About this Unit
The 2nd Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (2/62nd ADA) traces its lineage to the 62nd Coast Artillery, which was constituted in 1917 and served in both World Wars. During the Cold War, the unit was reorganized as 2/62nd ADA and became an integral part of the U.S. Army’s air defense forces, equipped with missile systems such as Nike Hercules and later, Patriot. The battalion provided critical air defense coverage for key installations in Europe and the United States, adapting to evolving aerial threats throughout its service. Although the 2/62nd ADA has undergone periods of inactivation and reactivation, its legacy remains as a vital component in protecting U.S. and allied forces from aerial attack.
Historical Facts
•
Origins in World War II: The lineage of the 2nd Battalion, 62nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (2/62nd ADA) traces back to elements organized during World War II, initially as coastal and anti-aircraft artillery units.
•
Redesignations over Decades: The unit underwent several redesignations, reflecting the evolving nature of air defense—from coastal artillery to anti-aircraft artillery and, finally, to air defense artillery.
•
Cold War Service: 2/62nd ADA played a key role in continental air defense during the Cold War, operating surface-to-air missile systems such as the Nike Hercules, providing protection for vital U.S. assets.
•
Vietnam Era Assignments: While not deployed to Vietnam as a battalion, elements of the regiment supported air defense missions in the Pacific theater, including Okinawa.
•
Patriot Missile Era: Later in its history, the 2/62nd ADA was equipped with the Patriot missile system, marking its transition into the modern era of mobile, high-tech air defense.
•
Gulf War Readiness: During Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Patriot-equipped ADA units like 2/62nd were on alert and stood ready to deploy, highlighting the importance of air defense in modern conflict.
•
Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 62nd ADA Regiment's insignia features a gold wheel and a red shield, symbolizing its artillery roots and readiness to defend against aerial threats.
•
Global Deployments: Throughout its service, 2/62nd ADA conducted numerous overseas deployments, including to Europe and the Pacific, supporting U.S. and allied air defense missions.
•
Deactivation and Legacy: Like many air defense units, elements of the 62nd ADA, including 2/62nd, have been inactivated or reorganized as air defense priorities and technologies have evolved.
•
Motto and Esprit de Corps: The 62nd ADA's motto, "Valor and Honor," reflects the unit's long-standing commitment to protecting U.S. forces and assets from aerial attack.
