296th Brigade Support Battalion


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The 296th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) is a battalion of the United States Army is composed of four companies that support the operations of the 3/2 ID SBCT1. The companies are Headquarters & Headquarters (HHC), Alpha Company (A Co), Bravo Company (B Co), and Charlie Company (C Co).

The Battalion Supports the "Arrowhead Brigade" 3rd Brigade 2nd Infantry Division The Armys First Stryker Brigade Combat Team stationed at Ft. Lewis, Washington. The 296th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) rapidly deploys by land, air, and or sea anywhere in the world to provide the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team with health care and logistics support, including transportation, field-feeding, supply, and maintenance.

Contents

History

The 296th Forward Support Battalion was constituted on 23 November 1944 in the Army of the United States as the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment 269th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile and activated on 15 December 1944 at Camp Bowie, Texas. On 1 August 1946, following World War II, the battalion was converted and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 296th Transportation Corps Truck Battalion. The unit was once again reorganized and redesignated on 17 October 1949 this time as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 296th Truck Battalion.

On 25 October 1951, the unit was allocated to the Regular Army and on 8 April 1954, reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 296th Transportation Battalion. Inactivated 5 November 1955 in Korea, the unit was reactivated and redesignated 16 October 1989 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 296th Support Battalion, assigned to the 2d Infantry Division, in Korea. While stationed at Camp Edwards, Korea, in direct support of 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, the soldiers of the battalion provided tireless support to units keeping vigilant watch on the Korean demilitarized zone. It was there that the battalion earned its nickname “Frontline Support.” Barely three years later, on 16 September 1992, the battalion was inactivated.

The 296th Forward Support Battalion was subsequently reactivated on 16 October 1995 at Fort Lewis, Washington and on 15 September 2000 renamed the 296th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) as part of the Interim Brigade Combat Team. On 07 February 2004, 296th BSB completed a transfer of authority from 101st Airborne Division in Mosul, Iraq in support of combat operations in Samarrah, Mosul, Tal Afar, Al Kut and Taji. The Battalion performed admirably during the first combat deployment of the Army’s first Stryker Brigade. The Soldiers of the Battalion provided unparalleled support to the Arrowhead Brigade conducting operations from the Iraq-Syria Border to the southern Iraq town of Al Kut.

On 4 November 2005, the Frontline Battalion returned triumphantly to Fort Lewis to prepare for future operations. On 30 July 2006, the 296th BSB completed a transfer of authority from the 172nd BSB, 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team. Today wherever there is an Arrowhead Brigade Soldier, there is a Frontline Support Soldier alongside providing outstanding support. The 296th BSB is moving south to conduct operations in the Multinational Division-Baghdad Area of Operations where it will continue its legacy of excellence and successful mission accomplishment. Frontline Support!”

Campaign Participation Credit

Korean War
CCF Spring Offensive
U\UN Summer-Fall Offensive 1952
Second Korean Winter
Korea, Summer-Fall 1952
Third Korean Winter
Korea, Summer 1953
Operation Iraqi Freedom

Decorations

Army Superior Unit Award
2 Meritorious Unit Commendation with Streamer
2 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations with Streamers

Coat of Arms

The coat of arms was authorized for the 296th Support Battalion on 23 January 1990 by the Institute of Heraldry, United States Army. An amendment, dated 6 February 1990, changed slightly the description for the blazon of the crest. Note that a crest is authorized for units which are Active Army and have war/campaign service. The amended portion is seen below in bold lettering. The blazon and symbolism of the design are as follows:

Shield

Gold/buff and red are the colors traditionally associated with U.S. Army Support Organizations. The chevron alludes to the motto, “Frontline Support”, symbolizing the thrust to support the frontline in combat. The annulet denotes speed and quick response in supplying aid and support, and refers to the accomplishments of the predecessor unit. The pale is representative of strength and resolution.

Crest

The torri gate recalls the unit’s Korean War service, symbolized also by the taeguk embossed on the compass rose. The battalion’s post-World War II Services as the 296th Transportation Truck Battalion is represented by the gold wheel. The compass rose denotes worldwide service. Red stands for courage, gold for excellence. A distinctive unit insignia was authorized for the 296th Support Battalion on 23 January 1990 by the Institute or Heraldry, United States Army. The description and symbolism of the design are as follows.

Description

A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in height overall, consisting of a shield blazoned: Per chevron or and gules, a pale interlaced w2ith an annulet counterchanged. Attached below the shield a red scroll doubled and inscribed “FRONTLINE SUPPORT” in gold.

Symbolism

Gold/buff and red are the colors traditionally associated with U.S. Army Support organizations. The chevron alludes to the motto, “Frontline Support”, symbolizing the thrust to support the front line in combat. The annulet denotes speed and quick response in supplying aid and support and refers to the accomplishments of the predecessor unit. The pale is representative of strength and resolution.

Company functions

  • "Frontline Support"
  • A Co (Mad Dogs) is the transportation unit.
  • B Co (Black Knights) is the maintenance unit.
  • C Co (Hell Cats) is the Medical Unit
  • HHC (Outlaws) is the Headquarters Staff and cooks.






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