GUAM — In a first-ever operation, the air defenders of the E-3 Air Defense Battery used the newly developed Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense, or THAAD, remote launch capability to expand their ability to defend the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.
Over four days, E Battery, in cooperation with Joint Region Marianas, Pacific Air Forces, multiple Air Force wings and squadrons, and signaleers from the 307th Expeditionary Signal Battalion-Enhanced from Hawaii, all contributed to deploying a THAAD launcher from Guam to Rota, CNMI. THAAD is the Army’s air defense system that specializes in intercepting ballistic missiles.