36th Infantry Division (Mechanized) Artillery.This has been a historic and exciting year for the Texas Artillery. On 1 May 2004, the 49th Armored Division, Texas ARNG, was officially reflagged as the historic 36th Infantry Division. A reflagging ceremony was held on 17 July 2004 in Austin. The 36th Infantry Division Artillery continues its fast pace in support of state and Federal missions. 1-133 FA had a busy and challenging year. The battalion formed, trained and deployed two provisional Military Police (MP) companies. All had to become branch- and MOS-qualified as MPs. Many of the remaining Soldiers have deployed to OIF or OEF as part of other units. The battalion also supported the Tiger Balm Exercise with the Singaporean Army and exchanged an artillery platoon with the Chilean Army. 2-131 FA (MLRS MLRS Multiple Launch Rocket System (US DoD) MLRS Multiple Launcher Rocket System MLRS Marine Corps Long-Range Study (US DoD) ), the Army's only AC/RC AC/RC Active Component/Reserve Component dual-mission battalion, supports the 1st Cavalry, 3d Infantry, 4th Infantry and the 36th Infantry Divisions. Battery B won the prestigious 2003 Alexander Hamilton Best Battery Award and best unit in TXARNG TXARNG Texas Army National Guard . The battery returned from Iraq in March with the first TXARNG Soldier awarded the Purple Heart since WWII WWII abbr. World War II WWII World War Two . The same month, 2-131 FA deployed A Battery (TA) to Iraq, testing the new light-weight countermortar radar (LCMR LCMR Lower Cape May Regional (Cape May, New Jersey) LCMR Lightweight Countermortar Radar ) while deployed. Training intensified with M270A1 launcher NET for C Battery earlier in the year. D Battery is continuing to build its strength. Also, Soldiers from HHS HHS Department of Health and Human Services. deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq in support of other units. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] 4-133 FA has been honing its FA skills after a year supporting Operation Noble Eagle Operation Noble Eagle is the U.S. military operational designator to the military's efforts in the War on Terrorism that were carried out on US soil. The operation began September 14, 2001, in response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, and continues to the time of this writing. II. During AT 2004, the battalion conducted an LFX with 1-133 FA at Fort Hood. It also hosted a Chilean FA platoon as part of the Small Unit Familiarization Program. 3-133 FA was mobilized as part of the 36th Division's 56th BCT in August 2004 to begin training for a deployment to Iraq for OIF III. The 36th Div Arty has proven it can accomplish missions in support of Texas and the US, carrying on the proud traditions of the T Patchers--Balls of Fire! |
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