6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade
The 6th ADA Brigade mission is to conduct air and missile defense training for the integrated battlefield. Train and retain air defense soldiers and leaders, who espouse the seven army values, to be technically and tactically capable members of combat teams. On order, support testing of air defense weapons systems. On order, support the mobilization and deployment of designated active and reserve units. The 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade is the largest Air Defense Brigade in today's Army. There are over 1000 Permanent party assigned with a student population which fluctuates between 900-1300 students. The Brigades Motto is "Heart of the Branch".
Constituted 8 March 1898 in the Regular Army as the 6th Regiment of Artillery. Organized 23 March 1898 at Fort McHenry, Maryland. Regiment broken up 13 February 1901 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as separate numbered companies and batteries of Artillery Corps. Reconstituted 1 July 1924 in the Regular Army as the 6th Coast Artillery and partially organized with Headquarters at Fort Winfield Scott, California. (1st and 2d Battalions activated 1 July 1939 at Fort Winfirld Scott, California; 4th Battalion activated 15 June 1941 at Fort Funston, California.) Regiment broken up 18 October 1944 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as follows: Headquarters and Headquarters Battery reorganized and redesignated as the 6th, 172d, 173d, and 174th Coast Artillery Battalions, respectively.
After 18 October 1944, the above units underwent changes as follows: Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Coast Artillery, reconstituted 28 June 1950 in the Regular Army concurrently consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Antiaircraft Artillery Group, and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters Battery, 6th Artillery Group. Activated 1 February 1952 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Redesignated 20 March 1958 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Artillery Group. Inactivated 1 September 1971 at Fort Bliss, Texas.
6th Coast Artillery Battalion disbanded 15 September 1945 in California. Reconstituted 28 June 1950 in the Regular Army and redesignated as the 6th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. Redesignated 4 October 1950 as the 6th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, assigned to the 6th Infantry Division, and activated at Fort Ord, California. Inactivated 3 April 1956 to Fort Ord, California, And relieved from assignment to the 6th Infantry Division.
172d Coast Artillery Battalion disbanded 15 September 1945 in California. Reconstituted 28 June 1950 in the Regular Army; concurrently consolidated with the 25th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion (active), and consolidated unit designated as the 25th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, an element of the 25th Infantry Division. Inactivated 10 November 1951 in Korea and relieved from assignment to the 25th Infantry Division. Redesignated 19 November 1952 as the 25th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. Activated 1 February 1953 in Germany. Redesignated 1 October 1953 as the 25th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. Redesignated 5 December 1957 as the 25th Antiaircraft Artillery Missile Battalion. Inactivated 1 September 1958 in Germany.
173d Coast Artillery Battalion disbanded 15 September 1945 at Fort Miley, California. Reconstituted 28 June 1950 in the Regular Army and redesignated as the 45th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. Redesignated 9 March 1951 as the 45th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. Activated 19 March 1951 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Redesignated 1 October 1953 as the 45th Antiaircraft Artillery Missile Battalion. Inactivated 1 September 1958 in Germany.
174th Artillery Battalion disbanded 15 September 1945 in California. Reconstituted 28 June 1950 in the Regular Army and redesignated as the 53d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. Redesignated 21 April 1952 as the 53d Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion. Activated 5 May 1952 in Japan. Inactivated 24 June 1955 in Japan. Redesignated 6 October 1955 as the 53d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. Activated 15 November 1955 at Fort Bliss, Texas. Inactivated 25 March 1957 at Fort Bliss, Texas.
6th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion; 25th and 45th Antiaircraft Artillery Missile Battalions; 53d Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion; and 6th Armored Field Artillery Battalion ( organized 1907) consolidated, reorganized and redesignated 1 September 1963 as the 6th Artillery, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System. 6th Artillery (less former 6th Armored Field Artillery Battalion) consolidated 1 September 1971 with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Artillery Group, and consolidated unit reorganized and redesignated as the 6th Air Defense Artillery, a parent regiment under the Combat Army Regimental System (former 6th Armored Field Artillery Battalion concurrently reorganized and redesignated as the 6th Field Artillery -- hereafter separate lineage). The 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade was designated and assigned to Training and Doctrine Command in 1987. Since then, it has provided institutional training for all air defense soldiers and officers.
