1859 Shamakhi earthquake
The 1859 Shamakhi earthquake struck Shamakhi in the Baku Governorate (present-day Azerbaijan Republic) of the Russian Empire, on 11 June. The earthquake had an estimated magnitude of 5.9 and caused moderate damage and killed approximately 100 people.


1859 State of the Union Address
The 1859 State of the Union Address was written by James Buchanan, the 15th president of the United States. It was read to both houses of the 36th United States Congress on Monday, December 19, 1859, by a clerk. Predicting the American Civil War, he stated, "Whilst it is the duty of the President 'from time to time to give to Congress information of the state of the Union,' I shall not refer in detail to the recent sad and bloody occurrences at Harpers Ferry.


1859 State of the Union Address
Still, it is proper to observe that these events, however bad and cruel in themselves, derive their chief importance from the apprehension that they are but symptoms of an incurable disease in the public mind, which may break out in still more dangerous outrages and terminate at last in an open war by the North to abolish slavery in the South."


1859 Texas gubernatorial election
The 1859 Texas gubernatorial election was held on August 1, 1859 to elect the Governor of Texas. Incumbent Democratic Governor Hardin Richard Runnels was running for reelection, but was defeated by Sam Houston, who received 57% of the vote.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election
The 1859 Town of Dunedin by-election was a New Zealand by-election held in the single-member electorate of Town of Dunedin during the 2nd New Zealand Parliament on 14 January 1859, after the resignation of James Macandrew. The election was won by Macandrew, who had resigned from his seat on 2 November 1858 as a result of not attending a parliamentary session earlier in his term.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Background
Macandrew had forfeited his seat on 2 November 1858 after his not attending of a session of parliament earlier in his term. It was said by the Otago Witness to be a remarkable fact that out of all the Members of Parliament that didn't attend that session of parliament, Macandrew was the only one to have resigned from his seat due to that.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Overview
A nomination meeting was held in the Mechanics' Institute on 12 January 1859. The Returning Officer gave a speech reminding the electors of the duty they were to perform. Mr. Shaw proposed Mr. James G. S. Grant, a nomination seconded by Mr. Carnegie. However, the proposal of Grant was not unanimous, with Mr. G. Smith, seconded by James Kilgour, proposing Mr. James Macandrew for the role. Mr. Shaw also proposed William John Dyer, although since at the time it was considered unusual for an elector to propose multiple candidates for the same office at the same election, Dr. Williams, pro forma, proposed Dyer. Mr. W. Iles seconded that nomination. No other candidate was proposed.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Overview, Speeches
The Returning Officer then called upon the candidates to address the electors in the order of which they proposed. Mr. Grant was therefore the first person to speak.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Overview, Speeches
In an account in the 15 January 1859 issue of the Otago Witness, Mr. Grant was said to have delivered a long speech in which he alluded to Macandrew's absence from the General Assembly, and that he would push for the General Assembly to allocate funds for the establishment of a university in Wellington or Nelson.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Overview, Speeches
According to the Otago Witness, Macandrew stated that he had no intention of representing New Zealand again in the House of Representatives, the highest council of New Zealand. During his speech, Macandrew said that he would push for banks to be as cheap as stores, that he would support the idea of having fewer laws, and that he would support the intention of seeing a simpler form of registration used—a system in which a person could sell their properties with no intervention of lawyers among other conservative ideas.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Overview, Speeches
Again according to the Otago Witness, Dyer's stance differed quite a bit from Macandrew with regard to being solicited to take a seat, Dyer thought it was or should be a point of ambition with every person to hold a place in the House of Representatives; he thought that no doubt it was a large responsibility to make laws for future generations and that he would vote for allocating funds to be put into the education of the Maori people in the province of Otago.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Overview, Show of hands
The Returning Officer then called a show of hands for the candidates which the results were as follows:


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Overview, Show of hands
The Returning Officer then declared the results were in favour of Macandrew. Grant demanded a poll, which was held two days later and which Macandrew won. Dyer did not participate in the poll, therefore effectively withdrawing his candidacy.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Election
The election was on 14 January 1859. The polling commenced at 10.00am and closed at 4.00pm. Macandrew won the election in a landslide with over 90% of the votes. Grant only got 3 votes.


1859 Town of Dunedin by-election, Aftermath
The next election, in 1860, Macandrew did not contest and the electorate became a multi-member electorate. William John Dyer, who had withdrawn his nomination for representative of the electorate two years earlier for the by-election, contested the election. The election was held on 24 December 1860.


1859 Ulster revival
The 1859 Ulster revival was a Christian revival in Ulster which spread to the rest of the United Kingdom. It has been reported that the revival produced 100,000 converts.


1859 Ulster revival
The revival began in Kells and Connor in County Antrim. In late 1857, through the encouragement of the minister of Connor Presbyterian Church, John Hamilton Moore, four recent converts began meeting in the Kells National Schoolhouse for prayer and Bible study. 1 January 1858 saw the first person converted as a direct result of the prayer meeting, and by the end of 1858 the attendance was around fifty. By Spring 1859 there were 16 prayer meetings in the parish. The revival spread to Ahoghill in March 1859 and then to Ballymena.


1859 Ulster revival
Although the revival started with laymen, revival preachers such as Henry Grattan Guinness and Brownlow North soon got involved. On one occasion North preached to 12,000 people at Newtonlimavady. James Bain, pastor of the Congregational church at Straid, described a typical Sunday during the revival in the following terms:


1859 Ulster revival
Our Sabbath services are continuous, from nine in the morning until ten at night. We are engaged from nine to twelve in prayer meetings for the young, from twelve to two in public service, from two to four in prayer meetings, from five to eight in the evening service, and finally in our evening prayer meeting.


1859 Ulster revival
The revival was a largely Presbyterian phenomenon, but not all Presbyterians supported it. William Gibson, Moderator of the Presbyterian Church of Ireland in 1859, wrote a book about the revival called Year of Grace: A History of the Ulster Revival of 1859. However, another Presbyterian minister wrote a response to this called, The Year of Delusion.


1859 Ulster revival
J. Edwin Orr suggested that the 1859 revival "made a greater impact spiritually on Ireland, than anything else known since the days of St. Patrick." According to Ian Paisley, the revival explains why Northern Ireland is much more religiously conservative than the rest of the UK or Europe.


1859 United Kingdom general election
In the 1859 United Kingdom general election returned no party a majority of seats in the House of Commons. The Earl of Derby's Conservatives formed a minority government, but  despite making overall gains, Derby's government was defeated in a confidence vote by an alliance of Palmerston's Whigs together with Peelites, Radicals and the Irish Brigade. Palmerston subsequently formed a new government from this alliance which is now considered to be the first Liberal Party administration.


1859 United Kingdom general election
There is no separate tally of votes or seats for the Peelites. They did not contest elections as an organised party but more as independent Free trade Conservatives with varying degrees of distance from the two main parties.


1859 United Kingdom general election
It was also the last general election entered by the Chartists, before their organisation was dissolved. As of 2021, this is the last election in which the Conservatives won the most seats in Wales, as well as being the last election to date in which the Conservative Party took less than a third of the vote in England.


1859 United Kingdom general election
The election was the quietest and least competitive between 1832 and 1885, with most county elections being uncontested. The election also saw the lowest number of candidates between 1832 and 1885, with Tory gains potentially being the result of a lack of opposition as much as a change in public opinion. According to A.J.P. Taylor:


1859 United Kingdom general election in Ireland
The 1859 British general election in Ireland produced the last overall victory for the Conservatives in Ireland. They won a majority of seats on the island despite the Liberals receiving over 60% of the vote; this was partly due to a disproportionately large number of Conservative candidates standing unopposed. The franchise was restricted to the middle and upper classes.


1859 United Kingdom general election in Ireland
Electoral reform in subsequent decades saw something of a rise in the Tory vote in Ireland accompanied by a diminution in the number of seats the party won. This was again due in some degree to the relative numbers of candidates standing unopposed for the two parties.


1859 United States House of Representatives election in California
California held its election September 7, 1859. From statehood to 1864, California's members were elected at-large, with the top finishers winning election.


1859 United States House of Representatives election in Minnesota
Minnesota became a new state in 1858 having already elected its first two members at-large in October 1857 to finish the current term. The state then held elections to the next term October 4, 1859.


1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
The 1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts was held during January 1859. Incumbent Senator Henry Wilson, who had been elected in 1855 to fill the unexpired term of Edward Everett, was re-elected easily to a full term as a member of the Republican Party.


1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts
At the time, Massachusetts elected United States senators by a majority vote of each separate house of the Massachusetts General Court, the House and the Senate.


1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts, Background
At the time, the Massachusetts legislature was dominated by a coalition of Republican Party and American Party supporters, united in opposition to slavery.


1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts, Election in the Senate
On January 11, the State Senate convened and re-elected Wilson overwhelmingly, with 35 votes.


1859 United States Senate election in Massachusetts, Election in the House
On January 12, the House ratified the Senate result, electing Wilson to a full term in the U.S. Senate.


1859 United States Senate election in Minnesota
The 1859 United States Senate election in Minnesota took place for the state's Class II seat on December 15, 1859 by the Minnesota legislature in a joint convention. Democratic incumbent James Shields drew the short-term Class II seat lot (expiring March 3, 1859) when he was elected on December 19, 1857 prior to Minnesota statehood.


1859 Vermont gubernatorial election
The 1859 Vermont gubernatorial election for governor of Vermont was held on Tuesday, September 6. In keeping with the "Mountain Rule", incumbent Republican Hiland Hall was a candidate for a second one-year term. The Democratic nominee was John Godfrey Saxe, former State's Attorney of Chittenden County.


1859 Vermont gubernatorial election
Vermont's support for the Republican Party and the abolition of slavery remained strong, and Hall was easily re-elected. Hall took the oath of office for a one-year term that began on October 14.


1859 Virginia gubernatorial election
The 1859 Virginia gubernatorial election was held on May 26, 1859 to elect the governor of Virginia.


1859 Waimea by-election
The Waimea by-election of 1859 was a by-election for the electorate of Waimea during the 2nd New Zealand Parliament. It was triggered by the resignation of William Travers when he was appointed as a judge. According to Wilson, Travers was disqualified under the Act of 1858, and vacated the seat on 26 July 1859.


1859 Waimea by-election
Only one candidate was nominated on 26 December 1859, Fedor Kelling, and he was immediately declared elected.


1859 Welsh revival
The 1859 Welsh revival was a Christian revival in Wales. It was led by two ministers: Humphrey Jones and David Morgan. The revival had its roots in the 1857–59 revival in the United States. Jones, a Methodist minister, had experienced the revival in New York. On his return to Tre'r Ddôl, he recruited Morgan, a Presbyterian, to the cause. It is estimated that the revival produced 100,000 converts.


1859 Welsh revival
Some writers, such as Martyn Lloyd-Jones, also view the revival as connected to the revival in Ulster during the same year.


1859 West Macquarie colonial by-election
A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of West Macquarie on 21 December 1859 because John McPhillamy resigned.


1859 Wisconsin gubernatorial election
The 1859 Wisconsin gubernatorial election was held on November 8, 1859. Republican Party incumbent Governor Alexander Randall won re-election with 53% of the vote, defeating Democratic candidate Harrison Carroll Hobart.


1859 Wisconsin gubernatorial election, Democratic Party
Harrison Carroll Hobart was a member of the Wisconsin State Assembly at the time of the election, representing Calumet County. He had previously served as Speaker of the Assembly in the 1849 session, and was state senator for the 1st district in the 1st Wisconsin Legislature.


1859 Wisconsin gubernatorial election, Republican Party
Alexander W. Randall was the incumbent Governor, having been elected in the 1857 election. He had previously served as a Wisconsin Circuit Court Judge in Milwaukee, and served one term in the Wisconsin State Assembly in 1855. Earlier, in 1846, Randall had been a delegate to the first Wisconsin constitutional convention and had successfully advocated for including a provision by which African American suffrage could be legalized via referendum.


1859 Yass Plains colonial by-election
A by-election was held for the New South Wales Legislative Assembly electorate of Yass Plains on 15 September 1859 because Thomas Laidlaw resigned as he realised his role as deputy postmaster at Yass, on a salary of £20 a year, was an office of profit under the crown.


1859 college baseball season
The 1859 college baseball season was the first season of intercollegiate baseball in the United States. The competing systems of rules known as Massachusetts Rules and Knickerbocker Rules were both used in different parts of the country. The season consisted of only four teams and two games, with each game featuring one of the competing systems of rules. No champion for college baseball was determined until 1893, and it would not be until 1947 that the College World Series began.


1859 college baseball season, Programs
While many institutions had baseball teams, only three colleges fielded intercollegiate teams in 1860, with one game involving a preparatory school. The collegiate teams were:


1859 college baseball season, First game
The first game between teams composed completely of players enrolled at separate colleges was held on July 1, 1859, between Amherst College and Williams in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The game was held using Massachusetts rules, and Amherst won 73–32. The game was loosely similar to modern baseball, with no foul territory, no called strikes, and only one out per inning. Despite the score, the game took just three and a half hours to play.


1859 college baseball season, Second game
The first game to be held using Knickerbocker Rules, largely used today, was held on November 3, 1859, between the St. John's College Fordham Rose Hill Baseball Club (known today as Fordham University) and St. Francis Xavier. St. John's won 33–11.


1859 in Australia
The following lists events that happened during 1859 in Australia.


1859 in Brazil
This is the current revision of this page, as edited by Dom Pedro IV (talk | contribs) at 15:18, 27 March 2020 (Periods at the end of the bullet points.). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this version.


1859 in India, Events
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1859 in New Zealand
The following lists events that happened during 1859 in New Zealand.


1859 in South Africa
The following lists events that happened during 1859 in South Africa.


1859 in Wales
This article is about the particular significance of the year 1859 to Wales and its people.


1859 in architecture
The year 1859 in architecture involved some significant architectural events and new buildings.


1859 in literature
This article contains information about the literary events and publications of 1859.


1859 in paleontology
Paleontology or palaeontology is the study of prehistoric life forms on Earth through the examination of plant and animal fossils. This includes the study of body fossils, tracks (ichnites), burrows, cast-off parts, fossilised feces (coprolites), palynomorphs and chemical residues. Because humans have encountered fossils for millennia, paleontology has a long history both before and after becoming formalized as a science. This article records significant discoveries and events related to paleontology that occurred or were published in the year 1859.


1859 in poetry
Nationality words link to articles with information on the nation's poetry or literature (for instance, Irish or France).


1859 in poetry, Births
Death years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:


1859 in poetry, Deaths
Birth years link to the corresponding "[year] in poetry" article:


1859 in rail transport
This article lists events related to rail transport that occurred in 1859.


1859 in science
The year 1859 in science and technology involved some significant events, listed below.


1859 in sports
1859 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.


185th (2/1st West Riding) Brigade
The 185th (2/1st West Riding) Brigade was a formation of the Territorial Force of the British Army. It was assigned to the 62nd (2nd West Riding) Division and served on the Western Front during the First World War.


185th (2/1st West Riding) Brigade, Formation
The infantry battalions did not all serve at once, but all were assigned to the brigade during the war.


185th Aero Squadron
The 185th Aero Squadron was a United States Army Air Service unit that fought on the Western Front during World War I.


185th Aero Squadron
Known as the "Bats", the 185th Aero Squadron is notable as it was the first and only night pursuit (fighter) squadron organized by the United States during World War I. Its mission was night interception of enemy aircraft, primarily bombers and observation aircraft. It was engaged in combat for less than a month before the 1918 Armistice with Germany. After the armistice, the squadron returned to the United States in June 1919 and was demobilized.


185th Aero Squadron
The 185th Aero Squadron was reactivated as the 185th Cyberspace Operations Squadron in June 2019, 100 years after being demobilized. Just as the Bats of WW1 were faced with a new mission in a new domain to protect their fellow soldiers on the ground, the Bats of today hunt and illuminate their adversaries within the Air Force's Cyberspace environment. The 185 COS is under the 192nd Wing, Virginia Air National Guard, which shares a total force integration relationship with the 1st Fighter Wing on Langley Air Force Base.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Origins
The 185th Aero Squadron was organized on 11 November 1917 at Kelly Field #2, Texas by the transfer of men from the 24th Aero Squadron. Many of the men had experience flying or maintaining the Curtiss JN-4B "Jenny" trainers. On the 15th, additional men were transferred to the squadron from the 2d Recruit Battalion and 3d Recruit Battalion. On 20 January 1918, the squadron was transferred to Aviation Concentration Center, Mitchell Field, Long Island for duty overseas.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Origins
After just over a week, the squadron embarked on the RMS Adriatic, arriving in Liverpool, England on 16 February after being delayed in Halifax, Nova Scotia for a convoy. At Liverpool, the squadron boarded a train and arrived at Winchester, England that evening, where it was assigned to the Romney Rest Camp.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Training in England
On 28 February, the squadron was divided into Flights and placed under control of the Royal Flying Corps for training. "B", "C" and "D" flights were transferred to 4 Training Depot Station (TDS) at RFC Hooton Park in Cheshire. "A" flight was transferred to 63 TDS, RFC Ternhill, Shropshire.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Training in England
At Hooton, the squadron was trained in the airplane repair shop, the engine repair shop and also in motor transport repair. Other men were trained in various clerical duties. The men at Ternhill were trained in a similar manner. The squadron was trained on both Sopwith strutters and Sopwith Camels with rotary engines and Sopwith Dolphin fighters equipped with Hispano-Suiza 8B engines. In April, the 185th Aero Squadron was recombined at RFC Hooton, where the squadron continued training.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Training in England
On 16 June, the squadron was inspected by RFC Colonel Mansfield, Commander of the 37 Wing and he expressed his appreciation for the work provided by the squadron, owing to the shortage of British men who were at the front. By July, the men of the 185th were becoming impatient, as it was rumored the squadron would remain in England on a permanent basis, however orders were finally relieved to report to the Flower Down Rest Camp near Winchester on 7 August.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Training in England
After a final inspection at Flower Down, the squadron received a final inspection before boarding a train to Southampton on 11 August. Late the next afternoon, the squadron crossed the English Channel and arrived at American Rest Camp #2 in Le Havre, France.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Combat in France
The next day the squadron boarded a troop train, bound for the St. Maixent Replacement Barracks, arriving on 16 August. There the squadron was equipped with steel helmets and gas masks and training in the tear gas chamber. On 20 August, the squadron boarded a troop train and proceeded to the 1st Air Depot, Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome, arriving on the 23d. Once the authorities at the depot realized the 185th was fully trained, the men were assigned to aircraft maintenance duties and also at the depot.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Combat in France
The need for pilots being so great on 16 September, seventeen squadron pilots were transferred out to fill vacancies in other squadrons at the front, leaving the 185th with two trained pilots, and still without any aircraft to fly. Finally, on 7 October, orders were received to move to Rembercourt Aerodrome and join the 1st Pursuit Group. After a rainy, long, uncomfortable trip by truck, the squadron arrived on the 10th late in the afternoon. On 12 October, fourteen Sopwith Camels were assigned to the 185th and the pilots began trial flights. A few days later, five pilots, who had been transferred out at Colombey returned to the 185th.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Combat in France
At Rembercourt, the 185th was designated as a "Night Chase" Squadron, the first of its type organized by the American Army. Night Pursuit work was in its infancy. The Sopwith Camels were planes that were considered almost to be obsolete, except for training. The pilots were not trained in night flying, with many of them never having taken off after dusk. Also, the squadron had to experiment with wing flares, parachute flares and instrument lights. Also the airdrome had no landing lights, and the searchlights and Anti- Aircraft batteries were not versed with American planes flying after dusk. In addition, there were not enough searchlights for the guidance of our pilots, who frequently could not find the airfield at night and had to make forced landings after running out of gasoline. Many accidents were caused and there was a chronic lack of spare parts for the airplanes.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Combat in France, Night Pursuit Operations
Nevertheless, on 18–19 October 1918, the first orders were issued and the 185th Aero Squadron (Night Pursuit) stood its first alert that night from dusk until dawn. On the night of the 21st the squadron was alerted that there were several enemy aircraft flying over Troyon, and the squadron took off in its first night interception mission. However upon arrival over the area, no enemy aircraft were seen. On the night of the 22d, the squadron made a low-level fight over enemy territory and Lieutenant Kelton fired about 100 rounds into a troop train between Spincourt and Longuyon. However, due to poor visibility, he was unable to report the results.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Combat in France, Night Pursuit Operations
The only aerial combat of the squadron happened on the night of 23 October when Lts Kelton and Johnson were on alert when a report came in that enemy Gotha bombers were over Bar-le-Duc. Immediately, both pilots took off to intercept the enemy aircraft. Kelton reported that he observed searchlights in the Bar-le-Duc area performing sweeps to locate the enemy aircraft. He saw one bomber and fired a burst of 20 shots that struck the aircraft. He then saw another enemy aircraft that he fired a burst of 10 shots at. He observed Anti-


185th Aero Squadron, History, Combat in France, Night Pursuit Operations
Aircraft fire and searchlights in the sky and saw tracer bullets being fired into the air. He fired at long range at the aircraft but the results were unobserved. It was later learned that Kelton and Johnson frightened away the enemy aircraft by their unexpected appearance before dropping all of their bombs. They later jettisoned the remainder of their bombs in an open countryside area as they returned to their lines. Although the 185th did not shoot down any of the aircraft, by disrupting their mission, a symbolic victory was achieved.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Combat in France, Night Pursuit Operations
One pilot was killed in an aircraft accident, Lt Ewing on 28 October. His plane caught on fire and crashed 500 yards southwest of Rembercourt due to a malfunctioning altimeter. Lieutenant Kelton went missing on the 30th. He was on a strafing mission in enemy territory and was shot down. Taken POW, he escaped and walked back to the unit arriving one month later.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Combat in France, Night Pursuit Operations
Active operations of the squadron ended on 11 November with the signing of the Armistice with Germany.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Demobilization
Daylight Proficiency flights were conducted after the Armistice with Germany, however, no flights were permitted to be flown over German-controlled territory. The squadron remained at Rembercourt for about a month. On 11 December 1918 orders were received from First Army for the squadron to report to the 1st Air Depot, Colombey-les-Belles Airdrome to turn in all of its supplies and equipment and was relieved from duty with the AEF. The squadron's Sopwith aircraft were delivered to the Air Service American Air Service Acceptance Park No. 1 at Orly Aerodrome to be returned to the British. There practically all of the pilots and observers were detached from the squadron.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Demobilization
During the organization's stay at Colombey, the men attended to the usual camp duties. Personnel at Colombey were subsequently assigned to the commanding general, services of supply, and ordered to report to one of several staging camps in France. There, personnel awaited scheduling to report to one of the base ports in France for transport to the United States and subsequent demobilization. On 6 May 1919, the 185th was moved to Base Station #5 near the port of Brest prior to its return to the United States. Upon arrival the men were caught up on any back pay owed to them, de-loused, a formal military records review was performed and a passenger list was created prior to the men boarding a ship.


185th Aero Squadron, History, Demobilization
On 1 June 1919, the 185th Aero Squadron boarded a troop ship and sailed for New York Harbor, arriving on the 28th. It proceeded to Mitchel Field, Long Island on 15 June where the personnel of the squadron were demobilized and returned to civilian life.


185th Air Refueling Wing
The 185th Air Refueling Wing is a unit of the Iowa Air National Guard, stationed at Colonel Bud Day Field, Sioux City, Iowa. If activated to federal service, the Wing is gained by the United States Air Force Air Mobility Command.


185th Air Refueling Wing, Mission
The mission of the 185th Wing is to provide air refueling and mobility sustainment in support of the global mission of the Air Force. As a community-based organization the wing and its subordinate units are also tasked to support the state of Iowa in the event of a state emergency.


185th Air Refueling Wing, Units
The 185th Air Refueling Wing consists of the following major units:


185th Air Refueling Wing, History
The wing was first organized on 1 October 1962 as the 185th Tactical Fighter Group as a single headquarters for the 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron and its support units. This reorganization nearly doubled the authorized personnel of the Air National Guard at Sioux City Municipal Airport to over 800 officers and airmen. This era would also mark the longest continuous period the group flew one model aircraft. The 185th flew the North American F-100 Super Sabre from its establishment until 1977, a period of 15 years.


185th Air Refueling Wing, History, Vietnam era
On 26 January 1968, the 185th was called to active Federal service as a result of the Pueblo Crisis. During its active duty period, the group moved to Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, but became little more than a paper unit. Its 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron, augmented by other personnel from the group, deployed with their F-100s to Phù Cát Air Base, South Vietnam on 11 May 1968 where it was assigned to the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing.


185th Air Refueling Wing, History, Vietnam era
During the course of the next 90 days, the balance of the 185th was deployed to six military bases in South Korea and others in the United States. During its year in South Vietnam, the 174th flew 6,539 combat sorties totaling 11,359 hours of combat time. The unit was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award. Individually, its members were awarded 12 Silver Stars, 35 Distinguished Flying Crosses, 30 Bronze Star Medals, 115 Air Force Commendation Medals, 325 Air Medals, and 1 Purple Heart.


185th Air Refueling Wing, History, Vietnam era
While at Phù Cát, one pilot that flew one of the 174th's planes was Dick Rutan. Dick went on to become the first pilot to take a non-stop unrefuelled trip around the world. Dick was also one of the Misty FACs, a top-secret squadron that flew high-risk missions during their tours. Another member of this famous squadron was Medal of Honor recipient Colonel George "Bud" Day, for whom the airfield in Sioux City is named.


185th Air Refueling Wing, History, Vietnam era
All personnel and aircraft were released from active duty in May 1969 and returned to Sioux City. Vietnam also spawned the nickname Bats. The "Bat" depicted on the tails of the aircraft and the shoulder patch of the pilots became a legendary symbol of the 185th when its 174th Tactical Fighter Squadron was called to duty in Vietnam. "Bat" was the call sign of the 174th. The other symbol often associated with the squadron has been the Indian Chief that is part of the unit patch as well as part of the paint work on the aircraft.


185th Air Refueling Wing, History, A-7D Corsair IIs
In 1977, the 185th converted to the LTV A-7D Corsair II. While flying the A-7Ds, the unit won the Spaatz Trophy for the second time in 1990, recognizing them as the best Air Guard unit in the country. The Unit also was awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit award five times; in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989 and in 1991. In addition, the 185th's Logistics Group was a two-time winner of the Daedalian Trophy which recognizes the best maintenance team in the Aior Guard. In 1989, the 185th won the Twelfth Air Force A-7 gunnery meet for the second time. Also in 1989, the 185th received the Gunsmoke A-7 Maintenance Team Award for its aircraft.


185th Air Refueling Wing, History, Modern era
On 19 December 1991, the group received General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons. On 16 March 1992, the 185th Tactical Fighter Group was redesignated the 185th Fighter Group. One month later, the unit was rated operational with the Fighting Falcon. As the Air Force and Air Guard standardized unit structures under the Objective Wing concept, the 185th was designated the 185th Fighter Wing. The F-16 "Fighting Falcon" would be the last jet that the unit would fly before conversion to KC-135E tankers in 2003. The 185th continued to be an award-winning unit. In 1994, the unit gained the Winston P. Wilson Award as well as the Air Force Association Outstanding Air National Guard Unit Award. In 1999, Congress appropriated $6.5 million for the Air National Guard Aircraft Paint Facility located on base.


185th Air Refueling Wing, History, Modern era
The wing was redesignated the 185th Air Refueling Wing. In November 2003, the first all Sioux City crew flew a Boeing KC-135 Stratotanker out of Sioux City. Within a year, the 185th was flying refueling missions from Geilenkirchen, Germany supporting Airborne Warning and Control System aircraft of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. In 2007, the 185th began transitioning from the KC-135E to the KC-135R model.


185th Air Refueling Wing, History, Modern era
Today, the 185th consists of nearly 900 members that include traditional guardsman, full-time military, air technicians and state contract employees.


185th Air Refueling Wing, References, Bibliography
This article incorporates public domain material from the Air Force Historical Research Agency website .


185th Armor Regiment
The 185th Armor Regiment was an armor regiment of the United States Army consisting of soldiers from the California Army National Guard.


185th Armor Regiment, History
The 185th Armor Regiment was created on 1 July 1959 by combining several existing units. The 185th Armor Regiment shares the lineage of some of those existing units, which can be traced back to 1885 with the 7th Infantry Regiment (California).


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1885 – 1917 7th Infantry (California)
On 22 July 1885, the 7th Infantry Battalion was constituted in the California National Guard by consolidating existing companies in Los Angeles and San Diego. On 5 May 1888, the 7th Infantry Battalion was expanded, reorganized, and redesignated as the 7th Infantry Regiment (California). On 7 November 1895 the 7th Infantry Regiment (California) was consolidated with the 9th Infantry Regiment (California), which had been organized on 8 February 1890 in the California National Guard, and the consolidated unit was designated as the 7th Infantry Regiment (California).


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1885 – 1917 7th Infantry (California), Spanish American War
On 9 May 1898, the 7th Infantry Regiment (California) was mustered into federal service at the Presidio of San Francisco, California, as the 7th California Volunteer Infantry. On 2 December 1898, the regiment mustered out of federal service at Los Angeles.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1885 – 1917 7th Infantry (California), World War I
On 29 June 1916, the 7th Infantry Regiment (California) was mustered into federal service at Sacramento. On 11 November 1916, the regiment was mustered out of federal service at Los Angeles. On 5 August 1917, the 7th Infantry Regiment (California) was drafted into federal service. From 25 September 1917 through 1 November 1917, the 7th Infantry Regiment (California) was consolidated with the 2nd Battalion, Companies L and M, and the Sanitary Detachment of the 2nd Infantry Regiment (California). The consolidated unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 160th Infantry and assigned to the 40th Division.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements
The 160th Infantry's performance during World War 1 is discussed here. On 7 May 1919, the 160th Infantry demobilized at Camp Kearny, California.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1919–41
From 23 August 1921 through 6 October 1921, the former southern California elements were reconstituted and reorganized as the 160th Infantry and assigned to the 40th Division in the California National Guard, with headquarters at Los Angeles. On 31 January 1922, the 160th Infantry was federally recognized.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1919–41
On 1 April 1929, the 2nd Battalion, 160th Infantry was withdrawn, reorganized, and redesignated as the 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry, an element of the 40th Division (later redesignated as the 40th Infantry Division). Concurrently, the 160th Infantry reorganized with a new 2nd Battalion.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1919–41
From March through April 1930, the 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry expanded and reorganized as the 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 185th Infantry.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, World War II
On 3 March 1941, the 160th Infantry and 185th Infantry were inducted into federal service at home stations, and more information regarding their service during the war is available here for the 160th Infantry and here for the 185th Infantry. On 7 April 1946, the 160th Infantry and 185th Infantry were inactivated at Camp Stoneman, California.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1946–50
On 5 August 1946, the 185th Infantry expanded and reorganized, with the 2nd and 3rd Battalions redesignated as the 223rd and 224th Infantry and assigned to the 40th Infantry Division.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1946–50
On 14 October 1946, the 160th Infantry was reorganized and federally recognized with headquarters at Los Angeles.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1946–50
On 15 October 1946, the 223rd Infantry and 224th Infantry were organized and federally recognized with headquarters at Pasadena and Ontario, respectively.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, Korean War
On 1 September 1950, the 160th Infantry, 223d Infantry, and 224th Infantry were ordered into active federal service at home stations. On 2 September 1950, the 160th Infantry [NGUS], 223d Infantry [NGUS], and 224th Infantry [NGUS] were organized and federally recognized with headquarters at Los Angeles, Pasadena and Ontario, respectively. The three regiments consisted of the three maneuver units of the 40th Infantry Division, which saw significant action in the Korean War in 1952. More information regarding their service during the war is available here.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1954–1959
On 30 June 1954, the three regiments were released from active federal service and reverted to state control. Federal recognition of 223rd Infantry (NGUS), 224th Infantry (NGUS) and 160th Infantry (NGUS) was concurrently withdrawn.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1954–1959
On 1 July 1954, the units underwent the changes described below that are germane to the lineage of the 185th Armor Regiment. For more information regarding the lineage of the other elements, refer to their respective lineage.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1919 – 49 precursor elements, 1954–1959
On 1 July 1959, the 185th Armor Regiment was created as an element of the 40th Armored Division by consolidating the following units: 133rd and 139th Tank Battalions, 111th Reconnaissance Battalion, and 140th and 134th Tank Battalions. The lineage of the 140th and 134th Tank Battalions is described below.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 1959–2000
On 1 May 1962, the 6th and 7th Medium Tank Battalions were added to the regiment through a reorganization.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 1959–2000
On 1 March 1963, the 3rd Medium Tank Battalion was added and the 7th Medium Tank Battalion was removed from the regiment through a reorganization.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 1959–2000
On 15 March 1964, the 3rd Reconnaissance Squadron was removed from the regiment through a reorganization.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 1959–2000
On 29 January 1968, the regiment was reorganized to include three battalions (1st, 2nd and 3rd) of the 185th Armor Regiment, an element of the 40th Armored Brigade.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 1959–2000
On 13 January 1974, the regiment and its three battalions were assigned as an element of the 40th Infantry Division.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 1959–2000
On 1 May 1992, the regiment was ordered into active federal service at home stations for the 1992 Los Angeles riots and released on 9 May 1992 whereupon it went on State Active Duty for the remainder of the urban unrest.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 1959–2000
On 1 October 2001, Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry was ordered to active federal service in support of Operation Nobel Eagle, and deployed to Fort Huachucca Arizona to guard the Military Intelligence Training Center (which was also the alternate Pentagon following the attacks on 11 September 2001).


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 1959–2000
In 2002, 1st Battalion, 185th Armor was detached from the 40th Infantry Division and assigned to the 81st Armor Brigade (Washington National Guard).


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
In early 2004, the 1st Battalion was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 01-02 as part of the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team. The battalion was responsible for security for three bases south of Baghdad and corresponding route security along main supply routes between Baghdad and Kuwait. The battalion was reorganized and retrained for this deployment which included all but one of the companies (Bravo) deploying as provisional infantry units. The battalion returned to California in March 2005 where it was restructured into a Combined Arms Battalion shortly thereafter. First battalion's Bravo Company, was equipped with M1 Abrams.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
The first battalion's Bravo Company (along with other attached battalion elements to specified active duty units) received a Valorous Unit Award for actions as part of the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in early 2005 as part of operations in support of Iraq's first elections after the fall of Saddam Hussein.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
In September 2005, the 2nd Battalion's Bravo Company was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In Iraq, Bravo Company was responsible for the security of more than 2,200 detainees at Baghdad Central Prison (formerly known as Abu Ghraib) until June 2006 when the camp was closed. During their time at the prison, Bravo Company Soldiers foiled several escape attempts. Upon the closure of the prison, it was then the responsibility of the unit to transport approximately 5,000 detainees to various holding facilities throughout Iraq.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
Following that mission, Bravo Company Soldiers were responsible for convoy security and operational control of a forward operating base where the company's convoy team operated without any coalition or civilian casualties for more than 10,000 miles. In December 2006, Bravo Company demobilized at Fort Lewis, Washington before returning to San Diego, California.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
The second battalion's Bravo Company received one Iraq Campaign streamer with the following inscription: NATIONAL RESOLUTION. Bravo Company also received a Meritorious Unit Commendation as part of the 43rd Military Police Brigade, Rhode Island Army National Guard.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
On 1 September 2007, the 2nd Battalion was reorganized and eliminated from the regiment.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
In August 2008, the first battalion was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-09 as part of the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team. As part of the mobilization, Alpha Company was attached to the first battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment to provide the only mechanized infantry company for their mobilization for Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo. In turn, the first battalion was augmented with Alpha and Bravo companies from the first battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment. After mobilization, the first battalion completed training in Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, and arrived in Iraq in October 2008.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
While in Iraq, the first battalion's Echo Company and Alpha and Bravo companies from the first battalion, 184th Infantry Regiment were attached to the 30th Support Battalion.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
The remainder of the first battalion performed a security force mission throughout Multi-National Division-North at COB Speicher near Tikrit, Iraq. With the battalion's headquarters and headquarters company providing command and control, the three companies provided convoy security support to corps assets, which included coalition force operational moves, Kellogg, Brown and Root, and third country national logistical convoys. The first battalion executed more than 1,500 missions, totaling more than 1,000,000 mission miles, throughout MND-N and Multi-National Corps-Iraq without incident. In August 2009, the first battalion returned to California.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
The first battalion's Bravo, Charlie and Delta Companies received two Iraq Campaign streamers with the following inscriptions: IRAQI SURGE and IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
The first battalion's Echo Company received two Iraq Campaign streamers with the following inscriptions: IRAQI SURGE and IRAQI SOVEREIGNTY and a Meritorious Unit Commendation.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
In October 2008, the first battalion's Alpha Company was mobilized under the command of the 184th Infantry Regiment for a deployment to Kosovo as part of the 40th Infantry Division as the only mechanized infantry company. The company mobilized ahead of other units and conducted most of its training separate from its parent unit, because of the need for specialized gunnery training on the company's Bradley vehicles. This training was conducted at Fort Irwin in November and Camp Shelby in December.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
Once the gunnery training was completed, the company traveled to Camp Atterbury to join its parent unit to complete the required training. The company traveled to JMRC Hohenfels for additional training, before arriving in Kosovo in February. The company was utilized as one of three maneuver companies tasked with providing a safe and secure environment and ensuring freedom of movement in accordance with United Nations Resolution 1244. While accomplishing this mission, the company also was required to both maintain their Bradley Fighting Vehicles as well as their proficiency with using them.


185th Armor Regiment, History, 1959–present, 21st century
In November 2009, the company departed Kosovo to conduct demobilization operations at Fort Lewis near Seattle, Washington and returned to California a few weeks later. While the battalion did not receive campaign participation credit, those Soldiers who served with Alpha company during this deployment received the Kosovo Campaign Medal and the NATO Non-Article 5 Medal.


185th Armor Regiment, History, Redesignation
On 2 February 2016, the 1st Battalion of the 185th Armor Regiment was redesignated as 1st Battalion of the 185th Infantry Regiment, due to the transition of the 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team to a Stryker brigade. This unit inherits the lineage of the 185th Armor and is not connected with the previous 185th Infantry.


185th Armor Regiment, Subordinate units
The first and second battalions remain as active "Combined Arms Battalions" which each typically consist of two armor companies, two infantry companies, and a combat engineer company.


185th Armor Regiment, Subordinate units, First Battalion
The first battalion had served as one of two armor battalions of the 81st Heavy Brigade Combat Team in the Washington Army National Guard.


185th Armor Regiment, Subordinate units, Second Battalion
The second battalion was stationed in Southern California as part of the California Army National Guard.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States)
The 185th Aviation Brigade is an aviation brigade of the United States Army. It is a unit of the Mississippi Army National Guard with units throughout the state of Mississippi.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
US Army Aviation units were first organized in Mississippi in 1948 to support artillery units in the northern part of the state and Hattiesburg. These aviation units were located at Grenada Airport 100 miles north of Jackson, Mississippi, the state capitol. In January 1951, all army aviation units in Mississippi were ordered to active duty and sent to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Six of the original ten aviators saw combat duty in the Korean War. The Grenada facility was closed during this time leaving no active army aviation programs in Mississippi.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
In early 1953, the Mississippi Aviation program was reorganized at Hawkins Field in Jackson. Mississippi received its first helicopters, two Bell OH-13s, in 1954. By 1958, the program had expanded to include a total of 40 aviators.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
The Mississippi Army Aviation program began operations as separate companies in 1959 and continued until 1968. During this time full-time maintenance support facilities were opened in Tupelo and Meridian.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
The state’s first battalion sized aviation unit, the 131st Aviation Battalion, was formed on 15 February 1968. The 131st was in service until 1986 when it was restructured to become an aviation group. In 1987, the 131st Aviation Group was redesignated as the 185th Aviation Group.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
In 1992, Company E, 185th Aviation in Meridian was redesignated Company G. This resulted in the company’s CH-54 Sky Cranes being replaced by twin-rotor CH-47 Chinook medium lift helicopters. In 1994 the mission of Company C, 1–185th Aviation in Tupelo was changed to armed aerial assault using the OH-58D/I Kiowa Warrior. Company C was then redesignated Company H, 185th Aviation. During 1996 Companies C and D, 1–185th Aviation in Jackson replaced their aging UH-1Hs with the UH-60 Blackhawk.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
On 1 October 1999, Company H was reformed as Company D, 1–159th Aviation based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. They are one of the first reserve component units in the nation to be part of an active component aviation battalion. The company is still located in Tupelo, Mississippi.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
Aviation assets under the 185th that are presently located in Mississippi are:


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
Headquarters, 185th Aviation Group was deployed to Iraq and stationed at Balad, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom-II from January 2004 to December 2004. The 185th served as the aviation group for the entire theatre and controlled all aviation assets in the country of Iraq during their deployment. The 185th returned on 24 December 2004.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
In September 2006 the 185th Aviation Group was redesignated to the 185th Theater Aviation Brigade. It has since changed back.


185th Aviation Brigade (United States), History
In November 2010, 1st Battalion, 185th Aviation Brigade was again activated to serve in support of Operation New Dawn. Deploying to Iraq in January 2011, the Battalion served as the primary Aviation assets in Northern Iraq, based out of Camp Speicher near Tikrit. Alpha Company was stationed at Camp Taji and served as the direct asset to the 25th ID at Camp Liberty in Baghdad. The 1–185th returned to the United States in November 2011.


185th Aviation Regiment (United States)
185th Aviation Regiment is an aviation regiment of the United States Army.


185th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders), CEF
The 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion, CEF was a unit in the Canadian Expeditionary Force during the First World War.


185th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders), CEF, History
The 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion, CEF was authorized on 15 July 1916. Based in Broughton, Nova Scotia, the unit began recruiting during the winter of 1915/16 throughout Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia and embarked for Great Britain on 12 October 1916. There it provided reinforcements for the Canadian Corps in the field until 15 February 1918, when its personnel were absorbed by the 17th Reserve Battalion. The battalion was subsequently disbanded on 29 November 1918.


185th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders), CEF, History
The 185th (Cape Breton Highlanders) Battalion, CEF had one officer commanding: Lieutenant-Colonel Frank Parker Day.


185th Canadian Infantry Battalion (Cape Breton Highlanders), CEF, History
In 1920 the perpetuation of the battalion was assigned to the Cape Breton Highlanders.


185th Division (People's Republic of China)
The 185th Division (Chinese: 第185师) was created in January 1949 under the Regulation of the Redesignations of All Organizations and Units of the Army, issued by Central Military Commission on November 1, 1948, basing on the 44th Brigade, 15th Column of Huabei Military Region. Its history could be traced to 2nd Military Sub-district, Taiyue Military District of Jinjiluyu Military Region formed in August 1948.


185th Division (People's Republic of China)
The division was composed of 553rd, 554th and 555th Infantry Regiments. As a part of 62nd Corps the division took part in the Chinese Civil War, including the Taiyuan Campaign, Fumei Campaign and Lanzhou Campaign.


185th Division (People's Republic of China)
Since February 1950 the division was combined with Ya'an Military Sub-district of Xikang Military District.


185th Division (People's Republic of China)
During its deployment in southwestern China, the division was gradually torn apart: in February 1951, 554th Infantry Regiment was transferred to 184th Division; in September, 553rd Infantry Regiment was transferred to 186th Division; in May 1952, 555th Infantry Regiment detached from the division and became 6th Independent Infantry Regiment of Southwestern Military Region.


185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment
The 185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment (Serbo-Croatian: 185. ловачко-бомбардерски авијацијски пук, romanized: 185. lovačko-bombarderski avijacijski puk) was established in 1949 as the 185th Mixed Aviation Regiment (Serbo-Croatian: 185. мешовити пук, romanized: 185. mešoviti puk) as part of the SFR Yugoslav Air Force.


185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment, History
The 185th Mixed Aviation Regiment was formed on July 24, 1949, in Ljubljana. It was equipped with various Soviet and Yugoslav aircraft such as the Yak-3, Ilyushin Il-2, Pe-2, Ikarus Aero 2. By 1953, the regiment was located in Pula, where it remained for the longest period of its existence. That same year, it was rearmed with new domestic-made Ikarus S-49C fighter aircraft and become a Fighter Aviation Regiment. The regiment was renamed the Aviation Technical Group of the Aviation Training School in 1956 and re-equipped with various Yak-9 types. The following year, the first US-made F-84 Thunderjet and T-33 Shooting Star jets arrived.


185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment, History
The regiment was re-established as the 185th Training Aviation Regiment by 1960. In that period, F-86 Sabres were introduced into service, in 1964 it became a Fighter-Training/Fighter Regiment.


185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment, History
By 1961, with the application of the "Drvar" reorganization of the Air Force, a new type of designation system was used to identify the two squadrons in the regiment, which became the 129th Fighter Aviation and the 243rd Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadrons.


185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment, History
By the end of the 1960s, all US jets had been replaced with new Yugoslav-made SOKO G-2 Galeb jet trainers; the unit was re-designated as a Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment. By 1975, 129 Squadron was renamed the 229th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron, equipped with Galeb trainer aircraft. In 1978 243 Squadron became the 1st Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron, it was reassigned to the 'Center for training of pilots of foreign armed forces' at Mostar. 129 Squadron was issued MiG-21 fighters by 1982.


185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment, History
Training of 229 Squadron with a new type of jet trainer, the G-4 Super Galeb, began on December 3, 1984. The 185th Regiment and 229th Squadron were the first units of the Yugoslav Air Force to be equipped with Super Galeb trainers. Six G-4s from 229th Squadron demonstrated the new product of domestic aviation industries at the 1985 Victory Day parade.


185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment, History
The Regiment was active in combat operations in 1991 during the wars in Slovenia and Croatia. G-4s from 229th Squadron were tasked with attacking Slovenian Territorial Defence barricades on roads held by ground units of the Yugoslav People's Army.


185th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Regiment, History
On September 18 and 19, 1991 the Regiment withdrew from Pula military airport to Tuzla Air Base where it was disbanded from October 30. It's 129th Fighter Aviation Squadron remained at Tuzla and the 229th Fighter-Bomber Aviation Squadron re-located to Golubovci Air Base in Montenegro on October 10 where it was re-attached to the 172nd Aviation Brigade. 129th Squadron was later moved from Tuzla to Priština, where it was disbanded on May 12, 1992, with personnel and equipment being divided between the 83rd and 204th Fighter Aviation Regiments.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom)
The 185th Infantry Brigade (185 Bde) was an infantry brigade formation of the British Army raised during the Second World War that participated in the Normandy landings of 6 June 1944, fighting in the Normandy Campaign and the subsequent campaign in North-West Europe with the 3rd British Infantry Division.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), History
The Brigade was formed on 1 September 1942 by redesignation of 204th Independent Infantry Brigade (Home), a static Home Defence formation serving under Durham and North Riding Area HQ. It was assigned frontline infantry battalions and became the infantry component of the new 79th Armoured Division. When 79th Armoured was reorganised as a specialist armour formation in April 1943, 185th Brigade transferred to the 3rd Infantry Division, training for Operation Overlord. The 3rd Infantry Division was the first British formation to land at Sword on D-Day.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), History
During the often intense fighting from Sword to Bremen, the 3rd Infantry Division suffered 2,586 killed with over 12,500 wounded or missing. Throughout the North West Europe Campaign, two members of the brigade (and division) were awarded the Victoria Cross. They were Corporal Sidney Bates of the 1st Battalion, Royal Norfolk Regiment and Private James Stokes of the 2nd Battalion, King's Shropshire Light Infantry.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), Composition
The following units comprised 185th Brigade from its formation until August 1945:


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), Sword
Sword was the codename of one of the five main landing beaches in Operation Neptune, the initial assault phase of Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Normandy on 6 June 1944.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), Sword
Stretching 8 km from Ouistreham to Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer it was the furthest east of the landing points and around 15 km from Caen. The landing site was divided into four zones — Oboe, Peter, Queen and Roger (west-east). The German Army's defences consisted of beach obstacles, anti-tank ditches, mines, machine guns and mortars at the beaches and across the River Orne at Merville there were heavy guns. The defending troops belonged to the 716th Static Infantry Division and could call on the support of the nearby 21st Panzer division. The landing forces were the British I Corps, comprising the 3rd British Infantry Division and the 27th Armoured Brigade.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), Sword
As well as being the furthest east of the landing beaches, Sword was also the smallest, only wide enough for a brigade-sized landing force. The 3rd British Division had the task of getting enough troops ashore to push inland quickly and seize Caen, and link up with the British 6th Airborne Division, which had dropped in the night before in Operation Tonga.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), Sword
Sword experienced the only counter-attack by the Germans on 6 June. British troops had been unable to link up with the 3rd Canadian Division on Juno, as had been planned and they were attacked by the 21st Panzer Division, veterans of the Western Desert Campaign. The 192nd Panzer Grenadier Regiment had reached Sword by 2000 hours but were subject to aerial attacks and were destroyed by the Royal Air Force (RAF) and the tanks of the 27th Armoured Brigade which had landed on Sword.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), Sword
By the end of the day, 29,000 men had been landed at Sword with 630 casualties. Allied forces had advanced about four miles inland, the situation was stable and a link up with the Canadians on Juno had been established. However the major objective of Caen which was to have been captured on D Day still evaded them. There would be fierce fighting around the area for the next 6 weeks, known as the Battle for Caen.


185th Infantry Brigade (United Kingdom), Sword
The 185th Brigade went on to fight at Bourguebus Ridge, Mont Pincon, the Nederrijn, the Rhineland, and across the Rhine River. By the end of the war the 185th Brigade had been awarded both the VCs awarded to the 3rd Division and had suffered more casualties than the other two infantry brigades.


185th Infantry Division (German Empire)
The 185th Infantry Division (185. Infanterie-Division) was a formation of the Imperial German Army in World War I.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 185th Infantry Regiment is a unit of the United States Army made up of soldiers from the California Army National Guard, represented by the 1st Battalion, part of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 185th Infantry was first used for a unit that traced its lineage back to the 6th Infantry Battalion of the California National Guard. The last active unit of the former 185th Infantry was the 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry, part of the 100th Troop Command, headquartered in Moreno Valley, CA. Its higher headquarters, in turn, was the 40th Infantry Division. This unit was disbanded in 2008.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States)
In 2016, the 1st Battalion of the 185th Armor Regiment was redesignated as the 1st Battalion of the 185th Infantry to form the current unit, which is not connected to the previous 185th Infantry.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, 19th century
The 1st Battalion, 185th Infantry Regiment was originally constituted on 22 July 1885 as the 6th Infantry Battalion, California National Guard. The unit was expanded, reorganized, and redesignated on 21 February 1888 as the 6th Infantry Regiment. It was mustered into federal service on 11 May 1898 at San Francisco as the 6th California Volunteer Infantry; and mustered out on 15 December 1898 at Fort Point, CA. It was reduced and consolidated on 11 May 1907 with the 2nd Infantry Regiment, California National Guard (organized in 1864 as the Sacramento Light Artillery) to form the 2nd Infantry Regiment, California National Guard, with headquarters at Sacramento.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, Early 20th century
The unit was called into federal service on 15 June 1916 for Mexican border service; mustered into federal service on 27 June 1916 at Sacramento; and mustered out on 15 November 1916. It was called into federal service on 26 March 1917; and drafted into federal service on 5 August 1917.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, Early 20th century
The 2nd Infantry Regiment (less 2nd Battalion, Companies L and M, and Sanitary Detachment) consolidated on 24 September – 1 November 1917 with the 5th Infantry Regiment, California National Guard, and the consolidated unit was designated as the 159th Infantry, an element of the 40th Division; demobilized on 1 May 1919 at the Presidio of San Francisco, CA.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, Early 20th century
The 2nd Battalion, Companies L and M, and Sanitary Detachment, 2nd Infantry Regiment consolidated on 25 September – 1 November 1917 with the 7th Infantry Regiment, California National Guard, and the consolidated unit was designated as the 160th Infantry, an element of the 40th Division; it demobilized on 7 May 1919 at Camp Kearny in San Diego.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, Early 20th century
The 185th Infantry Regiment was not re-formed until 1929. The 184th Infantry Infantry was constituted in the National Guard in 1921, assigned to the 40th Division, and allotted to California; the regiment was reorganized in the California National Guard and the headquarters was federally recognized on 20 October 1924 at Sacramento. Beginning in 1929, elements of the 160th and 184th Infantry Regiments stationed in central and northern California, less those in the San Francisco area, were used to form parts of the 185th Infantry Regiment. Other elements of the 185th Infantry Regiment were formed by redesignating existing 185th Infantry units.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, World War II
As part of the United States mobilization during World War II, the 185th Infantry Regiment was federalized at Fresno, California, on 3 March 1941 and moved to Camp San Luis Obispo, California, within two weeks. The regiment trained there for over a year as part of the 40th Division before relocating to Fort Lewis, Washington, on 29 April 1942. From there, the regiment went to San Francisco, California, in August and was shipped to Hawaii the following month.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, World War II
The regiment stayed in Hawaii where it trained in jungle warfare for over a year before being moved forward during January 1944 to the Solomon Islands. From April through December the regiment was employed in combat on New Britain island during the New Britain campaign. Then the regiment landed on Manus Island in December 1944 and invaded the Japanese-held Philippine Islands on 9 January 1945. The regiment participated in various actions of the Philippines Campaign of 1944–45 during the rest of the war, and arrived back at San Francisco, California on 5 April 1946, being inactivated the next day.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, Cold War
The regiment was relieved on 25 June 1946 from assignment to the 40th Infantry Division, it was assigned on 5 August 1946 to the 49th Infantry Division. The unit was reorganized and federally recognized on 18 November 1946, with headquarters at Fresno (former 2nd and 3rd Battalions reorganized as the 223rd and 224th Infantry, respectively (separate lineage); and a new 2nd Battalion, 185th Infantry was organized from existing units; 980th Field Artillery Battalion was reorganized, redesignated and federally recognized on 24 August 1947 as the new 3rd Battalion, 185th Infantry).


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, Cold War
The unit was reorganized on 1 May 1959 as the 185th Infantry, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental System, to consist of the 1st Battle Group, an element of the 49th Infantry Division; on 1 March 1963 to consist of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, elements of the 49th Infantry Division (the 2nd Battalion was relieved on 4 December 1963 from assignment to the 49th Infantry Division and assigned to the 49th Infantry Brigade); and on 29 January 1968 to consist of the 2nd Battalion, an element of the 49th Infantry Brigade.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, 21st century
Following the events of 11 September multiple national guard units were activated for various reasons. The 185th was no different with the regiment activated for Operation Noble Eagle, when it was assigned to guard military bases, airports, and other possible targets of opportunity. In late 2003 the 185th was activated again, this time in the wake of the Invasion of Iraq. This is not to be confused with the activation of the 185th Armor Regiment, which was activated at the same time. In 2005, the unit returned from active duty. In 2006, Headquarters Company was activated, and was deployed to Camp Bucca, Iraq for a year.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, 21st century
During the 2006–07 deployment when the regiment's only death, as of June 2009, occurred. Specialist Sellen, posthumously promoted to sergeant, was killed while attached to 16th MP Brigade due to an accidental discharge of a firearm by a fellow soldier.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, 21st century
In early 2007, the Company C of the 1st Battalion was mobilized for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom under the command of 1st Battalion, 143rd Field Artillery of the California Army National Guard. After completing training at Fort Dix, New Jersey, the company moved to Camp Slayer in Baghdad, Iraq and conducted force protection, convoy security, and military police missions throughout the country. During their six months in Iraq, they completed over 250 successful combat missions, including the care and custody of over 2,000 detainees and escorting numerous high-profile detainees to Iraqi courts in Baghdad.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, 21st century
On 22 February 2008, the company transferred responsibility to Charlie company, 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment of the Oklahoma Army National Guard. In March 2008, the company returned to Los Alamitos. The company received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for their service pursuant to Department of the Army Permanent Orders 272-43 dated 29 September 2009.


185th Infantry Regiment (United States), History, 21st century, New lineage
On 2 February 2016, the 1st Battalion of the 185th Armor Regiment was redesignated as 1st Battalion of the 185th Infantry Regiment, due to the transition of the 81st Armored Brigade Combat Team to a Stryker brigade. This unit inherits the lineage of the 185th Armor and is not connected with the previous 185th Infantry.


185th New York Infantry Regiment
The 185th New York Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.


185th New York Infantry Regiment, Service
The 185th New York Infantry was organized August 26, 1864 at Syracuse, New York and mustered in September 19, 1864 for one-year service under the command of Colonel Edwin S. Jenney.


185th New York Infantry Regiment, Service
The regiment was attached to 1st Brigade, 1st Division, V Corps, Army of the Potomac, to May 1865.


185th New York Infantry Regiment, Service
The 185th New York Infantry mustered out of service May 30, 1865 in Washington, D.C.. Veterans and recruits were transferred to the 5th New York Veteran Volunteer Infantry.


185th New York Infantry Regiment, Detailed service
Left New York for Petersburg, Va., September 27, 1864. Siege of Petersburg, Va., October 1, 1864 to April 2, 1865. Boydton Plank Road, Hatcher's Run, October 27–28, 1864. Warren's Raid on Weldon Railroad December 7–12. Dabney's Mills, Hatcher's Run, February 5–7, 1865. Appomattox Campaign March 28-April 9. Lewis Farm, near Gravelly Run, March 29. Junction of Boydton and Quaker Roads March 29. White Oak Road March 31. Five Forks April 1. Pursuit of Lee April 3–9. Appomattox Court House April 9. Surrender of Lee and his army. March to Washington, D. C., May 1–12. Grand Review of the Armies May 23.


185th New York Infantry Regiment, Casualties
The regiment lost a total of 98 men during service; 3 officers and 53 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded, 3 officers and 39 enlisted men died of disease.


185th New York State Legislature
The 185th New York State Legislature, consisting of the New York State Senate and the New York State Assembly, met from January 5, 1983, to December 31, 1984, during the first and second years of Mario Cuomo's governorship, in Albany.


185th New York State Legislature, Background
On May 8, 1982, Senate Republicans and Assembly Democrats announced that they had agreed upon a new apportionment. The number of seats in the State Senate was increased from 60 to 61. The new district lines were gerrymandered by the Republican Senate majority to increase Republican strength, and by the Democratic Assembly majority to increase Democratic strength.


185th New York State Legislature, Background
On June 23, 1982, a special panel of three federal judges ordered Special Master Robert P. Patterson Jr. to revise the new apportionment proposed by the Legislature.


185th New York State Legislature, Background
On July 3, 1982, the revised re-apportionment was approved by the U.S. Department of Justice.


185th New York State Legislature, Background
Thus, under the provisions of the New York Constitution of 1938 and the U.S. Supreme Court decision to follow the One man, one vote rule, re-apportioned in 1982 by the Legislature, 61 Senators and 150 assemblymen were elected in single-seat districts for two-year terms. Senate and Assembly districts consisted of approximately the same number of inhabitants, the area being apportioned contiguously without restrictions regarding county boundaries.


185th New York State Legislature, Background
At this time there were two major political parties: the Democratic Party and the Republican Party. The Conservative Party, the Liberal Party, the Right to Life Party, the Libertarian Party, a "Statewide Independent Party", a "Unity Party", the New Alliance Party, and the Socialist Workers Party also nominated tickets.


185th New York State Legislature, Elections
The New York state election, 1982, was held on November 2. Lieutenant Governor Mario Cuomo was elected Governor, and Westchester County Executive Alfred DelBello was elected Lieutenant Governor, both Democrats. The elections to the other three statewide elective offices resulted in the re-election of the three incumbent officeholders: a Republican Comptroller, a Democratic Attorney General and a Democratic U.S. Senator. The approximate party strength at this election, as expressed by the vote for Governor, was: Democrats 2,560,000; Republicans 2,249,000; Conservatives 230,000; Liberals 116,000; Right to Life 52,000; Libertarians 17,000; Statewide Independents 16,000; Unity 6,000; New Alliance 5,000; and Socialist Workers 4,000.


185th New York State Legislature, Elections
Sixteen of the nineteen women members of the previous legislature—State Senators Carol Berman (Dem. ), of Lawrence; Mary B. Goodhue (Rep.), a lawyer of Mount Kisco; Olga A. Méndez (Dem. ), of East Harlem, and Linda Winikow (Dem. ), of Spring Valley; and Assemblywomen Elizabeth Connelly (Dem. ), of Staten Island; Pinny Cooke (Rep.), of Rochester; Geraldine L. Daniels (Dem. ), of the Bronx; Gloria Davis (Dem. ), of the Bronx; Eileen C. Dugan (Dem. ), of Brooklyn; Aurelia Greene (Dem. ), of the Bronx; Rhoda S. Jacobs (Dem. ), of Brooklyn; Gerdi E. Lipschutz (Dem. ), of Queens; May W. Newburger (Dem. ), of Great Neck; Toni Rettaliata (Rep.), of Huntington; Gail S. Shaffer (Dem. ), of North Blenheim; and Helene Weinstein (Dem. ), a lawyer of Brooklyn—were re-elected.


185th New York State Legislature, Elections
Anna V. Jefferson (Dem. ), an accountant of Brooklyn, was also elected to the State Senate. Cynthia Jenkins (Dem. ), a librarian of Queens; Helen M. Marshall (Dem. ), a teacher and librarian of Queens; Nettie Mayersohn (Dem. ), of Queens; Mary M. McPhillips (Dem. ), of Middletown; Barbara Patton (Dem. ), a lawyer of Hempstead; and Louise M. Slaughter (Dem. ), of Fairport; were also elected to the Assembly. Gail S. Shaffer did not take her seat in the Assembly, and was appointed as Secretary of State of New York instead.


185th New York State Legislature, Elections
On May 24, 1983, Julia Harrison (Dem. ), of Queens, was elected to fill a vacancy in the Assembly. Thus the 185th Legislature finished having 23 women members, surpassing the previous record of 19 in the 184th New York State Legislature (in 1982).


185th New York State Legislature, Elections
The New York state election, 1983, was held on November 8. One vacancy in the Assembly was filled.


185th New York State Legislature, Sessions
The Legislature met for the first regular session (the 206th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 5, 1983; and recessed indefinitely on June 28.


185th New York State Legislature, Sessions
Warren M. Anderson (Rep.) was re-elected Temporary President of the Senate.


185th New York State Legislature, Sessions
The Legislature met for a special session on September 15, 1983, to consider changes to the laws concerning transportation of cargoes.


185th New York State Legislature, Sessions
The Legislature met for the second regular session (the 207th) at the State Capitol in Albany on January 4, 1984; and recessed indefinitely shortly before 2 a.m. on July 1.


185th New York State Legislature, Sessions
An hour after midnight, on May 30, the State Assembly rejected after a stormy debate of many hours the proposal to raise the legal drinking age from 19 to 21 years; the vote stood 80 to 69.


185th New York State Legislature, Sessions
The Legislature met for another special session on December 6, 1984. At this session, the legislators raised the wages of the legislators who were elected to the next Legislature; approved a sales tax increase for Erie County; and extended a corporate tax surcharge used to subsidize the New York City mass transit system.


185th New York State Legislature, State Senate, Senators
The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature. Andrew Jenkins and Lloyd Stephen Riford Jr. changed from the Assembly to the Senate at the beginning of this Legislature. Assemblyman Leonard P. Stavisky was elected to fill a vacancy in the Senate.


185th New York State Legislature, State Senate, Senators
Note: For brevity, the chairmanships omit the words "...the Committee on (the)..."


185th New York State Legislature, State Assembly, Assemblymen
The asterisk (*) denotes members of the previous Legislature who continued in office as members of this Legislature.


185th New York State Legislature, State Assembly, Assemblymen
Note: For brevity, the chairmanships omit the words "...the Committee on (the)..."


185th Ohio Infantry Regiment
The 185th Ohio Infantry Regiment, sometimes 185th Ohio Volunteer Infantry (or 185th OVI) was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.


185th Ohio Infantry Regiment, Service
The 185th Ohio Infantry was organized at Camp Chase in Columbus, Ohio, and mustered in for one year service on February 25, 1865, under the command of Colonel John E. Cummins.


185th Ohio Infantry Regiment, Service
The regiment left Ohio under orders for Nashville, Tennessee, February 27. Detained at Louisville, Kentucky, and assigned to guard duty at various points in Kentucky from Owensboro to Cumberland Gap, with headquarters at Eminence, until September. 1865. Skirmish in Bath County, Kentucky, March 26. Performed garrison duty at Mt. Sterling, Shelbyville, LaGrange, Greensboro, Cumberland Gap, and other locations.


185th Ohio Infantry Regiment, Service
The 185th Ohio Infantry mustered out of service September 26, 1865, at Lexington, Kentucky.


185th Ohio Infantry Regiment, Casualties
The regiment lost a total of 35 enlisted men during service, all due to disease.


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore"
The 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore (Italian: 185° Reggimento Artiglieria Paracadutisti "Folgore") is an artillery regiment of the Italian Army, specializing in airborne operations. The regiment was raised in March 1942 to support the Paratroopers of the 185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore". The division served with distinction the Western Desert Campaign and was destroyed in November 1942 during the Second Battle of El Alamein. Between 2000 and 2013 the regiment was named 185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore" and a Special Operations unit, tasked with reconnaissance and target acquisition.


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore"
On 1 July 2013 the regiment was reformed as artillery unit in Bracciano and received war flag of the 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", while the 185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore" received the war flag of the 185th Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo", which had been disbanded in September 1944 after serving with the Italian Co-Belligerent Army. Today the regiment is based in Bracciano near Rome and operationally assigned to the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore".


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", History
The Regiment traces its origins back to the 185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore", framed within the "Folgore" Division established in 1941. The artillery regiment fought at the Second Battle of El Alamein and was disbanded on 8 December 1942 because of the losses suffered.


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", History
During the Italian Army 1975 reform the regiment was raised again on 1 October 1975 as the 185th Paratroopers Field Artillery Group "Viterbo". On September 8, 1992, the group was renamed 1st Paratroopers Artillery Group, within the re-established 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore".


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", History
In winter 1999-2000, the unit was transformed into a special operations reconnaissance unit, and in 2004 it changed its name to 185th Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore" (185th RAO "Folgore"), while maintaining traditions and War Flag of the old 185th Artillery Regiment. In 2013, the 185th regiment was "doubled": the 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore" was reconstituted with men and materiel of the 33rd Field Artillery Regiment "Acqui" in Bracciano (RM) and entered the Folgore Parachute Brigade, while the 185th RAO "Folgore" entered the Italian special operations command COMFOSE.


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", Deployments
During World War II, the Regiment was deployed in El Alamein, where it fought valiantly alongside its parent formation and the "Pavia" and "Trento" Divisions.


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", Deployments
The activity abroad of 185th Regiment, after the World War II, began with the first overseas mission of the Italian Army in 1982: a battery participated in the mission in Lebanon.


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", Deployments
In 1991, as part of the Italfor Airone Mission, the Group contributes to the establishment of the Paratroopers Tactical Group sending its personnel to Iraq. The 185th Regiment was the first unit involved in the national operation "Vespri Siciliani", and immediately afterwards was sent into the operational cycles of Somalia, maintaining a mortar battery there. Then it was the turn of former Yugoslavia: the 185th Regiment was present in all the missions that involve the Parachute Brigade in Bosnia and Kosovo.


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", Current Structure
As of 2019 the 185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment consists of:


185th Paratroopers Artillery Regiment "Folgore", Current Structure
The Command and Logistic Support Battery fields the following sections: C3 Section, Transport and Materiel Section, Medical Section, and Commissariat Section. The regiment is equipped with 120mm mortars.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore"
185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore" (Italian: 185ª Divisione Paracadutisti "Folgore") was a Parachute division of the Royal Italian Army during World War II.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History
The history of the 185th Division "Folgore" spans from late 1930s, when its immediate ancestors were established, to 1945, when its immediate successor was disbanded.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, Libyan paratroopers
Direct and immediate origins of the 185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore" lie in the paratroopers units formed in the wake of the breaking out of the World War Two.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, Libyan paratroopers
In 1938 Marshal of the Air Force Italo Balbo established the Camp-School for Paratrooper of the Libyan Troops under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Goffredo Tonini and stationed at the airport of Castel Benito near Tripoli.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, Libyan paratroopers
By 1939 there were two Libyan Paratroopers Battalions. By early 1940 an Italian paratroopers battalion was also established.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, Libyan paratroopers
At the beginning of the Italian participation in World War Two there were:


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, Libyan paratroopers
On 15 January 1941 both Libyan Paratroopers School and Libyan Paratroopers Battalion were assigned to the defence of El Fteiah airport (near Derna) with 850 troops (418 Italians and 432 Libyans).


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, Paratroopers Military Schools
After quarrels, in 1937 paratroopers schools were assigned by law to the Regia Aeronautica. Two years later, in 1939, two Paratroopers Military School based in Tarquinia and in Viterbo were established. School personnel was drawn from the Air force, while personnel to instruct consisted of Royal Italian Army officers and sub-officers.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, Paratroopers Military Schools
The 2-months Instructors course began in March 1940. In late November 1940 was established only one Paratroopers Battalion.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, 1st Paratroopers Division
On 1 September 1941 the Royal Italian Army raised the 1st Paratroopers Division in Tarquinia. The division initially was organized as follows:


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, 1st Paratroopers Division
For reasons of order of precedence the title I Paratroopers Battalion was reserved for the I Carabinieri Paratroopers Battalion. The division was intended to be used in Operation Hercules – the planned Axis invasion of Malta. On 30 April 1941 the Italian paratroopers were deployed for the first time when the II Paratroopers Battalion jumped onto Cephalonia.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, 1st Paratroopers Division
In 1942 the division was further augmented: on 15 January the II Paratroopers Artillery Group was raised, followed by the III Paratroopers Artillery Group on 10 March. On the same date the Paratroopers Division Artillery Regiment was activated. The regiment took command of the three paratroopers artillery groups, which each fielded two batteries with four 47/32 cannons per battery. On 15 March 1942 the 3rd Paratroopers Infantry Regiment with the battalions VIII, IX, and X was raised in Tarquinia.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, 185th Infantry Division "Folgore"
On 27 July 1942 the division's name was changed to 185th Infantry Division "Folgore" and its regiments were renumbered and renamed as well. The new structure was as follows:


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, 185th Infantry Division "Folgore"
The division was then sent to Italian Libya to bolster Axis forces in the Western Desert campaign. Before the departing for North Africa the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" and 187th Infantry Regiment "Folgore" switched units: the 185th ceded the more experienced II and IV to 187th, which in turn ceded the VIII and X to the 185th.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, 185th Infantry Division "Folgore"
When the division arrived in Africa the three artillery groups of the 185th Artillery Regiment "Folgore" were merged into two artillery groups of three batteries each, thus providing one group for each infantry regiment, which in turn could now provide one battery to each battalion of a regiment. Additionally a seventh battery was formed with surplus materiel found by the division during its transfer to the front.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, 185th Infantry Division "Folgore"
On 15 September the 185th Infantry Regiment "Folgore", which had remained in Italy, left the division and changed its name to 185th Infantry Regiment "Nembo" and became the basis for the 184th Infantry Division "Nembo" (Nemo Italian for Nimbus). To aid in the raising of the 183rd Infantry Regiment "Nembo" the 185th ceded its X Paratroopers Battalion to the 183rd and raised the XI Paratroopers Battalion in its stead.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, 185th Infantry Division "Folgore"
In North Africa the division participated in the First and Second Battle of El Alamein. During the latter division put up a fierce defense against attacking Commonwealth forces, managing to drive repeated attacks conducted by tanks and infantry. However in the course of the battle the division was annihilated and declared lost on 23 November 1942. The Division held back countless attacks from tanks with use of homemade incendiary's to usage of hand grenades and firing of the M28 grenade launchers at tanks


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, El Alamein
During the Second battle of El Alamein the Folgore Division came under attack from three Allied divisions 44th (Home Counties) Infantry Division, 50th (Northumbrian) Infantry Division, 7th Armoured Division, and the 1st Free French Brigade. Operation Lightfoot, launched on 24 October 1942, was designed to break through the weak Italian-held southern sector of the Alamein line where the 17th Pavia, 25th Bologna, 27th Brescia, and Folgore divisions anchored the right flank. The Allied attack began with an artillery barrage, followed by an all out assault by the 7th Armoured and 44th Infantry divisions. However, all that was achieved at a high casualty rate was a small salient, which was soon recaptured.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, El Alamein
In the following days between 25 October and 4 November, the 50th, 7th, 44th divisions, 1st and 2nd Free French and the Royal Hellenic Brigades, supported by artillery and armour, failed to break through in the southern sector. The Folgore used everything at their disposal including letting the Allied soldiers advance into a "cul-de-sac" and then launching a counterattack from all sides. They also used their 47mm Anti-tank guns from enfilade positions and Molotov cocktails to knock out advancing armor. On 6 November, after having exhausted all its ammunition, the remainder of the Division surrendered. The few survivors, who managed to withdraw, were reorganized into the 285th Formation Battalion and fought in Tunisia, where they surrendered to the Allies in 1943.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, El Alamein, Battle analysis
At El-Alamein, throughout several engagements, the paratroopers were either able to resist the attacks made upon them or, when the Allied forces had been successful in completely wiping out the first line of Folgore outposts, to reform again, usually counterattacking. The main Allied effort during the battle was in the northern part of the Axis line. However, the four divisions attacking the Folgore positions in the south had also been given breakthrough objectives.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, El Alamein, Battle analysis
The 7th Armoured Division had been ordered to spare their tanks, so their attacks were called off after the bloody fighting during the night of October 24: 31 Allied tanks were destroyed or damaged during that night alone. At the end of the battle of El Alamein, Harry Zinder of Time magazine noted that the Italians paratroopers fought better than had been expected, and commented that: "In the south, the famed Folgore Paratroopers Division fought to the last round of ammunition". With a few survivors and some replacement, the 285th Paratroopers Battalion "Folgore" commanded by Captain Lombardini, was formed, and participated in the defense of the Mareth Line in Tunisia in mid 1943, particularly at the Battle of Takrouna, where it was destroyed.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", History, Organization 1942
The division was sent to Africa and fought in the Battle of El Alamein with the following structure:


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", Honours
For its conduct during the Second Battle of El Alamein the division as whole was awarded a Gold Medal of Military Valor. The 185th Artillery, 186th Paratroopers and 187th Paratroopers regiments received a second Gold Medal for specific actions during the Second Battle of El Alamein. Additionally the following soldiers of the division were awarded a Gold Medal of Military Valor during the Western Desert Campaign:


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", Combat Group "Folgore"
On 25 September 1944 the Italian Co-Belligerent Army raised the Combat Group "Folgore" with soldiers and materiel from the disbanded 184th Paratroopers Division "Nembo". After the war the combat group became the Mechanized Division "Folgore", which was disbanded on 31 October 1986.


185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore", Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore"
On 1 January 1963 the Italian Army raised the I Paratroopers Brigade in Pisa, which received the name "Folgore" on 10 June 1967. After the end of the Cold War the Italian Army decided to rename the battalions in the brigade as regiments for historical reasons. Therefore, the battalions in the Paratroopers Brigade "Folgore" were given the names of the regiments of the former 185th Paratroopers Division "Folgore".


185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore"
The 185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore" (Italian: 185° Reggimento Paracadutisti Ricognizione e Acquisizione Obiettivi "Folgore", sometimes abbreviated as: 185° RAO) is an Italian special forces unit.


185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore"
The paratroopers of the 185th Regiment are the result of a selection lasting about two years, through which aspiring operators learn the techniques to conduct missions in every operational theatre.


185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore", History
The 185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore" tracks its history back to 1941.


185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore", History, 1941-1945: 185th Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo"
The 185th Target Acquisition Regiment is the heir of the 1st Parachute Infantry Regiment (RFP) set up at the Tarquinia paratroopers school in April 1941, under Colonel Riccardo Bignami.p. 82


185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore", History, 1941-1945: 185th Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo"
Because the 1st Regiment was intended to be deployed in the Corinth Canal, the Regiment was strengthened with a Paratroopers-Divers unit of the Regia Marina, led by Giulio Cesare Conti. In summer 1941, the I Battalion, deployed in North Africa, was replaced by the IV Battalion. Following Colonel Bignami, the Regiment, now officially named "Folgore", was commanded by Colonel Luigi Scrimin.p. 131-132


185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore", History, 1941-1945: 185th Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo"
On 1 September 1941, the 1st Regiment joined the 1st Paratroopers Division, destined to take the name of "Folgore" in early August 1942.


185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore", History, 1941-1945: 185th Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo"
While the Folgore Division was in Apulia, the Regiment was given the denomination 185th Parachute Infantry Regiment "Folgore" and sent in Merano and Bolzano for training and then reunited to the parent Division, in order to train for the invasion of Malta.p. 132


185th Paratroopers Reconnaissance Target Acquisition Regiment "Folgore", History, 1941-1945: 185th Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo"
In the following months, the 185th Regiment lost two Battalions to the newly established 187th Regiment, acquired the XI and VIIIbis Battalions. The new commander was Colonel Giannetto Parodi.p. 134,356 The 185th Regiment was held in Italy, as the initial nucleus for the establishment of the "Nembo" Division. On 15 September 1942, the Regiment, then based in Rovezzano, near Florence, took the name of 185th Paratroopers Regiment "Nembo" and was assigned to the homonymous Division. In the early March 1943, the 185th Regiment was sent to the Carso to counteract intense guerrilla activity by Slav partisans.