The United States in the years prior to 1841 saw little advance in field artillery tactics. However, European commanders had seen much success in the implementation of Artillery and new tactics, sparking an American interest in what had made their artillery tactics so successful. The Mexican American War would be the proving ground for the new American strategy of implementing field artillery on the battlefield, and how it has shaped the modern infantry commander’s use of it. In the years leading up to the Mexican American War, a tactically minded secretary of war Joel Poinsett arranged for an expedition to Europe to determine which of the European artillery pieces and tactics were best suited for the American forces.…
The Coast Artillery Corps formed after the Revolutionary War to defend the United States coasts. The Anti-Aircraft Artillery developed as the United States entered World War 1 to defend ground forces against aerial attacks. The Anti-Aircraft Artillery separated from the Coast Artillery Corps after the end of World War II. Air Defense had several different units involved in the Vietnam War. The units involved were the 6th Battalion, 71st Artillery, 5th Battalion, 2nd Artillery.…
Throughout World War II, there were many Canadian regiments that contributed in many different fights of the war. One of the Canadian regiments that assisted the Allies in defeating the enemy was the Royal Canadian Regiment. The Royal Canadian Regiment (RCR) was indeed successful during World War II. During the war, the military regiment took their time in finding out how to defeat their enemy in the most effective way. It also cooperated very well with other military units, as it was in their nature.…
The enemy should never be underestimated and adequate preparation is necessary. Close air support needed to be improved and there was a shortage of men and material in the early stages of battle. Tactile communications needed improvement. Waterproof radios were of great need. The attack on Betio showed a critical need for underwater swimmers who could report surf conditions.…
Contextual and Biographical Background In a typical military organization, fighter pilots are considered among the most challenging, stressful, and specialized positions to see combat. These aerial soldiers have uses as varied as any other military branch, often being used for things like soldier/cargo transport, air support, or direct air-to-air combat. Starting in World War I, single-seater fighter planes became more effective, and henceforth a large contributor to air victories. This trend has been long-standing in major wars following (Buckley, 2002).…
Theories on airpower and how best to use it has evolved over the past century due to experiences from the battlefield and with increasing air technology and communications ability. WWI and WWII were instrumental in creating a background on which to build current airpower theory. Early theorists such as Douhet, Mitchell, and Trenchard focused primarily on strategic bombing as a way to subdue the enemy. Current theorists have modified this stance to include the thinking and the morale of the enemy as well as using effects-based operations. Airpower theory has incorporated lessons learned over the past century by moving from a service centric view of battle and use of primarily strategic bombardment into a more joint or unified stance with…
Introducing the fly artillery has developed the shoot, move, and communicate to our tactical and strategic advantage to what we use to this day. Major Samuel Ringgold was an artillery officer in the United States Army that developed the flying artillery. The flying artillery created a typhoon of changes that resonates to the procedures that are conduct to this present day. The horse drawn artillery carriages placed a new level of strategic advantage to which caused a great deal of damage to the opposing forces. During the battle of Palo Alto the demonstration of power, skill and the ability to move to a new location to reengage the enemy was the staple of light artillery.…
William ‘Billy’ Mitchell’s single greatest contribution to the American military was the creation of an air service separate from any component of the Navy or Army; to this end, he sacrificed his career and failed. From the earliest days of his service, to the end of his career Mitchell analyzed the impacts from and advocated for air power. He never saw the results of his advocation and was removed from federal service for it. Despite his inability to create a separate air service, Mitchell laid the groundwork for the United States Air Force. Mitchell’s life was uniquely suited to the elevation of air power.…
Air Defense Artillery The Air Defense Artillery field is an exciting job that lets an individual defend the air against hostile aircrafts and missiles. The ADA (Air Defense Artillery) is a good job, because people get to feel important defending America. This research will describe the career of a soldier in the field of ADA (air defense artillery); what is required to become successful in this field, and the impact this career has on society. “Currently, there are about 736,699 both active and in the reserves.…
The Coast Artillery and Field Artillery branches were consolidated into the Artillery Arm with plain crossed cannons as the Arm’s insignia in the Army Reorganization Act of 1950. The Air Defense Artillery branch came from an Anti Aircraft Artillery branch that was part of the United States Coast Artillery Corps and then later developed into a separate branch on June 20, 1968. By 1968 the Army recognized that with evolving technologies and the divergence of missions it was too great to maintain one branch and the Air Defense Artillery Branch was established on December 1, 1968, and the Air Defense Artillery was allowed to wear the modified Artillery insignia which was crossed field guns…
Many people may not know that Air Defense Artillery lineage comes from Coastal Artillery Corps. It was created after the revolutionary war in order to protect the United States coasts against naval attacks and bombardments by ships. Air Defense Artillery has come a long way and has had to continuously evolve in order to protect the US from adversaries and danger. From the Multiple Gun Motor Carriage M-16 Halftrack to Terminal High Altitude Area Defense, the mission has always been to protect the United States at all cost. Even though the Air Defense Artillery is very different then when it started as Coastal Artillery, the Concept remains the same.…
Historically, armed forces adapt tactics and invent new defensive and offensive equipment as a response to adversaries’ technology. The invention of the airplane illustrates this type of advance. Military forces responded to the airplane’s ability to conduct reconnaissance, bomb targets, attack air and ground targets, and perform sustainment operations by developing air defense technology. In World War I, the United States conducted air defense operations using three-inch anti-aircraft guns.…
Pearl Harbor may therefore be illuminating at this time as a case history on the conditions of surprise. The army is responsible for air patrol and the installation of a radar net. The navy has a similar responsibility. They are responsible for ship patrols and distant reconnaissance. Herren had figured to extend the air patrol 40 miles offshore.…
Birth of the Air Cavalry While war was not new to the United States military, Vietnam was. A new campaign inside of a new country meant that the military would have to improvise, adapt, and overcome the environment that would span the next 13 years. Treacherous jungles, uneven terrain, and unfavorable weather were just a few of the conditions that would prove to be a disadvantage for the US military.…
From its early beginnings in coastal artillery, Air Defense Artillery has continuously evolved and adapted to play a crucial role in the success of several campaigns including World War II. Prior to the War of 1812 the United States had anticipated war with both France and Britain due to political and economic tensions. With the anticipation of an upcoming conflict the United States realized the war would be naval heavy with technological advances in shipbuilding and mass production. During this time the United States Army was Field Artillery…