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111th Field Artillery (United States)
Encyclopedia
111th Field Artillery is a 155MM towed artillery unit with a General Support/Reinforcing mission. It is a unit within the Virginia Army National Guard
based in Farmville, Virginia
.
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 2/111th FA Battalion, and moved to Fort Dix for post mobilization training on October 14, 2004.
Bravo completed training 30 days ahead of schedule and arrived in Kuwait
at Camp Virginia on December 30, 2004 and moved on to Camp Bucca
in Iraq
on January 7, 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 December 1, 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 Award. Fourteen members of Bravo Battery received the Bronze Star
in Iraq and the unit completed over 80 theater wide detainee movements without incident.
Two soldiers from Bravo are still on active duty (as of 15 February 2007) recovering from injuries in Iraq. The unit was also known by the Air Force
as the "Virginia Militia". 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 howitzer
s.
Virginia Army National Guard
The Virginia Army National Guard is composed of approximately 7500 soldiers, 1200 airmen, and maintains 67 armories in 50 communities.The Governor may call individuals or units of the Virginia National Guard into state service during emergencies or to assist in special situations which lend...
based in Farmville, Virginia
Farmville, Virginia
Farmville is a town in Prince Edward and Cumberland counties in the U.S. state of Virginia. The population was 6,845 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Prince Edward County....
.
Iraq War Operations
Bravo Battery was mobilized on October 11, 2004 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom with MAJMajor (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, major is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel...
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
Military police
Military police are police organisations connected with, or part of, the military of a state. The word can have different meanings in different countries, and may refer to:...
Company, received other members of the 2/111th FA Battalion, and moved to Fort Dix for post mobilization training on October 14, 2004.
Bravo completed training 30 days ahead of schedule and arrived in Kuwait
Kuwait
The State of Kuwait is a sovereign Arab state situated in the north-east of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is bordered by Saudi Arabia to the south at Khafji, and Iraq to the north at Basra. It lies on the north-western shore of the Persian Gulf. The name Kuwait is derived from the...
at Camp Virginia on December 30, 2004 and moved on to Camp Bucca
Camp Bucca
Camp Bucca was a detention facility maintained by the United States military in the vicinity of Umm Qasr, Iraq. As of June 2011, a group of entrepreneurial Iraqis and Americans are re-building Camp Bucca as Basra Gateway, a logistics city and environmentally-friendly industrial hub to lead the new...
in Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
on January 7, 2005. Bravo sent two platoons, led by 1LT Michael Belforti, to Abu Ghraib
Forward Operating Base Abu Ghraib
FOB Abu Ghraib was a United States Army Forward Operating Base in the city of Abu Ghraib, Iraq. The FOB housed the Abu Ghraib prison, holding over 7,000 detainees during its peak in 2004...
. 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
Battle of Abu Ghraib
The Battle of Abu Ghraib refers to an April 2, 2005 attack on United States forces at Abu Ghraib prison, which consisted of heavy mortar and rocket fire, under which armed insurgents attacked with grenades, small arms, and two vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices . The U.S...
.
Bravo Battery was relieved in place and a battle hand off was completed on December 1, 2005 with the 116th FA, Florida National Guard
Florida Army National Guard
The Florida Army National Guard is a component of the United States Army and the United States National Guard. Nationwide, the Army National Guard comprises approximately one half of the US Army's available combat forces and approximately one third of its support organization...
, 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 Award. Fourteen members of Bravo Battery received the Bronze Star
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
in Iraq and the unit completed over 80 theater wide detainee movements without incident.
Two soldiers from Bravo are still on active duty (as of 15 February 2007) recovering from injuries in Iraq. The unit was also known by the Air Force
United States Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the American uniformed services. Initially part of the United States Army, the USAF was formed as a separate branch of the military on September 18, 1947 under the National Security Act of...
as the "Virginia Militia". While in Iraq, the unit initially reported to LTC
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
Tim Houser of the 105th MP Battalion and COL
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
James Brown of the 18th Military Police Brigade
18th Military Police Brigade (United States)
The 18th Military Police Brigade is a military police brigade of the United States Army based in Sembach, Germany, with subordinate battalions and companies stationed throughout Germany...
. Later they reported to the 785th MP Battalion
785th Military Police Battalion
The 785th Military Police Battalion is an Army Reserve unit whose mission is to provide command, planning, administration, and logistical support for the operation of an internment/resettlement facility...
and the 43d Military Police Brigade
43rd Military Police Brigade (United States)
The 43rd Military Police Brigade is a military police brigade of the United States Army.-Organization:Within the Rhode Island Army National Guard, the 43D Military Police Brigade exercises command and control over the 118th Military Police Battalion, and its three separate Military Police companies...
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 howitzer
M119 howitzer
The M119 Howitzer is a lightweight 105-mm howitzer used by the United States Army. It can be easily airlifted, even by helicopter, or dropped by parachute. It does not need a recoil pit.-Development:...
s.
External links
- Artillery unit returns from Iraq, Virginia Guard.com
- 11th FA Regiment, Global Security.org
- 2-111 FA Battalion, Global Security.org
- Virginia National Guard Unit returns home safely after tour in Iraq, Longwood University
- VAARNG Deployed Soldiers Contribute to Hurricane Relief , GX Online