4th Battalion 42nd Field Artillery
| 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery | |
|---|---|
42d Field Artillery Regiment coat of arms
|
|
| Active |
|
| Country | United States |
| Branch | Regular Army |
| Type | Field artillery |
| Role | Direct support |
| Size | Battalion |
| Part of | 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Inactivated at Fort Carson, CO. Previously Fort Hood, TX. |
| Nickname(s) | Straight Arrows |
| Patron | St. Barbara |
| Motto(s) | Festina Lente ("Make Haste Slowly") |
| Weapon system | M109A6 155MM Paladin self propelled howitzer |
| Engagements |
World War I World War II Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Enduring Freedom |
| Decorations |
Presidential Unit Citation Belgian fourragère Army Superior Unit Award Valorous Unit Award (x2) Meritorious Unit Commendation (x2) |
The 4th Battalion, 42nd Field Artillery Regiment (United States) nicknamed the Straight Arrows— was a field artillery battalion in the United States Army. The Regimental motto is Festina Lente ("Make Haste, Slowly").
Based at Fort Hood, TX from 1996 to 2009, and then at Fort Carson, Colorado, until 2014, the 4–42 FA was under the command of U.S. 1st Brigade 4th Infantry Division. Each of the three gun batteries (A, B, C - later only A and B), supported a different battalion in the brigade. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB) provided the necessary support components for the running of the battalion and was also home to Fire Support Specialists or "Fisters." The battalion was the first in the Army to transition to the new Conservative Heavy Division (CHD) design, and also the first Artillery Battalion to test, field, and train with the digital system (FBCB2) Future Battle Command Brigade and Below.
The battalion was equipped with the M109A6 Paladin Self Propelled Howitzer, which fires a 155mm family of munitions, and is the most technologically advanced cannon in the Army inventory. While originally designated as a field artillery battalion, they also deployed and conducted operations similar to that of an infantry battalion in order to support the ever-changing needs of the United States Army during wartime.
The battalion deactivated on March 17, 2014 at Fort Carson, CO.
Alerted on 19 January 2003, 4-42 FA (and the 4th Infantry Division) was scheduled to take part in the Iraq War in the spring of 2003 by spearheading an advance from Turkey into northern Iraq. The Turkish Parliament refused to grant permission for the operation and the battalion's equipment remained offshore on ships during the initial buildup for the invasion - meaning that 4ID and 4-42 would have to reroute operations through Kuwait instead of Turkey. The battalion deployed to Iraq through Kuwait in late April 2003. Combat operations were conducted initially in the area of Taji Airfield, just outside Baghdad. The battalion moved north to the Tikrit area, leaving Battery B at Taji in support of Task Force Gunner until approximately October 2003. The battalion (less B Btry until fall) was stationed at FOB Arrow near the village of Ad-Dawr, slightly to the southeast of Tikrit along the Tigris River. During their time at FOB Arrow the battalion conducted infantry operations in their sector. These operations included dismounted OP/LP operations around their area (specifically Ad-Dawr), mounted and dismounted combat patrols, raids against high-value targets or suspected insurgents, and general patrolling and stability operations in and around Ad-Dawr. In addition to these non-traditional roles, the battalion still provided fire support to the 1st Brigade and other units in the area. 4–42 continued to conduct combat operations until their redeployment in March 2004. During this first deployment to Iraq, the battalion was responsible for capturing several former regime members that were wanted by the coalition, captured scores of weapons and explosives, and engaged in direct combat with insurgents and terrorists in their area.
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