About this Unit
The 2nd United States Army Field Artillery Detachment (2nd USAFAD) was a unit of the United States Army stationed in West Germany during the Cold War. Activated in the late 1960s, its primary mission was to provide custodial and technical support for NATO nuclear weapons assigned to Belgian artillery units as part of NATO’s nuclear sharing arrangements. The 2nd USAFAD operated under the 5th U.S. Army Artillery Group and was co-located with the Belgian 14th Artillery Battalion in Werl, Germany. The unit remained active until the early 1990s, when the end of the Cold War and changing defense policies led to its deactivation and the withdrawal of U.S. nuclear weapons from Germany.
Historical Facts
• Full Name: The 2nd United States Army Field Artillery Detachment (2nd USAFAD) was a small US Army unit stationed in Europe during the Cold War, primarily focused on nuclear weapons support.
• Role: The unit’s main mission was to provide custody and technical support for U.S. nuclear warheads assigned to NATO artillery units, particularly Belgian forces, in Germany.
• Location: The 2nd USAFAD was stationed at Werl, West Germany, co-located with the Belgian 14th Artillery Battalion during most of its existence.
• Activation: The 2nd USAFAD was activated in the late 1960s to fulfill NATO’s nuclear sharing agreements and remained operational until the early 1990s.
• Nuclear Custody: The unit was responsible for the maintenance and security of nuclear warheads for the Honest John and later the Lance missile systems, which could be fired by the host nation’s artillery under strict dual-key arrangements.
• Dual-Key System: To prevent unauthorized use, both US and Belgian officers were required to unlock and authorize any use of the nuclear warheads, exemplifying close NATO cooperation and mutual trust.
• High Security: The 2nd USAFAD site was fortified and guarded around the clock, with US personnel living under strict protocols and frequent security drills to ensure readiness.
• Cultural Exchange: US soldiers stationed at Werl often formed close ties with the local German and Belgian communities, participating in joint events and cultural exchanges despite their sensitive mission.
• Deactivation: The unit was deactivated in the early 1990s following the end of the Cold War and the withdrawal of US nuclear weapons from many European sites as part of arms reduction agreements.
• Legacy: Veterans of the 2nd USAFAD recall their service as both highly secretive and critical to NATO’s deterrence strategy, and reunions are sometimes held to commemorate their unique role in Cold War history.
