Field Artillery History

Throughout the history of Air Defense Artillery (ADA), innovative steps were made for the technological advance in weaponry to defend our skies and ground forces. The diverse history and continuous research and development of air defense systems played a vital role in the safety of ground troops and foreign civilians during the Persian Gulf crisis. Though not always in the forefront of battle, ADA had its own vital roles that it played from the time of its birth, and it was no different during Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield when necessity helped to bring about the evolution of the PAC-II Patriot missile.

The United States Army is over 240 years old, and for every war the Army has been in, field artillery has played an essential role. The artillery and infantry have always worked hand in hand, a requirement if fire support is to be in direct support of maneuver. Artillery preps and shapes the battlefield; setting the conditions for battle. Throughout the conflict in Vietnam, specifically the Battle at LZ Gold, the Army made essential changes and improvements to the tactics, techniques and weaponry of field artillery to meet the ever-changing demands of battle.

Second Division Artillery began to bombard hill 983 with over 20,000 rounds of Artillery fire,

“Air defense artillery units have a proud heritage dating back to the dawn of this country 's history when the colonists erected fortifications and emplaced artillery pieces to defend against attack from the sea. Seacoast defense continued to be the primary mission of "foot" artillery units (as opposed to mounted field artillery units) until World War I, when a new dimension in warfare emerged-attack from the air. Through World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam, air defense artillery units served as an indispensable part of the armed forces of the United States.”

(INTRODUCTION) In August 1964, Vietnamese DRV torpedo boats attacked two U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin. President London B. Johnson ordered the retaliatory bombing of military targets in North Vietnam. Shortly after the incident, U.S. congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, giving President Johnson war-making powers, and U.S. planes began regular bombing raids (Reference http://www.history.com/topics/vietnam-war/vietnam-war-history ). In Vietnam, the US enjoyed virtual air supremacy. Nevertheless, Air Defense Artillery (ADA) units were able to distinguish themselves and prove their versatility by providing fire support to ground forces. ADA earned more than 450 medals for valor, receiving more than 1000 Purple Hearts, and one Congressional Medal of Honor awarded to SGT Mitchell Stout (Reference http://www.usc.edu/dept-00/dept/armyrotc/branches/air_defense.html ). Despite there being no confirmed aerial engagements, Air Defense Artillery played a vital role in the Vietnam War, and were at times crucial to battle success, proving their versatility, adaptability, flexibility.

Field Artillery “The King of Battle” dates back as far as the birth of the United States Army itself. The Battle at Bunker

The 200th Coastal Artillery (Anti-Aircraft) Regiment also known as “The Regiment” played a very pivotal role in Air Defense history. In September of 1941 the 200th Regiment with all its equipment and personnel were moved from the mainland to the Philippines and took up defensive positions at Fort Stotsenberg which was located roughly 75 miles north of Manila. At Fort Stotsenberg the 200th spent the coming months training and getting used to their surroundings. After months of training in simulated conditions, all the men of the 200th Regiment would be put to the test. On December 8, 1941 one day after the men got word of the attack on Pearl Harbor, the men of the 200th were attacked by the Japanese in a daring nighttime airborne assault which

During the Vietnam War the M42 (Duster) tracked self-propelled anti-aircraft gun (SPAAG) vehicle influenced the future versatility and capabilities of the Air Defense Artillery systems of today’s United States Army. This system put a lasting impression on the minds and confidence of the American Army Soldiers. These Soldiers actively participated in defending the South Vietnamese from the North Vietnamese and its southern allies, known as the Viet Cong (or Vietnamese Communist). Not only did the M42 Duster (SPAAG) raise the moral and boost confidence with the American Soldiers, it instilled fear and discouraged the enemy from attacking positions that were fortified with versatile air defense systems. This

“At the time of our entry into World War I America was ill prepared for large scale warfare with large movements of whole Armies. The U.S. Army was not prepared with its Artillery and had no heavy artillery guns to speak of” (Hartwell, 2017). During World War I, the Coast Artillery Corps was subject to rapid changes and unit realignments. This signified the beginning of a seamless transition to what would eventually give birth to Air Defense Artillery. The French and British had provided the United States Army with its initial Artillery weapons resulting in no American Artillery brought to the front. Production quickly started on American versions of their foreign Artillery counterparts currently used in action. The American 8

This paper will examine how a unwavering adversary and difficult terrain combined to negate the effects of American technology. The Battle of Hamburger Hill was a battle of the Vietnam War which was fought by the United States and South Vietnam against North Vietnamese Forces from May 10–20, 1969. The battle took place on Ap Bia Mountain in the rugged, jungle-shrouded mountains along the Laotian border of South Vietnam. Ap Bia Mountain anchors the northwest corner of South Viet Nam's A Shau Valley. The valley has been a major infiltration route for Communist Forces from the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos to the coastal cities of Northern I Corps since1966. Ap Bia Mountain dominates the northern valley, towering some 937 meters. Official

In many war stories officers are depicted as the, “heroes of the battle” based off of what was credited in history. Some supported the war efforts exhausted in order to contain communism and others felt like we were fighting an unjust war. The views of the Battle on Pork Chop Hill are no different. US forces originally occupied a location originally known as Hill 355 in October of 1951. The tactics used to capture and fight for this location were brutal, and exhausting for both sides. Various Infantry and Artillery units fought to capture and defend this hill. Using Artillery during this war was key for U.S. forces to capture and control Pork Chop Hill. Even though some would say it was a long drawn out war, it shows the importance of artillery during battle because it provides soldiers basic leadership skills, strengthens future generations of soldiers, and their basic military heritage and tactics.

The Battle of the Ia Drang Valley was the first major battle of the Vietnam War that engaged regular forces of the United States Army ushering in a new era of combat. Air Assault of Artillery and Close Air Support used together for the first time in Vietnam allowed an agile small force to be successful against a much larger enemy contingency. Operation Silver Bayonet pitted the Third Brigade of the First Cavalry Division: 1st Battalion and 2nd Battalion of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, and the 2nd Battalion of the 5th Cavalry Regiment, against a much larger Vietnamese force to include the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) and the Viet Cong guerilla fighters. The fighting lasted from 14 November to 18 November 1965.

(1) Observation: During Exercise ARROWHEAD THUNDER, Battery K executed a heliborne raid with 2 M777A2 howitzers from PAA1 to GP 9. All personnel and equipment, to include ammunition, communications and fire direction gear, was transported from the PZ to the LZ via 2 x CH-53E. In total, 29 personnel made up the entirety of the raid force. Once in zone, a one gun FIRECAP was achieved within 15 minutes and the section FIRECAP was achieved within 30 minutes. This was aided significantly by the CH-53E pilots aligning and landing both howitzers on AOF 4200. In total, Battery K fired 48 HE projectiles safely and accurately utilizing Digital Fire Control System (DFCS) only (Optical Fire Control (OFC) means were brought on the raid but not needed).

1948). It is essential to ground forces success that they receive anti-aircraft support. Before, during and after World War 2 we are able to perceive more clearly the significance of Air Defense Artillery (ADA) in the twenty first century. Air Defense Artillery’s roots travel as far back as to the revolutionary war. Understanding that during those times there was no such thing as airplanes but keep an open mind as to where we are heading here. Air Defense Artillery originated from the Coast Artillery Corps who were the guardians of the coast from incoming aggressive ships and boats. It was during World War 1 (WW1) that the army realized the need for

The person who was in charge of keeping the artillery on the French side went by