111th Field Artillery Regiment

111th Field Artillery ("First Virginia Artillery"[1]) is currently constituted as a composite battalion consisting of two batteries of 105MM towed artillery and one battery of 155MM towed artillery (M777) unit with a general support/reinforcing mission. It is a unit within the Virginia Army National Guard based in Norfolk, Virginia.

111th Field Artillery Regiment
Coat of arms
Active1809–
Country United States of America
BranchVirginia Army National Guard
Nickname(s)First Virginia Artillery (special designation)[1]
Motto(s)NUNQUAM NON PARATUS (Never Unprepared)
EngagementsAmerican Civil War
Mexican Expedition{1916}
Iraq Campaign
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
U.S. Field Artillery Regiments
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Iraq War Operations

Bravo Battery was mobilized on 11 October 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with MAJ Walter N. Patrick as the battery commander and First Sergeant Martin Steiner as the unit's first sergeant. The unit was reconfigured as a 182-man military police company, received other members of the 2d Battalion, 111th Field Artillery, and moved to Fort Dix for post mobilization training on 14 October 2004.

Bravo Battery completed training 30 days ahead of schedule and arrived in Kuwait at Camp Virginia on 30 December 2004 and moved on to Camp Bucca in Iraq on 7 January 2005. Bravo sent two platoons, led by 1LT Michael Belforti, to Abu Ghraib. Two platoons and the battery headquarters remained at Camp Bucca. While at Camp Bucca, Bravo Battery operated Compounds 1, 2, 3, and 4. The unit was also tasked with detainee transfers between Camp Bucca and northern bases. The platoons at Abu Ghraib also performed detainee operations and participated in the Battle of Abu Ghraib.

Bravo Battery was relieved in place and a battle hand off was completed on 1 December 2005 with the 116th FA, Florida National Guard, and the unit and its men redeployed to Camp Victory South in Kuwait.

While in Iraq, Bravo Battery completed all detainee transfers without loss of life to any detainee or coalition forces. The unit was awarded the Air Force Meritorious Unit Award and has been recommended for the Army's Meritorious Unit Commendation. Fourteen members of Bravo Battery received the Bronze Star in Iraq and the unit completed over 80 theater wide detainee movements without incident.

While in Iraq, the unit initially reported to LTC Tim Houser of the 105th MP Battalion and COL James Brown of the 18th Military Police Brigade. Later they reported to the 785th MP Battalion and the 43d Military Police Brigade commanded by Brigadier General Kevin R. McBride.

The unit was reflagged as an infantry unit upon coming home from Iraq. In April 2009 the regiment's 1st Battalion received 16 new M119 howitzers.[2]

References
  1. "Special Designation Listing". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  2. Hansen, Louis, (Virginian Pilot) "Howitzer Unit Gets Big Bang Back: New guns put Guard group in business after two-year break", Washington Times, 2 May 2009, p. 7.
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