C, 1-319 AFAR manned M119 105 mm howitzers. In 2002, B/1-319 AFAR was selected as the recipient of the Knox Award, recognizing the best field artillery battery in the Army, as a result of this deployment. Operation Iraqi Freedom I After returning from their OEF II rotation to Afghanistan, 1-319 AFAR deployed to Iraq with 3rd Brigade from summer 2003 to spring 2004. Operation Iraqi Freedom 2006–07 In August 2006, 1-319 AFAR deployed with 3rd BCT, 82nd Airborne Division, replacing the 3-320 FA around the towns of Tikrit and Ad Dawr in Saladin Governorate. Although expected to last one year, the deployment was extended to 15 months due to "The Surge" and the unit returned in November 2007. The 1-319 AFAR, commanded by LTC Barry DiRuzza, formed the core of Task Force Loyalty and operated as a provisional maneuver task force, conducting partnered training and joint operations with Iraqi Security Forces as well as other security and non-kinetic operations. Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008–09 1-319 AFAR deployed for a third time to Iraq in December 2008, this time to the al-Karradah district of Baghdad. The BN returned to Fort Bragg in Nomember of 2009, having earned its third Meritorious Unit Commendation. Operation Inherent Resolve The battalion deployed during Operation Inherent Resolve in January 2015. Task Force Loyalty assumed an advise and assist role alongside the 1st Infantry Division. The battalion returned to Fort Bragg in September 2015. Other significant activities Two members of the battalion have earned the Field Artillery Association's annual Gruber award since the award's establishment in 2002 to recognize outstanding individual thought and innovation that results in significant contributions to or the enhancement of the field artillery's warfighting capabilities, morale, readiness or maintenance. The 2005 Gruber Award winner was SFC Craig Brown, brigade fire support NCO in HHB, 1-319 AFAR. The 2009 Gruber Award Winner was SFC Brandon Aguilar, a platoon sergeant in Battery B, 1-319. On 21 January 2013, over 300 paratroopers from 1-319 AFAR participated in the 57th Presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C. Lineage & honors Lineage Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Battery A, 319th Field Artillery, an element of the 82d Division Organized 2 September 1917 at Camp Gordon, Georgia Demobilized 18 May 1919 at Camp Dix, New Jersey Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Battery A, 319th Field Artillery, an element of the 82d Division (later redesignated