69th usafad

The 69th United States Army Field Artillery Detachment (USAFAD) was a specialized unit of the U.S. Army stationed in Europe during the Cold War. Activated in the 1960s, its primary mission was to control and secure nuclear warheads assigned to NATO allies, particularly Belgian forces, as part of the alliance’s nuclear sharing arrangements. The unit was typically co-located with Belgian artillery units, providing custodial and technical support for U.S. nuclear weapons systems, such as the Honest John and later the Lance missile. The 69th USAFAD was deactivated following the drawdown of U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe and the end of the Cold War, marking the end of its unique custodial mission.