1:5th AAA

• Origins in World War II: The 1st Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (1/5th AAA) traces its lineage back to the 5th Regiment of Artillery, constituted in 1861, giving it one of the longest continuous artillery lineages in the U.S. Army. • Civil War Service: The original 5th Artillery Regiment fought in major Civil War battles, including Antietam, Gettysburg, and the Siege of Petersburg. • Spanish-American War Deployments: Elements of the 5th Regiment served in Cuba and Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War, providing coastal defense and fire support. • World War I Reorganization: The 5th Artillery was reorganized and equipped with modern weapons for service in France, adapting to new forms of warfare. • Transformation to Air Defense: In the 20th century, the original field artillery units transitioned into anti-aircraft and air defense artillery roles as aerial threats emerged. • Vietnam War Service: 1/5th AAA deployed to Vietnam, protecting bases and key infrastructure from enemy aircraft and rocket attacks with anti-aircraft guns and missiles. • Modern Air Defense Missions: 1/5th AAA has been equipped with advanced air defense systems, such as the Patriot and Avenger, to counter modern aerial threats including drones and cruise missiles. • Operation Iraqi Freedom: The battalion played a crucial role in defending coalition forces and vital assets from Iraqi missile and air attacks during the 2003 invasion and subsequent operations. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The unit's insignia features a red shield with a gold artillery shell and five gold discs, symbolizing its artillery roots and numerical designation. • Motto and Traditions: 1/5th AAA's motto, "Faithful and True," reflects its long-standing commitment to defending the nation and supporting fellow units in combat.