C Btry 2nd Btn 319th Arty

```html • World War II Origins: The 2nd Battalion, 319th Field Artillery Regiment (2-319th FAR), including C Battery, traces its roots back to World War II as part of the 82nd Airborne Division, serving with distinction in major operations such as Sicily, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. • First Parachute Artillery in Normandy: C Battery landed by glider and parachute during the D-Day invasion, providing critical artillery support for paratroopers as they secured key objectives behind enemy lines. • Nickname – “Black Falcons”: The unit has been known by the nickname “Black Falcons,” reflecting both its airborne heritage and its fierce reputation in battle. • Vietnam War Service: C Battery, 2-319th deployed to Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, supporting infantry operations with howitzers in some of the most intense fighting of the war. • Battery C in Operation Market Garden: During Operation Market Garden, C Battery provided vital fire support as Allied forces attempted to secure bridges in the Netherlands, often firing missions under intense German counterattacks. • Gulf War Deployments: The battery participated in Operation Desert Storm, supporting coalition ground offensives with precision artillery fire during the liberation of Kuwait. • Modernization: Over the decades, C Battery transitioned from traditional towed howitzers to the modern M119A3 lightweight 105mm howitzer, enhancing its mobility and firepower for airborne operations. • Global War on Terror: C Battery, 2-319th FAR has served multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, providing artillery support, counter-battery fire, and even direct fire missions in urban environments. • Presidential Unit Citations: The 2-319th FAR, including C Battery, has received numerous unit commendations, including Presidential Unit Citations for extraordinary gallantry in World War II and Vietnam. • Airborne Tradition: As part of the 82nd Airborne Division, C Battery maintains the unique capability to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours, ready to provide artillery support as America’s “Global Response Force.” ```