery Battalion, 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command, will provide air defense in theater in a deployment that is the first of its kind for this unit. Operation Inherent Resolve's Mission is to defeat ISIS in the Combined Joint Operations Area to enable whole-of-coalition governmental actions to increase regional stability.

"Being the first of anything is a really fascinating experience. This unit has been the first for the National Capital Region mission," said U.S. Army Capt. Christopher Campion, commander, Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 263rd ADA. "To be able to go over to CENTCOM for this unit for the first time, it means a great deal to us."

Friends and family members attended the ceremony to show their support as the Soldiers prepared to embark on their mission.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. R. Van McCarty, the adjutant general for South Carolina, said the Soldiers were ready.

"Your Guard has been busy, and they have been deployed for an ongoing basis since 9/11 to do the things that we ask of our state and the nation of our Soldiers, your Soldier, your loved ones," said McCarty. "Today is not an easy day folks. I have been to many sendoff ceremonies since 9/11, but I'll say this: I have talked to Maj. Gen. Frank Rice, commander of the 263rd AAMDC, his deputy Brig. Gen. Richard A. Wholey Jr. I've talked to Col. Ridgeway. I've talked to a number of the leadership within our air defense community. Your Soldiers, your loved ones, they are trained and ready for this mission."

U.S. Army Col. David Ridgeway, commander, 678th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, agreed.

"There's no doubt that you are the subject matter experts, and you're the best in the Army in air defense," said Ridgeway.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Micah Shipe, commander, 2nd Battalion, 263rd ADA Battalion, applauded the dedication of Battery B.

"I really can't say enough about the training that these Soldiers have been through over the past year and what I have seen these Soldiers do," said Shipe. "I've been looking forward to this day, and I'm looking forward to the day that I get to see you get off the plane and come back to this community."

Sgt. Caleb Wagner, an Avenger crewmember assigned to B Battery, 2-263rd ADA Battalion, said he looks forward to the mission.

"This is my second deployment, but this is my first time to the CENTCOM area," Wagner said. "I feel great going on this deployment. We've got a good group of Soldiers who love their families, and we're going to go over there and do great things."