HQ, 42d USAAD

**Headquarters, 42d United States Army Artillery Detachment (HQ, 42d USAAD)** was a specialized unit of the United States Army during the Cold War. Activated in the early 1960s, the unit was stationed in West Germany as part of NATO’s forward defense during heightened tensions with the Soviet Union. The 42d USAAD was tasked with the custodial and operational support of nuclear-capable artillery systems assigned to allied forces, ensuring readiness and security of these strategic assets. The detachment played a crucial role in fostering cooperation between U.S. and host-nation units until it was inactivated in the late 1980s as nuclear forces in Europe were reduced.