25th Infantry Division Artillery
"Tropic Thunder"
The 25th Infantry Division (Light) Division Artillery cased its colors on June 15, 2005, and as a result became the first division artillery brigade to deactivate as part of the Army’s transformation.
Following the deactivation, the DIVARTY headquarters elements were to be consolidated and restructured within other combat brigades. Some units such as Battery F, 7th Field Artillery, was to inactivate, while direct support battalions like 3rd Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment and 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment were to fall directly under their supported brigades.
The 25th ID(L) Artillery consisted of two 105mm (T) direct support battalions (3-7 FA and 2-11 FA) equipped with the M119 howitzer; one 155mm (T) general support battery (F/7 FA); one target acquisition detachment and a Headquarters and Headquarters Battery for Division Artillery HQ. The DivArty trained around the world, from the jungles in Thailand, to the fast paced action of the Joint Readiness Training Center, and the rough arid climate of Pohakuloa Training Area on the big island of Hawaii. The DivAry mission was to ensure that each Soldier in each section, platoon or battery was prepared to deploy, fight win and survive. In order to achieve this mission, units had be prepared to move out within 54 hours of notification to anywhere within the Pacific Rim.
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 25th Infantry Division Artillery was constituted into the Army of the United States on 26 August 1941 in Hawaii. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery was later allotted into the Regular Army on 27 June 1949. On 1 February 1957, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 25th Division Artillery was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 25th Infantry Division Artillery.
In December 2000 DIVARTY's 2nd Annual Best by Test put their battalions' best fire support, survey, radar, fire direction center and howitzer teams against each other in front of crowds of their cheering peers to see who was the most efficient in their military occupational specialty. The week-long competition of both MOS specialties and sporting events ended with a demonstration of all the DIVARTY elements in effect. The fire-support team observed the target and called the information in to the fire direction center. The radar team scanned the area for the enemy, while the survey team made sure everyone was facing the same direction. The fire direction center computed the data sent from FIST and relayed it to the howitzer team. Finally came the blast from the howitzer simulating rounds being blasted down range. After the step-by-step demonstration the scene heated up and all other movements were done with the swiftness in what appeared to be choreographed steps. It was the grand finale and for most of the teams the last event was going to decide which team worked in unison and which team's hard work would put them ahead of their peers. The winner of each event received a trophy to be displayed at their unit. The section or team chief received an Army Commendation Medal and the individual Soldiers received Army Achievement Medals.
