Nation’s only missile defense brigade celebrates 15 years of dedicated service to homeland defense

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.  –   The Soldiers of the Colorado Army National Guard’s 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-Based Midcourse Defense), will celebrate the 15th anniversary of the brigade’s activation with alumni, mission partners, and their families, and other officials Oct. 26, 2018, at a ceremony in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The event and ceremony will honor 15 years of the unit’s sustained homeland defense mission.

“The first and foremost thing that comes to my mind is that we stand ready to guard, engage and destroy,” U.S. Army Col. Kevin R. Kick, commander, 100th MDB (GMD), said. “The 100th’s no fail mission is that 100 percent link to the National Guard’s mission of defending the homeland.”

“This is a team of believers. We have Soldiers here that are just doing amazing things that for years nobody has known about,” Kick said. “It’s a winning team, and we’ve got incredible expertise. The 100th provides an opportunity to serve in a unique way.”

The 100th MDB (GMD) welcomes anyone who has served as a member of the brigade to join in this time of celebration beginning at 3:00 p.m., at the Space Foundation Headquarters and Discovery Center, 4225 Arrowswest Drive, Colorado Springs, CO 80907.

U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command and the COARNG activated the nation's first ground-based Midcourse Defense Brigade Oct. 16, 2003. The brigade operates the first part of the integrated Ballistic Missile Defense System, which, in concert with sister services, is designed to protect the nation from accidental or intentional limited ballistic missile attacks. It is manned both by COARNG and active-component soldiers. Five crews comprised of five controllers monitor the skies over the United States 24 hours per day.