The unit was originally formed on September 14, 1942, as the 56th Coast Artillery Brigade and has been reorganized and redesignated several times until its inactivation on June 30, 1991, following the reunification of Germany and the end of the Cold War.

United States Army Europe and Africa conducted the reactivation ceremony for the 56th Artillery Command on November 8, 2021, at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, Wiesbaden, Germany.

The 56th Coast Artillery Brigade was organized in the Army of the United States on September 14, 1942, and over six months later, it was activated at Camp Stewart, Georgia on April 10, 1943.

The unit was reorganized and redesignated as the 56th Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade on May 28, 1943[6] and deployed to the European Theater for operations in World War II.

The 56th deployed from England to Belgium and played a crucial role in the defense of the Allies’ most important port, Antwerp Harbor, from October 1944 to March 1945.

On February 10, 1951, the 56th Antiaircraft Artillery (AAA) Brigade was reactivated at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts and assigned to the United States First Army.

[8][9] On November 5, 1951, The 56th AAA Brigade transferred from Camp Edwards to Fort Devens, Massachusetts and was assigned to the Eastern Army Antiaircraft Command.

[15] On April 18, 1963, the 56th Artillery Group was activated in Schwäbisch Gmünd, West Germany commanded by Col. Douglas C. France, Jr.

In 1965, the 56th Artillery Group assumed the critical role of a Quick Reaction Alert (QRA) force and was required to maintain an element of each unit at the highest level of combat readiness.

These elements were designated to react within seconds of verified orders, and the entire command was to be fully operational within 2 hours of any alert activation.

Also subordinate to the brigade was 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, tasked to provide defensive support to the firing units according to their security needs.

A host of additional units provided support from medical to logistical, ensuring the brigade's ability to operate.

In November 1983, with the Soviets fully invested in the SS-20, and on the verge of bankruptcy, the Americans began fielding the Pershing II.

By 1985 all three firing battalions were completely operational with Pershing II and the Soviet Union faced a threat they were financially unwilling to counter.

[16] On January 11, 1985, three soldiers, SSG John Leach, SGT Todd A. Zephier, and PFC Darryl L. Shirley of Battery C, 3rd Battalion, 84th Field Artillery were killed in an explosion at Camp Redleg, Heilbronn.

The Pershing first- and second-stage motors, reentry vehicles, warhead and radar section airframes were returned to Pueblo Depot Activity for elimination.

The battalion and equipment shipped aboard the USAT General Simon B. Buckner on 3 April 1964 bound for West Germany.

On 18 September 1970 the battalion was assigned to the 56th Field Artillery Brigade headquartered in Schwäbisch Gmünd, West Germany.

Additional duties included protecting Pershing nuclear systems during field operations and dealing with numerous anti-nuclear protests, as well as a rigorous infantry training schedule.

The 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry participated in major exercises each winter at training areas such as Baumholder, Hohenfels, Wildflecken, and Grafenwoehr.

This helped to prepare the unit for encounters with Warsaw Pact military forces in the event of an assault on the missile sites.

In addition each of the line companies rotated each year to Doughboy City, Berlin to train in military operations in an urban terrain (MOUT).

On 18 August 1971, soldiers from the heavy mortar platoon from battalion headquarters were being transported from Ludwigsburg to Grafenwoehr for live fire training exercises aboard a CH-47A helicopter.

The signing of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty (1987), the fall of the Berlin Wall 1989, and the demise of the Soviet Union (1991) signaled the end of the Cold War and resulted in the eventual inactivation of the 2d Battalion, 4th Infantry.

In June 1988, UH-1H airframe number 68-15387 of the 193rd struck a power line during low visibility conditions and crashed near Hittistetten, Senden, West Germany, killing three soldiers.

The two-star Theater Fires Command was stood up and led by MG Stephen J. Maranian and was stationed in Mainz-Kastel, near the Army's four-star headquarters in Wiesbaden.

Maj. Gen. Andrew C. Gainey, relinquished command to, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John L. Rafferty, Jr. at Clay Kaserne, Germany, June 13, 2024.

Symbolism: Scarlet and gold (yellow) are the colors used for Field Artillery; blue denotes the assigned infantry support.

Description: A gold metal device 1+3⁄16 inches (3.0 cm) in height overall, consisting of a trilobated cloud Gules throughout, bearing and upon two cannons in saltire, points to chief, a domed tower Argent with an archway Sable (as depicted on the coat of arms of the city of Antwerp, Belgium) surmounted on a field fesswise in base Vert.

[34] Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1+3⁄16 inches (30 mm) in height overall consisting of a scarlet background with a trilobated cloud at the top bearing two black crossed cannons behind a white domed tower with black archway, (as depicted on the coat of arms of the city of Antwerp, Belgium) on a green base, surmounted overall by a vertical gold Pershing missile; all above a semi-circular gold scroll inscribed "Quick Reliable Accurate" in black letters.