The Latest: Hawaii Army missile defence unit gets new leader

FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii – The Latest on the Hawaii-based Army missile defence command getting a new leader (all times local):

1:20 p.m.

The U.S. Army’s new missile defence commander for the Asia-Pacific region says his priorities are readiness, being able to respond to contingencies and working with partner countries in the region.

Brig. Gen. Sean Gainey says the region is so large it’s important to leverage partnerships with other nations.

Gainey assumed control of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defence Command during a ceremony at Fort Shafter in Honolulu on Friday.

The command oversees missile defence radars and Patriot anti-missile batteries in Japan and the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system in Guam.

THAAD is a land-based system that includes a truck-mounted launcher, tracking radar, interceptor missiles and an integrated fire control system.

The military has deployed THAAD to Guam since 2013 to counter the threat of North Korean missiles.

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12 a.m.

A new leader is taking over a U.S. Army missile defence command in the Asia-Pacific region.

Brig. Gen. Sean Gainey is scheduled to assume control of the 94th Army Air and Missile Defence Command during a ceremony in Hawaii on Friday.

The command is responsible for the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence system in Guam. The military has deployed THAAD to Guam since 2013 to counter the threat of North Korean missiles.

THAAD is a land-based system that includes a truck-mounted launcher, tracking radar, interceptor missiles and an integrated fire control system.

Gainey succeeds Brig. Gen. Eric Sanchez, who will become the commanding general of the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

The command also oversees missile defence radars and Patriot anti-missile batteries in Japan.