Presidential Salute Battery Practice

The Old Guard’s Presidential Salute Battery is rarely seen, but always heard. Check out this behind the scenes look of rehearsing for a unique performance- Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture. The Presidential Salute Battery, founded in 1953, fires cannon salutes in honor of the President of the United States, visiting foreign dignitaries, and official guests of the Unites States. The battery also fires in support of memorial affairs for all military services in Arlington National Cemetery. In addition the battery fires for ceremonies and special events throughout the National Capital Region. The Presidential Salute Battery is the only unit of its kind in the Army, and its busy schedule includes more than 300 ceremonies each year. The platoon is equipped with ten M5 75mm antitank cannons mounted on the M6 howitzer carriage. Each gun weighs 5,775 pounds. The M5 cannon saw service in North Africa, Italy, and Northwest Europe from 1943 until the end of World War II. Today, the Presidential Salute Battery fires the 75mm blank ceremonial shell with 1.5 pounds of powder. (U.S. Army Video by Sgt. Sean-David McDonald)