U.S. Army activates air defense battalion in Guam amid N. Korean, Chinese missile threats: report

What happened: The U.S. Army activated the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Guam on Oct. 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, taking over air defense duties from Task Force Talon. Key numbers: Activation ceremony Oct. 16; Task Force Talon began its rotational mission in 2013. Why it matters: The Army said the shift from a rotational task force to a battalion reflects the Pentagon's commitment to permanent air defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, amid North Korean and Chinese missile threats.

The U.S. Army activated the 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment in Guam on Oct. 16 at Andersen Air Force Base, taking over air defense duties from Task Force Talon.

The Army said the shift from a rotational task force to a battalion reflects the Pentagon's commitment to permanent air defense capabilities in the Indo-Pacific, amid North Korean and Chinese missile threats.