5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery
"Dragon Slayers"
The traditional early-warning system for ADA was a scout with binoculars, a grid map and a radio. Once the scout spotted the aircraft, he would attempt to identify it, and pass on its description, azimuth and grid point to a weapon battery. That battery would validate the information and pass it down to a fire team. The fire team would then engage the aircraft when it came into view. The current early-warning system is called the Forward Area Air Defense Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence System, or FAAD-C4I. The new system takes the guesswork out of aircraft spotting.
The soldiers of the 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment use JTIDS to communicate with the Air Force Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft flying missions out of Osan Air Force Base in South Korea. These Army FAAD units use the JTIDS radio to receive information and air tracks from sensors onboard AWACS aircraft. During an actual conflict, AWACS would transmit tracks of incoming airborne targets via JTIDS to the FAAD C2 units for engagement with ground-based air defense weapons.
The mission of 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery, is to protect the Force and Selected Geopolitical Assets From Aerial Attack, Missile Attack, and Surveillance.
Members of the 2nd Infantry Division's 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Brigade conduct Stinger missile live fire exercises for annual qualification March 8 at Chulmae Range near the Yellow Sea.
Camp Stanton is located north of Camp Howze on Highway 307. It is adjacent to Stanton Army Airfield (H-112). According to 2d Infantry Division documents issued prior to 1988 it was occupied by 2d Infantry Division air cavalry elements. By 13 February 1989 Camp Stanton was occupied by 5/5th Air Defense Artillery and the FAAD C2I Air Battle Management Operations Center (ABMOC). Camp Stanton comprises seventy acres and is currently home of the 4th of the 7th Cavalry Squadron (Air).
The 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery exists with a Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, two Bradley Stinger Vehicle Batteries (A and B) and on Avenger Battery (D), in the Republic of Korea. One Bradley Stinger Fighting Vehicle Battery (C) is located at Fort Lewis, WA.
B Battery is deployed at Camp Hovey, which covers nearly four thousand acres less than a mile outside the city of Tongduchon. The installation support some 2000 military and 400 civilians. Sightseeing opportunities include: Tobong, Soyo and Sorak Mountains are all in the area, as is the Songdu Resort. Also, there are many parks, resorts, historical sites and entertainment areas in Korea. Because of the country's size and excellent transportation system, all these sites are within a day's travel from anywhere in Area I. On-post tour and travel offices, Morale, Welfare and Recreation offices, and the USO offer regular excursions.
D Battery and the Headquarters Battery are deployed at Camp Stanley, is located approximately three miles outside of the city of Uijongbu, less than 20 miles north of Seoul. One way trip to Seoul from Camp Stanley takes about two hours by car or bus. In addition Tobong, Soyo and Sorak Mountains are all in the area, as is the Songdu Resort.
It is also reported that C Battery might be deployed at Camp Casey, located in Tongduchon approximately forty miles North of Seoul. Camp Casey spans nearly 3500 acres. Tongduchon, located on the most northern part of Korea, is at the edge of Soyo Mountain, also known as Kyonggi's "Little Kumkang Mountain." It is the first gateway to the northern countries. It is also developing into the most important city in northern Kyonggi. The Tongduchun city population status is over 70,000 citizens.
The 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery was first constituted 13 June 1861 in the Regular Army as Battery H, 5th Regiment of Artillery and was organized 4 July 1871 at Fort Greble, Pennsylvania. During this time, the unit participated in the Civil War and earned 24 Campaign streamers in battles such as Manassas, Antietem, Fredericksburg, Gettysburg, and Chickamauga.
From 13 February 1901 through 1 July 1924, the unit was reorganized and redesignated several times and finally disbanded on 26 June 1944. Prior to its inactivation, the unit once again answered the call to duty and earned nine campaign streamers for its participation in battle fought during World War II.
The unit was again reconstituted in the Regular Army on 28 June 1950 with a consolidated redesignation as Battery A, 24th Anti-Aircraft Battalion. The unit was activated 16 April 1952 in the Republic of Korea and earned four Korean War campaign streamers. The unit was later inactivated 20 December 1954.
After its short existence in the Republic of Korea, the Battalion was redesignated a year later as Battery A, 24th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Missile Battalion and was activated 1 June 1955 at Fort Banks, Massachusetts.
Once again, the Battalion suffered numerous reconstructions and reorganizations which included designations as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Rocket Howitzer Battalion, 5th Artillery (Army Reserve), assigned to the 94th Infantry Division; and 5th Howitzer Battalion, 5th Artillery (Army Reserve), assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea.
Additional decorations include two Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations: the first is embroidered KOREA; the second is embroidered DEFENSE OF KOREA.
