III Corps Artillery

FA Journal, Nov-Dec, 2004

Headquarters, III Corps Artillery, Fort Sill, Oklahoma, arrived in Iraq in January 2004 and continues as the Force FA Headquarters and Effects Coordination Cell (ECC) for the Multi-National Corps, Iraq (MNC-I).

17th FA Brigade. The Thunderbolt Brigade deployed, fought and completed its mission in OIF during the last year, demonstrating the agility, flexibility and adaptability of FA Soldiers performing a variety of missions, from building schools and infrastructure to conducting raids and combat patrols.

5-3 FA (MLRS) First Round completed its battalion EXEVAL and led the brigade's movement into Iraq, establishing a corps ammunition holding area for Baghdad. It also trained former Iraqi soldiers to secure enemy ammunition and provided a QRF along the MSRs from Kuwait to Baghdad.

1-12 FA (MLRS) Raiders completed its battalion live fire and the brigade's deployment exercise and immediately loaded trains for Iraq. The Raiders collected and secured captured enemy ammunition (CEA) around Baghdad, established radio relay sites along the MSR and developed force protection modifications still used in Iraq.

3-18 FA (Paladin) Steel Professionals led the brigade's deployment to Iraq, identifying, securing and destroying CEA in the Sunni Triangle as well as in all the southern Coalition Force zones. 3-18 FA recently inactivated to provide equipment to stand up a unit of action (UA) fires battalion.

75th FA Brigade. The Diamond Team's HHB deployed to Iraq as the Army's first Exploitation Task Force in February 2003 to search for weapons of mass destruction. The brigade also deployed its TOC for NTC rotation 09-03 and served as a BCT headquarters and the brigade (-) to White Sands, New Mexico, for the XVIII Airborne Corps Arty's Operation Rolling Steel.

1-17 FA (Paladin) Copperheads deployed to OIF in late March 2003, initially DS to 1-10 Cav, firing more than 700 rounds before halting at the Iraq-Iran border. From May 2003 to March 2004, it served in the 4th Infantry Division's largest battalion/task force area of operations and recruited, trained and equipped the 1st Battalion, Iraqi Army; an Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC) battalion; Iraqi police; and city councils.

1-77 FA (MLRS) Falcons began the year with a battalion FTX and live fire at Fort Sill and then deployed for NTC rotation 09-03. April found the unit at White Sands for battery EXEVALs and Operation Rolling Steel. Next, the Falcons deployed to Fort Lewis to help train more than 4,500 ROTC cadets.

6-27 FA (MLRS) Proud Rockets deployed to OIF in March 2003, conducting humanitarian assistance and cordons and searches. It also cleared Ammo Dump West and 39 bunkers at Taji, moved 127 truckloads of ammo to demolition sites and helped secure more than 14 million rounds of CEA.

212th FA Brigade. The Courage and Command Brigade contributed greatly to the nation's defense in 2003, deploying battalions for OIF. It also conducted the weeklong Operation Joint Thunder joint close air support (JCAS) exercise at Fort Sill in May.

2-5 FA (Paladin) Rock Hard deployed to OIF DS to the 3d ACR in April 2003, conducting operations in Ramadi from May until September. In October, it trained ICDC and provided a "hot" platoon for the area surrounding Hit, redeploying in April.

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2-18 FA (MLRS) Mission Ready deployed to OIF in March 2003, one of few units to participate in the full spectrum of operations--providing lethal ATACMS fires, conducting CEA and force protection missions and standing up an ICDC battalion. 2-18 FA redeployed in November and then successfully executed a battalion EXEVAL.

6-32 FA (MLRS) Proud Americans contributed to the GWOT and homeland security as it supported deploying and redeploying four different units. It also took part in Ulchi Focus Lens and the 2d Infantry Division's Warfighter in Korea. It concluded training with a battalion EXEVAL in April.

214th FA Brigade. The Leader Brigade reinforced the 3d Infantry Division in OIF. It redeployed in July 2003 and completed a rigorous six-month regeneration. The brigade supported the ROTC Leader Development and Assessment Course (LDAC) at Fort Lewis, which trained and supported more than 4,500 ROTC cadets and 350 National Guard officer candidates.

3-13 FA (MLRS) Red Dragons trained in a December EXEVAL and quickly transitioned to execute the Fort Sill Convoy Live-Fire Range, training more than 1,000 National Guard and Reserve Soldiers for OIF II. As part of the Army's newest and most advanced M270A1-equipped MLRS battalion, both A/3-13 FA and B/3-13 FA deployed to OIF III this fall.

2-4 FA (MLRS) Deep Attack deployed to OIF in February 2003, supporting the 3d Infantry Division attack to Baghdad. It redeployed in July 2003 and provided timely, accurate fires for the 11th Marines at 29 Palms in March in the Desert Fire Exercise at the MCAGCC. The 30-day deployment allowed Deep Attack to train all METL tasks.

1-14 FA (MLRS) Steel Warriors deployed to OIF from March to July 2003, executing a variety of nonstandard missions. It displayed flexibility, excellence and the Brother Warrior spirit by evaluating both sister battalions in EXEVALs while simultaneously preparing for its own evaluation.