Camden News; Apr 14, 2009

By DONNA COLLINS Staff Writer:  The first Terminal High Altitude Area Defense weapon system launcher was revealed during a celebration ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s Camden Operations Monday.

Seated on the stage at the milestone celebration were company executives, project mangers and national, state and local elected officials. U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor and U.S. Rep. Mike Ross attended and gave brief statements before large, floor-to-ceiling, black curtains were opened to reveal the huge weapon system parked on the other side. THAAD is the first hit-to kill system designed specifically to defend against ballistic missiles inside and outside Earth’s atmosphere, according to Lockheed.

Camden operations manager Glenn David Woods, a Camden native, introduced speakers and guests. Lockheed vice president and THAAD project manager Tom McGrath told the large crowd that included many local business people, selected area high school students, Lockheed employees and guests, that the system has been tested and all testing has been successful. McGrath said the company had worked toward the unveiling since 1992. The actual work on the unit at the Camden plant began about two years ago. He said once THAAD is in operations there will be fewer deployments of military personnel, because THAAD can protect larger areas using fewer soldiers. "There will be fewer soldiers in harm’s way," McGrath said. McGrath praised Camden workers for their dedication and hard work. He said workers have gone beyond the call to deliver the product without flaws. "You have delivered everything we expected," he said before introducing a soldier who has been waiting for the THAAD, Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Rodgers. Rodgers is a military advisor for the project. Dressed in desert camouflage, Rodgers, also a Camden native, brought the crowd to their feet. Currently stationed at Ft. Bliss, Rodgers said it was good to be home and that "it is a good day to be a soldier." Rodgers spoke briefly about growing up on Arkansas 24 and spending time playing basketball at the former Harvey’s Grocery and that he often told soldiers how the good work of Camden workers would go far in protecting the safety of the nation and soldiers. Then Rodgers explained why Monday was a good day to be a soldier. "We’ve been waiting on this piece of equipment," he said, adding THAAD will "fill the gaps in air defense capabilities.  "You push a button and it works. That makes a difference. Soldiers depend on their equipment. They know it will work," Rodgers added. "Keep up the good work," he said before repeating how glad he was to be in Camden and that he intended to have some catfish before heading back to Ft. Bliss.

THAAD will be delivered to soldiers at Fort Bliss, who should have a fully operational system with trained personnel by the end of this year, according to Lockheed. THAAD will then be ready for combat deployment.   

Pryor and Ross praised Lockheed’s commitment to manufacturing dependable defense systems for the U.S. and its allies. Both also recognized the area’s skilled workforce, adding that the workforce is important to the area’s economic

development. "What you do here makes a difference," Ross said. Pryor, who reminded the crowd that he lived in Camden as a child, said as a teenager he worked one summer for Lockheed predecessor, Vought. The senator said he was assigned the task of buffing floors in preparation for a big event such as Monday’s. He said he nearly completed his task when the commercial buffer caught a piece of carpet. The result was a hole in a wall. Pryor went on to compare today’s defense industry workers to defense plant workers during World War II. He spoke about the nation’s "industrial might," as described in a Stephen Ambrose book he’s currently reading. "You are the legacy of that industrial might. You have taken on that mantle and wear it very proudly," he said.

THAAD joins Lockheed’s Patriot missile defense system, which also is built in part here along with Lockheed’s Guided Multi Launch Rocket System. The company has about 600 employees in the Highland Industrial Park just across the county line in Calhoun County. The company was awarded the contract for THAAD in 2007.

New missile defense system rolls out The crowd gathered at Lockheed Martin in Highland Industrial Park gets its first glimpse at the new Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system Monday morning. The THAAD system has been under development at Lockheed Martin since 1992, with work at the Camden plant beginning about two years ago.