1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment explained

Unit Name:1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment
Dates:1917–present
Country:United States
Branch:Army
Type:Airborne field artillery
Garrison:Fort Liberty
Nickname:Loyalty
Equipment:M119A3
M777A2
AN/TPQ-50
AN/TPQ-53
Identification Symbol Label:319th AFAR coat of arms
Identification Symbol 2 Label:Unit flash

The 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment ("1-319 AFAR") is the airborne field artillery battalion assigned to the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. Nicknamed "Loyalty", 1–319 AFAR has deployed to conduct combat operations in the Dominican Republic, Grenada, Kuwait, Afghanistan and three separate deployments to Iraq. Most recently, the battalion deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel.

History

Origins

Battery A, 319th Artillery (A/319) served in World War I with the 319th Field Artillery Regiment, and in World War II with the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion. Under the Pentomic organization, A/319 served as a direct support battery in the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery. Under the Combat Arms Regimental System and the Reorganization Objective Army Division, A/319 was reorganized and redesignated as 1-319 AFAR, a direct support battalion in the 82nd Airborne Division Artillery, on 25 May 1964.

Cold War

In April 1965, 1-319 AFAR deployed with the 82nd Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade to the Dominican Republic during Operation Powerpack, and earned campaign credit for the Dominican Republic Armed Forces Expedition.[1]

In September 1974, 1-319 AFAR participated with 3rd Brigade in Exercise Gobi Express V at Fort Bliss, Texas. C/1-319 AFAR, commanded by CPT Gregory L. Shawn, employed innovative camouflage techniques to remain undetected by the opposing forces throughout the exercise, even after the battery's grid location was provided to opposing forces reconnaissance aircraft.[2]

In 1983, 1-319 AFAR took part in Operation Urgent Fury, the Invasion of Grenada as part of the 82d Airborne Division. The 1-319 AFAR deployed two tailored batteries of three guns each (Batteries A and B) and a battalion command post. The 1-319 AFAR earned Armed Forces Expedition credit for "Grenada".[3]

In 1994, 1-319 AFAR was awarded the Army Superior Unit Award for peacetime service as part of Task Force Outload, from 10 September 2004 to 2 October 1994, during Operation Uphold Democracy.[4]

In 1999, C/1-319 AFAR earned the Army Superior Unit Award for its service in Kosovo with TF 2-505 PIR.[5]

Operation Enduring Freedom II

The first element of the 319th Field Artillery to deploy to combat in the Global War on Terror (GWOT), 1-319 AFAR, deployed as part of Task Force (TF) Panther (built around the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division) from June 2002 to January 2003. LTC Charles K. Hardy was the battalion Commander. Batteries A and B of 1-319 AFAR manned M120 120 mm mortars, while Battery C, 1-319 AFAR manned M119 105 mm howitzers.[6]

In 2002, B/1-319 AFAR was selected as the recipient of the Knox Award, recognizing the best field artillery battery in the Army, as a result of this deployment.[7]

Operation Iraqi Freedom I

After returning from their OEF II rotation to Afghanistan, 1-319 AFAR deployed to Iraq with 3rd Brigade from summer 2003 to spring 2004.

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006–07

In August 2006, 1-319 AFAR deployed with 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, replacing the 3-320 FA around the towns of Tikrit and Ad Dawr in Saladin Governorate. Although expected to last one year, the deployment was extended to 15 months due to "The Surge" and the unit returned in November 2007. The 1-319 AFAR, commanded by LTC Barry DiRuzza, formed the core of Task Force Loyalty and operated as a provisional maneuver task force, conducting partnered training and joint operations with Iraqi Security Forces as well as other security and non-kinetic operations.[8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008–09

1-319 AFAR deployed for a third time to Iraq in December 2008, this time to the al-Karradah district of Baghdad. The BN returned to Fort Liberty in November of 2009, having earned its third Meritorious Unit Commendation.

Operation Inherent Resolve

The battalion deployed during Operation Inherent Resolve in January 2015. Task Force Loyalty assumed an advise and assist role alongside the 1st Infantry Division. The battalion returned to Fort Liberty in September 2015.

Other significant activities

Two members of the battalion have earned the Field Artillery Association's annual Gruber award since the award's establishment in 2002 to recognize outstanding individual thought and innovation that results in significant contributions to or the enhancement of the field artillery's warfighting capabilities, morale, readiness or maintenance. The 2005 Gruber Award winner was SFC Craig Brown, brigade fire support NCO in HHB, 1-319 AFAR.[17] The 2009 Gruber Award Winner was SFC Brandon Aguilar, a platoon sergeant in Battery B, 1-319.[18]

On 21 January 2013, over 300 paratroopers from 1-319 AFAR participated in the 57th Presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C.[19]

Lineage and honors

Lineage

(Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps)

Campaign participation credit

Note: The published US Army lineage lists "Campaigns to be determined" as of 2012. Comparison of the deployment dates by the battalion with War on Terrorism campaigns estimates that the battalion is entitled to the campaigns listed.

Decorations

Battery C additionally entitled to:

Heraldry

Distinctive unit insignia

319th Field Artillery Regiment Distinctive Unit Insignia

Coat of arms

319th Field Artillery Regiment Coat of Arms

Current Organization

External links

Notes and References

  1. "Lineage and Honors Information: 1st Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment." United States Army Center for Military History. 20 November 2012. Web. Accessed 16 October 2015. .
  2. Discarded Camouflage Conceals Battery . 18 May 2014 . Field Artillery Journal . January–February 1975 . 43 . 1 . 14–15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130226130814/http://sill-www.army.mil/firesbulletin/archives/1975/JAN_FEB_1975/JAN_FEB_1975_FULL_EDITION.pdf . 26 February 2013 . dead.
  3. "Urgent Fury": Looking Back and Looking Forward . McMichael, Scott R. . Field Artillery Journal . March–April 1985 . 53 . 8–13 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130227042855/http://sill-www.army.mil/firesbulletin/archives/1985/MAR_APR_1985/MAR_APR_1985_FULL_EDITION.pdf . 27 February 2013 . dead.
  4. Headquarters, Department of the Army, General Orders 97-15. 11 April 1997: 3-4. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015. .
  5. Headquarters, Department of the Army, General Orders 01-15. 31 December 2001: 9. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015. .
  6. A Case for Howitzers in Afghanistan . Mitchell, Joshua D. . Field Artillery . November–December 2003 . 6–9 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130227163603/http://sill-www.army.mil/firesbulletin/archives/2003/NOV_DEC_2003/NOV_DEC_2003_FULL_EDITION.pdf . dead . 27 February 2013.
  7. B/1-319 AFAR wins 2002 Knox Best AC Battery Award . Field Artillery . November–December 2002 . 14 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130227163159/http://sill-www.army.mil/firesbulletin/archives/2002/NOV_DEC_2002/NOV_DEC_2002_FULL_EDITION.pdf . 27 February 2013 . dead.
  8. Ford, Spc. Joshua R. "Right-Seat, Left-Seat Rides." The Static Line. September 2006: 6-7. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  9. "Paratroopers use radio show to inform citizens." The Static Line. October 2006: 4. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  10. Carden, Staff Sgt. Michael J. "Iraqi soldiers and U.S. Paratroopers conduct joint operation near Tikrit." The Static Line. November 2006: 3-5. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  11. Ford, Spc. Joshua R. "Iraqi students receive school supplies." The Static Line. January 2007: 1. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  12. Mohtashian, Capt Aydin.. "Iraqi soldiers graduate first ever NCO Academy." The Static Line. January 2007: 2. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  13. Ford, Sgt. Joshua R. "'Loyalty' roots out insurgents in Ad Dawr." The Static Line. April 2007: 4-5. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  14. Ford, Sgt. Joshua R. "Artillerymen apt in infantry mission." The Static Line. May 2007: 4-5. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  15. Ford, Sgt. Joshua R. "Physical fitness: high priority for deployed troops." The Static Line. May 2007: 7. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  16. Ford, Sgt. Joshua R. "Tikrit U celebrates opening of new facilities." The Static Line. July 2007: 6. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  17. 2005 Gruber Award Winner: SFC Craig A. Brown, HHB/1-319 AFAR, 82nd Abn Div . Field Artillery . JanuaryFebruary 2006 . 21 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130227164354/http://sill-www.army.mil/firesbulletin/archives/2006/JAN_FEB_2006/JAN_FEB_2006_FULL_EDITION.pdf . 27 February 2013 . dead.
  18. Gruber Award 2009 Winner: Sergeant First Class Brandon J. Aguilar . Field Artillery . MarchApril 2010 . 66 . https://web.archive.org/web/20140202224909/http://sill-www.army.mil/firesbulletin/2010/MAR_APR_2010/Pages63_66.pdf . 2 February 2014 . dead.
  19. Bymer, Maj. Loren. "57th Presidential Inaugural Parade supported by Ft. Liberty Paratroopers." Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System. 24 January 2013. Web. Accessed 17 October 2015.
  20. "Afghanistan Campaign Medal or Iraq Campaign Medal." The Adjutant General Directorate (TAGD). United States Army Human Resources Command. 6 August 2015. Web, accessed 12 October 2015. .

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