DIVISION WEST, FIRST ARMY Division West trains and validates forces 'as directed' for deployment per Combatant Commander, Department of the Army, and U.S. Army Forces Command directives. The division plans and executes post-mobilization operations at Mobilization Training Centers and exercises operational control of mobilized Reserve Component forces. Its Soldiers and civilians also provide training to joint and active-duty Army forces, and within capability, enable pre-mobilization training for RC forces.
Division West has command and control of seven training support brigades formerly belonging to the 75th and 91st Training Support Divisions. The brigades are headquartered in California, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington and Wisconsin and they have 54 subordinate battalions.
The multi-component Division West uniquely exemplifies the concept of One Army, One Team. Its foundation is the multi-component 7th Infantry Division, an earlier model of active and reserve component integration and cooperation that assured exceptional training and combat readiness of National Guard forces.
Division West supports Active and Reserve Component forces that conduct post-mobilization training and deploy from Mobilization Training Centers primarily in the western United States. The division prepares and trains units and Soldiers so they are highly motivated, trained and ready to perform important missions around the world. Its leaders, trainers and Soldiers plan and conduct tough, realistic mission focused training so combatant commanders receive equipped and ready units, troops and leaders.
Division West continues to increase its strategic responsiveness and flexibility and also strives to improve Soldier and family quality of life while remaining a devoted community partner. It is committed to the Army's non-negotiable contract with its mobilizing Soldiers, their Families and the American people to prepare Soldiers to fight and win on the battlefield.
2ND BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM,
4TH INFANTRY DIVISION (MECHANIZED)The "Warhorse" Brigade, Fourth Infantry Division (Mechanized) was constituted Nov. 19, 1917 in the Regular Army as Headquarters, Seventh Infantry Brigade, an element of the Fourth Infantry Division at Camp Greene, North Carolina.
The Brigade served valiantly during World War I and earned battlefield streamers for its participation in the Aisne-Marne, Saint Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Champagne-1918, and Lorraine-1918 Campaigns.
After its service in World War I, the Brigade was activated, inactivated and re-designated seven times between March 1921 and August 1936, when it was re-designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Seventh Infantry Brigade; and disbanded Oct. 16, 1939.
With tensions rising in the Republic of Vietnam, the Brigade was reconstituted on August 21, 1963 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Second Brigade, Fourth Infantry Division and activated Oct. 1, 1963 at Fort Lewis, Washington. During the Vietnam War, the Second Brigade received battlefield streamers for participation in eleven combat campaigns, including Counteroffensive, Phase Two; Counteroffensive, Phase Three; Tet Counteroffensive; Counteroffensive, Phase Four, Counteroffensive, Phase Five; Counteroffensive, Phase Six; Tet 69/Counteroffensive; Summer-Fall 1969; Winter-Spring 1970; Sanctuary Counteroffensive; and Counteroffensive, Phase Eight.
After the Vietnam War, the Brigade fought the rest of the Cold War while stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, until it was inactivated in 1989. Subsequently reactivated Dec. 15, 1995 at Fort Hood, Texas, the brigade led the Army's Force XXI experimentation and validation, shaping the force of the Twenty-First Century.
The Warhorse Brigade deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Brigade began combat operations in Iraq during the spring of 2003. Serving in an area of operations roughly the size of New Jersey, the brigade conducted operations spanning from the initial push into the Dyala province to taking down criminal elements, air assaults, combined operations with Iraq/OFA/ODA forces, creation of governing bodies, conducting civil-military operations to improve local infrastructure and dealing with civil unrest. In November 2005, the brigade once again deployed to Iraq, assuming an AO of approximately 34,000 square kilometers that covered the south of Baghdad, Babil, Karbala and Najaf provinces. The Warhorse AO had diverse missions ranging from combating the insurgency, training the Iraqi Security Forces, rebuilding the infrastructure and assisting in the establishment of local governments and agricultural unions. The Warhorse Brigade returned to Fort Hood, Texas, in November 2006 and moved to its new home at Fort Carson in July 2007. The Brigade completed its fielding of new combat systems and is conducting individual and collective training in preparation for deployment in support of our nation.
After the Vietnam War, the Brigade fought the rest of the Cold War while stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado, until it was inactivated in 1989. Subsequently reactivated Dec. 15, 1995 at Fort Hood, Texas, the brigade led the Army's Force XXI experimentation and validation, shaping the force of the Twenty-First Century.
The Warhorse Brigade deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Brigade began combat operations in Iraq during the spring of 2003. Serving in an area of operations roughly the size of New Jersey, the brigade conducted operations spanning from the initial push into the Dyala province to taking down criminal elements, air assaults, combined operations with Iraq/OFA/ODA forces, creation of governing bodies, conducting civil-military operations to improve local infrastructure and dealing with civil unrest. In November 2005, the brigade once again deployed to Iraq, assuming an AO of approximately 34,000 square kilometers that covered the south of Baghdad, Babil, Karbala and Najaf provinces. The Warhorse AO had diverse missions ranging from combating the insurgency, training the Iraqi Security Forces, rebuilding the infrastructure and assisting in the establishment of local governments and agricultural unions.
The Warhorse Brigade returned to Fort Hood, Texas, in November 2006 and moved to its new home at Fort Carson, Colorado, in July 2007. The Brigade completed its fielding of new combat systems and is conducting individual and collective training in preparation for deployment in support of our nation.
3RD BRIGADE COMBAT TEAM,
4TH INFANTRY DIVISIONThe 3rd Brigade was constituted November 19, 1917, in the Regular Army as Headquarters, 8th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 4th Infantry Division. It was organized in December 1917 at Camp Greene, N.C. The Brigade has been reorganized and redesignated several times over the years. Finally, on December 15, 1970, it was activated at Fort Carson, CO, as 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. When the Division Headquarters moved to Fort Hood, Texas, in 1995, the Brigade remained at Fort Carson and was redesignated as the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (3rd BCT). In May 2006 the brigade completed its transformation to the modular design.
The Brigade has received numerous campaign participation credits, including Aisne-Marne and Meuse-Argonne during World War I; Counteroffensive, Phases II-VI, and Tet Counteroffensive in Vietnam; and two tours of Operation Iraqi Freedom of the War on Terrorism, just to name a few. A few of its more prestigious decorations include the Presidential Unit Citation, the Valorous Unit Award, the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class.
The 3rd Brigade Combat Team is comprised of nearly 3,800 Soldiers including: 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment; the 1-8 Combined Arms Battalion; the 1-68 Combined Arms Battalion; the 3rd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment; the 3rd Special Troops Battalion; and 64th Brigade Support Battalion.
The 3rd BCT returned to Fort Carson from Iraq in November 2006 where it was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Task Force Band of Brothers and later the 25th Infantry Division, Task Force Tropic Lightning. The unit deployed again in 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
4TH BRIGADE COMBAT
TEAM, 4TH INFANTRY DIVISIONThe Strike Force Brigade legacy shines through the Warrior Brigade standing in front of you today. Strike Force, 2BCT, 2ID re flagged to Warriors, 4BCT, 4ID on April 8, 2008.
The Second Infantry Division was activated on October 26, 1917, in Beaumont, France. Campaigns included the Battle of Belleau-Wood, Chateau-Thierry campaign, Soissons, Mont Blanc and the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
With the outbreak of hostilities in Korea during the summer of 1950, the Second Infantry Division arrived in Korea on July 23, 1950 becoming the first unit to reach Korea directly from the United States. The Second Infantry Division was instrumental in smashing the communist's spring offensive. On August 20, 1954-- four years after its last unit arrived in Korea-- the Second Infantry Division redeployed to the United States.
The Second Infantry Division returned to the Republic of Korea in July 1965. 2nd Brigade stood at the forefront of the Division's defenses, deterring war on the Korean Peninsula. On 18 May 2004, the Brigade received a change of mission order, and was alerted for deployment away from Korea in support of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
From August 2004 to July 2005, with the Brigade Headquarters situated in Ramadi, Iraq, 2BCT fought in areas along the Euphrates River in Al Anbar Province, 70 miles west of Baghdad . During its year-long campaign, 2BCT captured or killed more than 2,100 insurgents and terrorists, helping to establish a more secure environment for the 420,000 Iraqi residents there. Members of 2BCT fought in the Fallujah offensive in November 2004 and provided Iraqis the opportunity to vote in the historic national elections of January 2005. In 2007, the brigade worked to ensure the citizens of Iraq a secure future by battling the insurgency and establishing more favorable conditions for the emerging democratic Iraqi government. The BCT also trained and partnered with thousands of Iraqi Security Force soldiers, enabling them to better secure their country. Additionally, the BCT provided humanitarian relief to hundreds of displaced civilians, schools, hospitals, and the underprivileged across its area of operations.
In July and August 2005, 2BCT redeployed from Iraq and restationed at its new home at Fort Carson. In October 2006, the Brigade began its 2nd deployment to Iraq and inherited the largest and most violent sectors in Multi-National Division Baghdad.
With the commencement of "the surge" and the Baghdad Security plan, the 2nd BCT introduced the Cross-Functional Team concept to MND-Baghdad, which was the first BCT to integrate an embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team. The BCT led the effort to harden markets and protect the populace.
4th BCT, 4ID Warriors today remember the Strike Force Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, ensuring mission accomplishment and completion for the Strike Force Team. On March 11, 2008, 2nd BCT, 2ID received the Meritorious Unit Citation for exceptionally meritorious service while in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, was activated on December 16, 2004. In late 2005, the unit deployed with the 4th Infantry Division in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and assumed responsibility of the operating environment in central and southern Baghdad from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division on Jan 14, 2006.
As the Ivy Division's newest brigade combat team, the 4th Brigade was deployed and headquartered at Forward Operating Base Prosperity with units based from FOB Falcon, FOB Honor and FOB Union III. The Brigade secured Baghdad's International Zone and conducted continuous operations in some of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Baghdad, to include Al-Doura, Al-Amerriyah, Abu T'schir, Al-Ademiyah, Al Saydiyah, Risalah and Gazaliyah.
The 4th BCT brought six of its own battalions to the fight and oversaw the security of many key events to include the first session of the Iraqi Council of Representatives. Additionally, during the 4th Brigade's year-long tenure in the Iraqi capital, Iraqi citizens also witnessed the 5th Brigade, 6th Iraqi Division assume responsibility of security in areas of central Baghdad. More than 70-percent of Baghdad was under the control of the Iraqi Security Forces when the Brigade redeployed to Fort Hood, Texas in December 2006, a remarkable achievement for a unit still considered "new" in the U.S. Army.
Working 24 hours-a-day, seven days-a-week, 4BCT, 4ID Soldiers and the ISF completed multiple large-scale operations to root out terrorists operating in the city limits. Operations United Fist and Together Forward, among others, both resulted in capturing or killing terrorists, finding roadside bombs and IED networks, and developing intelligence used to prevent other terrorist attacks. Operations Stallion Run, the Doura Market Revitalization and Clean-Up and numerous civic projects, helped rid the streets of garbage and showed the Iraqi citizens their new government is working for a better future. Upon redeployment to Fort Hood in December 2006, the brigade immediately started training for future missions. On April 8, 2008, the 2nd BCT, 2nd ID reflagged as the 4th BCT, 4th ID at Fort Carson, consolidating the two active battalions of the 12th Infantry Regiment for the first time since 1995. Because of this affiliation with the 12th Infantry Regiment, 4BCT, 4ID is now known as the Warrior Brigade.
The 12th Infantry Regiment was constituted 3 May 1861 and has fought valiantly in the Civil War, the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, World War II (from Normandy to Berlin), and Vietnam. The 1st Battalion recently participated in Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08, where it was widely recognized to be the most effective Counter-Insurgent force the Army had leveraged against Sunni extremists.
The Regiment has been awarded four Presidential Unit Citations, one for legendary heroism in World War II, and three for exceptional gallantry in the Republic of Vietnam. The Regiment has also earned four Valorous Unit Awards in recognition of its outstanding resolve in the Vietnamese highlands and Saigon. In addition, the Regiment was awarded the Belgian Fourragere for its performance in the Ardennes. The 4th Brigade is currently comprised of six battalions: 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment; 3rd Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 77th Field Artillery; 4th Special Troops Battalion, and 704th Support Battalion.
10TH SPECIAL FORCES GROUP
The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) and the history of the United States Army Special Forces are intertwined, since the Group is the oldest Special Forces Group in the Army. The establishment of the group on June 19, 1952 was also the establishment of Special Forces.
The history of the group begins with the formation of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) under the command of Brigadier General William O. "Wild Bill" Donovan in 1942. Their missions took them behind enemy lines in every theater of operations during World War II. Americans, British, French, Belgians, Dutch, South Africans, New Zealanders and Canadians all filled the ranks of the OSS. In France, small elements called "Jedburgh teams" were employed to assist the Allied landings and subsequent breakouts at both Normandy and Provence.
The official lineage and colors of the Group go back to the 1st Special Service Force (FSSF), a joint U.S.-Canadian Army force established in 1942, at Fort William Henry Harrison in Helena, Mont., for the conduct of winter commando-type operations in Europe. The 10th SFG(A) is assigned to the U.S. Army's Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, but stationed at Fort Carson. With more than 1,500 Soldiers assigned to the 10th SFG(A), they train for and conduct combat, unconventional warfare, special reconnaissance and foreign internal defense missions. 10th SFG(A) Soldiers deploy yearly in support of operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. The 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) consists of the Group headquarters, the Group Support Battalion, and three combat battalions; with a fourth battalion to be activated in 2009. 1st Battalion is forward deployed to Panzer Kaserne in Stuttgart, Germany.
1ST ATTACK RECONNAISSANCE BATTALION,
2ND AVIATION REGIMENTOn Nov. 17, 2008, it was announced that the 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment would be restationed to Fort Carson in March 2009, preparing for a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in the Fall of 2009. The 1st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment, known as the "Gunfighters," traces its history to September 16, 1982, when it was constituted into the Regular Army as Company D, 501st Aviation Battalion, 1st Armored Division in Ansbach, Germany.
In November 1987, Company D, 501st Aviation Battalion was inactivated in Germany. On October 16, 1988, the unit was relieved from assignment to the 1st Armored Division and concurrently redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 4th Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, and activated in Korea as an AH-1 "Cobra"-equipped Attack Helicopter Battalion. The Gunfighter Battalion began their history with the AH-64 "Apache" in June 1994 at Fort Hood, Texas, in the single-station unit fielding and training program as the provisional 4th Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment. The unit completed the single station unit fielding and training program and deployed to the Republic of Korea during November and December of 1994.
On November 22, 1994, the 4th Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment (Cobra) passed its colors, heritage, and mission to the 4th Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment (Apache), serving under the 17th Aviation Brigade, Eighth United States Army. The new "Apache" Gunfighters would remain a part of the 17th Aviation Brigade for another one and a half years.
The 2nd Infantry Division was modernized with the Apache Attack Helicopter when, on June 15, 1996, 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment (Cobra), stationed on Camp Mobile in Korea, inactivated and on June 16, 1996, 4th Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment (Apache) reflagged as 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment. The former Cobra unit's mission, colors, and unit heritage were passed to the Gunfighters.
Serving with the 2nd Infantry Division from their airfield at Camp Page, Korea, the Gunfighters were designated to transition to the Longbow Apache (AH-64D) in late 1999. AH-64A aircraft left the Republic of Korea in May 2000 to begin their own Longbow transition and a Caretaker Force was established to maintain the Gunfighter's presence at Camp Page and to support installation transition necessary to receive the newly-equipped Longbow unit.
On Jan. 5, 2001, the Gunfighter's colors were again unfurled at Fort Hood as they formally began the second single-station unit fielding and training program in the organization's history, this time with the Longbow aircraft. The 1st Battalion, 2nd Aviation Regiment was assigned to the Aviation Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division and returned to Camp Page, Korea at the conclusion of their Fort Hood training in September 2001. In 2005, the Gunfighters restationed from Camp Page in Chuncheon, to Camp Eagle, in Wonju.
43RD SUSTAINMENT BRIGADEThe 43rd Sustainment Brigade is a combat service support unit stationed at Fort Carson. The Brigade motto is "Provide with Pride". The Brigade call sign is "Rough Riders." The 43rd SB has deployed overseas to Somalia, Cuba, Kuwait, Saudia Arabia, Iraq and Afghanistan.
The 43rd Sustainment Brigade was constituted into the regular Army on Jan. 18, 1966, as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 43rd General Support Group. The unit was activated on March 26, 1966, at Fort Carson and organized on May 16, 1966. The mission of the 43rd GSG is to provide logistical support and support reception, staging, onward movement and integration (RSO&I) and subsequently plan and coordinate sustainment and protection of forces on an area basis. The 43rd SB consists of the 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, the 32nd Transportation Company, the 59th Quartermaster Company, the 60th Ordnance Company, 183rd Maintenance Company, the 360th Transportation Company, the 549th Quartermaster Company, the 43rd Special Troops Battalion, 230th Financial Management Company, and 152nd Transportation Detachment.
The 43rd SB has been deployed in support of operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and in support of operations to stabilize Somalia and Haiti. Most recently, the 43rd SB has deployed units in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. The unit was redesignated the 43rd Sustainment Brigade on July 17, 2008, upon redeployment to Fort Carson.
10TH COMBAT SUPPORT HOSPITAL
In January 2004, the 10th Combat Support Hospital became the first hospital to complete the Medical Reengineering Initiative (MRI) conversion. With the conversion, the 10th CSH is now a more mobile 84-bed hospital with an additional 164 beds in storage, if ever needed.
The CSH is designed to provide level III care to deployed soldiers during wartime operations or humanitarian missions. The hospital facility is the Deployable Medical System (DEPMEDS), which consists of temper tents and ISO shelters. It is composed of an emergency medical treatment section with a dispensary, one operating room (with two tables), two intensive care units (ICU) each composed of 12 beds, three intermediate care wards (ICW) each composed of twenty beds, one central materiel services section, laboratory with limited testing capabilities, blood bank, radiology with portable x-ray capability and digital processing, and a pharmacy. Due to recent experiences the 10th CSH has requested an additional OR iso-shelter to increase our surgical capabilities. Though the 10th CSH is an Echelon-Above-Division (EAD) asset, and therefore requires support, with the MRI conversion we are now more self-sufficient than before.
The staff of the hospital is comprised of two personnel components: permanently assigned and Professional Fillers or PROFIS. With the new FY07 (16 Mar 07) MTOE, the 10th CSH has 482 required positions, which consists of 237 permanently assigned and 245 PROFIS. With the MRI conversion, this represents a shift with the number of permanently assigned personnel decreasing and the number of PROFIS increasing by approximately 40 each respectively. The backbone of a fully operational and functional hospital is the competent staff found under the canvas. An important part of that competent team is the PROFIS staff that make-up over half of the staff and includes the majority of the clinical professionals The 10th Combat Support Hospital is the premier Combat Support Hospital within Forces Command and the Department of Defense. We are comprised of a highly dedicated, trained and diverse staff of professional soldiers totally committed to saving lives by deploying to any location in the world in order to support combat operations. We provide high quality, comprehensive level III medical care and health services to conserve the fighting strength of America's Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines.
4TH ENGINEER BATTALION
The 4th Engineer Battalion (the Vanguard of the 4th Division) saw action in the American Civil War, World Wars I and II and Vietnam. It was organized Dec. 31, 1861, in Washington, D.C., from new and existing companies of engineers as a provisional engineer battalion. It was constituted July 28, 1866, as the Battalion of Engineers. The 4th Regiment of Engineers was redesignated as the 4th Engineers in August 1917 and was thereafter assigned to the 4th Division in January 1918. After occupation service, the unit was inactivated in 1921 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Between 1927 and 1933 the unit was reassigned to support the 6th Division and six years later it was redesignated as the 4th Engineer Battalion activated (less Company A, which activated July 24, 1922, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina) June 1, 1940, at Fort Benning, Georgia. Reorganizations and redesignations led first as the 4th Engineer Motorized Battalion (September 1942) then the 4th Engineer Combat Battalion (August 1943) were formed. Soon after World War II ended, the unit was inactivated Feb. 19, 1946, at Camp Butner, North Carolina. This did not last long however, with reactivation on July 6, 1948 at Fort Ord, California and subsequent re designation as the 4th Engineer Battalion in June 1953.
The unit supported operations in Vietnam, including during the Tet Offensive of 1968. The 4th Engineer Battalion was reflagged in 2004 at Ft Carson, inactivated December 15, 2004 at Fort Carson, and relieved from assignment to the 4th Infantry Division. The 4th Engineer Battalion's Headquarters and Headquarters Company was activated Oct. 18, 2006, at Fort Carson (Support Company concurrently constituted and activated). The Battalion was deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
71ST EOD GROUPThe 71st Ordnance Group (Explosive Ordnance Disposal) (EOD) was recently activated and redesignated as an EOD Group at Fort Carson on Oct. 16, 2005, at which time the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment were swiftly positioned to deploy in support Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Combined Joint Task Force Troy where the organization earned the Joint Meritorious Unit Award. The 71st Group, as CJTF Troy, was responsible for the Counter Improvised Explosive Device (CIED) fight and proved their resoluteness in defeating the enemy's primary weapon of choice in the operation.
The official lineage of the 71st Ordnance Group (EOD) was firmly planted on the European battlefront of World War II. Originally constituted in the Army of the United States on July 17, 1944, and formally activated in France six days later on 23 July 1944. The 71st Ordnance Group saw service in the European theater of operations earning campaign streamers for Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, Ardennes Alsace, and Central Europe, before its deactivation in Germany in June of 1946. From there the unit was transferred to the reserves and underwent several reorganizations and redesignations ending as the 361st Ordnance Group, activating in the Ready Reserves in March 1947 until it inactivated in April 1954. One year later, the group was returned to the regular Army and on 13 May 1955 activated in Germany as the 71st Ordnance Group until it inactivated in June 1959. The 71st Ordnance Group remained inactive until it was reactivated in Korea in December 1962 and inactivated for the last time on January 1, 1966, in the Republic of Korea.
The 71st Ordnance Group (EOD) is one of two active duty EOD Groups in the United States Army and has an additional responsibility to support NORTHCOM as a Homeland Defense asset. With the largest concentration of EOD Soldiers in the Army the Group consists of the headquarters and four subordinate battalions. The Group's battalions are positioned strategically across the area of operations to provide timely EOD support. The 3d EOD Battalion is located at Fort Lewis, Washington; the 79th EOD Battalion is located at Fort Hood, Texas; the 84th EOD Battalion is located at Fort Riley, Kansas, and the 242d EOD Battalion is located at Fort Carson.
