Richard Atkinson

SGM Atkinson completed his Basic and Advanced Individual Training on Logan Heights at Ft Bliss, TX. SGM Atkinson served with Battery A, 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery and held multiple assignments including Chaparral Systems Repairer, Senior Chaparral Systems Repairer, Assistant Chief Chaparral Systems, Maintenance Supervisor, and Section Chief. SGM Atkinson continued to serve in the 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery as a Stinger Platoon Sergeant, Battery C, 3-265th ADA (Avenger), and as the Assistant Operations Sergeant, Operations Sergeant, Rear Detachment Command Sergeant Major, and Operations Sergeant Major with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 3rd Battalion, 265th Air Defense Artillery Battalion. SGM Atkinson was called to State Active Duty (SAD) for eleven hurricanes that impacted Florida and served in key positions during Operation Safe Skies and Operation Safe Harbor following 9/11. He deployed in 2012-2013 and 2016-2017 with the Ground Based Air Defense (GBAD) Battalion within the National Capital Region Integrated Air Defense System as part of Operation Noble Eagle. SGM Atkinson culminates his career as the Brigade Operations SGM for the 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. SGM Atkinson served as a Federal Technician working on both the Chaparral and the Avenger Air Defense Weapon System at the Unit Training Equipment Site (UTES) in Avon Park, FL and FMS 14 in Sarasota, FL. SGM Atkinson was selected to serve as the Readiness NCO for Battery C, 3-265th ADA (Avenger) in Palmetto, FL in 1999 and then selected to be the Assistant Operations NCO and Operations NCO for 3rd Battalion 265th ADA (Avenger), Sarasota, FL, before serving as the Brigade Operations Sergeant Major for the 164th Air Defense Artillery Brigade.