Hq&HqDet USA Ord Ars, Redstone 3dUSArmy

• 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.