3:18th FA

• Origins in World War I: The 3rd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Regiment (3/18th FA) traces its lineage to the original 18th Field Artillery, constituted in 1916, just before the U.S. entered World War I. • French Baptism of Fire: The 18th Field Artillery Regiment was first activated at Camp Lewis, Washington, and saw its first combat action supporting the 3rd Infantry Division in France during World War I. • Artillery Innovations: The 3/18th FA has historically served as a testbed for artillery innovations, including new gunnery techniques and equipment during the interwar years and World War II. • World War II Service: The 18th Field Artillery participated in major campaigns in the European Theater during WWII, providing critical fire support during the Normandy Invasion and the push into Germany. • Vietnam War Deployments: Elements of the 18th Field Artillery, including batteries that would later become part of 3/18th FA, served in Vietnam, delivering fire support for both U.S. and allied forces. • Cold War Roles: During the Cold War, 3/18th FA was stationed in Germany as part of the U.S. Army’s forward-deployed NATO forces, prepared to respond to any Warsaw Pact aggression. • Gulf War Participation: The unit saw action in Operation Desert Storm, where it provided precision artillery fire and played a key role in the rapid liberation of Kuwait. • Modernization: In recent decades, 3/18th FA has been equipped with the latest artillery systems, including the M270 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), enhancing its precision and range. • Global War on Terrorism: The battalion has deployed in support of operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, adapting traditional artillery tactics to counterinsurgency and urban warfare environments. • Unit Motto and Symbols: The 18th Field Artillery Regiment's motto, "Per Aspera Ad Astra" ("Through Difficulties to the Stars"), reflects its enduring spirit and commitment to excellence, a heritage proudly carried by 3/18th FA today.