A Battery 1st. TAB 26th. Artillery

• Origins in WWII: The 26th Field Artillery Regiment, from which A Battery, 1st Target Acquisition Battalion (TAB), traces its lineage, was originally constituted in 1918 and served with distinction during World War II. • Role in Target Acquisition: The 1st TAB, 26th Artillery, was one of the first units in the U.S. Army to be organized specifically for target acquisition, using cutting-edge radar and sound-ranging equipment to detect enemy artillery positions. • Cold War Service: During the Cold War, A Battery played a vital role in NATO defense plans in Europe, providing timely enemy artillery location intelligence to U.S. and allied forces. • Vietnam War Deployment: Elements of the 26th Artillery, including its target acquisition units, deployed to Vietnam, where they provided critical support for counter-battery fire and troop protection. • Innovative Technology: A Battery, 1st TAB, was among the first to operate the AN/TPQ-36 and AN/TPQ-37 Firefinder radars, revolutionizing the Army’s ability to locate and destroy enemy artillery. • Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 26th Artillery’s insignia features a gold lion and red shield, symbolizing courage and artillery heritage; A Battery soldiers proudly wore this insignia during their service. • Gulf War Contribution: During Operation Desert Storm, target acquisition batteries like A/1-26th Artillery were essential in detecting and neutralizing Iraqi artillery threats. • Training Excellence: A Battery was renowned for its rigorous training in radar operation, sound ranging, and forward observation, producing some of the Army’s best target acquisition specialists. • Legacy of Integration: The unit often worked closely with infantry and armor units, demonstrating the importance of combined arms cooperation on the modern battlefield. • Honors and Decorations: Over the decades, A Battery, 1st TAB, 26th Artillery and its parent units have earned numerous campaign streamers and commendations for valor and meritorious service in multiple wars.