34th Infantry Division to Regain an Artillery Headquarters
May 23, 2020 (ROSEMOUNT, Minnesota) — The Director of the Army National Guard, Lt. Gen. Daniel R. Hokanson, announced on April 29 the newest Division Artillery (DIVARTY) headquarters will be assigned to the 34th Red Bull Infantry Division. Re-activation for the 34th DIVARTY is scheduled for the fall of 2022.
Minnesota was not the only state vying for an artillery headquarters unit. Minnesota beat out 14 other states for the selection according to Lt. Col. Jonathan Grabill at National Guard Bureau. During the process of analysis, said Grabill, the Army National Guard (ARNG) “received application packets representing 15 very qualified states seeking consideration. The ARNG established a stationing criteria based upon the Total Army Analysis 22-26 with the goal of implementation of a Multi-Domain Operations capable force. Stationing criteria carefully analyzed and reviewed every application and then compared them on numerous variables based on long term readiness, the forces structure decision support tool, paid strength, recruiting demographics, life cycle management, infrastructure and enabler support.”
An Army National Guard DIVARTY increases capabilities at the Division Headquarters by providing long-range precision fires, command and control of division level artillery assets, fire support, and synchronization of Joint Fires. The DIVARTY is currently planned to station within the Division Headquarters new facility located at the Arden Hills Army Training Site.
“The 34th DIVARTY will provide a single proponent within the 34th Infantry Division for standardized fires certification and leader development while increasing the lethality and capabilities within the Division Headquarters,” said Brig. Gen. Michael Wickman, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division Commanding General. “It is important to understand the capabilities we lost when the DIVARTY deactivated. The DIVARTY Commander and his staff were an important part of the Division and ensured that our Field Artillery community not only maintained high standards, but that they also produced great leaders. We are all looking forward to the DIVARTY return to the 34th Infantry Division.”
The 34th DIVARTY was deactivated September 10, 2005, and reorganized its subordinate units. The 1st Battalion, 125 Field Artillery was placed under the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34 Infantry Division and the 1st Battalion, 151 Field Artillery under the 84th Troop Command. The Headquarters and Headquarters Battery was organized in Anoka in 1924 as Battery B, 125th Field Artillery. Like the division headquarters, the unit was awarded six battle streamers and the French Croix de Guerre in WWII.
By Master Sgt. Daniel Ewer
Command Historian
Minnesota National Guard Public Affairs
Offloading artillery from a DUKW, somewhere in Italy.
