296th Brigade Support Battalion

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

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

History

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

On 25 October 1951, the unit was allocated to the Regular Army and on 8 April1954, reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company,296th Transportation Battalion. Inactivated 5 November 1955 in Korea, the unit wasreactivated and redesignated 16 October 1989 as Headquarters and HeadquartersCompany, 296th Support Battalion, assigned to the 2d Infantry Division, in Korea.While stationed at Camp Edwards, Korea, in direct support of 3rd Brigade, 2ndInfantry Division, the soldiers of the battalion provided tireless support to unitskeeping vigilant watch on the Korean demilitarized zone. It was there that thebattalion earned its nickname “Frontline Support.” Barely three years later, on 16September 1992, the battalion was inactivated.

The 296th Forward Support Battalion was subsequently reactivated on 16 October1995 at Fort Lewis, Washington and on 15 September 2000 renamed the 296thBrigade Support Battalion (BSB) as part of the Interim Brigade Combat Team. On 07February 2004, 296th BSB completed a transfer of authority from 101st AirborneDivision in Mosul, Iraq in support of combat operations in Samarrah, Mosul, TalAfar, Al Kut and Taji. The Battalion performed admirably during the first combatdeployment of the Army’s first Stryker Brigade. The Soldiers of the Battalionprovided unparalleled support to the Arrowhead Brigade conducting operations fromthe Iraq-Syria Border to the southern Iraq town of Al Kut.

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

Campaign Participation Credit

:Korean War:CCF Spring Offensive:UUN Summer-Fall Offensive 1952:Second Korean Winter:Korea, Summer-Fall 1952:Third Korean Winter:Korea, Summer 1953:Operation Iraqi Freedom

Decorations

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

Coat of Arms

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

hield

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

Crest

The torri gate recalls the unit’s Korean War service, symbolized also by thetaeguk embossed on the compass rose. The battalion’s post-World War II Services as the296th Transportation Truck Battalion is represented by the gold wheel. The compassrose denotes worldwide service. Red stands for courage, gold for excellence.A distinctive unit insignia was authorized for the 296th Support Battalion on 23 January1990 by the Institute or Heraldry, United States Army. The description and symbolism ofthe design are as follows.

Description

A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86cm) in heightoverall, consisting of a shield blazoned: Per chevron or and gules, a pale interlaced w2ithan annulet counterchanged. Attached below the shield a red scroll doubled and inscribed“FRONTLINE SUPPORT” in gold.

ymbolism

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

Company functions

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