V Corps Artillery.

V Corps Artillery, with its new headquarters in Schwetzigen, Germany, continues its tradition of focusing on the fundamentals, providing fire support for all V Corps operations, conducting joint/multinational training and leading the way in deep strike operations. As the Army's only forward-deployed corps artillery, V Corps Artillery conducts tough, realistic training in an extremely high OPTEMP0 environment.

This year, VCA completed high-intensity, battle-focused training that included several live-fire exercises in the Grafenwoehr Training Area, external evaluations for 1-27 FA (MLRS), a Corps BCTP War-fighter exercise and a deployment to Poland in support of Victory Strike with our NATO allies. Victory Strike is a V Corps aviation deep attack exercise that sets a new standard in Europe for realistic and challenging training.

Joint/Combined Exercises. During the past 12 months, V Corps Artillery focused on training activities that honed deep attack competencies and resolved issues inherent in joint operations. These include establishing a rapid joint target reference grid system (JTRGS) and developing TTP for focusing and massing CAS for the close fight. Also, in coordination with USAREUR's 4th Battlefield Coordination Detachment and USAFE's 32d Air Operations Group, the deep operations and coordination cell (DOOC) developed JTRGS TTP for rapidly coordinating restricted operating zones (ROZs), RFAs and ACAsto avoid fratricide throughout the joint AOR.

Shortly after fielding AFATDS Version 98 software and conducting an AFATDS interoperability exercise, V Corps Artillery participated in the multinational V Corps BCTP Warfighter at Grafenwoehr. The V Corps Main, which included the DOCC, deployed to Grafenwoehr in a tentbased configuration to test its ability to flex rapidly while continuing to fight deep. This configuration dramatically increased deploy ability by reducing reliance on strategic airlift with a C-130- deployable CP and was based on the capabilities of current EUCOM airlift. Lastly, the increased space provided by the tents greatly enhanced communications and synergy within the DOCC and Corps Main, improving the rapid identification and destruction of the enemy.

The Warfighter provided an excellent opportunity to hone fire support skills. The Corps Artillery significantly influenced the battle by firing ATACMS at high-payoff targets deep in the Corps zone of attack. V Corps Artillery was also responsible for planning, coordinating and executing all SEAD missions in support of Corps deep attacks.

Additionally, the exercise was used as a training opportunity to refine TIP for employing FA brigades across the corps area of operations, coordinating and processing the attack of time-sensitive and time-critical targets in support of the joint force, improving the transmission of information between AFATDS and IFSAS, and expediting the coordination required for delivering joint fires rapidly. V Corps Artillery was instrumental in the Corps' overwhelming defeat of the world-class OPFOR. As part of the Victory Corps Fires Team, five National Guard FA brigades and two Div Artys produced magnificent results.

In October while deployed to Poland in support of Victory Strike, V Corps Artillery became the first US Army artillery unit in NATO to conduct live-fire operations on Polish soil. Victory Strike offered superb training for the V Corps DOCC as well as the 41st FA Brigade Headquarters and 1-27 FA. V Corps artillerymen planned and executed live fire deep operations in a joint/combined environment in support of Corps aviation deep attacks. They also further developed relationships with NATO's new ally as they coordinated and executed live-fire with the Polish A/2-2FA(BM-21).

In November, elements of V Corps Artillery deployed to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, in support of Internal Look, a CENTCOM exercise with Third Army.

41st FA Brigade. The Railgunners had a tremendously successful year. In addition to the 41st Brigade's outstanding success in many joint exercises and the V Corps Warfighter, the brigade conducted external evaluations at the battery and battalion levels in a maneuver rights area as well as at Grafenwoehr Training Area that were vital in ensuring all units were fully trained. Additionally, the V Corps Artillery and 41st brigade TOCs used these evaluations for training command and control procedures between the two command posts, continuing to refine digital communications procedures between the fire control elements.

In July, V Corps Artillery headquarters moved from Wiesbaden to Schwetzingen, facilitating planning and operations by moving closer to VCorps headquarters in Heidelberg.

In preparation for Victory Strike and the upcoming War-fighter in April 2001, V Corps Artillery's TOC and DOCC conducted a command post exercise in September with the Corps Main. The CPX refined procedures and TOC drills in the Corps and V Corps Artillery tent-based TOC configuration, ensuring all new personnel were familiar with their duties.

V Corps Artillery continues to provide professional, flexible and agile fire support within any spectrum of conflict. As V Corps Artillery moves forward, some of the finest soldiers in the US Army -- V Corps Redlegs--will remain ready to defend freedom throughout the world. One Team--One Fight!