Specialists in the four disciplines of theater missile defense—passive and active defense, offensive operations, and a complex warfighting interoperability system known as BM/C4I— the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command (AAMDC) is constantly poised to ensure that the deployment of its assets is, as its motto says, “Swift and Sure.”
Like many of today’s Air Defense units, the 32nd AAMDC was originally formed as a part of the Coast Artillery Corps. The 32nd Artillery Brigade was constituted in January, 1918 at Key West Barracks in Florida. Though World War I would end less than 11 months later, the brigade took part in two U.S. Army Campaigns: St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne.
Eight years after its 1919 demobilization, the unit was reconstituted as Headquarters and Headquarter Battery, 32nd Coast Artillery Brigade. It was consolidated with a similar unit in 1936 and then activated in 1942; it was redesignated as 32nd Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade a year later. It would see combat under that name, earning official credit for participating in the New Guinea and Leyte Campaigns. The unit was honored with a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation for its actions from October 17, 1944, to July 1945.
In March 1958 the unit was redesignated to the 32nd Artillery Brigade and was based in Germany throughout much of the 1960s and 1970s as part of NATO’s presence to deter possible Soviet aggression.
The 32nd AAMDC’s Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB) is highlighted by five arrowheads, which signify missiles and the command’s mission of air defense. With three arrowheads on top and two at the bottom, the numbers represent the unit’s numerical designation.
Use the links below to view more unit insignia or simply to learn more about the 32nd Air and Missile Defense Command.
Related Items
32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command Patch (SSI)
32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command Unit Crest (DUI)