Defending the Marianas from enemy threats. KUAM heads up north to an area called "Site X."
It's the location of the terminal high-altitude area defense system (THAAD). Soldiers there keeping watch give us an exclusive look at the defense system as tensions in the region continue with foreign nations like North Korea.
They are called the Guardian Angels - standing ready to defend the island and the region 24/7: they are the brave men and women of Task Force Talon. Capt. Tom Borgonia, commander, sector, Guam Guard, said, “Being soldiers from the Guam Army National Guard, this mission is very personal to us–as we have a big key stakeholder piece. These assets protect our home, our family, and our friends–and having a role in this is a privilege and an honor.”
For active duty and Guam Guard national soldiers like Capt. Borgonia, their teamwork and mission are critical: to protect the Indo-Pacific Region from any ballistic missile threats. KUAM getting exclusive access to the THAAD on Site X today.
Lt. Col. Jonathan Stafford is the commander of Task Force Talon, and said, “Back in 2012 timeframe, North Korea was making some very specific threats against Guam with its ballistic missiles–they had really increased its ballistic missile activity, and so during that timeframe, we didn’t have an organic missile defense system on Guam to protect it–and so it just happened our THAAD system.”
“Had just come online. And with that system, we’ve been able to deploy it here back in April of 2013 to provide a persistent missile defense capability for all the people here on Guam.”
And the need for that persistent missile defense for Guam and the Marianas hasn’t gone away, with the most recent launch of a suspected intermediate-range ballistic missile, firing out of the North Korean capital just four days ago. But these soldiers say they’re confident in their capabilities to deter any threats, giving us a look into the different arms of the operation.
Like at Tower 1, where soldiers conduct round-the-clock security. Specialist Aaron Blaz said, “We here at Site X caliber to conduct area defense to secure our key assets.”
And here, where this radar can detect incoming threats. Staff Sergeant Garret Rainbolt added, “This is the eyes of our system–this is going to see any incoming ballistic threats that are coming up so that our fire control can see those threats and launch our missiles, and our radar actually helps the missiles track towards that particular incoming target.”
And just half a kilometer away at the Echo 3 Air Defense Site is one of six THAAD launchers on the ground. The launcher holds up to eight Interceptor missiles. Sgt. Cristian Zamora said, “We can erect the launcher and have it fully centered to a standard angle so they can all face the same direction and take down anything that comes over this direction.”
And while Sunday’s most recent missile launch posed no threat to the Marianas, these soldiers stand prepared and ready to defend their island home.