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The 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade was first activated on 17 May 1918 at Fort Worden, Washington, as the 69th Regiment (Coast Artillery Corps). The unit participated in World War I and WWII, earning participation streamers for each. Additionally, the 69th earned a meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer embroidered PACIFIC THEATER during World War II.
Although reorganizing many times throughout its history, the 69th Brigade's longest affiliation began with its designation on 1 April 1960 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 69th Artillery Group. At the time, the 69th was assigned as one of four artillery groups under the operational command of the 32d Air Defense Brigade providing integrated air defense for the central European region. This association and mission continued unbroken for 31 years.
In 1989, the 69tn Air Defense Artillery Brigade, in conjunction with elements of the 32d Army Air Defense Command deployed a task force of over 1000 soldiers to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. As the dedicated high and medium altitude air defense asset of the VII US Army Corps, Task Force 8-43 fielded four Patriot firing batteries and two HAWK batteries. The task force provided critical protection to VII Corps as it executed a classic flanking action and raced into Iraq, crushing the vaunted Republican Guard. At the conclusion of the war, Task Force 8-43 was deployed well forward on the battlefield, providing integrated coverage against both hostile aircraft and ballistic missiles.
On 1 September 1991, the 69th Air Defense Brigade was reassigned as the air defense brigade for V Corps. Along with the new assignment came a new mission. Instead of providing primarily area coverage from fixed location, the Brigade in now responsible for the air defense of highly-mobile Corps assets. This new mission was born out of increased requirements to provide dedicated coverage to maneuver units over the depth on an ever-expanding battlefield. The men and women of the 69th Air Defense Brigade field two of the Army's most lethal air defense systems: Patriot and Stinger.
1,000 soldiers from the 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade have deployed to Israel recently. This deployment is part of Operation Shining Presence a Joint Exercise involving United States and Israeli forces. This is not, however, a routine deployment as US forces are scheduled to remain in the area following the conclusion of the exercise.
The 69th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, "Team of Winners!", has it's headquarters at Giebelstadt Army Airfield, just south of the city of Wuerzburg, Germany. It is the Army's first forward deployed Corps Air Defense Brigade.
DEFINITION FROM GLOBAL SECURITY.ORG
OFFICIAL WEBPAGE OF THE 69th ADA Brigade