ANSBACH, Germany - The 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment hosted an activation and assumption of command ceremony at Shipton Barracks in Ansbach, Germany November 28. The 5-4 ADA is a subordinate unit of the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and will comprise of five battery-level units.
Col. David E. Shank, the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command commander addressed the crowd and welcomed the 5-4 ADA to its new home in Ansbach.
“Today it is my distinct privilege and honor to inaugurate the return of Short Range Air Defense to Europe, with this activation ceremony, Shank said. “Not only is this a great day for United States Army Europe, and the growth of lethal capability here, it is a tremendous step forward for the Air Defense Enterprise.”
Shank recognized the significance of the ceremony and the return of SHORAD capabilities as well as the hard work ahead.
“Today we celebrate the Army’s newest Air Defense Battalion, and the contribution it will deliver to the collective security of Europe, and the United States,” Shank said. “5-4 ADA will have a hard road in front of them. “They’re going to certify three batteries by the end of summer, build and sustain a strong Army family support program, and become the subject matter experts in Europe for short range air defense to not just the Army but our allies.”
During the activation ceremony Col. Richard Wholey, the 678th Air Defense Artillery Commander passed the brigade colors to Lt. Col. Todd Daniels, the 5-4 ADA battalion commander, in an act to bestow trust and confidence in the new commander.
During his speech, Daniels thanked the 10th AAMDC command for the opportunity for to return to Germany with his wife Christi to command the “We Attack” Battalion.
“This is an exciting time for the Air Defense Branch as we bring back a unique capability,” Daniels said. “Command Sgt. Major Palmer and I are honored and humbled for the opportunity to lead this effort for USAREUR, the Air Defense Branch and the Army.”
In his closing remarks Daniels reached out to the Ansbach community and expressed his team’s enthusiasm to work together.
“I would like to especially thank our community leaders. Thank you for your hospitality; for opening your cities and towns to a new American battalion,” Daniels said. “We will strive to be the best neighbors you could hope for. You have a wonderful region and state and we look forward to being active members of your communities.”
The 5-4 ADA has a deep-rooted history that originates back to May 1815 in the regular Army at Fort Independence, Massachusetts as Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Samuel D. Harris’ Company, Regiment of Light Artillery organized this anti-aircraft weaponized fighting force. It roughly spent the next 130 years reorganizing and redesignating as Coast Artillery, Coast Defenses of Chespeake Bay and the Coast Artillery Corps. The unit disbanded in November 1944 at Fort Amador, Canal Zone. In June 1950, the 5-4 ADA was reconstituted in the Regular Army and redesignated as Battery C, 20th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion. Activation was shortly needed from May 1952 through December 1957 and also from September 1958 through August 1960. For the past 20 years 5-4 ADA has lain dormant after a redesignation and now are activated one again.
The 5-4 ADA has earned more than 55 campaign participation credits while serving in the War of 1812, Indian Wars, Mexican War, Civil War, The War with Spain, World War II and Vietnam.
Media queries about this specific unit should be addressed to Capt. Robert
N. Durr, 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command public affairs officer,
at robert.n.durr.mil@mail.mil or DSN: 314-528-7506.