1st Air Defense Artillery | |
---|---|
Active | 1790s–present |
Country | USA |
Branch | Army |
Type | Air Defense Artillery |
Size | Battalion |
Part of | 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade |
Garrison/HQ | Kadena Air Base |
Motto(s) | PRIMUS INTER PARES (First among equals) |
Insignia | |
Distinctive unit insignia |
The 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment was organized in the 1790s as a company in the 2nd Regiment of Artillerists and Engineers. From there, the battalion was called upon to serve in multiple conflicts including the War of 1812, Indian Wars, Mexican–American War, World War II, and modern conflicts in the Middle East.
From February 2003 to May 2003, the battalion served in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Alpha and Bravo batteries deployed to provide air defense for the Kingdom of Bahrain, while the balance of the battalion deployed to Kuwait in support of operation there.
In February 2006, the battalion was deployed on a contingency operation to Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, to provide air defense for key assets in the Pacific region; the battalion arrived in November of that same year.[1] The battalion is currently assigned to the 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, and is charged with providing air and missile defense in support of the INDOPACOM commander.