Many air defense units today have a long history rich in distinctions and awards. One of these units is the 3-4-ADAR. The Third Battalion (Bn.) Fourth Air Defense Artillery Regiment (3-4 ADAR) is the most decorated air defense unit in the world. In comparison, the air defense branch is a relatively young branch. The ADA branch comes from the field artillery branch. AD only became an industry in its own right when technological advancements made a change necessary. As the plains began to become part of the fight, the need for AD grew more and more. Our branch came into its own, with air superiority becoming the deciding factor in winning wars.3-4 The origins of ADAR excellence begin with the War of 1812. Tensions were very high with the British due to of several incidents with American merchant ships and the British navy. fleet. Americans traded with the French during the Napoleonic Wars. The British were then at war with the French. The British therefore set up blockades to prevent trade with the French. In an effort to gain more control over North America from the British, Congress declared war on the British. Recognized at the time as a company of the Second Regiment of Artillery, the 3-4 precursors of the ADAR contributed to the efforts to rid themselves of the British presence in Canada and Louisiana. (GlobalSecurity.org) Efforts in Canada have not worked as America expected. The British had been defeated and demoralized in Louisiana. More than 2,000 British redcoats were killed in the Battle of New Orleans, and even more British were wounded or captured by the end of the battle. In comparison, the Americans had only eight killed and 13 wounded. (Gateway New Orleans)The Barbary War, also known as the Algerian War, was a large...... middle of paper...... defense units in the branch. There can only be one most decorated unit in the branch. You can see by looking at the history of 3-4 ADAR, that's why it is that of the ARTILLIARY AIR DEFENSE branch. Works Cited Hamilton, John A. Blazing Skies: Air Defense Artillery on Fort Bliss, 1940 - 2009. Department of Defense. May 1, 2009. PrintGateway New Orleans. “History: War of 1812.” Online publication. 2008. Internet. March 3, 2011Globalsecurity.org. “3rd Battalion (Air and Missile Defense), 4th Air Defense Artillery RegimentSkystrikers.” Online publication. June 12, 2010. The web. March 5, 2011Katcher, Phillip RN, Emblton, Gerry. The Mexican War, 1846-1848. He. Osprey Editions.1976. Print in the United States Military Center for Military History. “3D Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery RegimentLineage and honors information. April 29, 2008. The web. March 3. 2011