MINHAD AB, UAE – The choking dust and blazing sun of the Persian Gulf didn't bother the formation of soldiers inside the climate-controlled hanger as 11th ADA 'Imperial' Brigade Commander Col. Joel Valiant presented Bravo Battery, 2-43 ADA Regiment with the prestigious Meritorious Unit Fire Discipline Citation for not firing on their own aircraft for an entire year.

“This is a momentous day in the history of the Imperial Brigade,” Valiant intoned to the battery during his prepared remarks. “Not one 2nd Lieutenant anxious to win a Bronze Star or Warrant Officer coming off of a 48-hour alcohol-fueled bender in your battery succumbed to the temptation of pushing the red button to fire multiple Patriot missiles at American or Coalition airframes for over 365 days.”

Valiant went on to commend Bravo Battery for their conspicuous bravery and resiliency in the face of their difficult year long deployment in the hostile conditions of the United Arab Emirates.