4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery

The Battalion deployed in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II on 8 March 04. They arrived in theater without incident. They moved North to their assigned sector beginning on 22 March. They are currently in Victory North and Taji. The 4-5 ADA Internet Café has 10 computers. There are 6 phones that the soldiers can use up to 20 minutes a day at the Renegade Mall. The Largest PX in Iraq opened up last month and is within walking distance.

Their main mission is to protect the Airport and their efforts were seen on opening day in June 2004. The Airport is now moving to civilian control and one aspect of Iraq's new society is starting to take effect. Because of the movement to civilian control they are enacting a vigilant clean-up program to help refurbish the Airport. With the help of CPT Garvey and SGM Santos, theyr are transitioning the Airport into a resort type area. Even though these efforts probably will not be seen by the time they leave, the Battalion is the leading factor in the renovations taking place.

Combat brings questions, fears, excitement, adrenaline, uncertainty, and accomplishment. Every day these emotions are felt by the soldiers of Alpha Battery, because every day these soldiers prepare for and execute combat operations.

An Alpha Battery soldier's day starts two hours before his designated mission time where he finds himself in the motor pool prepping his vehicle for the day's mission. This is a time of various activities. The soldiers are responsible for Pre-Combat Checks of their equipment as well as their vehicles. Function checks are completed on weapon systems, communications checks are conducted with higher headquarters and internally within the patrol. This is also a time that the soldiers are able to talk to one and other in order to release some of the anxiety that comes along with the mission. Before leaving the motor pool, the soldiers gather around the ramp of their Platoon Leader's Bradley Fighting Vehicle for the day's mission and safety brief. This is also a time where a prayer is said amongst the patrol. From there, it is time to move out into zone.

Soldiers know to expect a patrol to last anywhere from 12-20 hours on any given day based on mission dictated changes. While on patrol, soldiers accomplish a myriad of tasks. The patrol conducts route patrols, zone reconnaissance, traffic control points, establishment of observation posts, movement to contact missions, and cordon/search operations. In this environment, combat patrols alone will not accomplish the mission. Into the combat patrol, other taskings must be implemented. Tasks that require the soldier to leave the safety of his vehicle in order to interact with the local people of his assigned zone. Face to face interaction with the people, in their house or yard, fosters relationships that yield information, security, and good will both in the community and among the soldiers of the patrol. The soldiers know that they cannot simply be the perceived "mindless and emotionless" robots of an army. Instead they must show compassion and good will to the people. In sharp contrast to these expressions, the soldier is well aware that he is in a combat zone and amongst the enemy. Alpha Battery soldiers have come to accept the fact that being shot at is a part of their everyday job. The soldier has become an expert in changing gears from the smiling ambassador to the relentless warrior, and then back again. This is the face of the modern soldier.

When relief does arrive, the soldier's day is not finished. Upon his return to the motor pool, After Action Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services must be conducted on their vehicles. From there the soldier is released to recover and prepare for the next day's mission. During this time, the soldiers of Alpha Battery can be found doing various activities. A growing number of them can be found in the gym working out after a long mission. Others stay in their rooms watching movies or playing video games--disappearing into a world away from the demands of their mission. Soon they are all asleep, waiting for their next chance to "take it to the enemy."

The mission is Perimeter Security, and it is the primary mission of the Task Force Renegade. The Bounty Hunters have continued to lead the way in building a new Iraq. Our outstanding relationship with the Iraqi people has only gotten better with the Transfer of Sovereignty. Our mission is still essential to the success of the First Cavalry Division, the Black Jack Brigade and the Renegade Battalion. Even though our mission is not glamorous, they continue to receive accolades for hard work and dedication. The rest and relaxation policy is the same. However, the projected numbers have improved every month. The mission is ongoing, it's a real difficult task but we are well trained. Over the course of the June and July, the Battery has continuously fought complacency and a very persistent enemy. Bounty Hunters hired 20 Iraqi workers as part of the beautification of Iraqi Airport project mentioned above, but also have a semi social outing with the Iraqis as well. They continued a weekly Bounty Hunter vs. Airport Village soccer match. These are all major steps in the rebuilding of Iraq.

The temperature here is averaging about 100 degrees every day. The division Sergeant Major stopped by to see the soldiers and check out the Observation Points. He was very pleased with the soldiers and the discipline. PFC Hemenez received a division coin from the Division Sergeant Major. Two days later we received a visit from the Deputy Ground Forces Commander Major General Graham. He paid a visit to the troops out on point for Charlie Battery. The visit was a success and General Graham was pleased with the performance of the soldiers of Charlie Battery.

The Dawg Battery had firmly positioned tself in Taji, Iraq supporting the DISCOM, Division Support Command providing critical supplies throughout the theater of operations. The hardwork, dedication and professionalism of our soldiers has earned them high marks. By early June 2004 they had completed over 130 combat convoy missions and have performed admirably.

Crowds of villagers moved toward the vehicles as they watched the 400-gallon water buffalo slowly cruise past them. It was going to the other side of the small village, right outside the Baghdad International Airport, this time. The Soldiers from Battery C, 4th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment were back, to provide water to the citizens of Sheik Fahed's Village. This was only the second time the 'Strykers,' have been to this village to distribute water. During their first visit, they spoke to the village's sheik and asked him how they could help his people. He said they would be grateful to have clean water.

Constituted 18 June 1861 in the Regular Army as the 5th Regiment of Artillery. Organized 4 July 1861 at Fort Greble, Pennsylvania. 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 5th Coast Artillery and partially activated with Headquarters at Fort Hamilton, New York. (Batteries A and B activated 1 August 1940 and 15 January1941, respectively, at Fort Wadsworth, New York; Battery D activated 15 January 1941 at Fort Hamilton, New York..) Regiment activated 19 April 1944 at Camp Rucker, Alabama, disbanded 26 June 1944.

5th Coast Artillery reconstituted 28 June 1950 in the Regular Army; regiment concurrently broken up and its elements redesignated as follows: Headquarters and Headquarters Battery consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Group (active) (see Annex 1), and consolidated unit designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Group. 2nd Battalion consolidated with the 214th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (see Annex 2) and consolidated unit redesignated as the 24th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion.

After 28 June 1950 the above units underwent changes as follows: Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th antiaircraft Artillery Group redesignated 20 March 1958 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Artillery Group. Inactivated 26 August 1960 at Camp Hanford, Washington.

24th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion redesignated 13 March 1952 as the 24th Antiaircraft Gun Battalion . Activated 16 April 1952 in Korea. Inactivated 20 December in Korea. Redesignated 23 May 1955 as the 24th Antiaircraft Artillery Missile Battalion. Activated 1 June 1955 at Fort Banks, Massachusetts. Inactive 1 September 1958 at Bedford, Massachusetts. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Artillery Group; 24th Antiaircraft Artillery Missile battalion; 1st Battalion, 5th coast Artillery; and the 5th Field Artillery Battalion (organized in 1907) consolidated, reorganized and redesignated 26 August 1960 as the 5th Artillery, a parent regiment under the combat Arms Regimental System.

5th Artillery (less former 5th Field Artillery Battalion) reorganized and redesignated 1 September 1971 as the 5th Air Defense Artillery, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System (former 5th Field Artillery Battalion concurrently reorganized and redesignated as the 5th Artillery - hereafter separate lineage). Withdrawn 16 November 1988 from the /combat Arms Regimental system and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental system with Headquarters at Fort Stewart, Georgia.

Annex 1 Constituted 5 August 1942 in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Group.Activated 17 August 1942 at Camp Hulen, Texas.Redesignated 18 February 1944 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Antiaircraft Artillery Group.Inactivated 15 October 1945 at Camp Myles Standish, Massachusetts.Activated 1 August 1946 at Fort Bliss, Texas.

Annex 2 Constituted 5 May 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 1st battalion, 504th Coast Artillery. Activated 1 July 1942 at Camp Hulen, Texas.Reorganized and redesignated 20 January 1943 as the 214th Coast Artillery Battalion. Redesignated 13 November 1943 as the 214th Antiaircraft Artillery Gun Battalion.Inactivated 12 February 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.