1st Armored Division Artillery.

Entering a new millennium, the Iron Steel Redlegs of the 1st Armored Div Arty, headquartered in Germany, continue to serve on point for the nation with elements deployed in support of missions in Kosovo and Kuwait. In addition, the Div Arty stood-up an MLRS battalion, fought the OPFOR at the NTC and CMTC and participated in a corps-level BCTP Warfighter.

The year began with the gunners of 2-3 FA moving through individual readiness training (IRT) in preparation for replacing the 1st Infantry Division in Kosovo, while the Thunder Battalion of 4-27 FA faced a challenging winter CMTC rotation. 4-1 FA at Fort Riley, Kansas, prepared for its NTC rotation. The Div Arty began meeting the challenges of standing-up Deep Steel 1-94 FA, a divisional MLRS/TA battalion, that was activated 15 September.

In March, 2-3 FA conducted semiannual gunnery at Grafenwoehr and executed an FOX for its maneuver brigade. It also integrated with TF Falcon fora Kosovo mission rehearsal exercise at the CMTC.

4-27 FA completed a rotation to the CMTC, incorporating a reinforcing MLRS battery. The Thunder Battalion demonstrated its tactical prowess by destroying the OPFOR artillery in unprecedented numbers. Stateside, 4-1 FA fired over 5,000 rounds in support of 3d Brigade's NTC rotation, earning the distinction of having completed one of the best Paladin rotations in recent years.

With the year barely started, the Iron Steel Div Arty executed a highly successful V Corps War-fighter, fielded new fire control software and Paladin upgrades and, on 20 June, transferred authority for 2-3 FA's operations in Kosovo.

4-27 FA conducted gunnery, a CMTC LFX, an FOX for 2d Brigade and demonstration shoots for the German Artillery School and will assume peace support operations in Kosovo on 20 December. In August, 4-1 FA landed a battery in Kuwait to support Operation Desert Spring with the battery to return in December.

Woven together into a seamless tapestry of soldiers' dignity, professional respect, tough training and operational deployments, the Red legs of the 1st Armored Division Artillery, once again, answer America's call, prepared to provide devastating fire support to the soldiers of America's Tank Division.