3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) Artillery.

The 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized) Fires Brigade, Forts Stewart and Benning, Georgia, completed OIF reconstitution during FY04. During the year following redeployment from OIF, the division underwent a major transformation. The division changed its task organization to a modular, brigade-based system. The changes have increased the Div Arty's steel on target with coordinated effects, flexibility and lethality.

The Fires Brigade Headquarters is responsible for setting and enforcing fire support standards across the division and for radar operations. It is also at the forefront of the division's effects-based planning, combining lethal and nonlethal effects.

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1-39 FA (MLRS), Speed in Action, continues to adjust after its reorganization. It sacrificed many to stand up the division's newest Fires Battalion with the 4th BCT, 1-76 FA. 1-39 FA will field the M270A1 in FY05, bringing the latest MLRS firepower to the division's fight. 1-39 FA is training a battery to send to OIF III to provide security for the division main CP.

1-9 FA, the Battlekings; 1-10 FA, Rock's Support, 1-41 FA, Glory's Guns; and 1-76 FA, Spirit of '76; were task organized within their respective brigades. In addition to the two-battery, eight-Paladin (2 X 8) battalion reorganization and its organic forward support company (FSC), each Fires Battalion added a Q-36 and Q-37 and an organic Met section. The supplemental Met and counterfire acquisition allows each brigade's indirect fire assets to fire accurate, predicted first round fire-for-effect missions.

The reorganization gives brigade commanders the FA flexibility to support all units on today's nonlinear battlefield.

Also, company FISTers are now organic to maneuver battalions. The division continues to progress toward 100 percent qualified Universal Observers via the Air Force's Joint Firepower Control Course (JFCC).

The 3d ID has the knowledge and firepower to succeed in any environment.

As the division prepares for OIF III, brigade rotations to the JRTC and a division mission rehearsal exercise will ensure Marne Thunder Soldiers are ready and able to accomplish every mission. Marne Thunder!