On November 28, the U.S. Army in Europe activated the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Germany. The 5th Battalion was deactivated following the end of the Cold War and is the first such battalion activated in Germany since. Colonel David Shank, commander of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, emphasized the “return of Short Range Air Defense to Europe” and noted that three battery-level units equipped with FIM-92 Stinger missiles and the Avenger SHORAD system would be certified before the end of the summer. This development follows the Army’s 2016 findings of a gap in SHORAD capabilities and the 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, directing the Army to increase its numbers overseas.