Active 1953 – Present Branch United States Army Role public duties | Country United States Type artillery Size 40 | |
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The Presidential Salute Battery is a United States Army artillery battery that is part of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment, the President of the United States' escort regiment. The battery is chiefly responsible for firing ceremonial cannon volleys on state occasions and for providing artillery support to the regiment during combat operations in defense of Washington, D.C.
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History
Activated in 1953, the Presidential Salute Battery is equipped with ten 3-inch Gun M5s which have been mounted on M6 howitzer carriages. The M5 is a World War II-era weapon.
The battery renders gun salutes according to a customary order of arms which is 21 volleys for heads of state (including the president of the United States and former presidents); 19 for the vice-president of the United States, foreign chiefs of government, and members of the cabinet of the United States; and 17, 15, 13, and 11 for flag officers of the rank of O-10, O-9, O-8, and O-7, respectively.
Under an 1890 regulation issued by the United States Department of War, the "Salute to the Union" consists of one round for every state of the United States, or 50 rounds since 1959; it is fired by the battery annually at noon on U.S. Independence Day. During ceremonial volleys, the Presidential Salute Battery fires blank artillery rounds packed with a 1.5 pound powder charge.
Funerals
The battery is customarily deployed to Arlington National Cemetery for the funerals of sitting and former presidents of the United States, sitting cabinet secretaries, and military flag officers. For funerals at Arlington it uses one of two firing positions, either from Section 4 of the cemetery on Dewey Drive, or at Red Springs on McClellan Drive.
Public and military observances
The battery fires ceremonial gun salutes at events including the U.S. Army's weekly Twilight Tattoo, observances for Flag Day and Independence Day, and at the inauguration of a new president of the United States.
Military operations
In support of the 3rd Infantry Regiment's non-ceremonial responsibilities, primarily the military defense of the city of Washington, platoon members operate the 81mm M252 mortar which would be used to provide indirect fire support to the regiment in repelling an enemy from the capital.
State and official visits
During the White House arrival ceremony at state and official visits, the battery fires cannon volleys from a firing position in President's Park during the performance of the visiting state's national anthem.