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History of 19th USAFAD

The 19th United States Army Field Artillery Detachment (19th USAFAD) was a unit of the U.S. Army assigned to NATO during the Cold War. Stationed in Werl, West Germany, the 19th USAFAD was responsible for the custody, maintenance, and security of nuclear warheads assigned to Belgian Army artillery units under the NATO nuclear sharing arrangement. The detachment worked closely with Belgian forces equipped with Honest John and later MGM-52 Lance missiles. The 19th USAFAD was inactivated in the early 1990s following the end of the Cold War and the withdrawal of U.S. nuclear weapons from Western Europe.

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ABOUT 19th USAFAD

  • Cold War Mission: The 19th United States Army Field Artillery Detachment (USAFAD) was a key unit during the Cold War, responsible for the custody and control of U.S. nuclear warheads assigned to NATO forces in Europe.
  • Location: The 19th USAFAD was stationed in Werl, West Germany, co-located with the British Army's 50 Missile Regiment Royal Artillery, reflecting close US-UK military cooperation.
  • Atomic Custodians: The unit’s main role was to maintain and secure nuclear warheads for the British Honest John and later Lance missile systems, ensuring they were ready in case of a Soviet attack.
  • Special Weapons: The warheads managed by the 19th USAFAD were part of NATO’s "dual-key" system, meaning both US and British authorization was required for their use, symbolizing alliance trust and shared responsibility.
  • Secrecy and Security: The unit operated under tight security, with access to warhead storage areas highly restricted and guarded, and with elaborate safety protocols for both peacetime and alert conditions.
  • Small, Elite Team: The 19th USAFAD was a relatively small unit, typically consisting of fewer than 100 personnel, selected for their reliability and specialized technical skills.
  • Unique Insignia: The 19th USAFAD had its own distinctive unit patch and coin, often featuring imagery related to artillery and atomic energy, prized by former members and military collectors.
  • Community Ties: Despite their secret mission, members of the 19th USAFAD and their families often integrated with the local German community, forming bonds that in some cases have lasted decades.
  • Deactivation: The unit was deactivated in the early 1990s following the end of the Cold War and the withdrawal of U.S. nuclear weapons from Germany, marking the end of an era in NATO’s forward defense.
  • Veteran Reunions: Former members of the 19th USAFAD still hold reunions and maintain online groups, sharing memories and preserving the unique history of their Cold War service.

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