第二次世界大战期间，空降作战开始作为一种新的作战样式在战场上实际运用，第二次世界大战后，随着航空技术的不断进步，空降作战得到了进一步发展。空降部队作为美国的一支王牌部队，担负着美国一些需要快速机动的重大任务的部队，在历史上美军曾组建、撤编了多只空降部队。从1939年组建至令，经历了二战、朝鲜战争、越战等重大战役的考验，其空降部队作战理论、作战装备、机动性等方面得到极大地发展，成为美国全球战略中是最为关键的一环。
一、美军空降部队的创建
建立美国空降兵部队的构思形成于1939年，到1940年4月德军首次使用空降兵之后才有实质性的进展。1940年6月，美陆军从第29步兵团抽调人员，在佐治亚州的本宁堡，建立了第一个试验性空降分队；8月进行首次跳伞，9月试验分队扩编，组建了美军第一支空降部队——第501伞兵营，共450人。美空降师下辖2个伞降步兵团、1个滑翔机机降步兵团，以及其他战斗支援勤务部队。二战期间美军空降师编制为1万人。主要的武器装备有82毫米迫击炮、76毫米野炮、57毫米防坦克炮、37毫米高射炮等。二战结束时，美军共有5支空降师及4个独立伞兵团。这5支空降师包括：第11空降师(太平洋战场)，第13空降师(未参战)，第17空降师(曾在欧洲战场短期参战)，第82空降师(欧洲战场)，第101空降师(欧洲战场)。其中82空降师与101空降师历史最悠久，都是步兵师改组，战绩也最为显赫。4个独立伞兵团为第503伞兵团，第509伞降步兵团，第173空降旅，第187伞兵团。
二、美军空降部队介绍
第82空降师前身是美军在第一次世界大战期间组建的第82步兵师，起源于佐治亚州高登营。该师成立于1917年8月25日，因成员来自当时美国所有48个州，因此被称为“全美师”并沿用至今。第82步兵师在一战结束后一度解散，于1942年3月重新组建，布雷德利少将任师长。当年8月，步兵第82师一分为二，并编入2个伞降团，组成第82空降师，被改编为美军第一个空降师，首任师长为李奇微将军，共编3个团(505团及配属的507、508团)。在第二次世界大战期间，该师参加了意大利、诺曼底和荷兰等地的空降作战，表现十分英勇，成为名扬世界的劲旅。二战后又参加了美军在越南、格林纳达、巴拿马等地的作战，并被编入美军应急司令部序列，成为美对外干涉的有力工具。
第101空中突击师隶属于第18空降军，其前身为第101步兵师，于1918年7月23日正式组建。但它还未来得及出征，欧洲战事已停。在一次大战停战日，即1918年11月11日，第101步兵师退出现役。1921年，第101步兵师经过改编，成为一支预备役部队，司令部设在威斯康星州密尔沃基。1942年8月15日，第101预备役步兵师被解散。翌日，美陆军由2个伞降团及第82步兵师一部正式组建第101空降师，下辖第501、502、506伞兵团。8月19日，威廉.Ｃ.李准将出任第101空降师首任师长。1968年7月1日，第101空降师更名为“第101空中骑兵师”。一年以后，即1969年8月29日，它又被更名为“第101空降师（机动）”，成为美国陆军第2个空中机动师之一，表明该师装备正在从降落伞向直升机转变。1974年10月，第101空降师（机动）改称第101空中突击师。1983年，第101空中突击师再次进行改编，其第327、502和187团分别改称第101空中突击师第1、2、3旅。
第11空降师组建于1943年秋，下辖滑翔机第187、188团以及伞兵第511团，组建后派往太平洋战争与日军作战，参加了在菲律宾的4次空降作战。在日本投降后作为美驻东京占领军，直到1949年才撤回本土，改成训练师建制。1950年朝鲜战争爆发，其下第187团连同师部指挥其他部队组成第187伞兵团战斗队赴朝鲜参战。第11空降师曾经在1960年代初期重新成立，1963年1月，第11空降师重新编入现役，并命名为空中突击第11师。经过两年多的试验，1965年6月28日宣布空中机动师试验成功，次日，陆军发布命令，将空中突击第11师和步兵第2师合并，命名为骑兵第1师，成为美军第一个正式的空中机动师，并派往越南进行作战。第13空降师组建于1943年秋，1945年2月，第13空降师调至欧洲，因战争结束未能参加实战。第17空降师组建于1943年秋，1944年8月第17空降师调至英国。战后解散。
二战中，在霸王计划前期，盟军为欺骗德军，组建了以巴顿为司令的"第14集团军"，同时组建了5个虚假的空降师(6，9，18，21，135)。虽然不存在，但番号标志都有，也算是美军一段空降历史。
503伞兵团由奔宁堡504伞兵营组建而成，作为一个独立的作战单位，503团在1942年6月远赴欧洲参加盟军作战，成为美国历史上第一支海外作战的伞兵。
第173空降旅是美国陆军史上第一个独立空降旅，成立于1963年3月26日，1965年5月5日，该部成为第一支赴越南作战的美军地面部队。第173空降旅抵达越南的时候，澳大利亚皇家陆军的1个营和新西兰的1个炮兵连也配属给该部，使得第173空降旅成为整个越战期间唯一一支由多国组成的战斗部队。1967年2月22日，该旅800名伞兵伞降到越南C战区的一片稻田里，成为第一支完全编制伞降的部队。着陆后一役成为越南战争中最血腥的一战。在接下来的时间里，第173空降放旅先后参加过14场大战。1971年9月，该旅部署回到肯塔基州的坎贝尔堡，1972年1月14日宣布解散。2002年，第173旅重新组建，属陆军第5军，常驻意大利。该部现在实力包括1个司令部连、第508空降步兵营、第503空降步兵营、第319／D105毫米野战炮兵部队、第173战斗支援连、第173旅直侦察连和第501前线支援连(后勤支援)。驻阿拉斯加的172步兵旅辖一个伞兵营(509-1营)目前在阿富汗值勤，而172旅正在组建为斯瑞克旅，不再需要伞兵部队了。估计这个营可能会并入173旅。
第187伞兵团是第11空降师下属部队，第173空降旅则是独立旅。第11空降师在日本投降后作为美驻东京占领军，直到1949年才撤回本土，改成训练师建制。1950年韩战爆发，其下第187团连同师部指挥其他部队组成第187伞兵团战斗队赴朝鲜参战。
509伞降步兵团在1942年11月2日参加代号为“火把行动”的北非登陆作战前，由503团再次重组而成。在二战当中参加了一些关键性的空降作战。包括著名的北非登陆中的三次空降作战，盟军意大利西西里登陆还有配合诺曼底登陆的法国南部空降作战。1945年3月，509伞降步兵团被解散，剩余人员被充实到第82和13空降师。但两年后的1947年5月3日，509伞降步兵团再次“复活”，成为美军正规军的一部分。1967年3月27日，509步兵团第1营正式成立，并在上个世纪70年代先后驻防德国美因茨和意大利维琴察。上个世纪80年代陆续回国驻防，期间一直没有上过战场，只有在海湾战争期间，来自该部队的5名士兵被选入101空降师作为侦察员参加了战斗。1993年，驻防基地迁移至路易斯安娜州的波尔卡堡。2004年7月赴伊拉克。
美军无伞师番号，只有空降师番号。二战时除了伞兵，还有滑翔伞兵，是乘坐滑翔机落地。1950年代，美军开始对直升机感兴趣，研究了用直升机快速运兵作战的战术，我们现在称之为空中突击。第11空降师是第一支空中突击部队，不过此师是试验部队，没有参加实战。越战中，骑兵1师和空降101师先后改编为空中突击，电影《我们是士兵》就是以骑兵1师第7骑兵团为背景材料拍摄的。这两个师都保留了原有番号，所谓空中骑兵就是空中突击，专指当时的骑兵1师。越战后，骑兵1师改编为混合师，1980年代后重新恢复全机械化。只有空降101师保留了空中突击，此外驻韩国的美步兵2师第2旅也有两个营是空中突击。空降能力是美军特种部队的前提要求，诸如三角洲、海豹、绿色贝雷帽、游骑兵，等等，都可以算为伞兵。在英文中伞兵(paratroop)与空降(airborne)是不同的单词。第101空降师的番号仍然是空降，但目前实际兵力结构是空中突击。美军现在的师已经不能再根据其番号才猜测其兵力结构了。
三、现代美军空降战斗营序列(2003年)
第504伞兵团第1营，隶属第82空降师第1旅
第504伞兵团第2营，隶属第82空降师第1旅
第504伞兵团第3营，隶属第82空降师第1旅
第325伞兵团第1营，隶属第82空降师第2旅
第325伞兵团第2营，隶属第82空降师第2旅
第325伞兵团第3营，隶属第82空降师第2旅
第505伞兵团第1营，隶属第82空降师第3旅
第505伞兵团第2营，隶属第82空降师第3旅
第505伞兵团第3营，隶属第82空降师第3旅
第508伞兵团第1营，隶属第173空降旅
第503伞兵团第2营，隶属第173空降旅
第501伞兵团第1营，隶属第172步兵旅
第172步兵旅目前正在改组为斯瑞克旅，有全新的编制，不再辖第501伞兵团第1营。该营目前在阿富汗值勤，任务完成后的去向还没有确定，可能会编入第173空降旅。
美军空中突击战斗营序列(2003年)
第327步兵团第1营，隶属第101空降师第1旅
第327步兵团第2营，隶属第101空降师第1旅
第327步兵团第3营，隶属第101空降师第1旅
第502步兵团(原第502伞兵团)第1营，隶属第101空降师第2旅
第502步兵团(原第502伞兵团)第2营，隶属第101空降师第2旅
第502步兵团(原第502伞兵团)第3营，隶属第101空降师第2旅
第187步兵团第1营，隶属第101空降师第3旅
第187步兵团第2营，隶属第101空降师第3旅
第187步兵团第3营，隶属第101空降师第3旅
第503步兵团(原第503伞兵团)第1营，隶属第2步兵师第2旅
第506步兵团(原第506伞兵团)第1营，隶属第2步兵师第2旅
第75游骑兵团第1营
第75游骑兵团第2营
第75游骑兵团第3营
游骑兵虽然是美军特种部队序列。但实际上就是强化训练的轻步兵，同时具备空降和空中突击作战能力，所以也在此罗列。
2007年3月20日星期二
2007年3月19日星期一
美军原靠游击战起家 在伊拉克却被搞得焦头烂额（图）
美军原靠游击战起家 在伊拉克却被搞得焦头烂额（图）
1. 独立战争中，美军的民兵作风优劣之处互现。在面对面的正规交战中，美军往往在占据人数优势，甚至伤亡较英军少的情况下而被击溃
2. 法军的投入对美国独立战争起到重要作用，约克城战役最终在美法联合作战下取得全胜
1. 独立战争中，美军的民兵作风优劣之处互现。在面对面的正规交战中，美军往往在占据人数优势，甚至伤亡较英军少的情况下而被击溃
2. 法军的投入对美国独立战争起到重要作用，约克城战役最终在美法联合作战下取得全胜
美军原靠游击战起家 在伊拉克却被搞得焦头烂额
设置路障搞突袭 海上分队抢弹药
深陷伊拉克的美军，被反美武装的游击战搞得焦头烂额。看起来，美国人似乎不善打游击战。其实，独立战争时期，美国人曾用高超的游击战术打败英国殖民者，后来又靠它从印第安人手里抢夺地盘。
“一分钟人”开展游击战
神出鬼没痛击英军
独立战争期间，“一分钟人”在北美享有盛誉，它指的是反抗英军、追求自治的民兵游击战士，他们出则为兵，入则为民，来无影、去无踪，四处袭扰英军，让英国人在整个战争期间吃尽了苦头。值得一提的是，这些游击战士，在1775年春打响了来克星顿第一枪。
当时英军700人夜间前去偷袭波士顿以北康科德镇的民兵军需仓库，但他们的行踪被“一分钟人”尽收眼底。英军来到离康科德只有6英里的来克星顿时，被77个民兵拦在了路口，最终颇具历史意义的来克星顿枪声响起。在此后的游击战中，北美游击战士从山岗、树林、屋角等处不断出击，打死打伤英军近300人。
此后，波士顿、纽约以及北美各地的反英斗争风起云涌，很多衣衫褴缕、满脸胡须、肩扛长枪的农民和猎户，骑着马高唱着《扬基之歌》袭击英军。
英国人发现，这些人虽然没有受过正规训练，往往一击即溃，但是打散了却打不败。
渐渐地，游击战士找到了打败英军的办法，他们砍伐树木，设置路障，坚壁清野，切断英军交通线使其寸步难行，再趁其不备进行突袭。
在力量还不够强大时，这些游击战士尽量避免与英军打阵地战，待到力量足够时，他们便加入正规部队，合击英军。
来复枪用于游击作战
美英两军上演狙击战
北美殖民地的移民中很多人拥有火枪，其中一些人还有精良的来复枪。这种步枪枪管中有膛线，子弹可以旋转射出，所以射程和威力都要比早期的滑膛枪大得多。
肯塔基州的枪手在战争中最为有名。1777年萨拉托加战役中，一名狙击手持来复枪在300米外，将英军指挥官弗雷瑟将军射杀，帮助美国人实现了扭转战局的萨拉托加大捷。
肯塔基民兵的来复枪，令英国人非常头疼，英国人于是绞尽脑汁研究对应战法。一个名叫弗格森的苏格兰神枪手，研制出了一种可从后面装弹的新型来复枪，比美国人的枪射速更快、更准，测试中曾在100码外射中一头牛的眼睛。
英军于是让弗格森组织一支小部队，用这种新型武器进行反狙击作战。一次战役中，弗格森发现了一位骑马的美军指挥官，背对自己。据说他不愿意射杀背对自己的敌人，于是任由这位军人策马远去。不久，弗格森得知这个美国人竟然就是大名鼎鼎的美军统帅乔治·华盛顿。
然而，颇有绅士风度的弗格森在战场上的运气始终不佳。1780年在国王山战役中，一名肯塔基狙击手用一支老式来复枪将其击毙，他的小分队也随之投降。
海上游击战作用巨大
海盗私掠船战功赫赫
独立战争之初，海上游击战帮助美军解决了一些弹药匮乏的问题。1775年5月，一艘私掠船偷袭了一个英军要塞，缴获大量弹药。同年，一些私掠船协助华盛顿的部队围困波士顿城，其中一艘战船曾截获英国船“南希号”，缴获2000支步枪和31吨弹药。
在海上游击战中，还涌现出很多勇敢的水手，其中最著名的是被誉为“美国的德雷克”的保尔·琼斯船长。琼斯从小航海，精通海战战术。
1779年琼斯在法国人的帮助下，率领两艘法国巡洋舰活跃在大西洋上，甚至一度接近英伦三岛。他们曾袭击离英国很近的圣玛丽岛，将岛上英国爵士肖基尔克的庄园洗劫一空，还多次和英国皇家海军的正规军舰作战，俘获并击沉过一些敌舰。战功显赫的琼斯后来成为美国海军第一任司令。
西进运动屠杀印第安人
美军反游击战艰难获胜
独立战争后，美国开始了大规模的西进运动，他们派遣大量军队驱逐、屠杀印第安人，但遭到印第安人的强烈反抗。作为弱者，印第安人不得不选择游击战作为主要手段，而靠游击战起家的美军首次开始反游击作战。
1817年至1842年间的西密诺尔战争，是美军对印第安人作战规模最大的一次。美军先后在杰克逊等数位将领的率领下，在佐治亚、佛罗里达一带，蛮横要求西密诺尔人迁移。印第安人在领袖奥斯西奥拉的领导下，联合上千名逃亡黑奴，聪明地利用沼泽和丛林地带，与数倍于己的美军周旋。
美军曾动员了1万多名正规军和3万多名民兵参战，但由于纪律松散，不熟悉沼泽和丛林地形，反游击作战连连失利，加之疾病流行，美军更换了8任司令。1837年，美军采用卑劣手段，诱捕了前去议和的奥斯西奥拉，才改变被动局面。
“黑鹰之战”也是西进运动中的一次艰难的反游击作战。1832年，伊利诺伊和威斯康星州境内的一些印第安部落，在领袖黑鹰的带领下反对以前订立的不平等条约，拒绝迁移到密西西比河西岸与西部沙漠山地之间荒凉地带。
黑鹰说：“我爱我的乡村、我的玉米地、我的人民，我就为这些而战。”靠着368名印第安人武士的帮助，黑鹰用游击战术同美军展开了长期的战斗。他们袭击美军小股部队和后勤分队，夺取枪支和马匹。
美军组织三股大部队追击，并依靠数量优势，在巴德阿克斯河口伏击战中，将黑鹰及其主要助手俘虏。精疲力竭的美军也对战败的黑鹰产生了敬意，后来美军的“黑鹰”直升机还以这位英雄的名字命名。
2007年3月18日星期日
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)—nicknamed the “Screaming Eagles”
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)—nicknamed the “Screaming Eagles”—is an airborne division of the United States Army primarily trained for air assault operations. During the Vietnam War, the 101st was redesignated an airmobile division, and later as an air assault division. For historical reasons, it keeps the identifier “airborne,” but does not conduct parachute operations at a division level. Many modern members of the 101st are graduates of the U.S. Army Air Assault School, and wear the Air Assault Badge, but it is not a prerequisite to be assigned to the division. The division is headquartered at Fort Campbell, Kentucky and is currently serving in Iraq. It is the only division in the U.S. Army that has two Aviation Brigades.
World War II
The division was activated on August 15, 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana. On August 19, 1942, its first commander, Major General William C. Lee, promised his new recruits that the 101st had a "rendezvous with destiny."
General Order Number Five, which gave birth to the division, reads:
The 101st Airborne Division, activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, has no history, but it has a rendezvous with destiny. Like the early American pioneers whose invincible courage was the foundation stone of this nation, we have broken with the past and its traditions in order to establish our claim to the future.
Due to the nature of our armament, and the tactics in which we shall perfect ourselves, we shall be called upon to carry out operations of far-reaching military importance and we shall habitually go into action when the need is immediate and extreme.
Let me call your attention to the fact that our badge is the great American eagle. This is a fitting emblem for a division that will crush its enemies by falling upon them like a thunderbolt from the skies.
The history we shall make, the record of high achievement we hope to write in the annals of the American Army and the American people, depends wholly and completely on the men of this division. Each individual, each officer and each enlisted man, must therefore regard himself as a necessary part of a complex and powerful instrument for the overcoming of the enemies of the nation. Each, in his own job, must realize that he is not only a means, but an indispensable means for obtaining the goal of victory. It is, therefore, not too much to say that the future itself, in whose molding we expect to have our share, is in the hands of the soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division.
During World War II, the Pathfinders of the 101st Airborne Division led the way on D-Day in the night drop prior to the invasion. They left from RAF North Witham having trained there with the elite, veteran 82nd Airborne Division
On August 25 1944 the division became part of the XVIII Airborne Corps in the First Allied Airborne Army. As part of this formation, the division took part in Operation Market Garden.
During the Battle of the Bulge the 101st, as one of the few forces available to contain the German advance was rushed forward by truck to defend the vital road junction of Bastogne. Famously, Brigadier General Anthony McAuliffe answered the German demand for surrender with the reply "To the German Commander: NUTS! -The American Commander" and the division fought on until the siege was lifted and the German advance halted.
On 1 August 1945, the 101st Airborne Division left Germany for Auxerre, France, to begin training for the invasion of Japan. When Japan surrendered two weeks later, the operation became unnecessary. The 101st deactivated on 30 November at Auxerre.
For their efforts during World War II, the 101st Airborne Division was awarded four campaign streamers and two Presidential Unit Citations. The division suffered 1,766 Killed In Action; 6,388 Wounded In Action; and 324 Died of Wounds during World War II.
Units
501st Parachute Infantry Regiment
502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment
327th Glider Infantry Regiment
1-401st Glider Infantry Regiment
321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)
377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
81st Airborne AAA/AT Battalion
326th Airborne Engineer Battalion
320th Field Artillery Regiment
187th Infantry Regiment
501st Parachute Infantry Regiment
502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment
506th Parachute Infantry Regiment
327th Glider Infantry Regiment
1-401st Glider Infantry Regiment
321st Glider Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
907th Glider Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)
377th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion (75mm)
81st Airborne AAA/AT Battalion
326th Airborne Engineer Battalion
320th Field Artillery Regiment
187th Infantry Regiment
Helmet insignia
The 101st is made famous partly by their helmet decorations. The soldiers used card suits (diamonds, spades, hearts, and clubs) to indicate the regiment to which they belonged.
These insignias were first seen in WWII, and can still be seen on 101st Division soldiers today.
327th: Clubs (♣)
501st: Diamonds (♦)
502d: Hearts (♥)
506th: Spades (♠)
187th:Torii
327th: Clubs (♣)
501st: Diamonds (♦)
502d: Hearts (♥)
506th: Spades (♠)
187th:Torii
Reactivation
The 101st Airborne Division was reactivated as a training unit at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, in 1948 and again in 1950. It was reactivated again in 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, and in March 1956, the 101st was transferred, less personnel and equipment, to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, to be reorganized as a combat division.
Civil rights
From September through November of 1957 elements of the division were deployed to Little Rock, Arkansas, by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to enforce Federal court orders during the Little Rock Crisis.
Vietnam War
In the mid-1960s, the 1st Brigade and support troops were deployed to the Republic of Vietnam, followed by the rest of the division in late 1967. In almost seven years of combat in Vietnam, elements of the 101st participated in 15 campaigns. Notable among these were the Battle of Hamburger Hill in 1969 and Firebase Ripcord in 1970. The 101st was deployed in the northern I Corps region operating against the NVA infiltration routes through Laos and the A Shau Valley. Elements of the division supported the ARVN Operation Lam Son 719, the invasion of southern Laos, in 1971, but only aviation units actually entered Laos. In the seven years that all or part of the division served in Vietnam it suffered 4,011 Killed In Action and 18,259 Wounded In Action.
In 1968, the 101st took on the structure and equipment of an airmobile division. In 1974, the training of the 101st was recognized with the creation of the Air Assault Badge, now a service wide decoration of the United States Army.
In 1968, the 101st took on the structure and equipment of an airmobile division. In 1974, the training of the 101st was recognized with the creation of the Air Assault Badge, now a service wide decoration of the United States Army.
Post-Vietnam
Tragedy struck the division on December 12, 1985. A civilian aircraft, Arrow Air Flight 1285, chartered to transport some of the division from peacekeeping duty with the Multinational Force Observers on the Sinai Peninsula to Kentucky, crashed near Gander, Newfoundland. All eight air crew members and 248 US servicemen died, most were from the 3d Battalion, 502d Infantry. The crash was the worst in Canadian aviation history. President Ronald Reagan and his wife Nancy travelled to Fort Campbell to comfort grieving family members.
Persian Gulf War
In January 1991, the 101st once again had its "Rendezvous with Destiny" in Iraq during the combat air assault into enemy territory. The 101st sustained no soldiers killed in action during the 100-hour war and captured thousands of enemy prisoners of war. General Richard A. Cody, then lieutenant colonel, commander of the 1st Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment fired the first shots of the war from his AH-64 Apache.
The division has supported humanitarian relief efforts in Rwanda and Somalia, then later supplied peacekeepers to Haiti and Bosnia.
The division has supported humanitarian relief efforts in Rwanda and Somalia, then later supplied peacekeepers to Haiti and Bosnia.
Operation Iraqi Freedom
In 2003, Major General David H. Petraeus ("Eagle 6") led the Screaming Eagles to war during the 2003 invasion of Iraq (Operation Iraqi Freedom). General Petraeus let the division into Iraq saying, "Guidons, Guidons. This is Eagle 6. The 101st next Rendevous with Destiny is North to Bagdad. Godspeed. Air Assault. Out." The division was in V Corps, providing support to the 3rd Infantry Division by clearing Iraqi strongpoints which that division had bypassed. The Division then went on to a tour of duty as part of the occupation forces of Iraq, using the city of Mosul as their primary base of operations, before being withdrawn in early 2004 for rest and refit. As part of the Army's modular transformation, the existing infantry brigades, artillery brigade, and aviation brigades were transformed. The Army also re-activated the 4th Brigade Combat Team (known as "Currahee", and not active since World War II) and its subordinate units, to form a seven major units division (four infantry BCTs, two aviation BCTs, and one support Unit of Action), making it the largest formation currently in the U.S. Army.
Simultaneously with training Iraqi Soldiers and their leaders, 101st Soldiers conducted numerous security operations against terrorist cells operating in the division's assigned, six-province area of operations. Operation Swarmer was the largest air assault operation conducted in Iraq since April 22, 2003. 1st Brigade conducted Operation Scorpion with Iraqi units near Kirkuk.
Simultaneously with training Iraqi Soldiers and their leaders, 101st Soldiers conducted numerous security operations against terrorist cells operating in the division's assigned, six-province area of operations. Operation Swarmer was the largest air assault operation conducted in Iraq since April 22, 2003. 1st Brigade conducted Operation Scorpion with Iraqi units near Kirkuk.
Second Deployment to Iraq
The division's second deployment to Iraq began in the late summer of 2005. The division headquarters replaced the 42nd Infantry Division, which had been directing security operations as the headquarters for Task Force Liberty. Renamed Task Force Band of Brothers, the 101st assumed responsibility on November 1, 2005 for four provinces in north central Iraq: Salah ad Din, Kirkuk, Diyala and As Sulymaniyah. On December 30, 2005, Task Force Band of Brothers also assumed responsibility for training Iraqi security forces and conducting security operations in Ninevah and Dahuk provinces as the headquarters for Task Force Freedom was disestablished.
During the second deployment, 2nd and 4th Brigades of the 101st Airborne Division were assigned to conduct security operations under the command of Task Force Baghdad, led initially by 3rd Infantry Division, which was replaced by 4th Infantry Division. The 1st Battalion of the 506th Infantry (4th Brigade) was separated from the division and served with the Marines in Ramadi, in the Al Anbar province.
Task Force Band of Brothers' primary mission during its second deployment to Iraq was the training of Iraqi security forces. When the 101st returned to Iraq, there were no Iraqi units capable of assuming the lead for operations against Iraqi and foreign terrorists. As the division concluded its tour, 33 battalions were in the lead for security in assigned areas, and two of four Iraq divisions in northern Iraq were commanding and controlling subordinate units.
Developing other aspects of Iraqi society also figured in 101st operations in Iraq. Division commander MG Thomas Turner hosted the first governors' conference for the six provinces in the division's area of operations, as well as the neighboring province of Erbil.[1] Numerous civil affairs operations were directed by the division, including the construction and renovation of schools, clinics, police stations, and other important landmarks in civilian communities from Turkey to Baghdad and from the Syrian border to the Iranian border.
Allegations of misconduct in Iraq
On March 20, 2006, The New York Times reported that "Police investigators in Salahudin Province have accused American troops of executing 11 civilians, including several children, during a raid last Wednesday on a house in Ishaqi, near Balad, about 60 miles north of Baghdad." On June 2,BBC News reported this again as video tape emerged a few weeks after Haditha revelations. On June 19, the US military announced that three soldiers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division, Private First Class Corey R. Clagett, Specialist William B. Hunsaker and Staff Sergeant Raymond L. Girouard, are being charged in connection of the deaths of three male detainees in an operation near a canal north of Baghdad on May 9. On June 21, a fourth soldier was charged.[1]
In July of 2006, five troopers were charged in connection with the rape and murder of an Iraqi teenager, and the murder of three of her family members. The incident took place in Mahmoudiya, south of Baghdad. Previously, an arrest in the case was also made in June of 2006 when former trooper Steven D. Green was apprehended in North Carolina. On November 17, 2006 Specialist James Barker was sentenced to life in prison for the incident.
General information
The most recent change of command within the division took place on November 10, 2006. During this change of command, MG Jeff Schloesser took command of the 101st from the division's previous commander, now-LTG Tom Turner. Turner left the 101st to command Fifth Army.
Commanding General: Major General Jeffrey J. Schloesser
Deputy Assistant Division Commander (Operations): Brigadier General Michael L. Oates
Deputy Assistant Division Commander (Support): Brigadier General Rickey L. Rife
Chief of Staff: Colonel Mark L. Ritter
Division Command Sergeant Major: Command Sergeant Major Frank A. Grippe
Deputy Assistant Division Commander (Operations): Brigadier General Michael L. Oates
Deputy Assistant Division Commander (Support): Brigadier General Rickey L. Rife
Chief of Staff: Colonel Mark L. Ritter
Division Command Sergeant Major: Command Sergeant Major Frank A. Grippe
Parachute Demonstration Team
The "Screaming Eagles" is also the nickname for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Command Parachute Demonstration Team. Its history goes as far back as the late 1950's, during the infancy of precision freefall. The command group decided to form a full time team in 1984.
See website: http://www.campbell.army.mil/PDT/pdt.htm
The "Screaming Eagles" is also the nickname for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Command Parachute Demonstration Team. Its history goes as far back as the late 1950's, during the infancy of precision freefall. The command group decided to form a full time team in 1984.
See website: http://www.campbell.army.mil/PDT/pdt.htm
Subordinate Units
101st Special Troops Battalion
101st STB, Headquarters ("Gladiators")
101st STB, HHC
101st STB, A Company (Assassin)
101st STB, B (MI) Company (Minotaurs)
101st STB, C (SIG)Company (Spartans)
101st Division Band
Screaming Eagles, say what!
1st Brigade Combat Team ("Bastogne")
HHC, 1st BCT ("Warriors")
1-327th Infantry Regiment ("Above the Rest")
2-327th Infantry Regiment ("No Slack")
1st Squadron (RSTA), 32d Cavalry
2-320th Field Artillery Battalion ("Balls of the Eagle")
1st Special Troops Battalion
426th Brigade Support Battalion ("Taskmasters")
2d Brigade Combat Team ("Strike")
HHC, 2d BCT
1-502d Infantry Regiment ("First Strike")
2-502d Infantry Regiment ("Strike Force")
1st Squadron (RSTA), 75th Cavalry
1-320th Field Artillery Battalion ("Top Guns")
311th Brigade Troops Battalion ("Team")
526th Brigade Support Battalion ("Best By Performance")
3d Brigade Combat Team ("Rakkasans")
HHC, 3d BCT
1-187th Infantry Regiment ("Leader Rakkasans")
3-187th Infantry Regiment ("Iron Rakkasans")
1st Squadron (RSTA), 33d Cavalry ("War Rakkasans")
3-320th Field Artillery Battalion ("Red Knight")
381st Brigade Troops Battalion
626th Brigade Support Battalion ("Assurgam")
3rd Special Troops Battalion("Rak Solid")
4th Brigade Combat Team ("Currahee")
HHC, 4th BCT
1-506th Infantry Regiment ("Stands Alone")
2-506th Infantry Regiment ("Renegades")
1st Squadron (RSTA), 61st Cavalry
4-320th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Brigade Troops Battalion
801st Brigade Support Battalion
101st Aviation Brigade ("Wings of Destiny")
HHC, 101st Aviation Brigade
2-17 Air Cavalry Squadron ("Out Front")
1-101st Aviation Battalion ("Expect No Mercy")
5-101st Aviation Battalion ("Eagle Assault")
6-101st Aviation Battalion ("Shadow of the Eagle")
96th Aviation Battalion ("Troubleshooters")
159th Aviation Brigade ("Eagle Thunder")
HHC, 159th Aviation Brigade
7-17th Air Cavalry Squadron
3-101st Aviation Battalion ("Eagle Attack")
4-101st Aviation Battalion ("Wings of the Eagles")
7-101st General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) ("Eagle Lift")
563rd Aviation Support Battalion ("Keep Them Fighting")
101st Sustainment Brigade ("Life Liners")
DMMC
63d Chemical Company
106th Transportation Battalion
372d TC Company
594th TC Company
613th MCT
632d MCT
129th Combat Support Battalion
494th TC Company
561st Combat Support Battalion
95th Maint
102d Quartermaster Company
196th Quartermaster Detachment
227th GS Company
541st TC Company
584th Maintenance Company
717th EOD Detachment
101st Sustainment Brigade Troops Battalion
101st SSB
2-44th Air Defense Artillery Battalion ("Strike Fear")
887th Engineer Company (LE) ("Empire")
86th CSH ("Eagle Medics")
101st Special Troops Battalion
101st STB, Headquarters ("Gladiators")
101st STB, HHC
101st STB, A Company (Assassin)
101st STB, B (MI) Company (Minotaurs)
101st STB, C (SIG)Company (Spartans)
101st Division Band
Screaming Eagles, say what!
1st Brigade Combat Team ("Bastogne")
HHC, 1st BCT ("Warriors")
1-327th Infantry Regiment ("Above the Rest")
2-327th Infantry Regiment ("No Slack")
1st Squadron (RSTA), 32d Cavalry
2-320th Field Artillery Battalion ("Balls of the Eagle")
1st Special Troops Battalion
426th Brigade Support Battalion ("Taskmasters")
2d Brigade Combat Team ("Strike")
HHC, 2d BCT
1-502d Infantry Regiment ("First Strike")
2-502d Infantry Regiment ("Strike Force")
1st Squadron (RSTA), 75th Cavalry
1-320th Field Artillery Battalion ("Top Guns")
311th Brigade Troops Battalion ("Team")
526th Brigade Support Battalion ("Best By Performance")
3d Brigade Combat Team ("Rakkasans")
HHC, 3d BCT
1-187th Infantry Regiment ("Leader Rakkasans")
3-187th Infantry Regiment ("Iron Rakkasans")
1st Squadron (RSTA), 33d Cavalry ("War Rakkasans")
3-320th Field Artillery Battalion ("Red Knight")
381st Brigade Troops Battalion
626th Brigade Support Battalion ("Assurgam")
3rd Special Troops Battalion("Rak Solid")
4th Brigade Combat Team ("Currahee")
HHC, 4th BCT
1-506th Infantry Regiment ("Stands Alone")
2-506th Infantry Regiment ("Renegades")
1st Squadron (RSTA), 61st Cavalry
4-320th Field Artillery Battalion
4th Brigade Troops Battalion
801st Brigade Support Battalion
101st Aviation Brigade ("Wings of Destiny")
HHC, 101st Aviation Brigade
2-17 Air Cavalry Squadron ("Out Front")
1-101st Aviation Battalion ("Expect No Mercy")
5-101st Aviation Battalion ("Eagle Assault")
6-101st Aviation Battalion ("Shadow of the Eagle")
96th Aviation Battalion ("Troubleshooters")
159th Aviation Brigade ("Eagle Thunder")
HHC, 159th Aviation Brigade
7-17th Air Cavalry Squadron
3-101st Aviation Battalion ("Eagle Attack")
4-101st Aviation Battalion ("Wings of the Eagles")
7-101st General Support Aviation Battalion (GSAB) ("Eagle Lift")
563rd Aviation Support Battalion ("Keep Them Fighting")
101st Sustainment Brigade ("Life Liners")
DMMC
63d Chemical Company
106th Transportation Battalion
372d TC Company
594th TC Company
613th MCT
632d MCT
129th Combat Support Battalion
494th TC Company
561st Combat Support Battalion
95th Maint
102d Quartermaster Company
196th Quartermaster Detachment
227th GS Company
541st TC Company
584th Maintenance Company
717th EOD Detachment
101st Sustainment Brigade Troops Battalion
101st SSB
2-44th Air Defense Artillery Battalion ("Strike Fear")
887th Engineer Company (LE) ("Empire")
86th CSH ("Eagle Medics")
Division
Constituted 23 July 1918 in the National Army as Headquarters, 101st Division
Organized 2 November 1918 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi
Demobilized 11 December 1918 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi
Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters, 101st Division
Organized 10 September 1921 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Redesignated 31 March 1942 as Division Headquarters, 101st Division
Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently, reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 3 February 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Airborne Division
1st Brigade
Constituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters Company, 101st Division
Organized in November 1921 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Reorganized and redesignated 31 March 1942 as Headquarters and Military Police Company (less Military Police Platoon), 101st Division
Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters Company, 101st Airborne *Division, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1956 as Headquarters and Service Company, 101st Airborne Division
Reorganized and redesignated 25 April 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Command and Control Battalion, 101st Airborne Division
Reorganized and redesignated 3 February 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
2nd Brigade
Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Headquarters, 159th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
Organized 27 August 1917 at Camp Lee, Virginia
Demobilized 1 June 1919 at Camp Lee, Virginia
Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
Organized in September 1922 at Richmond, Virginia
Redesignated 23 March 1925 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Brigade
Redesignated 24 August 1936 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade
Converted and redesignated 12 February 1942 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop (less 3d Platoon), 80th Division (Headquarters and *Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade, concurrently converted and redesignated as the 3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company, 80th Division)
Troop ordered into active military service 15 July 1942 and reorganized at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, as the 80th Cavalry *Reconnaissance Troop, an element of the 80th Division (later redesignated as the 80th Infantry Division)
Reorganized and redesignated 12 August 1943 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
Inactivated 6 January 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
Redesignated 15 July 1946 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
Activated 21 May 1947 at Richmond, Virginia, as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Platoon, an element of the 80th Airborne Division
(Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve)
Reorganized and redesignated 20 April 1948 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
Reorganized and redesignated 18 September 1950 as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Company
Reorganized and redesignated 10 May 1952 as the 80th Reconnaissance Company, an element of the 80th Infantry Division
Disbanded 29 March 1959 at Richmond, Virginia
Reconstituted (less 3d Platoon) 22 October 1963 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry *Brigade (3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company--hereafter separate lineage)
Redesignated 21 January 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Activated 3 February 1964 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
3rd Brigade
Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Headquarters, 160th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
Organized 27 August 1917 at Camp Lee, Virginia
Demobilized 7 June 1919 at Camp Lee, Virginia
Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
Organized in September 1922 at Baltimore, Maryland
Redesignated 23 March 1925 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Brigade
Redesignated 24 August 1936 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade
Converted and redesignated 12 February 1942 as the 3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Troop, 80th Division (Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade, concurrently converted and redesignated as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop [less 3d Platoon], 80th Division)
Troop ordered into active military service 15 July 1942 and reorganized at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, as the 80th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, an element of the 80th Division (later redesignated as the 80th Infantry Division)
Reorganized and redesignated 12 August 1943 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
Inactivated 6 January 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
Redesignated 15 July 1946 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
Activated 21 May 1947 at Richmond, Virginia, as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Platoon, an element of the 80th Airborne Division
(Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve)
Reorganized and redesignated 20 April 1948 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
Reorganized and redesignated 18 September 1950 as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Company
Reorganized and redesignated 10 May 1952 as the 80th Reconnaissance Company, an element of the 80th Infantry Division
Disbanded 29 March 1959 at Richmond, Virginia
3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company, reconstituted 22 October 1963 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade (remainder of the company - hereafter separate lineage)
Redesignated 21 January 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Activated 3 February 1964 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Division Artillery
Constituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 176th Field Artillery Brigade
Organized in 1923 in Wisconsin
Redesignated 30 January 1942 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Division Artillery
Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1956 as Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery
Reorganized and redesignated 25 April 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery
159th Aviation Brigade
Constituted 16 October 1992 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Aviation Group, and activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 16 June 1998 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Organized 2 November 1918 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi
Demobilized 11 December 1918 at Camp Shelby, Mississippi
Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters, 101st Division
Organized 10 September 1921 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Redesignated 31 March 1942 as Division Headquarters, 101st Division
Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently, reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters, 101st Airborne Division, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 3 February 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 101st Airborne Division
1st Brigade
Constituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters Company, 101st Division
Organized in November 1921 at Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Reorganized and redesignated 31 March 1942 as Headquarters and Military Police Company (less Military Police Platoon), 101st Division
Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters Company, 101st Airborne *Division, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1956 as Headquarters and Service Company, 101st Airborne Division
Reorganized and redesignated 25 April 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Command and Control Battalion, 101st Airborne Division
Reorganized and redesignated 3 February 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
2nd Brigade
Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Headquarters, 159th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
Organized 27 August 1917 at Camp Lee, Virginia
Demobilized 1 June 1919 at Camp Lee, Virginia
Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
Organized in September 1922 at Richmond, Virginia
Redesignated 23 March 1925 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Brigade
Redesignated 24 August 1936 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade
Converted and redesignated 12 February 1942 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop (less 3d Platoon), 80th Division (Headquarters and *Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade, concurrently converted and redesignated as the 3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company, 80th Division)
Troop ordered into active military service 15 July 1942 and reorganized at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, as the 80th Cavalry *Reconnaissance Troop, an element of the 80th Division (later redesignated as the 80th Infantry Division)
Reorganized and redesignated 12 August 1943 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
Inactivated 6 January 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
Redesignated 15 July 1946 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
Activated 21 May 1947 at Richmond, Virginia, as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Platoon, an element of the 80th Airborne Division
(Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve)
Reorganized and redesignated 20 April 1948 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
Reorganized and redesignated 18 September 1950 as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Company
Reorganized and redesignated 10 May 1952 as the 80th Reconnaissance Company, an element of the 80th Infantry Division
Disbanded 29 March 1959 at Richmond, Virginia
Reconstituted (less 3d Platoon) 22 October 1963 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry *Brigade (3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company--hereafter separate lineage)
Redesignated 21 January 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Activated 3 February 1964 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
3rd Brigade
Constituted 5 August 1917 in the National Army as Headquarters, 160th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
Organized 27 August 1917 at Camp Lee, Virginia
Demobilized 7 June 1919 at Camp Lee, Virginia
Reconstituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade, an element of the 80th Division
Organized in September 1922 at Baltimore, Maryland
Redesignated 23 March 1925 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Brigade
Redesignated 24 August 1936 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade
Converted and redesignated 12 February 1942 as the 3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Troop, 80th Division (Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Infantry Brigade, concurrently converted and redesignated as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop [less 3d Platoon], 80th Division)
Troop ordered into active military service 15 July 1942 and reorganized at Camp Forrest, Tennessee, as the 80th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop, an element of the 80th Division (later redesignated as the 80th Infantry Division)
Reorganized and redesignated 12 August 1943 as the 80th Reconnaissance Troop, Mechanized
Inactivated 6 January 1946 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey
Redesignated 15 July 1946 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
Activated 21 May 1947 at Richmond, Virginia, as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Platoon, an element of the 80th Airborne Division
(Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve)
Reorganized and redesignated 20 April 1948 as the Reconnaissance Platoon, 80th Airborne Division
Reorganized and redesignated 18 September 1950 as the 80th Airborne Reconnaissance Company
Reorganized and redesignated 10 May 1952 as the 80th Reconnaissance Company, an element of the 80th Infantry Division
Disbanded 29 March 1959 at Richmond, Virginia
3d Platoon, 80th Reconnaissance Company, reconstituted 22 October 1963 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 160th Infantry Brigade (remainder of the company - hereafter separate lineage)
Redesignated 21 January 1964 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Activated 3 February 1964 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Division Artillery
Constituted 24 June 1921 in the Organized Reserves as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 176th Field Artillery Brigade
Organized in 1923 in Wisconsin
Redesignated 30 January 1942 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Division Artillery
Disbanded 15 August 1942; concurrently reconstituted in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery, and activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana
Inactivated 30 November 1945 in France
Allotted 25 June 1948 to the Regular Army
Activated 6 July 1948 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 27 May 1949 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 25 August 1950 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Inactivated 1 December 1953 at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky
Activated 15 May 1954 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 1 July 1956 as Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery
Reorganized and redesignated 25 April 1957 as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 101st Airborne Division Artillery
159th Aviation Brigade
Constituted 16 October 1992 in the Regular Army as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Aviation Group, and activated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 16 June 1998 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 159th Aviation Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Campaign Participation Credit
World War I (2nd and 3rd Brigades ONLY):
Hundred Days Offensive (also known as the Battle of Saint-Quentin or the Second Battle of the Somme);
Meuse-Argonne Offensive;
Picardy 1918
World War II (except 159th Aviation Brigade):
Normandy (with arrowhead);
Rhineland (with arrowhead);
Ardennes-Alsace;
Central Europe
Vietnam War (Except 159th Aviation Brigade):
Defense (1st Brigade Only);
Counteroffensive (1st Brigade Only);
Counteroffensive, Phase II (1st Brigade Only)
Counteroffensive, Phase III;
Tet Counteroffensive;
Counteroffensive, Phase IV;
Counteroffensive, Phase V;
Counteroffensive, Phase VI;
Tet 1969/Counteroffensive;
Summer-Fall 1969;
Winter-Spring 1970;
Sanctuary Counteroffensive;
Counteroffensive, Phase VII;
Consolidation I;
Consolidation II
Southwest Asia (Except 159th Aviation Brigade):
Defense of Saudi Arabia;
Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
World War I (2nd and 3rd Brigades ONLY):
Hundred Days Offensive (also known as the Battle of Saint-Quentin or the Second Battle of the Somme);
Meuse-Argonne Offensive;
Picardy 1918
World War II (except 159th Aviation Brigade):
Normandy (with arrowhead);
Rhineland (with arrowhead);
Ardennes-Alsace;
Central Europe
Vietnam War (Except 159th Aviation Brigade):
Defense (1st Brigade Only);
Counteroffensive (1st Brigade Only);
Counteroffensive, Phase II (1st Brigade Only)
Counteroffensive, Phase III;
Tet Counteroffensive;
Counteroffensive, Phase IV;
Counteroffensive, Phase V;
Counteroffensive, Phase VI;
Tet 1969/Counteroffensive;
Summer-Fall 1969;
Winter-Spring 1970;
Sanctuary Counteroffensive;
Counteroffensive, Phase VII;
Consolidation I;
Consolidation II
Southwest Asia (Except 159th Aviation Brigade):
Defense of Saudi Arabia;
Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
Decorations
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO, VIETNAM 1966 (1st Brigade only)
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN (3rd Brigade Only)
Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN PROVINCE (3rd Brigade and DIVARTY Only)
Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA (1st Brigade Only)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965-1966 (1st Brigade Only)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1968 (3rd Brigade Only)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only);
cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Belgian Fourragere 1940 (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in FRANCE AND BELGIUM (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Netherlands Orange Lanyard (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966-1967 (1st Brigade Only)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968 (2nd Brigade Only)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968-1969 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968-1970 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1970 (DIVARTY only)
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DAK TO, VIETNAM 1966 (1st Brigade only)
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for DONG AP BIA MOUNTAIN (3rd Brigade Only)
Valorous Unit Award for THUA THIEN PROVINCE (3rd Brigade and DIVARTY Only)
Valorous Unit Award for TUY HOA (1st Brigade Only)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965-1966 (1st Brigade Only)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1968 (3rd Brigade Only)
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for SOUTHWEST ASIA (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
French Croix de Guerre with Palm, World War II for NORMANDY (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Belgian Croix de Guerre 1940 with Palm for BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only);
cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action at BASTOGNE (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Belgian Fourragere 1940 (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for action in FRANCE AND BELGIUM (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Netherlands Orange Lanyard (Division and 1st Brigade Only)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966-1967 (1st Brigade Only)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968 (2nd Brigade Only)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1968-1969 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1971 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1968-1970 (Except 159th Aviation Brigade)
Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1970 (DIVARTY only)
Division commanders
MG William C. Lee Aug-42 - Feb-44
BG Don F. Pratt 6-Feb-44 - 14-Mar-44[2]
MG Maxwell D. Taylor Mar-44 - Aug-45
BG Anthony C. McAuliffe 5-Dec-44 - 26-Dec-44[2]
BG William N. Gillmore Aug-45 - Sep-45
BG Gerald St. C. Mickle Sep-45 - Oct-45
BG Stuart Cutler Oct-45 - Nov-45
MG William R. Schmidt Jul-48 - May-49
MG Cornelius E. Ryan Aug-50 - May-51
MG Roy E. Porter May-51 - May-53
MG Paul DeWitt Adams May-53 - Dec-53
MG Riley F. Ennis May-54 - Oct-55
MG F. S. Bowen Oct-55 - Mar-56
MG Thomas L. Sherburne, Jr. May-56 - Mar-58
MG William C. Westmoreland Apr-58 - Jun-60
MG Ben Harrell Jun-60 - Jul-61
MG C.W.G. Rich Jul-61 - Feb-63
MG Harry H. Critz Feb-63 - Mar-64
MG Beverly E. Powell Mar-64 - Mar-66
MG Ben Sternberg Mar-66 - Jul-67
MG Olinto M. Barsanti Jul-67 - Jul-68
MG Melvin Zais Jul-68 - May-69
MG John M. Wright May-69 - May-70
MG John J. Hennessey May-70 - Feb-71
MG Thomas M. Tarpley Feb-71 - Apr-72
MG John H. Cushman Apr-72 - Aug-73
MG Sidney B. Berry Aug-73 - Jul-74
MG John W. McEnery Aug-74 - Feb-76
MG John A. Wickham, Jr. Mar-76 - Mar-78
MG John N. Brandenburg Mar-78 - Jun-80
MG Jack V. Mackmull Jun-80 - Aug-81
MG Charles W. Bagnal Aug-81 - Aug-83
MG James E. Thompson Aug-83 - Jun-85
MG Burton D. Patrick Jun-85 - May-87
MG Teddy G. Allen May-87 - Aug-89
MG J.H. Binford Peay III Aug-89 - Jun-91
MG John Miller Jun-91 - Jul-93
MG John M. Keane Jul-93 - Feb-96
MG William F. "Buck" Kernan Feb-96 - Feb-98
MG Robert T. Clark Feb-98 - Jun-00
MG Richard A. Cody Jun-00 - Jul-02
MG David H. Petraeus Jul-02 - May-04
MG Thomas R. Turner II May-04 - Nov-06
MG Jeffrey J. Schloesser Nov-06 - present
MG William C. Lee Aug-42 - Feb-44
BG Don F. Pratt 6-Feb-44 - 14-Mar-44[2]
MG Maxwell D. Taylor Mar-44 - Aug-45
BG Anthony C. McAuliffe 5-Dec-44 - 26-Dec-44[2]
BG William N. Gillmore Aug-45 - Sep-45
BG Gerald St. C. Mickle Sep-45 - Oct-45
BG Stuart Cutler Oct-45 - Nov-45
MG William R. Schmidt Jul-48 - May-49
MG Cornelius E. Ryan Aug-50 - May-51
MG Roy E. Porter May-51 - May-53
MG Paul DeWitt Adams May-53 - Dec-53
MG Riley F. Ennis May-54 - Oct-55
MG F. S. Bowen Oct-55 - Mar-56
MG Thomas L. Sherburne, Jr. May-56 - Mar-58
MG William C. Westmoreland Apr-58 - Jun-60
MG Ben Harrell Jun-60 - Jul-61
MG C.W.G. Rich Jul-61 - Feb-63
MG Harry H. Critz Feb-63 - Mar-64
MG Beverly E. Powell Mar-64 - Mar-66
MG Ben Sternberg Mar-66 - Jul-67
MG Olinto M. Barsanti Jul-67 - Jul-68
MG Melvin Zais Jul-68 - May-69
MG John M. Wright May-69 - May-70
MG John J. Hennessey May-70 - Feb-71
MG Thomas M. Tarpley Feb-71 - Apr-72
MG John H. Cushman Apr-72 - Aug-73
MG Sidney B. Berry Aug-73 - Jul-74
MG John W. McEnery Aug-74 - Feb-76
MG John A. Wickham, Jr. Mar-76 - Mar-78
MG John N. Brandenburg Mar-78 - Jun-80
MG Jack V. Mackmull Jun-80 - Aug-81
MG Charles W. Bagnal Aug-81 - Aug-83
MG James E. Thompson Aug-83 - Jun-85
MG Burton D. Patrick Jun-85 - May-87
MG Teddy G. Allen May-87 - Aug-89
MG J.H. Binford Peay III Aug-89 - Jun-91
MG John Miller Jun-91 - Jul-93
MG John M. Keane Jul-93 - Feb-96
MG William F. "Buck" Kernan Feb-96 - Feb-98
MG Robert T. Clark Feb-98 - Jun-00
MG Richard A. Cody Jun-00 - Jul-02
MG David H. Petraeus Jul-02 - May-04
MG Thomas R. Turner II May-04 - Nov-06
MG Jeffrey J. Schloesser Nov-06 - present
The 2nd Armored Division of the United States Army —nicknamed Hell On Wheels
The 2nd Armored Division of the United States Army —nicknamed Hell On Wheels— played an important role in the breakout of the Battle of Normandy in World War II. The division was deactivated in 1991; confusingly, the 5th Infantry Division was redesignated as "2nd Armored Division" in 1992, then became the 4th Infantry Division in December 1995.
History
The 2nd Armored was formed at Fort Benning, Georgia on July 15, 1940, originally commanded by Major General Charles L. Scott, with Colonel George S. Patton in charge of training. Scott was promoted to command the I Armored Corps in November of that year, which put Patton, now a brigadier general, in command of the division.
Through World War II, the 2nd Armored's core units included the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, the 66th Armored Regiment, the 67th Armored Regiment, the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, the 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and the 142nd Armored Signal Company. It also had the normal divisional artillery formation, along with an organic divisional train. It served with the First , Seventh and Ninth Armies.
Elements of the division participated in Operation Torch, landing at Casablanca on November 8, 1942, but the whole division first went into action in the Operation Husky landing at Gela in Sicily, July 10, 1943 and fighting through to Palermo.
The division then landed in Normandy on June 9, 1944, operated in the Cotentin Peninsula and later formed the right flank of the Operation Cobra assault. It blunted the German attack on Avranches, then raced across France with the rest of the Third Army, reaching the Albert Canal in Belgium on September 8. It crossed the German border north of Schimmert, 18 September to take up defensive positions near Geilenkirchen. On 3 October, the division launched an attack on the Siegfried Line from Marienberg, broke through, crossed the Wurm River and seized Puffendorf 16 November and Barmen 28 November. The Division was holding positions on the Roer when it was ordered to help contain the German Ardennes offensive. The Division fought in eastern Belgium, blunting the German Fifth Panzer Army's penetration of American lines. The Division helped reduce the Bulge in January, fighting in the Ardennes forest in deep snow, and cleared the area from Houffalize to the Ourthe River of the enemy. After a rest in February, the division drove on across the Rhine 27 March, and was the first American Division to reach the Elbe at Schonebeck on 11 April. It was halted on the Elbe, 20 April, on orders. In July the division entered Berlin-the first American unit to enter the German capital city.
The division returned to Camp Hood (later Fort Hood) in Texas in 1946. It served NATO in Germany from 1951 to 1957, and several of its battalions participated in the Vietnam war.
The 1st Tiger Brigade participated in Operation Desert Storm by providing heavy armor for USMC forces in their attack into Iraq. The 2nd Brigade could not be deployed as it was in the middle of deactivating.
2nd Armored Division (Forward)
2nd Armored Division (Forward)
In 1978 the division's third brigade was forward deployed to the Federal Republic of Germany and assigned to NATO's Northern Army Group (NORTHAG). The brigade received additional aviation, engineer, military intelligence, medical, and logistics support units and was re-designated 2nd Armored Division (Forward). The unit's primary mission in case of conflict with the Warsaw Pact was to either secure airfields and staging areas for the deployment of III Corps from the United States or to deploy directly to the Inter-German Border (IGB) and establish a blocking position as part of a NATO combat force.
2nd Armored Division (Forward) was based at a new military facility built by the German government near the village of Garlstedt just north of the city of Bremen. The brigade had approximately 3,500 soldiers and another approximately 2,500 family dependents and civilian employees. The German government constructed family housing in the nearby city of Osterholz-Scharmbech. In addition to troop barracks, motor pools, an indoor firing range, repair and logistics facilities, and a local training area, facilities at Garlstedt included a troop medical clinic, post exchange, library, movie theater, and a combined officer/non-commissioned officer/enlisted club.
The brigade's subordinate combat units consisted initially of the 1st and 4th Battalions of the 41st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment (Iron Knights), 4th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, and C Troop, 2nd Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment. Other brigade subordinate units included the 498th Support Battalion, D Company, 17th Engineer Battalion, and the 588th Military Intelligence Company. The brigade also had a military police platoon and an aviation detachment.
The brigade deployed to Germany with M60 and M113 armored vehicles. 4-3 Field Artillery had the M109A2 155mm Self-Propelled Howitzer. In 1985 the division's maneuver battalions transitioned to the new M1 Abrams main battle tank and the M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle. Also in 1985 C/2-1 Cavalry was replaced by an air cavalry troop, D/2-1 Cavalry, armed with AH-1S Cobra attack helicopters. In 1987 4-41 Infantry returned to Ft. Hood, TX and was replaced by 3-66th Armor (Burt's Knights, named for Captain James Burt who won the Medal of Honor as a company commander in the 66th Armored Regiment in the Battle of Aachen during World War II). As an armor-heavy brigade, 2nd Armored Division (Forward) fielded 116 M-1A1 Abrams tanks and nearly 70 M2/3 Bradley Fighting Vehicles.
The brigade participated in numerous major NATO training exercises including Trutsige Sachsen (1985), Crossed Swords (1986) and the Return of Forces to Germany (REFORGER) (1987). Brigade subordinate units utilized the NATO training area at Bergen-Hohne for gunnery and maneuver training and each year deployed south to Grafenwohr and Hohenfels training areas for annual crew and unit qualification.
2nd Armored Divison (Forward) had a formal partnership relationship with the Federal Republic of Germany Bundeswehr unit Brigade 32, an mechanized infantry unit headquartered in nearby Schwanewede. The brigade also had informal relationships with Dutch, Belgian, and British NATO forces in the NORTHAG area, often conducting joint training activities at Bergen-Hohne. Tank companies from 2-66 Armor competed in the bi-annual NATO tank gunnery competition, the Canadian Army Trophy. C Company contested for the trophy in 1985 and D Company in 1987.
2nd Armored Divison (Forward) had a formal partnership relationship with the Federal Republic of Germany Bundeswehr unit Brigade 32, an mechanized infantry unit headquartered in nearby Schwanewede. The brigade also had informal relationships with Dutch, Belgian, and British NATO forces in the NORTHAG area, often conducting joint training activities at Bergen-Hohne. Tank companies from 2-66 Armor competed in the bi-annual NATO tank gunnery competition, the Canadian Army Trophy. C Company contested for the trophy in 1985 and D Company in 1987.
2nd Armored Division (Forward) deployed to Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in the fall of 1990 and conducted combat operations as the third maneuver brigade of the 1st Infantry Division from Fort Riley, KS.
Returning to Garlstedt after Desert Storm in 1991, the division inactivated and the kaserne was turned back over to the German government.
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