III Corps Artillery.

The IIId Armored Corps Artillery Phantom Thunder at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, is the Army's largest and most powerful concentration of artillery. This year, III Corps excelled in planning, training and executing potential contingency war plan operations.

17th FA Brigade. The Thunderbolt Brigade began the year by deploying 5-3 FA's O&I section to the NTC and welcoming back B/5-3 FA (TF Comanche Thunder) from Kuwait. The brigade headquarters provided command and control on many exercises, including a brigade FTX, culminating with an EXEVAL for 3-18 FA, Paladin, in June. In September, key leaders deployed to Korea for a combined counterfire exercise with the 2d Infantry Div Arty and ROK Corps Arty.

5-3 FA (MLRS) First Round deployed a battery to the NTC with the 1st Cavalry Division. It also redeployed the battery-sized TF Comanche Thunder from Southwest Asia with 1-10 Cav, 4th IN Division, in Operation Southern Watch.

The Raider 1-12 FA (MLRS) conducted many battalion and battery-level FTXs and EXEVALs at Fort Sill. 1-12 FA also deployed its O&I to Fort Stewart, Georgia, and the NTC for a successful rotation with the 3d BCT, 3d IN Division, in April.

3-18 FA (Paladin) Steel Professionals started the year with a battery EXEVAL and battalion LFX. In June, 3-18 FA excelled during a demanding EXEVAL, testing its ability to deploy, move, shoot, communicate and sustain.

75th FA Brigade. The Diamond Brigade had another superb year. The 75th conducted battalion-level and below training, validating its ability to move, shoot, communicate and sustain combat operations. Also the headquarters provided outstanding reinforcing fires for the 1st Cav Division Warfighter.

1-17 FA (Paladin) Copperheads deployed to Yuma Proving Ground for SADARM limited user tests. Battery A successfully engaged a threat array with 96 SADARM rounds, paving the way for the further development of SADARM.

In March, 6-27 FA (MLRS) Proud Rockets deployed to MCAGCC, providing timely and accurate fires for the 1st Marine Division. 6-27 FA conducted platoon and battery raids and live-fired SEAD and several preparatory fires. In May, the battalion participated in the future fires command and control ([F.sup.2][C.sup.2]) concept experiment, testing TTP and automated fire support systems for a fires and effects coordination center (FECC).

1-77 FA (MLRS) Falcons First deployed its O&I to the NTC, providing reinforcing fires to the 3d BCT, 2d IN Division. After supporting the Diamond Brigade and Corps Artillery in the 1st Cav War-fighter, the Falcons excelled in challenging platoon and battery evaluations.

212th FA Brigade. The Courage and Command Brigade continues its mission-oriented, battle-focused training. This year, 2-5 FA (Paladin) Rock Hard executed a battery (plus) deployment to Kuwait, DS to the 3-7 Cav (TF Garry Owen), 3d IN Division, where 2-5 FA fired more than 1,700 projectiles.

Another deployment to Fort Knox, Kentucky, resulted in a second battery (plus) firing more than 1,650 projectiles for the USMA's mounted maneuver training. Three detachments deployed to Fort Hood, Texas, to support Ulchi Focus Lens and the 1st Cav Warfighter. At Fort Sill, 2-5 FA executed six battery ARTEPs, a battalion ARTEP and two Janus/fire simulation TOC exercises.

2-18 FA (MLRS-Improved Position Determining System) Mission Ready continues to prepare for worldwide deployments. 2-18 FA deployed its tracks by train to White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) and convoyed its wheeled vehicles 700 miles to Fort Bliss. 2-18 FA then concentrated on logistical and tactical METL tasks. In August, A Battery sent a section to fire a Block II ATACMS at WSMR.

6-32 FA (MLRS) Proud Americans began the year with a November-December NTC rotation with the 2d Brigade, 3d IN Division. The battalion completed a challenging EXEVAL in May, which included deploying one firing battery to Fort Riley, Kansas. The Proud Americans deployed a firing platoon to Fort Knox in July to support USMA summer training. In August, key battalion leaders deployed to Grafenwoehr, Germany, to administer an EXEVAL to 1-27 FA (MLRS), 41st FA Brigade.

214th FA Brigade. The Naturally We Lead Brigade, the only MLRS-pure brigade in the US Army, deployed elements of its three battalions throughout CONUS and OCONUS.

The Deep Attack 2-4 FA deployed its O&I to the NTC in support of the 3d BCT, 1st Armored Division, Fort Riley. In August, 2-4 FA deployed A Battery and a force FA headquarters to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Spring.

The 3-13 FA Red Dragons participated in the ATACMS Block II pilot and operational tests at Fort Sill and WSMR. 3-13 FA also received a rigorous EXEVAL, which certified its combat readiness and rapid deployability.

The Steel Warriors 1-14 FA deployed a leader-heavy O/C package to Korea to help administer 6-37 FA's EXEVAL. 1-14 FA deployed its O&I to the NTC with the 1st BCT, 4th IN Division. Additionally, 1-14 FA exchanged a battery with the 2d Royal Canadian Horse Artillery.

The brigade headquarters deployed twice to Fort Hood, first for Road Runner and then the 1st Cav Warfighter. During the exercise, the 214th FA Brigade reinforced the 4th Div Arty and delivered devastating fires on the OPFOR, enhancing the division's success.

The More Than Expected 19th Maintenance soldiers deployed to Southwest Asia, the NTC and JRTC, maintaining its high standards of support.

III Corps Arty's aggressive training and deployments keep the Phantom Corps Artillery battle-focused and ready to support the IIId Armored Corps anywhere, anytime--Phantom Thunder!