3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery (United States)

3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery
Regimental distinctive insignia of the 16th Field Artillery
Active	1916–
Country	United States
Branch	Regular Army
Type	Field artillery
Size	Battalion
Part of	2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division
Garrison/HQ	Fort Hood
Motto(s)	"Macte Nova Virtute" (Go Forth With New Strength)
Engagements	World War II Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm

The 3rd Battalion 16th Field Artillery is a field artillery battalion in the United States Army. The unit's nickname is "Rolling Thunder" and their motto is "Macte Nova Virtute" (Go Forth With New Strength).

Based at Fort Hood, TX the 3/16 FA is under the command of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. The unit currently consists of HHB, A Battery, B Battery, C Battery, and F FSC. The Battalion Commander is Lieutenant Colonel Joey L. Errington and The Command Sergeant Major is CSM Michael Balis

In December 2004 the 3rd Battalion 16th Field Artillery Regiment transitioned from the 4th Infantry Division's Division Artillery (DIVARTY) and became an exclusive part of the 2nd Brigade 4th Infantry Division. This transition was made as part of the Army's move towards self-sustaining modular divisions.

As of January, 2006, OIF V-VII, the 3rd Battalion – 16th Field Artillery Regiment was deployed to Forward Operating Base Duke, located in Najaf, Iraq, as well as Forward Operating Base Kalsu and FOB Falcon in Southern Baghdad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Most of the unit, along with the rest of the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division was tasked with training Iraqi Security Forces so that they can conduct operations independently of coalition troops, with the exception of 2 squads from B Battery, guns (M109A6 PALDIN) B15 and B18 who conducted live counter-fire operations in support of 1-67 Armour and 2-8 Infantry (Mechanized), both of 2nd BCT, 4ID.

Constituted 1 July 1916, in the Regular Army as Battery C, 16th Field Artillery, the unit was organized 21 May 1917, at Camp Robinson, Wisconsin. On 19 November 1917, the 16th Field Artillery was assigned to the 4th Division. The unit was inactivated 21 September 1921, at Camp Lewis, Washington. The 16th Field Artillery was relieved 24 March 1923, from assignment to the 4th Division and assigned to the 8th Division.

On 13 January 1941, the battalion was reorganized and redesignated as Battery C, 16th Field Artillery Battalion. In June, 1942, the battalion was again reorganized and redesignated as Battery C, 16th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, an element of the 9th Armored Division. The 16th Armored Field Artillery Battalion was activated 10 November 1950, at Fort Hood, Texas.

On 1 July 1957, the battalion was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery.

The battalion was assigned to the 8th Infantry Division at Baumholder, Germany in the 1970s. Batteries at the time inclulded HQ, Service, A, B, and C.

In late 1982, the entire 8-in C battery was folded into A, and B batteries to make room for the first Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) battery in Europe.