Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Training and Education Center celebrates full operational capability

Published Sept. 22, 2015
By Dottie White
USASMDC/ARSTRAT Public Affairs

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The Joint Functional Component Command for Integrated Missile Defense celebrated full operational capability of the Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Training and Education mission Sept. 14 here.

The Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Training and Education Center, or JBTEC, conducts ballistic missile defense systems training for more than 3,000 students per year for national leaders, services, combatant commands, U.S. government agencies and approved foreign nationals.

"It is really an honor and a pleasure to be here for this triumphant event as JFCC IMD attains full operational capability for the BMD training and education mission today," said Army Lt. Gen. David L. Mann, JFCC IMD commander.

JBTEC was initially established in 2003 under the Missile Defense Agency and was transferred to JFCC IMD in October 2013. JFCC IMD, headquartered at Schriever Air Force Base, is tasked to implement U.S. Strategic Command's global synchronizer role for missile defense.

The deputy commander for JFCC IMD Navy Capt. Chris Halton introduced Mann and thanked him for his leadership.

"None of this becomes possible without leadership and vision. And, (Lt. Gen. Mann), I want to thank you for your leadership and allowing us to establish your vision and allowing us to do the hard work to make that vision come true," Halton said. "Without that, we wouldn't be at the place we are today doing the important work that JBTEC is doing every day in training our Warfighters."

During his speech, Mann expressed his pride for the many accomplishments and achievements of the people who made this possible.

"I want to thank the professional, highly qualified and respected men and women who make up the JBTEC staff who execute this mission day in and day out, said Mann. "It extends throughout the BMD community all the way to the COCOMs and the services to ensure people have the necessary skills and training to execute this very complex operation that we call missile defense."

Mann then discussed the future of the center.

"We are also working to achieve a Center of Excellence status that will ensure we coordinate and synchronize all aspects of BMD efforts," he said. "I want to make sure that we maintain the momentum and get after that status as quickly as possible.

"Again, I'm tremendously proud of all the men and women here in this room from JBTEC and all that you do day in and day out here in Colorado Springs and around the globe to ensure folks receive the necessary training," Mann concluded.

Personnel interested in attending JBTEC training can contact the registrar at (719) 721-2409.

Joint Ballistic Missile Defense Training and Education Mission