3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment holds Casing Ceremony; ready to support Operation Inherent Resolve

Photo By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Parsons | FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Lt. Col. John Herrman, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, addresses the battalion and attending guests during the Battalion Colors Casing Ceremony at the XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg Noncommissioned Officer Academy Parade Field on August 1. The battalion will be deploying to the Middle East in support of Operation Inherent Resolve and build partner capacity with nations in the the region. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin Parsons, 18th Field Artillery Brigade/Released)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

08.01.2016

Story by Capt. Devon Thomas 

18th Field Artillery Brigade

FORT BRAGG, N.C. — The 3rd Battalion, 321st Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, was informed last August that it would deploy to support two separate missions: Provide long-range precision fires support against the Islamic State in Syria and Iraq, and build partner capacity with allies in the Middle East to strengthen stability and military relationships in the region.

Now the unit is ready to accomplish both missions.

The “Thunderbolt Battalion” cased its Battalion Colors at the Fort Bragg and XVIII Airborne Corps Noncommissioned Officer Academy Parade Field, August 1, to signify the beginning of its deployment to the Middle East.


Over the past year, Soldiers of the 3rd Bn., 321st FA Regt., completed High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) related training, leadership and team-building focused events to ensure mission readiness. In April, the 3rd Bn., 321st FA Regt., completed a culminating training event (CTE) under the oversight of the forward-deployed 18th Field Artillery Brigade headquarters that recently returned in May from the Middle East.

Lt. Col. John J. Herrman, the 3rd Bn., 321st FA Regt., commander addressed the Soldiers and Families of the battalion after he furled the Battalion Colors with retired Command Sgt. Maj. Antonio Guerrero, the Honorary 321st Field Artillery Regiment Command Sergeant Major, and Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Russell, the current CSM of the 3rd Bn., 321st FA Regt.

Herrman said the battalion has the ability to strike the Islamic State’s critical infrastructure, key terrain and safe havens.

“With each precise strike, we will render them weaker and make them question their resolution to their cause ultimately, breaking their will to fight,” said Herrman.

The unit will further defense relationships and increase stability through U.S. Army Central theater security cooperation in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.

“We will train alongside our allies to better develop both theirs and our abilities to fight together,” Herrman said. “Finally through their efforts with our allies, these Soldiers will ensure that the U.S. maintains the critical access needed in the region….and in any future conflict.”

The 18th Field Artillery Brigade Commander, Col. John L. Rafferty Jr., said the unit will continue the tradition of excellence as the unit did in its very first combat operation in World War I at St. Mihiel, France, 99 years ago.

Rafferty said the historic unit was a mixture of new draftees and experienced Soldiers who fought in the Spanish American War.

“Looking at our ranks, for some of you this is your second, third, even fourth or fifth deployment since 9/11…for others it’s your first,” said Rafferty. “But just like 99 years ago you each depart bursting with pride, confident in your team, and ready to do your part. And just like before, together you will write the next chapter of the 321st Field Artillery Regiment.”

• Date Taken: 08.01.2016
• Date Posted: 08.01.2016 16:03
• Story ID: 205718
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US
• Hometown: FORT LIBERTY, NC, US