U.S. soldiers learn for transition from Avenger surface-to-air missile system to C-RAM weapon system.

The temperatures may have been cold here last week, but Thompson Hill Complex was hot as about 70 Soldiers from B Battery, 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., performed live-fire Counter-Rocket, Artillery and Mortar training.

In addition to live-fire training, the battery performed a command post exercise and mission ready exercise during the two-week training, Jan. 24 through Feb. 7.

The short-range air warriors had been familiarizing themselves with various aspects of the C-RAM at their home fort since October, said Staff Sgt. Quavise Cherry, B/5-5th ADA squad leader.

The C-RAM weapons system includes an electric six-barrel gun that can fire 75 20mm high explosives rounds per second and a layered network of counter-mortar radars. A series of the guns are used to, say, defend an outpost against indirect fire, known as IDF, said a C-RAM trainer. It's radar system provides early warning of incoming fire.

Transitioning to C-RAM requires a Soldier to learn an array of systems. This includes forward area air defense hardware, software and communications equipment; an air defense command and control center, a radar network and the gun.

The two-day command post exercise laid the groundwork for the battery's communications and reporting to the first sergeant and commander. It tested the unit's standard operating procedures and other protocol.

The mission readiness exercise was the culmination of the training and included the EOC Soldiers operating in a combat scenario, detecting IDFs and firing the C-RAM.

The C-RAM Centurion Weapon System is a Land-Based Phalanx Weapon System with the capability of integration with other protection sensors and systems. The system is designed and manufactured by the American Company Raytheon.

Phalanx combines a proven 20 mm M61A1 Gatling gun, firing M-246 or M-940 self-destruct rounds at a selectable rate of 3,000 or 4,500 shots per minute, with an advanced search and track Ku-band radar featuring closed-loop spotting technology to provide autonomous target detection and engagement.