A Patriot missile is launched by soldiers of the 11th Brigade, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, at McGregor Range near El Paso, Texas, on April 30, 1997. More than 20,000 service members from all branches of the armed forces of the U.S., Canada, Germany, and the Netherlands are participating in Exercise Roving Sands '97. The exercise is designed to refine their skills in operations using an integrated air defense network of ground, missile and radar early warning systems combined with tactical fighter and bomber aircraft operating in a simulated high-threat environment. The 43rd Air Defense Artillery is deployed for the exercise from Fort Bliss, Texas.