New Army unit works to provide missile warnings

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Allison Day
  • 35th Fighter Wing public affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  At the beginning of the fiscal year, Misawa became the host to approximately 24 soldiers assigned to the Joint Tactical Ground System and their families.

The Army tenant unit is C Detachment and C/2nd Section, and is part of 1st Space Company Peterson Air Force Base, Colorado Springs, Colo. They are better known as JTAGS.

"The unit, the first of its kind here in Japan, is a space-based system providing early warning, alerting and cueing capability for the detection of theater ballistic missile threats," said Army Capt. Stephen Jennison, JTAGS commander. "Once we receive information that a TBM has launched, we're able to provide the information identifying the missile launch point and time and approximate impact point and time to the appropriate theater commander and allied forces."

The Army contingent tasked to do this job may be small, but it is an essential link for theater commanders.

"Having JTAGS here in Japan is an agreement between our two governments that supports our mutual efforts to counter missile threats," said Army Brig. Gen. John Seward, U.S. Army Forces Strategic Command deputy commanding general from the Space and Missile Defense Command in a speech earlier this week.

Any missiles launched are tracked by JTAGS operators who work out of a small, hardened, highly secure facility within the JTAGS compound.

"It is rewarding to do a high-priority job like this," said Army Staff Sgt. Gregory Irvine, a JTAGS operator from Loveland, Colo. "Providing theater ballistic missile warning to the warfighter is the most important aspect of my job."

And his crew chief, Sgt. 1st Class Cody Dorman, agrees with him.

"The mission of providing theater missile defense and accurately providing timely information on real-world events is extremely important," said Sergeant Dorman, JTAGS crew chief. "I know the significance of the mission. I feel it is an honor and a privilege to be able to participate in this time mission 365 days a year."

The 12-year Army veteran from Flagstaff, Ariz., said there is a significant degree of stress associated with the job because of the significance of the mission, but it's something he learned how to deal with in school.

"The certification process to become a JTAGS operator is very stressful and very intense," said Sergeant Dorman. "This process and the added pressure ensure that each crew member will be able to provide the required mission with no failures even under the most extreme pressure."

Captain Jennison has been in the Army for just over four years, when he was chosen to be the commander of JTAGS he's very proud of his soldiers, he said.

"When I was given this opportunity of command I was so humbled," said Captain Jennison. "As a young officer, I am proud to lead such an extremely sharp group of Soldiers. This is a mission that contributes to the well-established partnership between the U.S. government and the government of Japan. Each day I report to work knowing that what my Soldiers do here add to the safety and security of the United States and our allies."