57TH ORDNANCE BRIGADE

• Cold War Guardians: The 57th Ordnance Brigade played a vital role during the Cold War, being responsible for the storage, maintenance, and security of U.S. nuclear and conventional munitions in Europe, particularly in Germany. • Origins in WWII: The brigade traces its roots back to World War II, originally constituted as the 57th Ordnance Ammunition Battalion in 1943 and serving in the European Theater. • Nuclear Custodianship: Throughout the Cold War, the unit was tasked with the custody of nuclear weapons shared with NATO allies, supporting "dual-key" arrangements with German, Dutch, Belgian, and other NATO forces. • Pershing Missile Mission: The 57th was closely associated with the deployment and maintenance of Pershing missiles—U.S. nuclear-capable ballistic missiles stationed in West Germany as a deterrent against the Soviet Union. • Vivid Symbols: The brigade's shoulder sleeve insignia features a flaming bomb, symbolizing its ordnance mission and legacy. • Reactivation and Inactivation: The 57th Ordnance Brigade has been inactivated and reactivated multiple times, reflecting changes in U.S. military needs, most recently reactivated in 2012 at Fort Lee (now Fort Gregg-Adams), Virginia. • INF Treaty Impact: The 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty between the U.S. and USSR led to the withdrawal and destruction of the Pershing missiles—a mission the 57th played a key role in executing. • Training Mission: Today, the brigade is responsible for training Ordnance professionals, overseeing the U.S. Army Ordnance School’s Advanced Individual Training (AIT) and other courses. • International Partnerships: The brigade worked closely with NATO allies throughout its Cold War service, fostering interoperability and trust, particularly with German and Benelux military forces. • Legacy of Security: The unit's rigorous security protocols and professionalism became legendary, with many veterans recalling the high-stakes environment of guarding nuclear weapons sites, often under constant watch by both allies and adversaries.