An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Component commanders visit South Carolina

  • Published
  • By Sgt. 1st Class Joe Cashion
  • South Carolina National Guard
ANDERSON, S.C. --  Soldiers of the 263rd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) hosted Lt. Gen. Guy Swan III, U.S. Army North's (ARNORTH) commanding general, along with Maj. Gen. Garry C. Dean, the commander of 1st Air Force (AFNORTH) during their visit here April 1.

The purpose of the visit was to brief the generals on the 263rd AAMDC's Deployable Integrated Air Defense System (DIADS) Minimum Deployment Package (MDP). The generals were also able to give their feedback on their view of the unit's capabilities and readiness.

Historically, the visit marked the first time ever the 263rd AAMDC simultaneously hosted the commanders of both ARNORTH and AFNORTH.

The DIADS MDP is a rapidly deployable minimum package of ground based air defense equipment stationed here at the 263rd AAMDC Headquarters. It provides commanders with additional capabilities and options to defend key airspace previously unavailable.

"The DIADS MDP is effective for ground based air defense situations and allows trained personnel to respond on short notice," said Col. Tim Sheriff, the operations officer for the 263rd AAMDC.

The system has been successfully utilized in training during events at Fort Bliss, Texas in February and at the Donaldson Center in Greenville, S.C., in March.

The AAMDC and the D-IADS MDP will participate in a national level operational exercise in Savannah, Ga., May 10-24.

The generals said they were pleased with what they saw.

"With the D-IADS now, your mission is growing," Swan said. "There is no better unit to accomplish that mission than the 263rd AAMDC."

Dean echoed those sentiments. "You are the tip of the spear," he said. "Given today's situation, there may be a time when you will be called upon, and I have total faith in the 263rd."