In 2019, the 1-487th FA made history by becoming the first field artillery unit in the United States to perform the Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) protection mission. This achievement marked a landmark moment in American military history and demonstrated the battalion's capacity to pioneer new capabilities in a rapidly evolving threat environment.
What is C-RAM?
Counter-Rocket, Artillery, and Mortar (C-RAM) is an active defense system designed to detect, track, and intercept incoming rockets, artillery shells, and mortar rounds before they reach their targets. The 1-487th FA's selection for this mission reflected the unit's exceptional training standards, professionalism, and readiness.
This mission added a new dimension to the battalion's legacy — from royal Hawaiian artillery and World War II coastal defense, to 21st-century active protection systems. The 1-487th FA continues to represent the best of the Hawaii Army National Guard and the nation's field artillery tradition.