Army veterans renew Lance fellowship

By 1st Lt. Reymond Ramos, 3-13th Field ArtilleryJuly 23, 2015

Lance launch
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Retired Sgt. 1st Class Thomas Leon, who served as senior Lance performance evaluator at NATO Installation Crete, Greece, and as a Multiple Launch Rocket System instructor at Fort Silll, holds a picture of an MGM-52 Lance being launched. The missile s... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
MLRS
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A woman attending the 7th Annual Lance Missile Reunion gets an in-cabin view of a Multiple Launch Rocket System on display. Gulf War I veterans recounted the months spent inside the vehicle, rolling through the scorching Kuwaiti desert engaging Iraqi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Raven
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. (July 23, 2015) -- Soldiers from the 75th Field Artillery Brigade (FAB) welcomed over 50 veterans and their families June 26-27 to Fort Sill for the 7th Annual Lance Missile Reunion.

Recalling their service as Soldiers who played a vital role as America's nuclear force in Europe during the Cold War, the reunion kindled ties with today's Soldiers and retired Redlegs. It also commemorated the special history and camaraderie of the Army's former Lance missile units.

Retired Staff Sgt. David Repicky remembered one of the tensest moments of their Cold War experience in September 1983.

"The (military police) instructed everyone to return to base, saying it wasn't a drill. We got the order to assemble the missiles, fuel up and headed to the firing point. Then they said go to firing elevation. We waited, and waited, ready to fire, for three hours before they finally told us to stand down. That's the scariest day we ever had," he said.

Veterans and their families visited the 3rd Battalion, 13th Field Artillery motorpool to see their legacy, and how a rocket artillery unit trains and fights in the 21st century.

Guests were treated to a modern weapons and equipment exhibit. Attendees compared the venerable M16A2 assault rifle with the newer M4, got to handle M240B and M249 machine guns, and learned about the RQ-11 Raven Unmanned Aerial System.

Veterans also shared their personal stories with Soldiers. Many had served with the deactivated 1st Battalion, 12th Field Artillery, formerly of the 75th FAB, while stationed in West Germany during the 1970s and 1980s.

Their firing batteries operated the powerful MGM-52 Lance, a mobile short-range ballistic missile system capable of delivering a 100-kiloton nuclear warhead or high-explosive conventional munitions over 130 kilometers.

An enhanced radiation "neutron bomb" variant was also developed as a deterrent against Soviet aggression. The Lance was succeeded by the Army Tactical Missile System in use today.

"We have a rich history dating back to 1972. Lance missile units were highly trained, undergoing constant inspections and evaluations from the Department of Defense," said retired Sgt. 1st Class John Williams, one of the reunion leaders. "Nobody really knows about us. Every Soldier had a top secret clearance. We couldn't talk about what we did for almost 20 years, not until the weapon phased out and everything was declassified."

During the tour, family members and guests climbed inside the M270A1 Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). Most Lance missile units transitioned to the MLRS in the final years of the Cold War. The group also watched a demonstration by fire direction center personnel and launcher crews executing a dry-fire mission.

"The Launcher Loader Module used to move very slowly. Compared to back then, its night and day." said retired Staff Sgt. Kenneth Cole, who deployed as a M270 crewmember during the first Gulf War with 1-12th FA. "This new system is very user-friendly, faster and easier to work with. As an old artilleryman, I'm proud to say these are my roots."

While visiting the 75th FAB headquarters, Lt. Col. Patrick Stich, 3-13th FA commander, spoke about the current state of the Army's rocket artillery units and the dynamics of a contemporary artillery corps.

The following day, veterans and family members visited the Army Field Artillery Museum, paying homage to the last remaining Lance missile and self-propelled launcher on display. The group also went sightseeing in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge before enjoying food, music and reminiscing during a farewell dinner.

Following the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 1987, the United States began its withdrawal of Pershing and Lance units from Europe. The end of the Cold War saw a drastic reduction in U.S. nuclear stockpiles.

The last Lance missile test, launched by 1-12th FA Soldiers, occurred June 11, 1992 at White Sands Missile Range, N.M. It marked the end of a successful 20-year mission defending democracy and freedom in Europe from Soviet aggression.

"For a weapon system as dangerous as the Lance, I think it's important to tell the public about what we contributed to the Cold War and our role in American history," remarked retired Sgt. 1st Class John Williams. "That's the reason why we will continue to have our reunions, to celebrate what we and those who came before us accomplished."