MARCH 12, 2025 – Crews with the 3rd Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment, 18th Field Artillery Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps, in conjunction with the 3rd Infantry Division, conducted a live fire exercise utilizing the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System in support of Marne Focus at Fort Stewart, Georgia, March 11, 2025. The purpose of the exercise is to integrate with 3rd ID elements by combining resources and simulating the enemy on a battlefield to provide long range precision fires in support of shaping deep division targets.
“The HIMARS is a wheeled artillery rocket platform, and is air or ground transportable which can shoot up to six rockets or one missile at a time”, said Capt. Will Patterson, assigned to 3rd Bn., 27th FAR, 18th FAB. “One of the things the HIMARS brings is the capability to conduct a HI-RAIN – a HIMARS rapid infiltration via a C-130 or C-17 – meaning we can take off from anywhere and be anywhere in the world to deliver those long range precision fires at anytime.”
Originally based at Fort Bragg, the 18th FAB is unique to the battlefield in being adaptable to wherever and whenever they are needed. They have had the opportunity to train with Air Force and Marine Corps partners, and everywhere across the world as part of what they bring to the fight with 3rd ID being the final division they have supported across the XVIII Airborne Corps.
“As the 18th Field Artillery Brigade, we are the XVIII Airborne Corps deep shaping asset”, said Patterson. “At any time we can be called upon to support one of the divisions – whether it be direct or general support.”
3rd ID’s Marne Focus allowed the 18th FAB the opportunity to demonstrate the capabilities of the HIMARS while at the same time giving the division its own opportunity to test and enhance its readiness and lethality as the Hammer of the XVIII Airborne Corps.
“Marne Focus provides an opportunity in terms of being able to leverage all the resources – whether from the division or other brigades – and bring those together at once over several weeks”, said Col. Shawn Bault, commander of Division Artillery, 3rd ID. “This is a culmination in terms of being able to execute the deep fires with multiple assets at one time from the division to the DIVARTY, to the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade and to one of the batteries from 18th FAB. It allows us to culminate with this as the last training event for Marne Focus.”
Though not organic to 3rd ID, the 18th FAB and its HIMARS helps further the division’s warfighting capabilities which allows it to be a core asset among the XVIII Airborne Corps.
“What it does enhance is the whole division… and the division’s role is to create effects at a longer range”, said Bault. “We try to take out all enemies prior to the enemy getting to a brigade, or a brigade getting to the enemy; so, in a perfect world – if we do our job well – when that brigade gets to where they need to, the enemy is at a reduced capacity and they don’t have to do much. All of it is about enabling the fight for a brigade combat team to kill the enemy.”
Being one of the U.S. Army’s premiere HIMARS brigade, operating the long range, precision fire platform takes a highly professional crew to maintain and uphold the status.
“I’ve got a great group out here – the Bullshark Battery”, said Patterson. “It’s been an awesome experience to be their commander; they’re trained professionals, they love doing what they do and know they’re the best at it.”
“One of the things we talk about in our brigade is being a trusted teammate”, said Patterson. “We know that whether it be in combat or training, we can integrate ourselves with other members of the XVIII Airborne Corps so it’s a great opportunity for us to come down here and integrate with other teammates across the Corps – show them what we can do, integrate with them in planning and what we can bring to the fight so that one day if that does come that trust is built.”
With Marne Focus, 3rd ID continues to build and validate its combat readiness and lethality – and its ability to respond to conflict or crisis – through multi-domain realistic and challenging exercises in order to maintain itself as the Hammer of the XVIII Airborne Corps.
“When you look at history, 3rd ID is one of the most decorated divisions… and being in the XVIII Airborne Corps emphasizes that point”, said Bault. “In terms of the importance of what we do, it’s the attention to detail that leverages all the capabilities that are available to us and leverage that at the right time, at the right place, for the right purpose. It takes great people – we have the greatest people in our formation – and it’s incredible our ability to finetune that.”
Story by Sgt. Bernabe Lopez
3rd Infantry Division