Find us on:
Cold War
March 09, 2011
Throughout the Cold War much reorganization, expansion and consolidation occurred in Guard units, especially in Delaware. Initially, two new anti-aircraft battalions, the 197th in Smyrna and the 945th in Laurel, were formed in the mid 1950s to meet these new challenges. In addition, two of Delaware's six battalions received the new self-propelled twin-40mm "Dusters," and two other battalions received the 75mm "Skysweeper" guns. At this time the 116th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital was organized in Wilmington.
Then, in 1959, a major reorganization, based on the "Pentomic" division structure and the introduction of the Combat Arms Regimental System, took place within the Guard. Under this reorganization, all of Delaware's artillery units once again became part of the old regiment, and the 198th Artillery (First Delaware) became the regimental headquarters. The 156th Anti-aircraft battalion was redesignated as First Battalion, 198th Artillery. Their headquarters battery, which dated back to the Revolution, is the senior unit in the state.
The 1959 reorganization increased the need for combat service support troops, causing the 197th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Battalion to reorganize as the 109th Ordnance Battalion with a transportation helicopter maintenance company.
During the Berlin crisis of 1961, for the first time in its history, the Guard achieved its objective without combat. The nation's willingness to commit forces there and to commit soldiers who spent a year stateside supporting the operation resulted in a highly successful national mission.
Members of the 109th Ordnance Battalion Headquarters Detachment, Middletown served at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md. The 116th MASH was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., in support of the Airborne Division, and the 1049th Transportation Company went to Fort Meade, Md.
The Delaware Guard continued to fulfill state missions despite increasing cold war demands. In March 1962, over 2,000 Army and Air Guardsmen were called upon for rescue, security and recovery operations in the devastated coastal areas of Kent and Sussex Counties. In addition, the DEARNG's "Dusters" were used to get through several severe snow storms during that time period.
Then, in 1962, the Army Guard's five air defense outfits were again reorganized, this time into automatic weapon battalions. From this point on, the National Guard furnished not only all air defense for Army divisions, but also the automatic weapon capabilities.
Finally in 1963, while maintaining its vital mission, the Delaware National Guard was reduced 10 percent due to the economy. This forced a consolidation of the Fifth and Third Battalions, and the one artillery battery became the 198th Army Aviation Company.