Life in a Lance Missile Battery during the Cold War

[clearjet]

I think I know you... Delta 4.

[billharlin]

Liked the Video!! Was stationed at the 4th USAFAD from 88-90. Life at a war head detachment was a little different to say the least!! Never got to do a live fire. But did get to be a CA of the real war heads.

[fireman41670]

Mike Hipp ... I was in C BTRY-3/32 88-92. Enjoyed the video, guess it took me a long time to find it. I did see Muller,Calhoun,and a few others on the hummer.. Think it was Patterson and the guy beside him.. Brought back memories. Thanks

[weldor92]

Service Battery 1/80th F.A. 1978-1981 was in Crete twice Sept. 79 and Mar. 80 I had a great time there.

[AHirschenhofer]

I was a Lance crewman 3/79th F.A. in Giessen Germany. I did two live fires right here in Crete where this video was shot;c) I actually got paid to launch this thing! But he didn't include the missile away party at "Pop's" goat restaurant;c)...That was just as fun. Great video for those of you who were wondering what I did when you all were still in school;c) Lance was a great system....but phased out during the salt treatise I think?

[army929]

wow really brought back memories. stationed at herzo base from 88-91. charlie battery 2-12th fa "COBRAS!!!". fired 2 out of the 3 years i was there. loved it.

[pusherhombre]

I recognize that patch! For a second, I mistook you guys for the unit at Wiesbaden, but when you mentioned Camp Perry, I realized that's the unit at A-burg!!

We took you guys in when you moved to Hanau and became 1/32 FA. I was in Bravo Battery, 1st Fire but was too short to go to Crete, so I became the NBC specialist in my last days.

[lncomm]

SGT LaTorre from Missile Maint and SVC Batt 1/32 at Fliegerhorst in Hanau FRG from 87-90 "Proud Americans"

[WinchesterRanger]

I wonder exactly what the ballistic computer did - was it purely for direction/range calculations, or did the missile itself actually have some type of inertial navigation system that required precise launch and target coordinates.

Looks like the 2 gas plumes were some type of gas generator, I'm guessing they pressurized the fuel system, most likely for hypergolic ignition (fuel components ignite when mixed).

Old school, but a 100Kt warhead will definitely ruin your day.

[Stumper716]

Shout out to the alphaholics! A btry 1/32 FA, Fliegerhorst, '87-'90. We ruled the millionaire club and Hanau too.

[ohwnou]

@Stumper716 hey stump it is me killer

[JMarcum002]

I last fired in Crete in 1988 and 1989 while assigned to the 4th-12th FA. Good Time had by all.

[StiviGun1]

What I don't understand is why they didn't automated the Lance system. The way it was designed made it a system that took too long to be emplaced. Why didn't they automated the system, like they did with Pershing, or like the Russians did with Tochka?

[AHirschenhofer]

@StiviGun1 If I recall correctly, It was terminated during the salt talks...mainly because it had a Real Estate. warhead...neutron...no damage to buildings just the locals. I was with the 3rd/79th F.A. in Germany (5th core). Did two live fires...that was a blast! No pun intended;c)

[StiviGun1]

@AHirschenhofer Did they actually use that neutron warhead? From what I know, that warhead was never actually used on the missile.

But my question was why didn't they make the system automated, like the Russian Tochka is? The lance had to be elevated and pointed towards its target manually. With the Tochka missile these operations are done automatically by the launcher which gives it a faster deployment time. What was Lance's deployment time, by the way?

[AHirschenhofer]

@StiviGun1 Let me see if the information you are seeking has been declassified before I start flapping my gums OK. Will get back to you. Thanks for your interest;c)

[StiviGun1]

@AHirschenhofer OK, thanks.

[diverkev]

Thank you for watching

[extremeswitches]

Its great to see all of this....I was 12th USAFAD in Italy. In a way I envy you because I was stationed in Italy guarding nuclear weapons, and I didnt get to do a lot of firing mission training. But this brings back lots.

[JMarcum002]

@extremeswitches I was also at the 12th. It was the best kept seceret in the US Army. I also had the opportunity to go to Crete.

[extremeswitches]

Ha great to hear from you! I am pretty sure i know who you are from your name here on youtube. Im SPC Slavens and worked with you at 12th USAFAD and aspired to be like you!! Great to hear from you! too bad Lance didnt continue...I still love that UDMH/IRFNA based technology. :-) Good ole days!

[JMarcum002]

@extremeswitches Slavens, I just came back up. It is good to hear from you and that all is well. All the best to you and yours. James J Marcum SFC, USA Retired

[robushly]

15D/13N I so know the german namfi inspector with the mustache. Stationed at Herzo, Giessen and Wiesbaden from 82 through 90. Crete was a rockin good time. Really miss the C-130 trip. Thanks for the memories.

[hungryjackeater]

I was in A Battery 1/333 FA Lance at Camp Pieri from 83-85. Thanks for the video and pictures. Sure does bring back memories.

[FREExDIVER]

remember me the drunk korean

[shlee62]

Great video, I was in 3/79th in Giessen and 6/33 at Sill in the mid 80's. I have a vhs of Crete. I have a lot of great memories from those days.

[JMarcum002]

@shlee62

A Btry. 3/79th 1974-1975 and then to Italy.

[Juckpulver]

13N was the best kept secret in the Army. It was combat arms at it's easiest and slowest pace. You were sent to Germany, and during the summer, you went to Crete for a week. 7 days of partying on a nude beach. We went to the "field" for 5 days at a time, and that was every 5-6 months. Easy money, lots of off time.

[diverkev]

You are right in a way. No I'm suppose to say how hard it was being a Lance Missile Crew Member. But the other other Combat Arms really busted their ball. I was in thw 1/17th FA at Ft. Sill OK in special weapons and we spent m,uch more time working and in the field. So I understand what you are talking about. I don't remember a nude beach in the 4 times I went down, which is good. I really didn't want to see my BC. or First Sergeant nude or Sgt. Farcus or Ramirez.

[mrpablo39]

Pablo Rodriguez SP/4 Svc btry 2nd 42nd FA

Lance

[mycockerspaniel]

Great video. What's your website?

[diverkev]

I need to make a correction. It was PFC Davis who was the Driver of the M752 SPL. It wasn't me, I was position by the warhead to start to program the missile for flight. Sorry for the mistake. (My Bad.)

[diverkev]

No we just went out and had some beers. LOL

[diverkev]

Thanks, This is all new to me. Especially the audio part.

I'm amazed how much time it takes me to put together a four minute video. I spent hours on my Apollo 11 tribute.

[diverkev]

I'm sure that it is probably in DVD now. You can go to cnn website and I'm sure that they can give you some info on it. Thats for you compliments too.

[mrsmokidd]

Very interesting. You must have visited many countries during your time spent in the service.