3rd Signal Brigade (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 3rd Signal Brigade


caption= 3rd Signal Brigade Insignia
dates= January 24, 1946
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= United States Army
type= Communications
role= Command and Control Communications
size=
command_structure=
current_commander=
garrison= Fort Hood, TX (former)
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= Triple Threat
patron=
motto= "First in, Last out, Warriors"
colors=
march=
mascot=
battles= Operation Desert Storm
Operation Iraqi Freedom
anniversaries=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Distinctive Unit Insignia
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=command structure
name= 3d Signal Brigade
date=
parent= III Corps
subordinate= 57th Signal BattalionThe 3d Signal Brigade of the United States Army was an element of the III Corps (United States). It was based at Fort Hood, Texas, but was inactivated as part of the transition to the Army Modular Force.The 3d Signal Brigade was composed of the Brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters Company & the 57th Signal Battalion. On order, the 3d Signal Brigade deployed to a theater of operations, provides command and control communications to the III Mobile Armored Corps (Phantom), and redeploys.

Mission:

Provide communications and automation support to III Corps (United States) and Fort Hood. The unit is tasked with:
* Installing, operating, and Maintaining (IOM) the communications network for III Armored Corps
* Being prepared to deploy in support of world wide contingency missions
* Providing viable, effective family support to Soldiers, civilians, and their families
* Assisting in training "Reserve Component" Signal Battalions
* Supporting the Fort Hood Installation Mission Area (IMA) functions and facilities (DOIM).

Subordinate Units:

1 Battalion makes up 3d Signal Brigade:
* 57th Signal Battalion
** Alpha Company
** Bravo Company
** Charlie Company
** Delta Company

Former subordinate Units:
* 176th Signal Company, 4 April 1967 to August 1968
* 596th Signal Company, 4 April 1967 to August 1968
* 57th Signal Battalion, 12 June 1978 to present
* 54th Signal Battalion, 10 July 1979 to 16 April 1989(Inactivated)
* 16th Signal Battalion, 12 June 1978 to 19 May 2006 (Inactivated)
* 313th Signal Company, 16 April 1989 to 19 May 2006(Inactivated)
* 1114th Signal Battalion, 1 March 1994 to Unknown (No longer part of 3d Signal Brigade)

History:

The 3d Signal Brigade was originally constituted on January24th, 1946, as the 1st Signal Service Group. It was activated at Camp Crowder, Missouri, February 1, 1946, as part of the Second United States Army. On February 13, 1946, the group was re-designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 1st Signal Group. On March 9, 1946, the group was transferred from Camp Crowder to Camp Polk, Louisiana, as part of the Fourth United States Army.

On December 17, 1946, the Group made another move, this time to Fort Meade, Maryland, and was attached to Headquarters, Special Troops of the Sixth Army. From May 1, 1947 until March 31, 1949, the group headquarters was established but no personnel were assigned. On March 29, 1949, the group was re-designated as Headquarters, 1st Signal Service Troop and was allotted to the Regular Army. In September 1949, the group moved to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. On December 1, 1950, the group moved to Camp Gordon, Georgia, as part of the Third United States Army.

In April 1951, the unit was transferred to Camp Cooke, Carolina as part of the Sixth Army. In January 1952, the unit moved to Camp San Luis Obispo, California. The group inactivated on August 20, 1952. On June 3, 1953, the unit was re-designated as Headquarters, 1st Signal Group (Electronic Warfare) and activated at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey.

In April 1954, the unit moved to Fort Huachuca, Arizona, on June 10, 1955, the unit was reorganized and re-designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detach­ment, 1st Signal Group. The group was inactivated at Fort Huachuca on December 9, 1957.

In April 1960, the unit was assigned to United States Army Europe and was activated on May 1, 1960 at Orleans, France. The group was assigned to USACOMZUER (United States Army Europe, Communication Zone). On February 26, 1965, the USACOMZUER Signal Section and the 1st Signal Group were integrated into one unit.

On February 28, 1967, the Department of the Army announced that HHD, 1st Signal Group would relocate to Fort Huachuca, Arizona at cadre strength no later than March 15, 1967. On April 4, 1967, the 1st Signal Group assumed the mission of command and control of the 176th Signal Company (LB), the 268th Signal Company (TL), and the 596th Signal Company (SPT) at Fort Huachuca.

August 1968 found the 1st Signal Group moving to Fort Lewis, Washington. The 596th Signal Company went to Vietnam from Fort Huachuca, leaving the 176th Signal Company and the 596th Signal Company to team up with the 58th and the 78th Signal Battalions.

The 1st Signal Group remained at Fort Lewis, Washington until June 12, 1978, where it was then reactivated at Fort Hood.On May 1, 1979, the 391st Signal Company was attached to the 1st Signal Group. On August 15, 1979, D Company, 57th Signal Battalion was relocated from Fort Sill, Oklahoma to Fort Hood.

On June 21, 1979, the 278th Signal Company (Cable and Wire Corps) was activated / organized. On July 10, 1979, the 54th Signal Battalion was relieved from U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Hood and attached to the group.

On September 17, 1979, the 1st Signal Group was inactivated and the HHC, 3d Signal Brigade was activated. HHC, 3d Signal Brigade commanded and controlled the 16th, 54th and 57th Signal Battalions. On April 16, 1989 the Brigade inactivated the 54th Signal Battalion and began a total reconfiguration for fielding on new Mobile Subscriber Equipment (MSE) which culminated with the Commander's Acceptance Field Training Exercise in November 1989. The Brigade included HHC, 3d Signal Brigade, 16th Signal Battalion, 57th Signal Battalion, 313th Signal Company, and the 1114th Signal Battalion (Fort Hood Directorate of Information Management).

On September 27, 1990, the 57th Signal Battalion and elements of the HHC, 3d Signal Brigade were deployed to Southwest Asia (SWA) where they were attached to the 35th Signal Brigade (Corps) (Airborne), XVIII Airborne Corps in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. In April 1991, the 57th Signal Battalion and all other 3d Signal Brigade assets were released from attachment and returned to Fort Hood, Texas.

On January 4, 2004 the 57th Signal Battalion and elements of the HHC, 3d Signal Brigade were once again deployed to Southwest Asia (SWA) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II (OIF II). For the first time in its history, the entire HHC, 3d Signal Brigade deployed overseas in support of a real world mission. On December 23, 2004, the 3d Signal Brigade relinquished command and control of the OIF II theater communications network to the 35th Signal Brigade (Corps) (Airborne).

On May 19, 2006, the 3d Signal Brigade inactivated its 16th Signal Battalion and 313th Signal Company, leaving the Brigade with only its command and control element, its Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and the 57th Signal Battalion.

The Brigade's three forms of telecommunication: MSE, TACSAT, and TROPO, provide the III Corps Commander and his field commanders with a strong communications triad which lives up to the Brigade's motto of "TRIPLE THREAT!"

Insignia:

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia:

Description: On an orange shield 2 inches in width overall and within a 1/8 inch white border a blue star fimbriated white between three white lightning flashes.

Symbolism: Orange and white are the Signal Corps colors. The star, a reference to Texas, the "Lone Star State," the place of initial activation, also refers to guidance and achievement. The flashes are symbolic of the speed of communications and also refer numerically to the present designation of the Brigade. The color blue is indicative of support to the Infantry and other combat forces.

Background: The insignia was approved on 29 Aug 79.

Distinctive Unit Insignia:

Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches in height overall consisting of three blue discs conjoined two above one and centered thereon a red triangular area with one point down bordered by three gold lightning flashes with points conjoined, and in base on a semi-circular gold scroll the words "TRIPLE THREAT" in blue letters.

Symbolism: The three roundels represent rounds of ammunition and, together with the colors blue, gold and scarlet, refer to the organization’s mission to support the combat arms; Infantry, Armor, and Artillery. The three flashes denote the unit’s triple-threat capability in the performance of its mission, adding emphasis to the motto "TRIPLE THREAT."

Background: The insignia was approved on 17 Dec 80

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External Links:

[http://www.3rdsignalbrigade.org/ 3d Signal Brigade Homepage]

[http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/3sig-bde.htm 3d Signal Brigade on Globalsecurity.org]