Air Defense History

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Significant Weapons in Air Defense History Several Air Defense Weapon Systems secured their places in the Hall of Fame of Air Defense history. Developed during times of world conflicts and the age of technology, these systems continue to play an integral and exciting role in U.S. Air Defense. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, ignited the United States’ involvement in World War II. Enemy aircraft bombed the naval port of Pearl Harbor, killing scores of Americans and crippling the US Naval Fleet. The United States realized the urgent need for a viable air defense. On January 10, 1943, the 109th Anti Aircraft Artillery (AAA) Gun Battalion began at Fort Dix, New Jersey. Lt. Clayton M. Ella was the first Commander. On June 11, 1944, the 109th supported an attack by the Third US Army in the Ardennes. They killed enemy aircraft, ground vehicles and ammunition dumps. Air Defense proved its value and potential during the battles of World War II. The 109th AAA Gun Battalion was responsible for destroying 459 enemy aircraft and hundreds of armored vehicles (Coulter). In the early years of World War II, the 3-inch antiaircraft gun protected our assets in many of the air battles launched against the United States and allied forces. Weapons capable of engaging enemy aircraft became crucial as enemy aircraft started flying higher and faster. In response to the new threat, the 90mm gun entered service. With the ability to engage targets as high as 30,000 feet and a rapid rate of fire, the 90mm gun filled the skies with anti aircraft rounds for the duration of the war, giving it a significant role in Air Defense (Coulter). Operation Urgent Fury began on October 25, 1983. U.S. Forces assaulted airstrips at Po... ... middle of paper ... ...Fury." DTC Online. (1983): 93. Print. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct 2011. GlobalSecurity.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Oct 2011. . Encyclopedia of the New American Nation. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Oct 2011. . United States. Army Corps of Engineers. Last Line of Defense. Denver: National Park Service, 1996. Web. . "32nd AAMDC: Operation Iraqi Freedom 32nd AAMDC, US Army." GlobalSecurity.org. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Oct 2011. . United States. Department of Defense. Report of the Defense Science Board Task Force on Patriot System Performance Report. Washington DC: Undersecretary of Defense, 2005. Web. 14 Oct 2011. .

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