History and Development

The 319th Field Artillery Regiment traces its lineage back to the battlefields of World War I. The regiment was constituted on August 5, 1917, in the National Army as the 319th Field Artillery and assigned to the 82nd Division. It was organized shortly thereafter at Camp Gordon, Georgia. During the First World War, the regiment saw intense combat, providing essential fire support during the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives, utilizing French 75mm and 155mm guns. The regiment was demobilized in May 1919 following the conclusion of the war.

The dawn of World War II and the advent of vertical envelopment warfare brought a radical transformation to the 319th. In 1942, the unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. During WWII, gliders were utilized to deliver heavy equipment—including artillery pieces—behind enemy lines, a crucial capability that paratroopers alone could not replicate at the time. The 319th fought valiantly in the Mediterranean theater (Naples-Foggia), before making combat glider landings in Normandy during Operation Overlord. They subsequently participated in Operation Market Garden in Holland and played a critical defensive role providing direct fire support during the frigid Battle of the Bulge.

Weapons Systems Implementation & Tactics

World War II (The Glider Era): During WWII, the 319th primarily employed the M116 75mm pack howitzer. Because early parachutes could not handle the weight of artillery, these guns were broken down or loaded whole into Waco CG-4A gliders. The transition to the Parachute Field Artillery Battalion concept post-WWII meant weapons had to be dropped via heavy-drop rigging systems.

Cold War to Present (M102 to M119): Through the Vietnam era and late Cold War, the regiment utilized the M102 105mm howitzer. This was eventually replaced by the modern M119 105mm Howitzer (currently the M119A3 variant). The implementation of the M119 is a core aspect of the 319th's identity. During an airborne assault, the howitzers, prime movers (Humvees), and ammunition are rigged on Type V heavy drop platforms. As paratroopers exit the aircraft, the platforms are deployed. Paratroopers—many of whom received their initial airborne training at Fort Benning, GA—must quickly locate their equipment on the drop zone, de-rig the howitzers, and establish a firing capability, often achieving "ready to fire" status in under 20 minutes.

The Heavy Punch (M777 155mm Integration): Recognizing the need for extended range and greater destructive capability in forced-entry operations, the Army integrated the M777A2 155mm Howitzer into the 319th FAR. While traditionally considered a medium/heavy artillery piece, the ultra-lightweight titanium construction of the M777 allows it to be air-dropped or sling-loaded beneath CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Today, a composite battery structure often sees Airborne FA battalions fielding both 105mm and 155mm systems, giving brigade commanders a scalable fire support matrix immediately upon securing an airfield or drop zone.

Current Mission

The enduring mission of the 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment is to deploy globally within 18 hours to conduct airborne assault operations. Upon arrival, the regiment provides accurate, timely, and devastating direct and indirect fires in support of the Infantry Brigade Combat Teams of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Whether destroying enemy armor, neutralizing fortified positions, or providing illumination and obscuration, the gunners of the 319th live by their regimental motto: "Loyalty."