2:5 ADA

• Unit Designation: 2nd Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery Regiment (2-5 ADA) is part of the United States Army Air Defense Artillery branch. • Historic Origins: The unit traces its lineage back to 1861, originally constituted as Battery B, 5th Regiment of Artillery, making it one of the Army’s oldest air defense units. • Civil War Service: The original battery fought in numerous major battles during the American Civil War, including Gettysburg and Antietam. • World War II: As part of the Harbor Defenses of New York, elements of the regiment protected the U.S. East Coast from potential Axis attacks. • Vietnam War: The unit’s descendants served in Vietnam, providing anti-aircraft and artillery support to ground forces. • Modern Missions: Today, 2-5 ADA operates the Patriot Missile System, a key component of U.S. and allied missile defense against aerial threats. • Gulf War: 2-5 ADA played a significant role in Operation Desert Storm, intercepting Iraqi Scud missiles and protecting coalition forces. • Unit Motto: The battalion’s motto is “Volens et Potens,” Latin for “Willing and Able.” • Current Station: 2-5 ADA is currently assigned to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, part of III Corps, and is stationed at Fort Cavazos (formerly Fort Hood), Texas. • Decorations: The unit has received multiple campaign streamers and citations, including the Valorous Unit Award for its actions in Southwest Asia.