Life in a Lance Missile Battery during the Cold War

Diverkev talks about a Live Fire Exercise on the Island of Create, and introduces you to some of his Army Buddies. Then is's back to Germany and Wiesbaden for his Unit's Decactivation.

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• Lance
• missile
• germany
• cold
• war
• us
• army
• nato
• greece
• create
• nukes

[jaqzzzz]

Thanks/ brouht back memories

We scored higher than any other lance missile unit in Nato in 1986

1/80th FA

"There are only two ways of living, one is nothing is a miracle, the second is everthing is a miracle, I believe in the latter." --- Albert Einstein

[diverkev]

Thank you for watching

[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.

[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.)

[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.

[StiviGun1]

@AHirschenhofer OK, thanks.

[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 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 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)

[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.