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AC130 Gunships Equiped with 105mm Howitzers
Beginning in 2002, AC130 gunships, armed with arsenal made 105 mm howitzers, provided close air support to troops stationed in Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Rock Island Arsenal redesigned, prototyped, and manufactured the gun mount’s lightweight firing platform for the 40mm and 105 mm weapons. -
RIA JMTC begins fielding armor kits
Since 2004, Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC) has fielded over 45,000 add on armor kits for six different platforms and over 15 variants to support our troops in the battlefield. -
M119 lightweight, towed howitzer
The M119 lightweight, towed howitzer was adopted in 1986 to replace the M101 howitzer. From 1991 to 1997, Rock Island Arsenal manufactured a total of 521 M119 and M119A1 howitzers. In addition to overhauling existing howitzers during the Global War on Terrorism, the Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center (RIA-JMTC) was tasked to manufacture this ordnance system. The first two M119A2 howitzers were delivered in 2007. -
ASC Warrior STX
Army Sustainment Command Warrior Situational Training Exercise (ASC Warrior STX) held at Rock Island Arsenal for Multi-Functional Support Command Soldiers was part of a training exercise designed to save lives overseas in a battle area. -
An M1A2 stationed at RIA
An M1A2 System Enhancement Package version two, the Army’s latest battle tank, rolls down Rodman Avenue on Rock Island Arsenal on its way to TACOM LCMC Rock Island’s Maintenance Operations Procedures Shop where it will be used to support training and maintenance missions. -
JMTC Machinist decended from founding RIA worker
Jeffrey Roberts, a machinist apprentice with the Rock Island Arsenal-Joint Manufacturing and Technology Center, is a descendant of an early arsenal employee. Roberts’ Great, Great, Great Grandfather, George F. Downes was a master carpenter and worked at the Rock Island Arsenal from its inception in 1862 until his retirement in 1873. -
First Army uncases its colors
When the Army transformed in 2006, the First United States Army gained the mission of mobilizing, training, and deploying National Guard and Reserve Soldiers throughout the continental United States. Since 9/11, First Army has trained over 700,000 Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Civilians at its 10 Mobilization Training Centers. On July 21, 2011, First Army uncased its colors and established headquarters at Rock Island Arsenal.
