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62-561: The 141st Field Artillery Regiment ( Washington Artillery ) is a United States field artillery regiment. The 141st Field Artillery is an historic American military unit that is currently part of the Louisiana Army National Guard headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana. It traces its lineage to a militia artillery battery back to 1838, and its heritage includes substantial combat service in several major wars. It earned

124-522: A forward observer , who sees the target and relays the coordinates of the target to their fire direction center , which in turn translates those coordinates into: a left-right aiming direction; an elevation angle; a calculated number of bags of propellant; and finally a fuze with a determined waiting time before exploding (if necessary) to be set, which is then mated to the artillery projectile now ready to be fired. Modern field artillery (i.e. post- World War I ) has three distinct sections: All batteries have

186-428: A "barbarian attacking cannon" consisting of a cannon attached to a two-wheel carriage. Before World War I , field artillery batteries generally fired directly at visible targets measured in distances of meters and yards. Today, modern field batteries measure targets in kilometers and miles and often do not directly engage the enemy with observed direct fire . The hundredfold increase in the range of artillery guns in

248-445: A "brigade base": a headquarters company; a reconnaissance troop; light tank and engineer companies; a 105 mm howitzer battalion; and a support battalion In 1975, the 256th was assigned as the 'round-out' brigade for the 5th Infantry Division as part of the expansion to a 24 division force. The brigade was mechanized in 1977, when the 1st Battalion, 156th Infantry was converted to the 1st Battalion, 156th Armor The 256th Brigade

310-499: A Fire Support Man (Forward Observer), Fire Direction Control (FDC), and Cannoners (Gunner). The FOs are forward with the infantry (in support role) where they can see the targets and Call For Fire (CFF) upon them. They call the FDC on the radio and transmit a request for fire in the format of CFF. The FDC calculates the CFF and send a deflection and elevation to the gun line. The gun line cranks

372-525: A brief target description, a recommended munition to use, and any special instructions such as "danger close" (the warning that friendly troops are within 600 meters of the target when using artillery, requiring extra precision from the guns). The FO and the battery iteratively "walk" the fire onto the target. The Fire Direction Center (FDC) signals the FO that they have fired and the FO knows to observe fall of shot. He then signals corrections. These are normally of

434-638: A fifth was in the Army of Tennessee . Elements of the Washington Artillery participated in over sixty major actions. A few notable engagements include: Battle of Antietam , Battle of Perryville , Battle of Gettysburg , Battle of Shiloh , Battle of Chickamauga , Battle of Fredericksburg , First Battle of Manassas , and the Battle of Cold Harbor . After the Civil War, it was reorganized as an independent unit called

496-526: A location where they can be Fire Capability for some certain amount of time and do multiple fire missions before needing to displace. In normal operations the FOs locate targets and transmits the CFF to the FDCs. They can also calculate "defensive fire" tasks. These are pre‑planned missions, typically just in front of or upon one's own positions, designed with the intention of either suppressing potential attacks (where fire

558-495: A mixture of the two. The other two-thirds operated primarily from HMMWV Gun Trucks that mounted either machine guns or automatic grenade launchers. The field artillery battalion was cannibalized to bring the infantry battalions up to full strength. The remainder of the Washington Artillery was attached to the 1st Cavalry Division base defense operations center (BDOC) under the command of the 103rd Field Artillery Brigade and

620-504: A symbolic reconciliation 140 years after they fought each other to the death repeatedly from 1861 to 1865. On 21 February 2005, the 40th ING Brigade assumed authority for approximately 16 square kilometers in and around Al Akadhimian and began patrolling with approximately 2800 soldiers. The 256th lost 32 soldiers in the Iraq War. On 29 August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the gulf coast of Louisiana and Mississippi while most members of

682-555: A target identified by the FO. In most Artillery Batteries the Command Post (CP) controls the firing of the guns. It is usually located at the battery center so as to be able to communicate easily with the guns. The CP should be well camouflaged, but the CPO (Command Post Officer) should be able to see all the guns with ease. Gun markers are sometimes placed in front of the CP to remind the CPO which gun

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744-406: Is continuous throughout advance party operations. Once a location is determined to be safe the advance party prepares the position for eventual howitzer emplacement. This consists of several procedures such as escorting each howitzer to its prepared position, setting up communications, providing the unit with its initial azimuth of fire, and providing each gun with an initial deflection. In the case of

806-439: Is dropped just in front of a friendly position), or in dropping fire on a recently abandoned or overrun position to prevent the enemy from consolidating there. Because the calculations have already been done, the fire can be called down very quickly when it is needed. The advance party consists of the battery commander, his driver, first sergeant, gunnery sergeant, FDC guide, gun guides, and communications representatives. Initially

868-649: Is in which position. The CPO is assisted by two "Acks"—i.e., assistants—who operate the fire data computers. The GPO (Gun Position Officer) and CPO work at the plotter to ensure that the data calculated by the Acks is accurate and safe. The CP signaller is contact with the OP, or Observation Post, where the Forward Observer Officer (FOO), works with the OP team to identify targets and call-back fire data. In recent years headset radios have become common for communication between

930-430: Is light by comparison to that of a tank, so it protects only from light fire (e.g.,  machine guns ) and shrapnel . Another disadvantage of self-propelled guns is that they tend to be equipped with lighter, less accurate guns. Depending on the nature of the battle being fought, either or both of these drawbacks could prove a severe restriction. However, this is not necessarily true of modern self-propelled guns such as

992-561: The Campaign streamers awarded to the Regiment: Mexican–American War American Civil War World War I World War II Operation Iraqi Freedom The 141st Field Artillery currently consists of the 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery. It is assigned as the fires battalion for the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Louisiana Army National Guard headquartered in

1054-826: The Presidential Unit Citation (US) for its service in World War II. The Washington Artillery was founded on 7 September 1838, as the Washington Artillery Company. It received its regimental flag in August 1846 after serving under Zachary Taylor in the Mexican–American War . 26 May 1861 the Unit was mustered into the American Civil War ; four companies served in the Army of Northern Virginia and

1116-719: The "Louisiana Volunteer Field Artillery" where it served the United States in the occupation of Cuba . It later was called into service to protect the Mexican border in 1916. A year later it received the designation 141st Artillery. In early 1941, the 141st Field Artillery was mobilized for World War II where it earned the Presidential Unit Citation; a duplicate unit was formed, the 935th Field Artillery Battalion , with both serving in Europe and North Africa. The anti-tank batteries of

1178-590: The 141st FA as part of the 256th Infantry Brigade mobilized to Baghdad , Iraq, in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and New Dawn . On 29 August 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast of Louisiana and Mississippi while most members of the Washington Artillery were still serving their final weeks of deployment in Iraq. Following the return of the battalion to Louisiana, a detachment immediately mobilized to New Orleans to aid law enforcement with rescue efforts. With

1240-440: The 141st FA would be deployed to Iraq and Syria as a part of the 256th Infantry Brigade in support of Operation Inherent Resolve , where they would see combat against manned and unmmaned indirect fire attacks and drone strikes. The 141st FA would conduct artillery, base defense, and operations of several outposts and bases across the area of operations. Regimental colors of the Washington Artillery [REDACTED] These are

1302-401: The 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry ( The Fighting 69th ) from New York City which had been attached for the deployment. Attached to the 69th Infantry was Delta 101, a company of tankers and scouts turned infantrymen from New York's 101st Cavalry Regiment. During the American Civil War , the 69th engaged the ancestral units of the 256th many times, so their attachment to each other for OIF provided

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1364-624: The 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Howitzer Battalions, elements of the 39th Infantry Division, the 4th Automatic Weapons Battalion, and the 5th Detachment. The 141st Artillery was redesignated on 1 May 1972 as the 141st Field Artillery to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 256th infantry Brigade. It was withdrawn 30 June 1986 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System. In 2004 through 2005 and again in 2010,

1426-435: The 20th century has been the result of development of rifled cannons , improvements in propellants, better communications between observer and gunner, and technical improvements in gunnery computational abilities. Most field artillery situations require indirect fire due to weather, terrain, night-time conditions, distance, or other obstacles. These gunners can also rely upon a trained artillery observer , also called

1488-554: The 256th Infantry Brigade were still serving their final weeks of deployment in Iraq. Following the return of the brigade to Louisiana, a detachment immediately mobilized to New Orleans to aid law enforcement with rescue efforts. With the help of the Louisiana State Police , those efforts transitioned into a support mission for the New Orleans Police Department. Joint Task Force Gator was created to help combat

1550-531: The 256th prepared for deployment to Iraq. On 5 January 2010, the 256th BCT left for mobilization at Camp Shelby , Mississippi where soldiers trained for a variety of missions, such as PSD, FOB security, gate guard, convoy security, and more. In early March, they flew out of Gulf Coast Airport in Mississippi. The brigade was divided into many different sections, being controlled by sustainment brigades and commands. The brigade commander, Col. Ball, did not command

1612-557: The 2d Squadron, 108th Cavalry. The 2d and 3rd Battalions, 156th Infantry converted from three mechanized infantry to infantry, and the 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery traded its 155 mm self-propelled howitzers for 105 mm towed howitzers. The brigade also formed a new battalion, the Special Troops Battalion (STB), 256th BCT, which provided a battalion headquarters for companies of engineers, signal and military intelligence. On Monday 19 May 2008, Louisiana's 256th BCT

1674-495: The 5th Infantry Division was inactivated in 1992, the 256th Brigade served as the round out brigade for the 2nd Armored Division, until the end of the round out program in 1996. With the end of the round out program, the 256th was selected as one of 15 Enhanced Brigades in the ARNG. The enhanced brigade program increased resources and training to allow the brigades to mobilize and deploy within 120 days. During train up for operations in

1736-431: The CPO and gun detachment commanders. The final piece of the puzzle is the firing unit itself. The FDC will transmit a warning order to the guns, followed by orders specifying the type of ammunition and fuze setting, bearing, elevation, and the method of adjustment or orders for fire for effect (FFE). Elevation (vertical direction) and bearing orders are specified in mils , and any special instructions, such as to wait for

1798-495: The German PzH ;2000 . This has a 155 mm main armament that can with assisted firing charges reach 60 km, has a maximum speed of 67 km/h (41 mph) on road surface and 45 km/h (28 mph) off-road, and has a fully computerised fire-control system that enables it to fire-move-fire before the enemy can pin it down for counter-battery fire. It has a rate of fire of 10 rounds per minute. FDCs also exist in

1860-484: The Party looks to find suitable positions for an artillery unit to perform fire missions from. Then they perform what is known as route reconnaissance. The primary purpose of this reconnaissance is to determine the suitability of the route of the unit's movement. Items to be analyzed include possible alternate routes, cover, concealment, location of obstacles, likely ambush sites, contaminated areas, route marking requirements, and

1922-415: The U.S. Army, this entire process is covered in U.S. Army Field Manual 6-50 Chapter 2. Because artillery is an indirect fire weapon, the forward observer (FO) must take up a position where he can observe the target using tools such as binoculars and laser rangefinders and call back fire missions on his radio or telephone. The FO usually establishes a covered and concealed observation post (OP) on

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1984-479: The XVIII Airborne Corps. One howitzer platoon from the Washington Artillery was used to provide indirect fires in support of FOB Liberty. Additionally, Task Force Bengal was "stood up" as a liaison/training team to equip, train and assist the 40th Iraqi National Guard (ING) Brigade. TF Bengal consisted of soldiers and officers of the infantry, field artillery, and engineer units from the 256th Brigade as well as

2046-422: The ability to observe one must attack the observation assets. Because most counter-battery radar is active, the location can be determined electronically from listening to the beams. If one suspects one's position is being observed by a covert FO then a mission, either artillery or infantry, will be raised to deal with this threat. Alternatively one can choose to make their observations obsolete by repeatedly moving

2108-439: The advance, or more dangerously, in retreat. Artillery units were particularly vulnerable to assault by light cavalry , which were frequently used in this role. Only with a number of further inventions (such as the limber , hitched to the trail of a wheeled artillery piece equipped with trunnions ), did the concept of field artillery really take off. The medieval Ming dynasty Chinese invented mobile battlefield artillery during

2170-536: The area of operations). It served under the 1st Cavalry Division for its first five months and its last several months under the 3rd Infantry Division . During the first half of its combat tour in Iraq some of the brigade's subordinate units also served under the 10th Mountain Division . The brigade served in and around Baghdad, Iraq in a FOB known originally as FOB Victory until 15 June 2004. At this date FOB Victory's name

2232-442: The battalion were separated in mid-1941, and formed the 773rd Tank Destroyer Battalion . On 1 July 1959, the 141st and 935th Field Artillery Battalions were consolidated with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 204th Antiaircraft Artillery Group, 527th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, and the 219th Antiaircraft Artillery Detachment to form the 141st Artillery, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System to consist of

2294-454: The battlefield. Most of the time enemy batteries are too far away for the infantry to engage, so it falls to artillery to do this job. The battery uses a variety of techniques to calculate the position of the enemy battery, then can lay fire upon it. If possible, a FO can access a position to call fire on enemy guns directly; either on the ground or in the air, or a battery can be located using counter-battery radar , which can be used to observe

2356-425: The combatant. Thus, their role was limited to such functions as breaking sieges . Following the beginning of the gunpowder era , the first field artillery came into being as metallurgy allowed thinner cannon barrels to withstand the explosive forces without bursting. However, there was still a serious risk of the constant changes of the battlefield conspiring to leave behind slow-moving artillery units – either on

2418-465: The curvature and rotation of the Earth . In most cases, some corrections are omitted, sacrificing accuracy for speed. In recent decades, FDCs have become computerized, allowing for much faster and more accurate computation of firing data. The FDC at the battalion level is responsible for recording friendly and enemy positions, tracking available battery munitions, and determining the optimal response for engaging

2480-421: The duties and responsibilities is FM 6‑30, Tactics, Techniques, and Procedures for Observed Fire . Typically, there is one FDC for a battery of six guns, in a light division. In a typical heavy division configuration, there exist two FDC elements capable of operating two four-gun sections, also known as a split battery. The FDC computes firing data—fire direction—for the guns. The process consists of determining

2542-496: The early part of the fourteenth century at the time when gunpowder and the primordial cannon were first being adopted in the West. One of the earliest documented uses of field artillery is found in the 14th-century Ming Dynasty treatise Huolongjing . The text describes a Chinese cannon called a "thousand ball thunder cannon", manufactured of bronze and fastened with wheels. The book also describes another mobile form of artillery called

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2604-422: The fall of enemy shells and thus calculate their trajectory. A correctly calculated trajectory will reveal the location from which the shell was fired, which information can then be passed on to a friendly battery command post as a fire mission. To defend against counter battery fire there are two points of attack: either remove the enemy's ability to observe or make his observations irrelevant/obsolete. To remove

2666-676: The famed Jackson Barracks . Command Sergeants Major Field artillery Until the early 20th century, field artillery were also known as foot artillery , for while the guns were pulled by beasts of burden (often horses), the gun crews would usually march on foot, thus providing fire support mainly to the infantry . This was in contrast to horse artillery , whose emphasis on speed while supporting cavalry units necessitated lighter guns and crews riding on horseback. Whereas horse artillery has been superseded by self-propelled artillery , field artillery has survived to this day both in name and mission, albeit with motor vehicles towing

2728-503: The form of left/right of the bearing line and distance along it, for example "right 50 add 100" (distance in meters). When the fire is good enough the FO signals "target on, fire for effect". If the mission requires a walking barrage , he may continue sending correction orders. The FO may be called upon to direct fire for close air support and/or naval artillery in addition to field artillery based howitzer and infantry-embedded mortar units. The U.S. Army Field Manual describing

2790-496: The ground, from which he can see the enemy. However, he may also be airborne—this was one of the first uses of aircraft in World War ;I . He must take great care not to be observed by the enemy, especially if in a static position. Discovery of an FO does not only jeopardize his personal safety; it also hampers the ability of the battery to lay fire. Using a standardized format, the FO sends map references and bearing to target,

2852-473: The guns (this towed artillery arrangement is often called mobile artillery ), carrying the crews and transporting the ammunition. Modern artillery has also advanced to rapidly deployable wheeled and tracked vehicles and precision delivered munitions capable of striking targets at ranges between 15 and 30 kilometers. Early artillery was unsuited to the battlefield, as the extremely massive pieces could not be moved except in areas that were already controlled by

2914-434: The guns: hence self-propelled guns . Ordinary towed guns can take a while to emplace and re-limber and are not armoured, so they are vulnerable to counter battery fire and take a while to engage when at a new location. Self-propelled guns do not suffer from these restrictions. They can drive up, drop their trails, fire and move on. Because of their armour they are less vulnerable to counter-battery fire. However, this armor

2976-477: The help of the Louisiana State Police , those efforts transitioned into a support mission for the New Orleans Police Department. Joint Task Force Gator was created to help combat the rise of looting and other crimes resulting from the loss of law enforcement officers in the New Orleans area. After three-and-a-half years of assisting local police and patrolling the city, the task force was released from duty on 28 February 2009. From November 2020 through October 2021

3038-524: The next higher parent battalion that "owns" two to four artillery batteries. Once again, an FDC exists at the U.S. Army brigade or USMC regimental level that "owns" the battalions. These higher level FDCs monitor the fire missions of their subordinate units and will coordinate the use of multiple batteries or even multiple battalions in what is called a battalion or brigade/regimental mission. In training and wartime exercises, as many as 72 guns from 3 battalions may all be coordinated to put "steel on

3100-578: The number of National Guard divisions while increasing the number of brigades. The 256th replaced a brigade from the 39th Infantry Division in the Louisiana Army National Guard. The brigade was part of the Selected Reserve Force from 1967–1969, but the Selected Reserve Force was eliminated in an attempt to eliminate readiness differences between reserve component units. The brigade initially consisted of three infantry battalions and

3162-399: The observer's command to fire relayed through the FDC. The crews load the howitzers and traverse and elevate the barrel to the required point, using either hand cranks (usually on towed guns) or hydraulics (on self-propelled models). Fire aimed at disabling or destroying enemy guns is known as counter-battery fire . Removing the threat posed by enemy artillery is an important objective on

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3224-411: The precise target location based on the observer's location if needed, then computing range and direction to the target from the guns' location. These data can be computed manually, using special protractors and slide rules with precomputed firing data. Corrections can be added for conditions such as a difference between target and howitzer altitudes, propellant temperature, atmospheric conditions, and even

3286-420: The proposed position area, the advance party breaks contact with any enemy forces or marks minefield and hazards and moves on to find another position area. The battery commander can coordinate for additional assets, or augment the advance party with internal assets, to provide the additional ability to clear areas of small enemy forces, obstacles, and minefields. Natural cover must be used to the maximum. Security

3348-466: The rise of looting and other crimes resulting from the loss of law enforcement officers in the New Orleans area. After three-and-a-half years of assisting local police and patrolling the city, the task force was released from duty on 28 February 2009. On 1 September 2006, the 256th converted from a separate mechanized infantry brigade into a modular Infantry Brigade Combat Team . The 1st Battalion, 156th Armor inactivated and its personnel were used to form

3410-486: The specified elevation and deflection on the howitzers, punch the artillery shell followed by the bag (powder). Depending on the CFF, the gunline will fire the round when they are ready or when the FO calls and tells them to fire. The FO spots the round and sends a correction back to the FDC and the process starts all over again until it's done. The batteries are many kilometres behind the FLOT (Forward Line of Troops). They plan

3472-434: The spring, summer and fall of 2004, the 256th Infantry Brigade was stationed at Fort Hood , Texas. The Brigade then completed a NTC rotation at Fort Irwin , California. The brigade spent another month training in the desert of Camp Buehring , Kuwait prior to moving into Iraq. In 2004–2005, the 256th Brigade was sent to Iraq as part of OIF III (Operation Iraqi Freedom III , the third U.S. military rotation of forces into

3534-673: The target" in what is called a "brigade/regimental time on target" or brigade/regimental TOT for short. The rule is "silence is consent", meaning that if the lower unit does not hear a "cancel the mission" (don't shoot) or even a "check firing" (cease firing) order from the higher monitoring unit, then the mission goes on. Higher level units monitor their subordinate unit's missions both for active as well as passive purposes. Higher-level units may also get involved to coordinate artillery fire across fire support coordination boundaries (often parallel lines on maps) where one unit can not fire into without permission from higher and/or adjacent units that "own"

3596-608: The territory. 256th Infantry Brigade (United States) The 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (" Louisiana Brigade " ) is a modular infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) of the Louisiana Army National Guard . It is headquartered in Lafayette, Louisiana . Currently the brigade is part of the 28th Infantry Division of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard . The brigade was established in 1967, as part of an initiative by Secretary of Defense McNamara to reduce

3658-431: The time and distance required to traverse the route. Several factors are taken into consideration. Once a location is determined and having arrived at the new position the advance party conducts a security sweep and prepares the position for occupation. The purpose of the advance party security with METT-T and the absence of enemy troops, mines, booby traps, NBC hazards, and so on. If these threats or conditions are present in

3720-477: Was activated from November 1990 through May 1991, and conducted training at Fort Hood, TX, but never deployed. Some controversy arose over this activation of three round out brigades (the 256th; the 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia Army National Guard; and the 155th Armor Brigade, Mississippi Army National Guard). None of the three brigades deployed before the end of combat in Operations Desert Storm. After

3782-581: Was alerted by the Defense Department that they might begin a second tour in Iraq starting in spring 2010. Brigades from the Texas, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee National Guards were also notified in the same press release. The press release specifically stated tours of duty in Iraq and Kuwait , and not Afghanistan . The notice of this deployment came within three years of the unit's return from their first tour of Iraq in 2004–05. In February and March 2009,

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3844-470: Was changed to FOB Liberty because on this date the Iraqi government officially "stood up". Upon the 256th's arrival at North Liberty it became Camp Tigerland. During operations in theater the brigade operated under the configuration of one-third heavy and two-thirds light. Each battalion in the brigade had one company of heavy forces with M1A1 Abrams main battle tanks, M2A2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, or

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