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  • The Air Defense Artillery Training Support Facility (ADA-TSF) is located at the Fires Center of Excellence at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Officially opened on May 1, 2023, it serves as an educational and historical center for the U.S. Army ADA School. The facility is primarily designed to enhance Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and leadership development for soldiers. Highlights of the facility include:
    1. Academic Resources – Houses advanced classrooms, office spaces, and a comprehensive reference library. All ADA students receive instruction about their history as course material.
    2. Historical Exhibits – Preserves the heritage of the branch with an extensive collection of artifacts dating from World War One to the present day, including inert missiles like the Nike Hercules.
    3. Vietnam Era Exhibit – There is a well developed exhibit area dedicated to the weapon systems of Vietnam, with artifacts, and special tributes to Medal of Honor recipient: SGT Mitchell W. Stout and to the 212 soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam while assigned or attached to the air defense units encompassed in the National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association (NDQSA).
    4. Immediately outside the ADA-TSF entrance are the NDQSA memorial bricks to the 212 fallen, the NDQSA donated marble bench dedicated to Medal of Honor recipient SGT Mitchell W. Stout, and a NDQSA donated wooded bench for visitors needing a place to rest.
    Because ADA-TSF is an active military training facility and not a museum it does not have a public website or open visitor access.

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) In Memory Program

Citation:
In Memory plaque on the grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site in Washington, D.C
Photo credit: Joe Frank

Description:

Do you know a Vietnam veteran that served in Vietnam, returned home and later died? Then we hope you will consider inducting them into the VVMF In Memory program. It’s free and a wonderful way to honor their service and sacrifice. Visit https://www.vvmf.org/In-Memory-Program/ for the application and more information.

What is In Memory?
Since the Vietnam War ended, thousands of Vietnam veterans have suffered due to Agent Orange exposure, PTSD and other illnesses as a result of their service. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) believes all those who served in Vietnam should be honored and remembered for their service. The In Memory program enables the families and friends of those who came home and later died the opportunity to have them be forever memorialized.

VVMF In Memory Program link

Colonel (Ret) Vincent Tedesco April 24, 2013 interview for the United States Library of Congress Veterans History Project. Fifty-eight (58) minutes.

Citation:
Tedesco, Vincent James, Maria Cabrera-Baukus, College Of Communications Pennsylvania State University, and Meghin Moore. Vincent James Tedesco Collection. 1964. Personal Narrative. https://www.loc.gov/item/afc2001001.88931/.

Description:
Colonel (Ret) Tedesco’s interview includes personal stories about his life, his time in Vietnam, and the Army of the 1960’s and 70’s. Early in the interview (minute 8) he describes the January 4-5, 1968 battle of Checkpoint 39 on route 9. Throughout the interview there are lessons for leaders, inspirational guidance, and a respect for humor at life’s vagarity. He also talks about the men of the National Dusters, Quads & Searchlights Association and the value of camaraderie. The interview is recommended for military historians, young Army leaders, and others interested in hearing the personal story of an Air Defense Artillery trailblazer.

Colonel (Ret) Tedesco interview link to Library of Congress

Air Defense Artillery Journal 2023, Issue 1 (extract)
Air Defenders are Force Protectors Rediscovering and Returning to Short Range Air Defense Historical Force Protection Role

Air Defenders are Force Protectors Rediscovering and Returning to Short Range Air Defense Historical Force Protection Role

By 2LT Ian Murren

ADA Journal_October 2023.pdf_extract

SHORAD’s “Do or Die”
With the proliferation of unmanned aircraft systems to state and non-state actors in the new era of warfare, Short Range Air Defense will increasingly need to counteract this emerging threat. Enemies, in the future, will use coordinated attacks with Class 1 or 2 Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) and ground units against frontline and logistical areas.

Historical Context Vietnam: The War that Made the Modern ADA Branch

Operation Iraqi Freedom: The war the Misunderstood Air Defense

Conclusion
The goal of any Air Defender is to protect its assets. If an asset is destroyed by a clever ambush, or Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), the mission fails. If the enemy will be thinking with multi-dimensional attacks in mind, combining UAS with ground-based ambushes, SHORAD designers should be  thinking similarly. SHORAD equipment will need to be able to repel a UAS swarm attack and then the enemy’s complementing infantry assault in quick succession in the very near future. The conflict of tomorrow has no frontline, friendly skies or single-dimensional. SHORAD has thrived or died in this environment depending on how close it has kept to its Air Defense principles when developing its equipment.

Recommendations
When designing an ADA vehicle, it is essential to ensure a force protection role is also envisioned for the vehicle. Not focusing on this dual role shows a lack of understanding of the history and principles of air defense.