45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)
45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team | |
---|---|
Light Infantry | |
Size | Brigade |
Part of | Oklahoma Army National Guard |
Garrison/HQ | Norman, Oklahoma |
Nickname(s) | Thunderbird (special designation)[1] |
Motto(s) | Semper Anticus Latin: "Always Forward"[2] |
Engagements | Sheygal Alingar Sangar Valley Route Iowa |
Insignia | |
Distinctive unit insignia |
The 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team ("Thunderbird"[1]) is a modular infantry brigade combat team of the United States Army headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma. It is a part of the Oklahoma Army National Guard.
The 45th Infantry Brigade was formed from existing elements of the disbanded 45th Infantry Division which had seen extensive action during World War II and the Korean War. The 45th Infantry Brigade was activated in 1968 and assigned to training duties for active duty army units until 1994 when the 45th was selected as one of 15 Separate Enhanced Infantry Brigades. In 1999, the brigade deployed two companies (A/1-179 and C/1-179) as part of the UN peacekeeping force in the wake of the Bosnian War. In 2003, A/1-179th Infantry deployed to Saudi Arabia while B/1-179th deployed to Kuwait to provide security for Patriot missile sites. During the invasion of Iraq, B/Company 1–179th pushed North of Baghdad establishing a foothold in Taji, Iraq. Later that year, the 45th Infantry Brigade deployed to Afghanistan to train soldiers of the Afghan National Army which was followed by another brigade deployment to Iraq, in 2007, to assist in turning over of American military bases to Iraqi forces. A third brigade deployment to Afghanistan in 2011, saw the brigade assigned full-spectrum operations for the first time since the 1950s.
The brigade received all heraldry, lineage and honors from the 45th Infantry Division, including its
Organization
The brigade is a subordinate unit of the Oklahoma Army National Guard, headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma There is a headquarters company, a cavalry squadron, an airborne infantry battalion, two infantry battalions, a field artillery battalion, an engineer battalion, and a brigade support battalion.[3]
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company
- 180th Cavalry Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment (Airborne) (Nebraska Army National Guard) [4]
- 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment
- 1st Battalion, 279th Infantry Regiment
- 1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery Regiment (105mm Towed Howitzer)
- 545th Brigade Engineer Battalion
- 700th Brigade Support Battalion
45th Infantry Division
The history of the 45th Brigade Combat Team can be traced back to 1890 with the formation of the Militia of the Territory of Oklahoma.[3] That militia was mobilized in 1898 during the Spanish–American War but never deployed. In 1916 the First Oklahoma Infantry Regiment deployed for border security duty during the Mexican Border Conflict. In 1917, the First Oklahoma Infantry Regiment, reassigned as part of the 142nd Infantry Regiment of the 36th Division fought in the final month of World War I.[3]
On 19 October 1920, the Oklahoma State militia was organized as part of the 45th Infantry Division along with troops from
The division would go on to see combat in
Cold War years (1968–2001)
Units of the 45th Infantry Brigade (Separate), 1968–1994
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In 1968, the division was disbanded and the 45th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was formed in its place.[6] The 45th Brigade assumed all of the 45th Division's lineage and campaign participation credit, including its shoulder sleeve insignia featuring a Thunderbird, a common Native American symbol, as a tribute to the south-western United States region which had a large population of Native Americans.[7] The brigade also assumed the division's nickname, "Thunderbirds".[1] The division's three subordinate brigades were disbanded as a part of the organization, and were not affiliated with the 45th Infantry Brigade (Separate).[8] The brigade's headquarters was subsequently relocated to Edmond, Oklahoma.[6] In 1971 the brigade received its distinctive unit insignia.[7]
The brigade did not participate in any overseas combat operations through the 1970s or 1980s, as the size of the active duty force negated the need for National Guard formations to be deployed during the relatively small contingencies of that period. However, the 45th did participate in REFORGER (Certain Strike) in September 1987.[9] The brigade was primarily used to train active duty units and other general peacetime missions within the United States.[3] In 1991, the brigade became affiliated with the 1st Cavalry Division, providing training services for the division soldiers.[10]
Separate Infantry Brigade (Enhanced) (1994–2006)
Units of the 45th Separate Infantry Brigade (Enhanced), 1994–2006
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In 1994, the brigade was selected as one of fifteen "enhanced" separate brigades of the Army National Guard, featuring authorization to recruit 10% above required manning levels, a requirement to attend one of the Combat Training Centers not less than once every eight years, and ready to deploy within 90 days in case of emergencies.[3][11] In 1997, the brigade was integrated under the command structure of the 7th Infantry Division (which also included the 39th Infantry Brigade-Arkansas and the 41st Infantry Brigade-Oregon) allowing the 7th Infantry Division to provide training assistance and support for the brigade's activities should it be deployed, and potentially command and control when deployed, but that was never tested.[10] In 1996, the brigade's garrison was relocated back to Oklahoma City.[5]
In 1999, approximately 250 soldiers of the brigade were deployed to
The brigade trained for a rotation in the
Iraq and Afghanistan (2001–2021)
In January 2003, components of the 45th Infantry Brigade were deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Approximately 230 light infantry soldiers from A Company and B Company, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry Regiment composed Task Force Ironhorse under the United States Army Central Command (
On 19 September 2003, the 45th Infantry Brigade, under the command of
In March 2006, the 1–180th Cavalry (still infantry in '06) deployed as part of Task Force Phoenix V. They were attached to the 41st BCT (Oregon ARNG). They returned in June 2007. In April 2007, the brigade was alerted that it could be deployed to
In October 2007, the 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom under the command of Brigadier General General Myles L. Deering for a one-year deployment.
The 45th IBCT deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 and reunited with the 201st Corps of the ANA, as partners this time, in combined combat operations against insurgent forces in Eastern Afghanistan[19] suffering the loss of 14 Soldiers[20] but making significant progress in disrupting and destroying insurgent operations while continuing to mentor the ANA and progressively handing off security missions to them. The full brigade mobilized in April 2011, but a late change in the mission diverted the 180th Cavalry and 160th Field Artillery to separate missions to support Iraq operations from Kuwait. The brigades deployment is covered in the 2016 documentary Citizen Soldier.[21]
Additionally, elements of the 45th Brigade have deployed to
Hurricane Katrina (2005)
On 1 September 2005, the 45th Infantry Brigade, under the command of Brigadier General Myles L. Deering, was mobilized to deploy to New Orleans, Louisiana in support of Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts. Within hours, the 45th Infantry Brigade was given the designation "Task Force Oklahoma" and additional units were assigned from the Oklahoma National Guard to the task force. The first units assigned to Task Force Oklahoma (1345 Transportation Company and HHB/1-171 Field Artillery Battalion) arrived in New Orleans within 24 hours of Hurricane Katrina making landfall on 30 August 2005. The rest of the brigade, from Oklahoma, made it to New Orleans, via ground convoy, through Texas on 31 August 2005. Other units arrived via ground convoy or through the air, landing at Belle Chasse Naval Air Station
Name | Number of Troops |
HHC, 45th Infantry Brigade (OK) | 144 |
245th Military Intelligence Company (OK) | 15 |
245th Engineer Company (OK) | 58 |
Troop E, 145th Cavalry (OK) | 52 |
1st Battalion, 179th Infantry (OK) | 341 |
1st Battalion, 279th Infantry (OK) | 322 |
1st Battalion, 180th Infantry (OK) | 200 |
700th Support Battalion (OK) | 277 |
1st Battalion, 160th Field Artillery (OK) | 232 |
1345th Transportation Company (OK) | 121 |
1st Battalion, 171st Field Artillery (OK) | 344 |
2d Battalion, 185th Armor (CA) | 364 |
125th Military Police Battalion (PR) | 707 |
870th Military Police Company (CA) | 121 |
176th Engineer Battalion (TX) | 122 |
770th Military Police Battalion (PR) | 104 |
136th Security Forces Squadron (ANG)(OK) | 39 |
204th Security Forces Squadron (ANG)(TX) | 53 |
72d Military Police Company (NV) | 100 |
119th Military Police Battalion (RI) | 167 |
1st Platoon, 186th Military Police Company (OR) | 95 |
1120th Maintenance Company (OK) | 46 |
42d Civil Support Team (WMD)(NC) | 3 |
54th Civil Support Team (WMD)(WI) | 6 |
ROWPU team (SC) | 9 |
Total | 4,042 |
The 1345th Transportation Company and the 1st Battalion, 171st Field Artillery were among the first military units to arrive in New Orleans and stage out of the
Lineage and honors
Lineage
- Constituted 19 October 1920 as Headquarters, 45th Division (to be organized with troops from Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, and Oklahoma).
- Organized and federally recognized 3 August 1923 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Headquarters Detachment organized and federally. recognized 1 July 1924 at Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
- Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 45th Division, inducted into federal service 16 September 1940 at Oklahoma City.
- Redesignated 23 February 1942 as the 45th Infantry Division.
- Reorganized and redesignated 23 February 1942 as Headquarters, 45th Infantry Division.
- Inactivated 7 December 1945 at Camp Bowie, Texas.
- Reorganized and federally recognized 5 September 1946 in the Oklahoma National Guard at Oklahoma City.
- Ordered into active federal service 1 September 1950 at Oklahoma City.
- (Headquarters, 45th Infantry Division [NGUS], organized and federally recognized 15 September 1952 at Oklahoma City).
- Released from active federal service 30 April 1954 and reverted to state control; federal recognition concurrently withdrawn from Headquarters, 45th Infantry Division (NGUS).
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 February 1968 as Headquarters, 45th Infantry Brigade, and location changed to Edmond (Headquarters Company, 45th Infantry Brigade, concurrently reorganized and redesignated from Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 179th Infantry).
- Location changed 1 October 1996 to Oklahoma City.
- Ordered into active Federal service 19 September 2003 at Oklahoma City; released from active Federal service 17 September 2004 and reverted to state control.
- Ordered into active Federal service 19 October 2007 at Oklahoma City.
- Reorganized and redesignated 1 September 2008 as Headquarters, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.
- Released from active Federal service 21 November 2008 and reverted to state control.
- Location changed 1 July 2010 to Norman.
- Ordered into active Federal service 27 March 2011 at Norman; released from active Federal service 29 April 2012 and reverted to state control.
Honors
The brigade received all of the honors previously accorded to the 45th Infantry Division, including its
- As the 45th Infantry Division:
Conflict | Streamer | Inscription | Year(s) |
---|---|---|---|
French Croix de Guerre , World War II (With Palm)
|
Embroidered "Acquafondata" | 1943–1944 | |
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Streamer
|
Arrowhead )
|
1943 | |
Naples–Foggia (with Arrowhead) | 1943 | ||
Anzio (wirth Arrowhead) | 1943 | ||
Rome–Arno | 1944 | ||
Southern France (with Arrowhead) | 1944 | ||
Rhineland | 1944–1945 | ||
Ardennes–Alsace
|
1944–1945 | ||
Central Europe | 1945 | ||
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
|
For service in Korea | 1952–1953 | |
Korean Service Campaign Streamer | Second Korean Winter | 1951–1952 | |
Korea, Summer–Fall 1952 | 1952 | ||
Third Korean Winter | 1952–1953 | ||
Korea, Summer 1953 | 1953 |
- As 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Conflict | Streamer | Inscription | Year(s) |
---|---|---|---|
Meritorious Unit Commendation, HHC Only | For service in Afghanistan | 2011–2012 | |
Global War on Terror - OEF | Afghanistan, Consolidation I | 2003–2004, 2006 | |
Afghanistan, Consolidation II | 2006–2007 | ||
Afghanistan, Consolidation III | 2011 | ||
Afghanistan, Transition I | 2011–2012 | ||
Global War on Terror - OIF/OND | Liberation of Iraq | 2003 | |
Iraq Surge | 2007–2008 | ||
Operation New Dawn | 2011–2012 |
References
- ^ a b c "Special Designation Listing". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
- ^ a b Wilson, p. 663.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "45th Infantry Brigade Homepage: History". 45th Infantry Brigade. Archived from the original on 31 December 2008. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ https://www.army.mil/article/229621/nebraska_stands_up_hooks_up_airborne_infantry_battalion Nebraska stands up, hooks up airborne infantry battalion
- ^ a b McGrath, p. 234.
- ^ a b c Wilson, p. 664.
- ^ The Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the originalon 11 September 2006. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ McGrath, p. 202.
- ^ Mihalko, Ron. "Reforger". Mihalko Family. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
- ^ a b c d e "GlobalSecurity.org: 45th Infantry Brigade". GlobalSecurity. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ Merridith, Bill. "Enhanced Brigade Readiness Improves but Personnel and Workload Problems" (PDF). US General Accounting Office.
- ^ "GlobalSecurity.org: 30th Infantry Brigade". GlobalSecurity. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ "Combined Forces Land Component command CFLCC". GlobalSecurity.org. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
- ^ a b "State's military leaders prepare for larger deployment". The Daily Oklahoman. Retrieved 14 November 2009.
- ^ "GlobalSecurity.org: 45th Infantry Brigade". GlobalSecurity. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Hoosiers Replace Sooners in Afghan Mission". Defend America News. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ a b "45th Infantry troops mobilized for Iraq duty". Army Times. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ a b "Governor's Welcome Home". Oklahoma State Government. Archived from the original on 28 September 2011. Retrieved 3 May 2009.
- ^ Goble, Leslie (25 January 2012). "45th Infantry joined forces with Afghan National Army to disrupt insurgency in the Nurilam Valley". Tulsa World. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ "45th Infantry in Afghanistan". Tulsa World. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
- ^ Citizen Soldier
- ^ "Lineag and Honors Headquarters Company, 45th Infantry Brigade Combat Team". United States Army Center of Military History. US Army. Retrieved 5 January 2015.
Sources
- McGrath, John J. (2004). The Brigade: A History: Its Organization and Employment in the US Army. Combat Studies Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-4404-4915-4.
- Wilson, John B. (1999). Armies, Corps, Divisions, and Separate Brigades. ASIN B000OJKX1S. CMH Pub 60-7-1. Archived from the originalon 8 June 2010.