11th Air Defense Artillery Brigade

Throughout Operation Desert Storm, the brigade’s organic combat logisticians and Soldiers of the 70th Ordnance Battalion (deactivated in Sept. 98) moved thousands of pounds of repair parts, equipment and mail to support brigade elements. 70th Ordnance Soldiers also provided conventional ammunition support to all forces in Southwest Asia. Brigade maintainers provided 24-hour support to Patriot missile batteries, Hawk platoons and Stinger teams located throughout the theater of operations.

From February 1998 thru January 1999, 3rd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery performed two short notice deployments of Minimum Engagement Packages, in support of an Air Force Expeditionary Wing. The battalion, with two Patriot batteries, deployed on short notice to Southwest Asia as Iraqi provocations threatened to rekindle the smoldering embers of Desert Storm during operations Desert Thunder I, II and Desert Fox. These deployments reaffirmed the 11th ADA Brigade’s status as a unique power projection force that can serve the nation as a tool of diplomacy or weapon of war. 

From November 2002 through June 2003 the 11th ADA Bde. was once again deployed to Southwest Asia to participate in Operation Enduring Freedom/Operation Iraqi Freedom. OEF/OIF answered the Patriot lethality question. Patriot Soldiers were completely involved and showed that their new generations of Patriot missiles are highly lethal, and totally reliable against tactical ballistic missiles. During OEF/OIF, the Patriot missile interceptors were successful against eight Iraqi missiles.

The brigade decisively demonstrated its commitment to readiness during Operation Desert Storm, when its Patriot batteries were among the first units deployed to Southwest Asia. During combat operations, the brigade’s Hawk, Vulcan and Stinger batteries provided critical air defense for maneuver forces. Its Patriot battalions recorded the first successful interceptions of hostile tactical ballistic missiles in the history of warfare.

On Dec. 16, 2004, the 4th Infantry Division formally moved into a new era of organization and effectiveness when it officially became the Army’s newest “modular” division. The transformation of the 4th Infantry Division from a “legacy” division to a “modular” configuration is in tune with the dramatic changes being felt throughout the Army as it carries through and adopts its strategic vision for the future. The division bid farewell to the 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery as it left Fort Hood and transformed into the 1st Battalion, 44th Air and Missile Defense Artillery at Fort Bliss. The battalion then became part of the 11th ADA Bde.

Today, the brigade consists of a HHB; 1st Bn., 43rd ADA; the 2nd Bn., 43rd ADA; 3rd Bn., 43rd ADA; 5th Bn., 5th ADA; 5th Bn., 52nd ADA, and the 286th Signal Company.