I Corps
I Corps commands most units at Fort Lewis and conducts planning and liaison with other assigned active and Reserve component units located in the continental United States. It is one of four corps headquarters in the active Army, and one of three based in the continental United States. Today, I Corps has been designated as one of the active Army's contingency corps. I Corps stays prepared to deploy on short notice worldwide to command up to five divisions or a joint task force.
Since being assigned to Fort Lewis in 1981, Soldiers from I Corps units have participated in Operation Just Cause in Panama, Desert Shield and Desert Storm during the Persian Gulf War, Operation Provide Comfort for Kurdish refugees, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. They helped with the restoration of order following the riots in Los Angeles, participated in Operation Safe Harbor in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for Haitian migrants, supported relief efforts following Hurricane Andrew in Florida and Hurricane Iniki in Hawaii, and played a significant role in Operation Restore Hope in Somalia and in restoring peace in Kosovo.
I Corps also contributed to the command structure of Operation Desert Storm with the I Corps commander, Lt. Gen. Calvin A.H. Waller and the Deputy I Corps commander, Maj. Gen. Paul Schwartz, assisting General H. Norman Schwarzkopf, the commander of the American forces. Jan. 15, 2003, marked the 85th anniversary of the activation of the First American Army Corps in Neufchateau, France.
The corps assumed tactical responsibility for troops fighting on the western front July 4, 1918. Corps Soldiers participated in battles during the Aisne-Marne Offensive, the St. Mihiel Offensive and the Battle of Meuse- Argonne. After World War I, I Corps was disbanded at Tonnerre, France, in 1919. I Corps was reactivated at Fort Jackson, S.C., in 1940. In 1942, the corps was assigned to U.S. Army Forces, Southwest Pacifi c Area under the command of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. I Corps' first major World War II combat assignment was the taking of Buna, New Guinea, the first allied victory over the Japanese. Corps Soldiers then won battles at Hollandia and Biak, New Guinea. Later, I Corps took part in the invasion of the Philippines.
Following the war, I Corps was assigned to occupation duty in Japan until 1950. It was briefly inactivated, then reactivated at Fort Bragg, N.C., and sent to Korea, fighting on the Pusan Perimeter, near Seoul and elsewhere on the peninsula for two years. When the fighting ended, I Corps was given tactical control of U.S., United Nations and Republic of Korea forces along the western third of the Eighth Army area. The corps continued to play an active role in Korea along the DMZ until 1971, when it was reduced to zero strength. In 1981, I Corps was reactivated at Fort Lewis.
On Oct. 12, 1999, General Eric K. Shinseki, Chief of Staff of the Army, announced that I Corps would lead the acceleration of Army transformation, training and the initial creation of the first two Stryker Brigade Combat Teams at Fort Lewis. Since Sept. 11, 2001, I Corps and Fort Lewis assets have been active in providing support for Global War on Terrorism operations. GWOT operations include Operations Noble Eagle (Homeland Defense), Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
On Feb. 5, 2004, Task Force Olympia was activated, a sub-element of I Corps headquarters with the mission to command forward-deployed units in Iraq. This marked the first time that I Corps had forward Soldiers in combat since the end of the Korean War. Task Force Olympia includes units from all three components of the Army (active, Reserve and National Guard) as well as Marine and Australian officers. Task Force Olympia's subordinate units included the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division that departed for Iraq on Nov. 8, 2003, and returned to Fort Lewis after one year of combat duty; and the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division that departed Fort Lewis Sept. 15, 2004, for one year and returned September 2005. On June 1, 2006, the 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division cased its colors and became the 2nd Cavalry Regiment - Stryker Brigade Combat Team with its home station in Germany. A brand-new unit ready to make history then uncased the colors of its new designation on June 1, 2006 - the 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. The 4th Brigade departed for Iraq March 12, 2007, and returned in May 2008 after 14-plus months in theater. Another new unit, the 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, uncased its colors May 4, 2007.
The Army's sixth modular brigade, the 17th Fires Brigade, arrived and uncased its colors Aug. 10, 2007. The "Thunderbolt Brigade" is a U.S. Army Forces Command organization now attached to I Corps. The fires brigade can deploy as a self-contained combat unit or provide battalions and batteries to other maneuver organizations at the corps commander's discretion. On June 2, 2006, the 3rd Brigade departed for Iraq for its second tour and returned October 2007. The Soldiers of the Arrowhead Brigade fought in some of the most difficult parts of the war zone in Iraq.
America's Corps will make history in spring 2009, when it goes to Iraq for its first combat deployment in more than a half-century. I Corps will replace XVIII Airborne Corps and assume duties as the Multi-National Corps-Iraq. This deployment will mark the first time since the Korean War that the I Corps Headquarters has deployed in direct support of combat operations. Since 1918, the Soldiers of I Corps have served with distinction and have made I Corps America's most decorated corps in the active Army. The success of I Corps is a direct result of professionalism, dedication and motivation of its Soldiers. Soldiers make America's Corps what it is today, the corps of the future.
U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Lewis
U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Lewis, manages the "city of Fort Lewis." As a subordinate command of the Installation Management Command's West Region, the garrison provides the senior commander and assigned units with the installation services required to support expeditionary Army operations and provide a world-class quality of life to the Soldiers and families who serve the nation.
The garrison commander, as the installation's "city manager," operates Fort Lewis through the directorates and agencies that make up the garrison staff. In turn, the garrison staff provides a full range of city services and quality-of-life functions for the men and women of Fort Lewis: facilities management, recreation, communications, security and training area management, transportation and logistics services, child care, fire and police services, and family/ community facilities, just to name a few. The garrison staff is comprised of the Directorates of Public Works; Logistics; Information Management, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation; Resource Management; Human Resources; Plans, Training, Security and Mobilization; and Emergency Services. Various smaller staff elements, such as the Installation Chaplain's Office and the Public Affairs Office, round out the garrison team.
The vision for U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Lewis, describes the bottom line for the garrison commander and members of the installation's staff: "To provide the best facilities and services through innovative and responsive support and evolving partnerships to sustain our most-critical assets: those who selflessly devote themselves to protecting freedom."
42nd Military Police Brigade
and Directorate of Emergency Services
Task Force Protector represents the combined forces of the 42nd Military Police Brigade and the Fort Lewis Directorate of Emergency Services. This team is dedicated to the Army mission and the safety and security of the Fort Lewis community. As the leader of TF Protector, the 42nd MP Brigade commander holds two important positions: brigade commander and director of DES.
The DES provides law-enforcement mission support for I Corps and Fort Lewis, and helps support Yakima Training Center with force-protection capability. The 42nd MP Brigade is responsible for the Regional Corrections Facility and provides military police combat support to I Corps and other contingency forces.
The precursor organization to the 42nd MP Brigade was the 7751st MP Detachment (Customs), activated on March 21, 1949, in Germany. The unit's mission was to control widespread and organized black marketeering and smuggling activities that posed a serious threat to the German economy, and to foster an environment where economic recovery could take root in Europe. In 1955, the customs unit was reorganized into a non-numerical unit, the Military Police Customs Unit. The MPCU retained its non-numerical designation until August 1964, when the unit was deactivated, renamed and reactivated as the 42nd MP Detachment (Customs).
On Jan. 25, 1968, the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 42nd MP Group was constituted in the Regular Army and activated in Germany. On Oct. 21, 1977, the HHD, 42nd MP Group was reorganized and redesignated as the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 42nd MP Group. With the end of the Cold War and the subsequent draw-down of troop strength, the customs mission no longer required the services of the entire group, and in August 1994, the 42nd MP Group (Customs) was deactivated.
The inactive unit was redesignated as the 1st MP Brigade (Provisional) at Fort Lewis in May 2004 in preparation for its reactivation that fall. On Oct. 15, 2004, the 1st MP Brigade (Provisional) was deactivated and the 42nd MP Brigade was activated as the supporting I Corps Military Police Brigade. The brigade has successfully maintained the balance between providing garrison force protection and wartime combat-support functions with help from Department of the Army police, Department of the Army guards, and the civilians assigned to DES.
The DES was established at Fort Lewis on Jan. 11, 2006. The DES mission is to plan, direct and provide law and order, fire and emergency services, and force protection operations in support of I Corps, Fort Lewis and YTC in order to provide a safe and secure environment for the Soldiers, civilians and families that live and work on the installation.
The DES performs these important missions through the combined efforts of more than 300 Soldiers and civilians serving in the various divisions in DES: law enforcement, fire and emergency services, Fort Lewis Emergency Communications Center, training and plans, support services, antiterrorism/ force protection, and security and access control.
The 504th MP Battalion was activated in the Regular Army on June 1, 1940, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In 1943, the battalion landed on the beaches of North Africa as one of the first Allied units of World War II to fight against Rommel's Afrika Korps. The battalion consists of a headquarters detachment and four combat-support companies: the 54th MP Company, the 66th MP Company, the 170th MP Company and the 571st MP Company. All elements of the battalion recently redeployed from Iraq or Afghanistan, where they performed combat-support, humanitarian aid and stability operations.
The 508th MP Battalion Internment/ Resettlement was activated on Oct. 14, 2005, at Fort Lewis. The battalion consists of a headquarters company, two MP companies and one MP detachment: the 67th MP Company (I/R), the 595th MP Company (I/R) and the 51st MP Detachment. The battalion headquarters company and the 67th MP Company deployed to Iraq in early fall to conduct detainee operations. The 508th MP Battalion is responsible for command-and-control and daily operations of the RCF at Fort Lewis.
3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
The 3rd Brigade was established as the 1st Provisional Brigade on Aug. 11, 1917, at Syracuse, N.Y. On Sept. 22, 1917, it was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Infantry Brigade and assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division. A month later, the brigade was sent to France, where it saw heavy fighting as part of the American Expeditionary Force. The 3rd Brigade included the 9th Infantry Regiment, 23nd Infantry Regiment and the 5th Machinegun Battalion.
Arriving in France, the 3rd Brigade participated in a period of harsh training in the Bourmont area of France to ready itself for its German enemies. The 3rd Brigade fought in many battles in France, earning six battle steamers for its participation in the major campaigns of Aisne, Aisne-Marne, Lorraine 1918, St Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne. For its gallantry, the French government awarded the 3rd Brigade four French Croix de Guerre—the highest French unit award. The green and red French Fourragere is still worn on the left shoulder of every Soldier assigned to the brigade.
When the war ended, the 3rd Brigade remained in Germany for a period of one year with the Army of Occupation. In late 1919, the brigade returned to its home of Fort Sam Houston, Texas. The brigade was then deactivated on Oct. 9, 1939. On Feb. 1, 1963, the 3rd Brigade was reactivated and reassigned to the 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Benning, Ga. Two years later, on July 1, 1965, the 3rd Brigade moved to Korea to join the rest of the 2nd Infantry Division, where its mission was to guard the western corridor. In April 1967, five North Korean infiltrators were killed at Guard Post Lucy. From May 1967 to October 1968, which included the Pueblo Crisis, nearly 400 attempted infiltrations and firefights occurred, but the Soldiers of 3rd Brigade held firm. From 1969 until the deactivation of the brigade in 1992, infiltrations slowed and eventually came to a stop. On April 11, 1995, the 3rd Brigade (Mechanized), 2nd Infantry Division was reactivated at Fort Lewis with the following Battalions: 1-23 Infantry, 1-32 Armor, 1-33 Armor, 1-37 Field Artillery, 168th Engineer, 296 Forward Support, and C Battery, 5-5 Air Defense Artillery. The Secretary of the Army approved the brigade's new designation as the "Arrowhead Brigade."
On May 18, 2000, the 3rd Brigade was again reorganized as the Army's Initial Brigade Combat Team, the lead element of the Army's medium-weight brigade transformation. The brigade is comprised of 1-23 Infantry, 2-3 Infantry, 5-20 Infantry, 1-14 Cavalry, 1-37 FA, 296th Support Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Brigade, 18th Engineer Company, 334th Signal Company and the 209th Military Intelligence Company. The brigade began its transformation by fielding new digital equipment and the Army's first Stryker combat vehicles. This transformation culminated on Sept. 23, 2003, with the Arrowhead Brigade's certification as the U.S. Army's first operational Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
On Nov. 2, 2003, the brigade deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, becoming the first Stryker Brigade to see combat. The Arrowhead Brigade initially fought alongside the 4th Infantry Division around Samarra and later relieved the entire 101st Air Assault Division in Nineveh province. For the next eight months, the brigade successfully secured Mosul and Ninevah province. Additionally, the brigade responded to several Corps Operational Reserve missions by sending Stryker Battalion Task Forces across Iraq on short notice. In October 2004, the Arrowhead Brigade was relieved by the 1st Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and redeployed to Fort Lewis.
From December 2004 to May 2006, the Arrowhead Brigade reset and retrained for combat and formed a new unit, the 3-2 Brigade Troops Battalion (Provisional). On June 28, 2006, the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team again deployed in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. On Aug. 5, 2006, the Arrowhead Brigade (less TF 1-23 Infantry and TF 1-14 Cavalry which would operate in Baghdad) relieved the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team in Mosul and Ninevah province.
In November 2006, the brigade moved from Mosul to Baghdad to serve as the MND-B Commander's Strike Force and MNC-I Operational Reserve. Upon transition of authority of the Ninevah province to 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, the Arrowhead Brigade successfully conducted a 400-plus-kilometer move to Baghdad, conducting a reconnaissance in force of the eastern bank of Lake Thar Thar en route. During the six months as the MNDB Strike Force, the Arrowhead Brigade conducted 10 brigade operations, 15 independent battalion-level operations and more than 45 independent company-level operations.
In June 2007, the MNC-I commander called upon the Arrowhead Brigade to destroy the al-Qaeda stronghold in vicinity of Baqubah, Iraq. Al-Qaeda proclaimed this area as the capital for the Islamic State of Iraq. Task Force Arrowhead spearheaded the MNC-I surge offensive as the main effort of Operation Arrowhead Ripper. Over the next 60 days, Task Force Arrowhead methodically cleared the entire city of Baqubah and surrounding areas of enemy forces and revived Iraqi essential services. Operation Arrowhead Ripper was the Arrowhead Brigade's final mission in Iraq. After more than 15 months of continuous combat operations across Iraq, the Arrowhead Brigade was welcomed home October 2007 at Fort Lewis. The brigade is currently training for its next mission.
4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
The 4th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division activated at Fort Lewis on June 1, 2006, after forming as the Army's Fourth Stryker Brigade 16 months earlier. While the brigade is one of the Army's newest, its subordinate battalions have long records of service. The brigade's six battalions and four separate companies have received honors from the Civil War through the First Gulf War that include some 20 Presidential Unit Citations, eight French Croix de Guerre and nine Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations.
Upon activation, the brigade assumed the nickname of Dragoon Raiders as a way to highlight the unique capabilities that the Stryker Brigade brings to the battlefield. Like the dragoons of our Army's past, the Soldiers of the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team are mounted infantrymen possessing superior mobility and the versatility to successfully accomplish a wide range of divergent missions. The unit further adopted the moniker of Raiders because of the Stryker Brigade's self-sufficiency and ability to strike the enemy quickly and where least expected.
While preparing for its first deployment, the 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team made significant contributions to the Army. In addition to supporting the Reserve Officer Training Corps Warrior Forge Program and deploying elements of the 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry in support of Wildland Fire Fighting, the brigade was at the forefront of fielding new systems to enhance Army capabilities. The brigade was the first unit to field the Land Warrior - a digital, man portable system that enhances Soldier communications, tracking of friendly forces and overall situational awareness.
The 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007- 2009 as part of President George W. Bush's "surge" strategy. The 4th Brigade accelerated its deployment time line to arrive in Iraq in mid-April and became the first Stryker brigade to deploy with all 10 variants of the Stryker combat vehicle. During more than 13 months of continuous, full-spectrum operations, the 4th Brigade successfully conducted nine brigade-level operations and more than 550 battalion-and-company sized operations throughout the Baghdad northern belt and in Diyala province. The 4th Brigade's actions were directly responsible for the defeat of al Qaeda in Iraq-affiliated insurgents in the brigade's battle space, suppression of Shia extremist militias, bolstering of Iraqi Security Forces, and protection of critical infrastructure. These efforts provided space and time for the Iraqi people and local governments to take control of their own destiny and begin the process of reconciliation, rebuilding and self-government.
As part of the Multi National Division - North, the Raiders initially operated out of Forward Operating Base TAJI, north of Baghdad. The brigade area of responsibility included the cities of Mushahidah and Tarmiyah and the critical main-supply route TAMPA in the west, the densely populated Sadr City suburb of Husayniyah in the center, and the Khan Bani Sa'ad and canal regions of Diyala province in the east. From mid-May 2007 through January 2008, elements destroyed al Qaeda in Iraq-affiliated insurgent cells in Baghdad's Northern Belt while keeping Shia extremists under control.
The brigade also conducted major operations to defeat insurgents and take control of key terrain across the Northern Belt. During Operation Raider Isolation, (June 2007) the Brigade, spearheaded by 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, established blocking positions to prevent the exfiltration of al Qaeda in Iraq fighters from the critical city of Baqubah. These efforts contributed significantly to the success of 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division's clearance of Baqubah in Operation Arrowhead Ripper. 2-1 Cavalry also cleared the canal region west of Baqubah and stood up Sons of Iraq groups to secure this area that had previously been an al Qaeda stronghold. In July 2007, 2nd Battalion, 12th Field artillery Regiment put down a Shia extremist uprising in Husayniyah. After repeated militia attacks against Coalition Forces in the vicinity of Husayniyah, 2-12 Field Artillery effectively quarantined the city, preventing all but emergency vehicles from entering or leaving. These actions, combined with targeted kinetic operations and engagements with key tribal and local government officials, ended the uprising in this volatile Shia enclave with minimal bloodshed.
In September 2007, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment spearheaded Operation Raider Riviera, the deliberate clearing of Tarmiyah, which eliminated al Qaeda's stranglehold on this city and allowed both Sons of Iraq and Iraqi police to establish long-term security. By the time 4th Brigade transferred control of the Tarmiyah and Husayniyah areas to Multi National Division - Baghdad in December 2007, the brigade had left a significant mark on this region. Finally, on June 1, 2008, 4th Brigade completed its mission in Iraq and transferred authority of Diyala province to the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment. In addition to freeing numerous population centers from al Qaeda domination, the brigade combat operations resulted in 1,700 personnel detained and more than 600 insurgents killed or wounded. The brigade's intelligence-driven targeting methodology devastated insurgent networks by capturing 212 brigade-and division-level highvalue individuals and killing another six during some 378 intelligence-driven raids. Brigade route-clearance operations resulted in more than 11,250 kilometers of routes being cleared and the discovery and reduction of 1,295 IEDs. Brigade Soldiers found and reduced more than 550 enemy weapons caches to include the largest explosively formed projectile (EFP) cache discovered to date in Iraq. The actions of the brigade removed terrorists and their weaponry from the battlefield and gave the Iraqi people and local governments the breathing room required to establish permanent security and governance. Both Baghdad's Northern Belt and the Diyala province are better-governed and more-secure regions due to the accomplishments and sacrifices of the brigade's Soldiers.
When the Dragoon Raider Brigade deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, it combined the traditional warrior spirit of the American-mounted infantryman with the technological capabilities of the Stryker vehicle and associated systems. The 4th Stryker Brigade Combat Team provided commanders in Iraq a flexible and highly capable force that contributed significantly to a free and independent Iraq.
5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division
The Destroyer Brigade (5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division), the fourth Stryker Brigade created on Fort Lewis, uncased its colors during an activation ceremony on May 4, 2007, and officially activated April 16, 2007. The Destroyer Brigade is scheduled to deploy this year in support of the Global War on Terrorism "Strike and Destroy."
17th Fires Brigade
The 17th Field Artillery Brigade was initially constituted on July 31, 1918, as an element of the 17th "Thunderbolt" Division at Camp Bowie, Texas. The unit was demobilized after World War I, in February 1919, at Fort Sill.
In October 1936, Headquarters, 17th Field Artillery Brigade was reconstituted and consolidated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17th Field Artillery Brigade.
In January 1943, the brigade was again activated at Fort Sill. In March 1944, the unit was reorganized and redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, VII Corps Artillery. During World War II, the unit earned five battle streamers for its valorous participation in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace and Central Europe. Following World War II, the unit was deactivated.
The unit was activated in January 1951 and served with distinction in the Federal Republic of Germany until its inactivation in June 1975. In March 1978, the unit was again activated and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 17th Field Artillery Brigade. On January 15, 1992, the Thunderbolt Brigade colors were transferred from Augsburg, Germany, to Fort Sill as an enhanced CONUS Contingency Capability Unit, and was assigned to III Armored Corps Artillery.
The 17th Field Artillery Brigade deployed to Iraq in 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a part of V Corps Artillery. During the summer of 2003, the brigade was involved in the construction and repair of Iraqi schools and other facilities, the movement of various types of ammunition throughout the Sunni Triangle, and Relay Point Missions. Upon return from Iraq, the brigade inactivated 3-18 FA in support of Army modularity. On Sept. 5, 2005, the 17th Field Artillery Brigade deployed "Task Force Thunderbolt" to Baghdad, Iraq, in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2005-2007. While deployed, Task Force Thunderbolt conducted Garrison Command Operations and Base Defense for the Victory Base Complex. Simultaneously, 1-12 FA and 5-3 FA deployed three truck companies with their base of operations in Kuwait. In this remarkable accomplishment, 17th Field Artillery Brigade elements collectively covered the entire Iraqi footprint.
From Aug. 23 until Nov. 18, every member of the 17th FA Brigade redeployed to Fort Sill, Okla., and reintegrated on March 15, 2007, the 17th FA Brigade inactivated 1-12 FA and prepared to restation to Fort Lewis. In support of the Army Campaign Plan, the brigade continued its transformation from a field artillery brigade to a fires brigade with the movement of its subordinate units from forts Sill, Bragg and Campbell to Fort Lewis. Subsequently, 17th Fires Brigade activated on July 16, 2007. 17th Fires Brigade consists of HHB, 17th Brigade, 5-3 FA (HIMARS), 1-377 FA Air Assault (155 TOWED), 308th Brigade Support Battalion, 606th and 657th Forward Support Companies, F-26 FA (Target Acquisition Battery) and 256th Signal Company. 1-94 FA (HIMARS) along with 125th FSC joined the brigade in 2008. The Thunderbolt Brigade maintains a rich tradition of outstanding service to the nation in both peace and war.
62nd Medical Brigade
Proud and steadfast, the 62nd Medical Brigade has been a part of the Fort Lewis community since 1968. The brigade's mission is to organize, train, deploy, command and control a multi-functional medical task force consisting of 11 distinct mission areas. These areas include command and control, ground evacuation, forward resuscitative surgery, hospitalization, area medical support, combat stress control, preventive medicine, veterinary services, blood support, medical logistics and dental. The brigade provides trained and ready corps and echelon above corps medical capabilities qualified to provide full-spectrum force-health-protection operations in any theater of operations. In addition, the brigade conducts stability operations, support operations and consequence management.
When deployed, the 62nd Medical Brigade will include professional fillers (PROFIS) from the Army Medical Command and Army Dental Command in order to accomplish any given mission. The 62nd Medical Brigade ensures its Combat Health Support readiness through a robust operational training and support program executed at the Joint Readiness Training Center, National Training Center, Yakima Training Center and at CONUS and OCONUS exercises in Japan and Thailand. While on Fort Lewis, subordinate units hone critical clinical skills and assist in maintaining a healthy deployable force through cooperative programs with Madigan Army Medical Center and the I Corps Joint Medical Training Center.
The 62nd Medical Brigade annually sponsors the Expert Field Medical Badge Training and Testing for I Corps and Fort Lewis, and supports the Reserve Officers Training Corps Warrior Forge by providing medical coverage.
The 62nd Medical Brigade and subordinate units have recently deployed numerous times in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. In just the past year, the Soldiers of the brigade have provided combat health support coverage in the countries of Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, Djibouti and the Horn of Africa. The 62nd Medical Brigade is trained and ready to put combat health support on the ground when and where needed in order to support the fighting men and women of our Armed Services.
66th Theater Aviation Command
The 66th Theater Aviation Command (Corps) was activated in 1986. The unit is known as the Falcon Command in the Washington National Guard and is the largest aviation brigade in the Army with nearly 4,000 Soldiers in eight battalions with subordinate elements located in 15 states. The Falcon Command consists of a wide range of Army aviation assets and provides aviation support for I Corps and the National Guard. The unit's 179 aircraft include the CH-47D Chinook, UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters. Most of the unit's aircraft are supported at the Army Aviation Support Facility No. 1 located on Gray Army Airfield. The unit's Soldiers and aircraft routinely support I Corps and Fort Lewis in a variety of missions, including ROTC support and airborne operations. The unit also responds to local and state emergencies, such as fires and floods. The Falcon Command now plays a larger role than ever before in our nation's defense and stands poised for an exciting future in support of Washington state, I Corps and contingency operations throughout the world.
201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
The 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, redesignated from being the 201st Military Intelligence Brigade on July 3, 2008, is the Army's third Battlefield Surveillance Brigade to stand up. The 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade conducts multi-disciplined intelligence collection, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations in support of full spectrum operations as part of an Army Corps or designated Joint Task Force.
