Warriors in Peace Operations - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

Target Acquisition Battery (B/25 FA TAB) from the 3rd
Infantry Division (Bamburg, Germany).
Ultimately the Field Artillery TF community comprised
seven full-up batteries, consisting of over 9,000 soldiers and
1,800 family members residing in Baumholder and
Bamburg, Germany. The battalion TF deployed to Bosnia
and maintained 81 tracked and 219 wheeled vehicles, plus
all authorized equipment throughout the duration of the
peace enforcement operation.
Initial elements of the battalion entered the Bosnia
theater of operations as part of the 1st Armored Division
advanced party via C-17 Aircraft on December 17, 1995. The
battalion’s soldiers and 18 Palletized Load System (PLS)
Trucks redeployed to Baumholder, completing the mission
on November 30, 1996.
SECTION ONE: THE STORY
Predeployment.
Starting early the summer of 1992, the entire 1st
Armored Division had been training in preparation for the
anticipated Bosnia mission. Prior to my departure from the
Pentagon to assume battalion command in the summer of
1995, I was fully aware of the likelihood of the deployment.
Serving on the Joint Staff, I had worked as the J-1
representative to General John M. Shalikashvili’s Bosnia
planning team and prepared numerous deployment orders
placing individuals in theater for an eventual peace
enforcement operation. In fact, one of the last items I
reviewed prior to departing the Pentagon was the 1st
Armored Division troop list to ensure my battalion was
earmarked for the Bosnia mission. In my mind, if U.S. Army
Europe (USAREUR) was going to Bosnia, I wanted to be a
part.
Upon arrival in Germany for the battalion change of
command in July 1995, I discovered few of the troops who
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