About this Unit
The 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (3-43 ADA) traces its origins to World War I, when it was first constituted as part of the Coast Artillery Corps in 1918. Reactivated and redesignated several times, the unit served with distinction during World War II, providing anti-aircraft defense in the Pacific Theater. In recent decades, 3-43 ADA has been an integral component of the U.S. Army’s air and missile defense, notably deploying Patriot missile systems during Operations Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. Stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas, 3-43 ADA continues to support air defense missions both at home and abroad, upholding its tradition of excellence.
Historical Facts
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Unit Designation: 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment (3-43 ADA) is a key air defense unit in the U.S. Army, specializing in the operation of the Patriot missile system.
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Historic Lineage: The 43rd Artillery Regiment traces its origins to 1918, originally constituted as a coastal artillery unit, giving it over a century of military history.
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Persian Gulf War: 3-43 ADA played a critical role during Operation Desert Storm in 1991, notably engaging and intercepting Iraqi Scud missiles targeting coalition forces and cities in Saudi Arabia and Israel.
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Patriot Missile System: The battalion was one of the first units to field and operationally deploy the Patriot missile system, a cornerstone of U.S. and allied air and missile defense.
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Forward Deployments: 3-43 ADA has deployed multiple times to the Middle East, providing air defense coverage in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other strategic locations.
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9/11 and Homeland Defense: Following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the unit participated in Operation Noble Eagle, providing air defense for critical U.S. infrastructure.
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Unit Motto: The battalion's motto is “Quisquam Usquam” (“Anytime, Anywhere”), reflecting its rapid deployability and readiness to defend.
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Current Location: 3-43 ADA is currently assigned to the 11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, based at Fort Bliss, Texas, a major hub for air and missile defense training and operations.
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International Cooperation: The unit frequently trains and operates alongside allied nations, supporting exercises and missile defense integration with partners such as Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Japan.
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Awards and Honors: 3-43 ADA has earned numerous unit citations and commendations for its performance, including the Valorous Unit Award for its actions during Operation Desert Storm.
