Field Artillery
Field Artillery
The history of the United States Field Artillery began in 1775, when Henry Knox was appointed Chief of Artillery of the Continental Army. During the War of Independence, the Field Artillery evolved into a formidable entity on the battlefield, prompting General Marquis de Lafayette to remark at the Battle of Yorktown, "Upon my honor I speak the truth. American Artillery -- one of the wonders of the Revolution."
During the Mexican War, the Field Artillery played a key role in campaigns that ranged from the Battle of Palo Alto to Mexico City. In fact, the nickname, "Redlegs", comes from that era when artillery uniforms had a 2-inch red stripe on their trousers and horse artillery men wore red canvas leggings.
The Field Artillery was also a dominant force in many of the Civil War battlefields. Leading artillerymen who became combined arms leaders included Joseph Hooker, Braxton Bragg, William T. Sherman, A.P. Hill, and Stonewall Jackson.
In 1901 the Field Artillery became a separate branch after parting ways with the Coast Artillery.
During WWI the Field Artillery became one of the most dominant forces in the trench warfare of France. It emerged from the "war to end all wars" as the greatest killer on the battlefield, responsible for 75% of all combat casualties.
Throughout World War II, in Europe, Africa and the Pacific, the Field Artillery once again proved a decisive factor causing America's great combined arms leader, General George S. Patton, to observe, "I do not need to tell you who won the war. You know, the Artillery did."
The Field Artillery's role in the Korean War was to offset the enemy's superior numbers with its superior combat power. From supporting the defense of the Pusan Perimeter to the stabilization at the 38th parallel, the Field Artillery proved decisive.
Shortly thereafter, our gunners ushered in the tactical nuclear era when, in May 1953, a 280-mm gun called "Atomic Annie" fired the first nuclear shell downrange.
The Vietnam Conflict saw the Field Artillery meeting the challenges ranging from support of counter-insurgency operations to large unit warfare. Cutting fire bases out of the jungle, moving artillery by helicopter, and using them in the direct fire role, the Field Artillery provided immediate, continuous, and decisive fires in support of the maneuver arms.
It was this period during which the Air Defense Artillery became a separate branch from the Field Artillery.
The Field Artillery has continued to play its vital combat role with its participation in combat actions in Lebanon, Grenada, Panama, its outstanding contributions during Operation Desert Storm, and Somalia. Massed artillery fires were the norm during Desert Storm. The coordinated fires of upwards of 11 Artillery Battalions on enemy positions proved time after time to be absolutely devastating. Simultaneous engagement of positions in the enemy's rear, on his flanks, to his front and on top of him, not only destroyed his equipment, but broke his will to fight.
To destroy, neutralize, or suppress the enemy by cannon, rocket, and missile fires and to integrate all fires into combined arms operations.
Primary weapons system is the M102, 105-mm towed howitzer. This is currently being replaced by the M119, 105-mm, British Light Gun
Primary weapons systems is the M109, 155-mm, self-propelled howitzer. The Paladin howitzer, 155-mm self-propelled howitzer is replacing the M109.
Primary weapons system is the M198, 155-mm towed howitzer.
Primary weapons system is the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS).
The Multiple Launch Rocket System; the M109, 155-mm self-propelled howitzer; and the Paladin, 155-mm self-propelled howitzer.
The M198, 155-mm towed howitzer and the Multiple Launch Rocket System.
Primary systems are the Q36 and Q37 Firefinder Radars.
Cadets can select assignments from the following locations world-wide.
UNIT LOCATION WEAPON SYSTEMS
1ST IN DIVARTY FT. RILEY, KS 155SP
1ST AR DIVARTY BAUMHOLDER, GE 155SP, MLRS
1ST CAV DIVARTY FT. HOOD, TX 155SP
2D AR DIVARTY FT. HOOD, TX 155SP
2D IN DIVARTY KOREA 155SP, MLRS
3D IN DIVARTY BAMBERG, GE 155SP, MLRS
4TH IN DIVARTY FT. CARSON, CO 155SP
10TH MTN DIVARTY FT. DRUM, NY 105T
17TH FA BDE FT. SILL, OK 155SP, MLRS
18TH FA BDE FT. BRAGG, NC 155T, MLRS
24TH IN DIVARTY FT. STEWART, GA 155SP Paladin
25TH IN DIVARTY HAWAII 105T, 155T
41ST FA BDE BABENHAUSEN, GE MLRS
42D FA BDE FT. POLK, LA 155SP
75TH FA BDE FT. SILL, OK 155SP, 8", MLRS
82D ABN DIVARTY FT. BRAGG, NC 105T
101ST AA DIVARTY FT. CAMPBELL, KY 105T
210TH FA BDE FT. LEWIS, WA 155T
212TH FA BDE FT. SILL, OK 155SP, 8", MLRS
214TH FA BDE FT. SILL, OK 155SP, MLRS
5-11 FA BN FT. RICHARDSON, AK 105T
4-41 FA BN FT. BENNING, GA 155SP
A/1-77 FA BTRY FT. KNOX, KY 155SP
D/319 FA BTRY VICENZA, ITALY 105T
Firing battery: Leadership experiences gained by company-grade Field Artillery officers in the firing battery provide a sound stepping stone for leadership challenges at higher levels of command and staff. The focal point of the Field Artillery is the line of metal-the firing batteries of Field Artillery battalions. Firing platoons, commanded by Field Artillery lieutenants, and firing batteries, commanded by Field Artillery captains, and run by their lieutenant Executive Officers, are the delivery units for an impressive array of artillery munitions. All other efforts of the Field Artillery team, fire support, target acquisition and fire direction elements serve but one purpose--to help the firing units place responsive, accurate and lethal fires on target. Such fires can impact from just in front of friendly troops to more than one hundred miles into hostile territory. The howitzers and rockets are the muscle of the Field Artillery--the hard-hitting hardware of fire support.
Fire Support Team: The Company Fire Support Officer (FSO), a Field Artillery lieutenant, leads the Fire Support Team (FIST). He and his team are responsible for planning and coordinating the fires of the infantry or armor company or cavalry troop his FIST is supporting. The Company FSO works with the maneuver company/troop commander to develop a fire support plan for the units scheme of maneuver. The fire support plan integrates all available artillery fires as well as those of the mortars organic to the maneuver units. When these systems are employed, the FIST calls for and adjusts fires on enemy targets. An important tool of the Company FSO is the Ground/Vehicular Laser Locator Designator (G/VLLD). The G/VLLD can be grounded-mounted or mounted in the Fire Support Vehicle (FSV). The G/VLLD determines range to targets and designates targets for laser-guided munitions such as the tank-killing copperhead round or the Hellfire missile. When you consider the total firepower available to the Company FSO-you know how much responsibility the Field Artillery places on its junior leaders. It is genuinely a position of trust. The fire support available to the FSO is not limited to artillery and mortars. When the tactical situation permits, the Company FSO may employ a variety of other available fire support assets as well as his own to assist the maneuver commander.
Fire Direction Center: The Fire Direction Center (FDC) is the nerve center of Field Artillery. The Fire Direction Officer (FDO) and his team translate the FIST's calls for fire into firing data for the guns. This translation is now accomplished by digital means using a computer network consisting of the FIST's Forward Entry Device (FED), the battalion FDC's automated fire direction computer (TACFIRE), the battery FDC's Battery Computer System (BCS) and a Gun Display Unit (GDU) on each firing howitzer. Using this automated network, the FDC can now "place steel on target" seconds after the FIST requests fire.
Target Acquisition: The target acquisition element of the Field Artillery team is another vital link in the fire support system. While the FIST acquires targets visible to front line troops, target acquisition assets of the artillery locate more distant targets not visible to forward observers. This task is accomplished using highly sophisticated and effective weapons and target-locating radar systems.
Located adjacent to the city of Lawton in southwest Oklahoma. Lawton is the state's third largest city and is located approximately 4 hours (by car) from Dallas and 90 minutes from Oklahoma City. Fort Sill is considered the home of the free world's artillery.
