The 11th ADA "IMPERIAL" Brigade is the largest and most deployed Air Defense Organization in the world.
Commander
COL John Kirchgessner
Col. John Kirchgessner assumed duty as the Commander of the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas, on June 12, 2025.
He received his commission through Army ROTC as an Air Defense Artillery officer in 2002 from Elon University, North Carolina.
Col. Kirchgessner has served in a variety of command and staff positions throughout his career. His previous assignments include: Capability Developer, the Air and Missile Defense Cross Functional Team, Fort Sill, Oklahoma; Air Defense Branch Chief, Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky; Commander, 3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Deputy Chief of Staff, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, Battalion and Brigade XO in 1st Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, 11th Air Defense Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas; Military Transition Team Chief and Brigade Planner, 173rd Airborne BCT, Vicenza, Italy; Battalion S3, Mid Atlantic Recruiting Battalion, JBMDL, New Jersey; Commander, Army Experience Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Commander, Libertyville Recruiting Company, Chicago Recruiting Battalion; Commander, HHT, 1st Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, Fort Bragg; and a Stinger/Avenger Platoon Leader, 3-4 ADAR, Fort Bragg.
He holds an undergraduate degree in Communications from Elon University, North Carolina, and graduate degree in International Studies from Webster University. His professional military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course, Air Defense Artillery Captains Career Course, Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College Fellowship at the George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies.
Col. Kirchgessner’s military awards and decorations include Bronze Star Medal (1 Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (8 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Army Achievement Medal (2 OLC).
Command Sergeant Major
CSM Francisco J. Lloret Jr.
Command Sgt. Major Francisco J. Lloret Jr. is a native of Brooklyn, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Army on Aug. 27, 1999, attending Basic Combat Training at Fort Sill, Okla. He attended Advanced Individual Training as a Patriot Crew Member/ Maintainer (14T) at Fort Bliss, Texas.
CSM Lloret has served in all levels of leadership from Launcher section chief, Platoon Sergeant, First Sergeant, Battalion and Brigade Operations Sergeants Major, BN CSM. He has graduated all levels of NCOES from BLC to graduating from the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 69, in 2019.
CSM Lloret holds an Associate’s in Applied Science in Electronic Systems Studies from Thomas Edison State University, a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior University, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Leadership and Workforce Development from U.S. Army Command and General Staff College.
CSM Lloret’s assignments include E BTRY 1-1, 31st BDE deploying twice, first to Southwest Asia with TF 1-1 ADA, and then in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom; B BTRY 1-43 Suwon, Korea; redeploying with the BTRY to Fort Bliss, Texas, re-flagging as C BTRY 1-7 ADA; E BTRY 1-1 ADA out of Fort Bliss, re-stationing to Okinawa, Japan; HHB 1-7 ADA as the BN EMMO; D BTRY 1-7 ADA, deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom; Norfolk State University, Army ROTC Military Science Instructor; D BTRY 2-1 ADA Camp Carroll, Korea; HHB 108th ADA BDE deploying in support of Operation Spartan Shield; U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy; 3-43 ADA BN OPS SGM; 11th BDE OPS SGM deploying to Qatar serving as the Interim Top Notch CSM; 2-44 ADAR "Strike Fear" BN CSM; currently serves as the 11th Air Defense Artillery "Imperial" Brigade Command Sergeant Major.
CSM Lloret’s Military awards include the Legion of Merit w/ “C” Device, Meritorious Service Medal (5OLC), Army Commendation Medal (6OLC), Army Achievement Medal (8 OLC), Good Conduct Medal (8th award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Overseas Ribbon (5th Award), Combat Action Badge, Drivers Badge. CSM Lloret has been inducted into the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and is a recipient of the Hon. Order of Saint Barbara. His foreign awards include the German Proficiency Badge (Gold).