39th Brigade Support Battalion (United States)
| 39th Brigade Support Battalion | |
|---|---|
Iraq Campaign | |
| Commanders | |
| Battalion Commander | Charles V. Lucas |
| Insignia | |
| 39th BSB's Distinctive Unit Insignia |  |
| 39th BSB's Coat of Arms |  |
39th Brigade Support Battalion (39th BSB) is an element of the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), of the Arkansas Army National Guard. The battalion is headquartered at Hazen, Arkansas. The 39th Support Battalion was constituted on 2 November 1967 from existing units in central Arkansas and assigned to the 39th Infantry Brigade with headquarters in Hazen. Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment, at Hazen was reorganized and re-designated as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 39th Support Battalion.
Organization
The battalion originally comprised five companies: Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD) in Hazen; Company A (Admin) at Ricks Armory in
Mission
On order, the 39th Brigade Support Battalion will mobilize and deploy in order to plan and supervise logistics and combat health service support operations for the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
History
Important events in the unit's early history include:
1972, HHD, 39th Support Battalion won the Hulen Trophy for marksmanship
1975, 39th Support Battalion supplied and re-supplied the 5–206th Field Artillery over a distance of twenty miles for two weeks using only air drops, a first for a reserve component support unit
2001, Several members of the 39th SB volunteered and deploy with 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment (2-153rd) in support of the Multi National Force and Observer (MFO) mission in the Sinai Peninsula, Egypt. 2–153rd was sent to Egypt in order to take over the Multinational Force and Observers mission, freeing up regular army infantry units to deploy to Afghanistan.
In 2003, a platoon from Company A mobilizes along with the 1123rd Transportation Company for
Global War on Terrorism
Except for the deployment to Bosnia in 2000 in support of SFOR 09, members of the 39th BSB have participated in every mobilization the 39th IBCT has performed. In 1999, volunteers from Company A deployed with B/3-153rd Infantry to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Southern Watch. In 2001, members of the HHC Property Book Section and several medics from Company C (Medical) along with a doctor deployed to the Sinai Peninsula in support of the Multinational Force Observers mission.
Operation Iraqi Freedom II
The ramp-up
In 2002, the 39th SB was notified that it would be participating in a rotation to the
Alert, train, and man the battalion
On 12 October 2003, the 39th SB, commanded by LTC Allen P. Hargis, was ordered to federal service in support of
When the battalion received its alert, it was approximately 130 soldiers short of its authorized end strength. This shortage was due in part to soldiers who had not yet completed
Operation Bowie Fury
The 39th Support Battalion was stationed at Camp Taji, Iraq. The battalion effectively conducted its doctrinal missions supporting the 39th Brigade Combat Team, and they performed numerous non-doctrinal missions. One such mission was running the Division Distribution Center in which they performed supply support for the entire 1st Cavalry Division. This mission is normally conducted by a Main Support Battalion. The 642nd Maintenance Company from the New Mexico Army National Guard under the command of the 39th Support Battalion also ran the 39th Brigade Internment Facility, an operation recognized at all levels from brigade to corps as the standard for all theatre detention facilities. These are just two examples of the non-doctrinal missions the "Providers" conducted over the course of the deployment that caused it to be recognized by the 1st Cavalry Division commander.
The Iraqi deployment did not come without cost. The 39th Support Battalion lost five soldiers to enemy contact. CPT Arthur "Bo" Felder, CW4 Patrick Kordsmeier, SSG Billy Joe Orton, and SSG Stacey Brandon died on 24 April 2004 as a result of an early morning rocket attack on Camp Taji, Iraq.[1] 24 April was the highest single day casualty total for Arkansas soldiers since the Korean War. The attack actually consisted of two separate volleys of rockets, fired approximately 30 minutes apart. Members of the battalion had just emerged from the safety of their bunkers and were conducting accountability when the second volley of rockets slammed into a group standing just feet from a bunker door.
SGT Ronald Baker died on 13 October 2004 from wounds sustained from a
Redeployment
The 39th SB redeployed from Iraq, through Kuwait, in March 2005. The battalion demobilized at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.
Operation Katrina
On 28 August 2005, in the aftermath of
In November 2005, the 39th Brigade was ordered to send a battalion task force to Louisiana to assist in more hurricane relief efforts. The task force was commanded by 2–153 IN and included a company-size element from the 39th Support Battalion. Elements of Task Force Arkansas remained in Louisiana through February 2006.
Reorganization as a brigade support battalion
Upon redeployment in 2005, the 39th Support Battalion immediately began a major reorganization that transformed the battalion into a brigade support battalion under the United States Army's new Modular Design. This redesign of the army was intended to make the force more easily deployable by making brigades more self-contained and less dependent on support organizations at the division level. Major changes for the 39th Support Battalion included activation of four new Forward Support Companies, D, E, F and G. Along with this reorganization came a significant re-stationing of several units within the state of Arkansas.[2]
Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-09
The 39th BSB did not deploy as a battalion for OIF 08-09, however its soldiers and several of its companies did:
Company A, 39th BSB was organized as a Convoy Security Company and was task organized under 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry at Camp Liberty for Administrative Control (ADCON), but was under the Tactical Control (TACON) of the 168th Brigade Support Battalion.
Company D, 39th BSB was organized as a Convoy Security Company and was task organized under 1st Squadron,
Company F, 39th BSB was organized as a Convoy Security Company and was initially task organized under the 217th Brigade Support Battalion for training at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. In theatre, Company F remained under the Administrative Control of the 217th BSB, but was under the Tactical Control of the 142nd Corp Sustainment Support Battalion.
Company G, 39th BSB was also organized as a Convoy Security Company and was task organized under 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery at Camp Taji for Administrative Control (ADCON), but was under the Tactical Control (TACON) of the theater's then largest battalion, the 165th CSSB of the Louisiana National Guard, commanded by LTC Randall B. Bradford.
The battalion commander, LTC Ricky Miller, and his staff were incorporated into the 39th IBCT staff and assisted with the operation of the Base Defense Operations Center at Camp Victory, Baghdad.
Operation Enduring Freedom - TF Warrior
Many members 39th BSB attached to 1st Battalion 153rd Infantry, in support Operation Enduring Freedom - Horn of Africa. (OEF-HOA) 16-17
Fallen soldiers
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004–2005
- Captain Arthur L. "Bo" Felder of Lewisville, Age 36. Killed in Action, 24 April 2004
- Chief Warrant Officer 4 Patrick W. Kordsmeier of North Little Rock, Age 49. Killed in Action, 24 April 2004
- Staff Sergeant Billy J. Orton of Carlisle, Age 41. Killed in Action, 24 April 2004
- Staff Sergeant Stacey C. Brandon of Hazen, Age 35. Killed in Action, 24 April 2004
- Sergeant Ronald Wayne Baker of Cabot, Age 34. Killed in Action, 13 October 2004
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007-2008
- Sergeant First Class Anthony L. Woodham of Rogers, Age 37. Noncombat Death, 5 July 2008
Provider Annual Training - Fort Chaffee 2016
- Sergeant Sylvester B. Cline of Pine Bluff, Age 32. Training Incident, 14 June 2016
Past commanders
The following soldiers have led the 39th Brigade Support Battalion:[3]
-
LTC Durwood F. Harris, 67 – 5 JAN 72 -
LTC Robert R. Means, 6 JAN 72 – 9 SEP 74 -
LTC Oscar G. Russell 10 SEP 74 – 21 NOV 76 -
LTC Wallace B. Shaw, 22 NOV 76 – 10 AUG 79 -
LTC Bobby D. Wilson, 11 AUG 79 – 30 OCT 81 -
LTC Gerald S. Allen, 31 OCT 81 – 2 SEP 85 -
LTC Ronald M. O'Mell, 3 SEP 85 – 13 SEP 86 -
LTC B. Markham Howe, 14 SEP 86 – 1 AUG 88 -
LTC Hubert H. Logan, 2 AUG 88 – 8 OCT 89 -
LTC Charles E. Henry, 9 OCT 89 – 8 JUL 91 -
LTC Luther R. Woodall, 9 JUL 91 – 23 JUN 93 -
LTC Walter A. Paulson II, 24 JUN 93 – 24 JAN 94 -
LTC Sherman E. Tate, 25 JAN 94 – 2 AUG 96 -
LTC Charles H. Hunt, Jr., 3 AUG 96 – 9 AUG 98 -
LTC Larry Curtis, 10 AUG 98 – 9 AUG 00 -
LTC Donald Brooks, 10 AUG 00 – 5 NOV 02 -
LTC Allen P. Hargis, 6 NOV 02 – 30 JUN 05 -
LTC Rob McGill, 1 JUL 05 – 30 APR 07 -
LTC Ricky D. Miller, 4 APR 07 – 12 JUN 09 -
LTC Jeri Garland 13 JUN 09, to 2011 -
LTC Shannon W. Stone, 2011 -
LTC Edith C. Sailor, 2011–2015 -
LTC Gib T. Richardson, 2015-2016 -
LTC James S. Nolley, 2016-2018
Current unit locations
The units of the 39th Brigade Support Battalion are currently stationed as follows:[4]
| Unit | Station |
|---|---|
| Headquarters and Headquarters Company | Hazen |
| Company A (-) | White Hall |
| Detachment 1, Company A | Stuttgart |
| Company B | Heber Springs |
| Company C | Lonoke |
| Forward Support Company D (CAV Support) | Yutan, NE |
| Forward Support Company E (Brigade Engineer Battalion Support) | Benton |
| Forward Support Company F (Field Artillery Support) | Rogers |
| Forward Support Company G (1-153rd Infantry Battalion Support) | Warren |
| Forward Support Company H (2-153rd Infantry Battalion Support) | Cabot |
| Forward Support Company J (1-138th Infantry Battalion Support) | Jefferson City, MO
|
Heraldic items
Distinctive unit insignia
- Description: A gold-color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches height oval all consisting of the shield and motto of the coat of arms.[5]
- Symbolism: Scarlet and buff (gold) are the colors used for support. The fret (formed by the saltire and mascle) is symbolic of the interlaced support provided to combat elements. The blue mascle also alludes to the blue band bordering the white diamond of the Arkansas State flag and refers to the home area of the organization.[6]
- Motto: Support, Spirit, Success
Coat of Arms
Blazon
- Shield: Or a saltire Gules interlaced with a mascle Azure.
- Crest: That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Arkansas Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors (Or and Gules) above two sprays of apple blossoms Proper a diamond Argent charged with four mullets Azure, one in upper point and three in lower, within a bordure of the last, bearing twenty-five mullets of the second.
- Motto: SUPPORT SPIRIT SUCCESS.[6]
Symbolism
- Shield: Scarlet and buff (gold) are the colors used for Support. The fret (formed by the saltire and the mascle) is symbolic of the interlaced support provided the combat elements. The blue mascle also alludes to the blue band bordering the white diamond of the Arkansas state flag and refers to the home area of the organization.
- Crest: The crest is that of the Arkansas Army National Guard.[6]
Background
The coat of arms was approved on 13 October 1970.[6]
References
- ^ Global Security . Org, Army News Service, Mortar attack gets quick response in Taji, Retrieved 20 Jan 10 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/04/mil-040429-usa01.htm
- ^ "Unit Structure" (PDF). Arkansas National Guard. Archived from the original (PDF) on 4 July 2010. Retrieved 2 February 2010.
- ^ :"39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Arkansas Army National Guard, Thirtieth Anniversary, 1967–1997, The Arkansas Brigade, Celebrating 30 years of Service to our State and Nation, 6 December 1997, Earl T. Ricks Armory, Little Rock, Arkansas"
- ^ Arkansas National Guard Unit Location and Information Directory, Retrieved 25 January 2010, http://www.arguard.org/UnitLocator/unit.asp?uNam=cav[permanent dead link]
- ^ "39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Arkansas Army National Guard, Thirtieth Anniversary, 1967–1997, The Arkansas Brigade, Celebrating 30 years of Service to our State and Nation, 6 December 1997, Earl T. Ricks Armory, Little Rock, Arkansas"
- ^ a b c d "Coat of Arms". Institute of Heraldry, The Pentagon. Archived from the original on 20 February 2017. Retrieved 19 February 2017.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
