About this Unit
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, U.S. Army Ordnance Arsenal, Redstone, served as a pivotal support unit under the 3rd U.S. Army. Established during the heightened demands of the Cold War, the unit was stationed at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama—a key center for ordnance development and missile technology. Hq&HqDet was responsible for command, control, and logistical support, coordinating the storage, maintenance, and distribution of critical munitions and advanced weaponry. Its contributions greatly enhanced the operational readiness of the 3rd U.S. Army, cementing Redstone Arsenal's role in U.S. military innovation and preparedness.
Historical Facts
•
Origins at Redstone Arsenal: Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, U.S. Army Ordnance Arsenal (Hq&HqDet USA Ord Ars) at Redstone traces its roots to the establishment of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, during World War II as a munitions manufacturing site.
•
Role in Rocket Development: Redstone Arsenal became a pivotal site for America's early rocket and missile development, including work on the Redstone rocket, which launched the first U.S. astronaut, Alan Shepard, into space.
•
Support to 3rd US Army: The unit often provided ordnance support to the 3rd US Army, known as “Patton's Own,” during critical training and operational deployments, especially during the Cold War.
•
German Rocket Scientists: After WWII, Operation Paperclip brought German rocket scientists, including Wernher von Braun, to Redstone Arsenal, where Hq&HqDet supported their work in missile technology.
•
Logistical Innovations: The unit was known for pioneering logistical supply-chain innovations for ordnance, ammunition, and missile systems, setting standards adopted Army-wide.
•
Vietnam War Contributions: During the Vietnam War, Redstone Arsenal and its headquarters detachment played a major role in supplying advanced weaponry and munitions for U.S. operations.
•
Nuclear Ordnance: The unit was involved in the storage and handling of nuclear-capable missile systems, making Redstone a key site during the arms race of the 1950s and 1960s.
•
Historic Explosives Storage: Redstone Arsenal housed one of the largest conventional and chemical explosives storage areas in the continental U.S., with Hq&HqDet overseeing safety and distribution.
•
Women in Ordnance: The detachment was among the first ordnance units to integrate women into its ranks in the 1970s, reflecting broader social changes in the Army.
•
Modern Legacy: Today, Redstone Arsenal remains a hub for Army logistics, aviation, and missile programs, with the legacy of Hq&HqDet USA Ord Ars continuing in the operations of Army Materiel Command and associated units.
