January 4, 2018 – Alexandria, VA – In May of 2017, the Army Chief of Staff directed a Man Portable Air Defense System (MANPADS) pilot program to train infantry soldiers how to operate the Stinger missile system. This program supports the Army’s top priority to close a Short Range Missile Defense capability gap in Army maneuver units. Loch Harbour Group’s 14S MANPAD instructors support this program at the Fires Center of Excellence (FCoE), 30th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Sill, OK. The first U.S. Forces Command MANPADS Course recently graduated on December 13, 2017 after a five-week course, which consisted of Soldiers of the 82nd Airborne Division. In addition to Stinger missile instruction, LHG personnel perform Remote Controlled Miniature Aerial Target (RCMAT) Operator duties in support of the training effort.
