30th Armored Brigade Combat Team (United States)

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team


caption=30th Armored Brigade Combat Team shoulder sleeve insignia
dates= 1973-present
country= United States
allegiance=
branch= North Carolina Army National Guard / West Virginia Army National Guard
type= Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT)
role= Mechanized Infantry
size= Approx. 3,800
command_structure=
garrison=Clinton, North Carolina (Headquarters)
garrison_label=
equipment=
equipment_label=
nickname=Old Hickory
patron=
motto=
colors=
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march=
mascot=
battles=Iraq War *Operation Iraqi Freedom
anniversaries=
decorations=
battle_honors=
current_commander=
current_commander_label=
ceremonial_chief=
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colonel_of_the_regiment=
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notable_commanders=
identification_symbol=
identification_symbol_label=Distinctive unit insignia
identification_symbol_2=
identification_symbol_2_label=The 30th Armored Brigade Combat Team is a modular heavy brigade of the United States Army National Guard.

The unit is composed of units from North Carolina and West Virginia. It was formed from the remains of the downsized 30th Infantry Division of World War II fame. It was nicknamed the "Old Hickory" brigade, in honor of Andrew Jackson, due to the original division being composed of National Guard units from areas where he lived."History and Traditions: North Carolina National Guard." Second Edition, August 1966. Pubic Affairs Section, the Adjutant General's Department, State of North Carolina, Raleigh.]

History

In 1974 the United Stated 30th Infantry Division ceased to exist and its units were divided amongst the North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia national guards. The 30th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized) from North Carolina was chosen to carry on the lineage of the 30th Infantry Division. [Pike, John. "30th Enhanced Heavy Separate Brigade." Globalsecurity.org. Last updated 21 June, 2006. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/30in-bde.htm] ]

The brigade was affiliated with the 24th Infantry Division on June 5, 1999 during the division's reactivation ceremony as part of the active/reserve component integrated division concept. The headquarters for the division was an active unit located at Fort Riley, Kansas while its subordinate units were all National Guard units.

From 2000 to 2001 a few select units from 30th Brigade were chosen to conduct a six month peacekeeping mission in war torn Bosnia and Herzegovina. The deployment marked the first time that National Guard troops were utilized as front line patrolling forces since the beginning of deployment of combat troops to the region.

In July of 2002 the brigade conducted "Operation Hickory Sting '02" at Ft. Riley, Kansas in preparation for the unit's upcoming National Training Center rotation the next year. The unit's 2003 NTC rotation was dubbed "Operation Tarheel Thunder." After successfully completing its NTC rotation, 30th Brigade, along with the 39th Infantry Brigade from Arkansas, were informed that they would be deployed as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

In February of 2004 the brigade began a year-long deployment to the Diyala Governorate in Iraq. With the deployment, 30th Infantry Brigade became the first National Guard Brigade Combat Team to deploy to a war since the Korean War 50 years earlier. The brigade was also the first National Guard brigade to have its own area of operation in Iraq.

The Battle of Baqubah (June 24th, 2004)

The first Battle of Baqubah (not to be confused with Operation Arrowhead Ripper in 2007) was some of the fiercest fighting that the brigade encountered during its deployment. The battle began at approximately 5:30 a.m. local time as insurgents from the group Al-Tawhid Wal-Jihad (aka Al-Qaeda in Iraq) attempted to ambush 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry (Mechanized) with small arms and RPG fire. The platoon was able to break through the ambush and attempted to turn the battle around with a counterattack. As the battle wore on, however, mechanical difficulties with all three of the platoon's M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles forced the counterattack to halt and once again the advantage lay with the insurgents.Barrett, Barbara. "Haunted by Iraq, a sergeant struggles." McClatchyDC.com. 11 November, 2007. [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/staff/barbara_barrett/story/21239.html] ]

At around 6:00 a.m. reinforcements from Co A, including company commander Captain Christopher Cash, left the unit's Forward Operating Base and were also ambushed almost immediately. In the process CPT Cash was killed. The Bradley in which CPT Cash was killed as well as one other returned to base, leaving only three Bradleys from 1st Platoon to reinforce 3rd Platoon.Petrovic,Kara. "‘Outside the Wire’ Citizen-Soldiers in Combat in Iraq." VFW Magazine. June/July, 2006. [http://www.vfw.org/index.cfm?fa=news.magDtl&dtl=1&mid=3157] ] As the reinforcements advanced on 3rd Platoon, an RPG struck one of the Bradleys, hitting SPC Daniel Desens and wounding several others. The platoon sergeant, SFC Chad Stephens, moved under fire without body armor or a weapon from his Bradley to SPC Desens' to retrieve the wounded Specialist. As SPC Desens was treated by the platoon medic, SPC Ralph Isabella, the platoon regrouped and continued its march towards 3rd Platoon. As they advanced once again towards 3rd Platoon, SFC Stephens's Bradley was also hit by an RPG, severely wounding his gunner and wounding several others including SFC Stephens.Barrett, Barbara. "Haunted by Iraq, a sergeant struggles." McClatchyDC.com. 11 November, 2007. [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/staff/barbara_barrett/story/21239.html] ]

After SFC Stephens's platoon reached its objective, SPC Desens and six other wounded personel were evacuated via helicopter and the platoon carried on the fight until 3:00 a.m. the next morning. SPC Desens later died of his wounds. SFC Stephens would ultimately receive a Silver Star for his actions.Barrett, Barbara. "Haunted by Iraq, a sergeant struggles." McClatchyDC.com. 11 November, 2007. [http://www.mcclatchydc.com/staff/barbara_barrett/story/21239.html] ]

As the well coordinated attack raged on for another eight hours, insurgents were able to overrun two Iraqi police stations as rocket and mortar attacks racked FOB Warhorse, the unit's Forward Operating Base. Ultimately, Coalition forces were able to root out enemy hiding spots and strong points with UAVs as attack aircraft bombed them. In the end two soldiers from the 30th Brigade were killed and six wounded. While the actual enemy death toll varies, Coalition forces estimated at least 60 insurgents were killed in the attack. Abu Musab al-Zarqawi claimed responsibility for the attack although some experts question if Al-Qaeda in Iraq was actually capable of planning and carrying out such an organized attack, despite the fact that Al-Qaeda in Iraq flags were seen being raised by insurgents over the two captured police stations. [Tyson, Ann Scott. "Inside one day's fierce battle in Iraq." Christian Science Monitor website. 21 July, 2004. [http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0721/p01s03-woiq.html] ]

Zarqawi claimed victory over the Americans in the battle, although it may have been a Pyrrhic victory as the insurgent death toll was much higher than the Coalition one and the attack neither forced the Americans from the city nor stopped the planned transfer of authority for the city from the Coalition Provisional Authority to the Iraqi Interim Government at the end of the month. In the end, Zarqawi was killed in an air attack two years later outside of Baqubah and a year after that Operation Arrowhead Ripper succeeded in forcing a large part of the remaining insurgent forces out of the city.

Casualties

By the end of the deployment the brigade had lost five soldiers killed in action:

*Specialist Jocelyn L. Carrasquillo: 28, from Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina, assigned to 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry. SPC Carrasquillo was killed by an improvised explosive device on 13 March 2004. [DefenseLink News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualty [http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=7134] ]

*Captain Christopher S. Cash: 36, from Jacksonville, North Carolina, Commander of A Company 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry. CPT Cash was killed on 24 June 2004 in the Battle of Baqubah. [Military Times, Honor the fallen: Army Capt. Christopher S. Cash [http://www.militarycity.com/valor/263036.html] ]

*Specialist Daniel Alan Desens Jr.: 20, also from Jacksonville. SPC Desens was also killed in the Battle of Baqubah on 24 June 2004. [Military Times, Honor the fallen: Army Spc. Daniel Alan Desens Jr. [http://www.militarycity.com/valor/263039.html] ]

*Sergeant DeForest L. Talbert: 24, of Charleston, West Virginia, assigned to 1st Battalion, 150th Armor. SGT Talbert died 27 July 2004 in Baladruz, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. [DoD News: DoD Identifies Army Casualty. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/07/nr20040729-1070.htm] ]

*Staff Sergeant Michael S. Voss: 35, from Aberdeen, North Carolina, assigned to 1st Battalion, 120th Infantry. SSG Voss was killed on 8 October 2004 in Tikrit, Iraq when his convoy was attacked with an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. [DefenseLink News Release: DoD Identifies Army Casualty [http://www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=7822] ]

Post-deployment and redeployment

In early 2005, as the brigade returned from Iraq, 30th Infantry Brigade transformed into the 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team as part of the Army's new Brigade Unit of Action concept. With the transformation, the brigade disbanded the 119th Infantry Regiment who's lineage in the North Carolina National Guard can be traced back to before the American Civil War."History and Traditions: North Carolina National Guard." Second Edition, August 1966. Pubic Affairs Section, the Adjutant General's Department, State of North Carolina, Raleigh.] The brigade then gained the 1st Squadron (RSTA), 150th Cavalry Regiment (WV ARNG) as the brigade's reconnaissance element. The 1-150th Cavalry had previously deployed with the brigade to Iraq as 1-150th Armor. After returning to the states, the battalion began the process of reorganizing as a RSTA squadron, which uses HMMWVs and Bradley Fighting Vehicles as opposed to M1 Abrams tanks (though the unit did not use tanks in the previous deployment). The squadron serves as the eyes and ears of the brigade. The brigade also gained the 30th Special Troops Battalion, formed from the 30th Corps Support Group.

In October 2007, the brigade was alerted for deployment once again, to include both the North Carolina and West Virginia Army National Guard assets. [ArmyTimes.com - Guard names brigades tapped for deployments. [http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/10/Army_guard_deploy_071029w/] ] In preparation for the upcoming deployment, the brigade attended a 23-day annual training period at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in May 2008. [1270 WMPM News Blog - National Guard Unit Trains In Mississippi. [http://1270wmpm.blogspot.com/search?q=30th+Brigade] ] The primary purpose of the training exercise was to complete Bradley Fighting Vehicle New Equipment Training for the scouts on fighting vehicle crews. The crews conducted gunnery through Bradley table VIII, while wheeled scouts performed gunnery with M2 50 caliber machine guns. Other training included Warrior Task Battle drill and individual weapons qualifications. The training exercise went off mostly successful.

Insignia

houlder sleeve insignia

Description: The letters “O H” blue upon a red background, the “O” forming the elliptical outline of the device long axis to be 2 1/2 inches (6.35cm) and short axis 1 5/8 inches (4.13cm). The letter “H” within the “O”. The letters “XXX” on the bar of the “H”. The insignia to be worn with long axis vertical."30th Infantry Brigade." The Institute of Heraldry website. [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Inf/030InfantryBde.htm] ]

Symbolism: The letters “O H” are the initials of “Old Hickory” and the “XXX” is the Roman notation for the number of the organization."30th Infantry Brigade." The Institute of Heraldry website. [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Inf/030InfantryBde.htm] ]

Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved on 23 October 1918 for the 30th Division. It was redesignated for the 30th Infantry Brigade on 20 February 1974. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 September 2004, with description updated, for the 30th Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard."30th Infantry Brigade." The Institute of Heraldry website. [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Inf/030InfantryBde.htm] ]

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18cm) in height overall consisting of a representation of a hornet’s nest in blue enamel charged at top with five gold fleurs-de-lis and in base with a gold five-pointed star, all enclosed by a continuous scarlet enamel scroll inscribed with the words “OLD HICKORY” at top and “BRIGADE” below and crossing at center overall from lower right to upper left a gold branch of laurel beneath a gold sword with point at upper right and hilt at lower left the blade divided in half lengthwise with green enamel above and red enamel below, both ends of sword and laurel branch protruding outside the scroll."30th Infantry Brigade." The Institute of Heraldry website. [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Inf/030InfantryBde.htm] ]

Symbolism: The hornet’s nest, adapted from the crest of the North Carolina ARNG, is a reference to the unit’s home area. The fleurs-de-lis represent the unit’s participation in five campaigns in Europe during World War II, while the sword with blade in the colors of the Belgium Fourragére refers to that award received for service in Belgium and the Ardennes. The laurel branch and the star denote awards of the French Croix de Guerre with Palm and with Star for service in France during World War II; the scarlet scroll alludes to the Meritorious Unit Commendation."30th Infantry Brigade." The Institute of Heraldry website. [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Inf/030InfantryBde.htm] ]

Background: The distinctive unit insignia was authorized for the noncolor bearing units of the 30th Infantry Brigade on 11 June 1974. The insignia was redesignated effective 1 September 2004, with the description updated, for the 30th Brigade Combat Team, North Carolina Army National Guard."30th Infantry Brigade." The Institute of Heraldry website. [http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Inf/030InfantryBde.htm] ]

Current Organization

=1st Battalion, 120th Infantry Regiment (Combined Arms Battalion)=

The 1-120th Infantry was reorganized as a combined arms battalion when the brigade was modularized into a Brigade Unit of Action. The battalion is headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina and consists of the following companies:

* Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) located in Wilmington, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* A Co. (Infantry) located in Jacksonville, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* B Co. (Infantry) located in Whiteville, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* C Co. (Armor) located in Parkton, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* D Co. (Armor) located in Elizabethtown, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* E Co. (Engineer) located in Hamlet, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]

1st Battalion, 252nd Armor Regiment (Combined Arms Battalion)

The 1-252nd Armor was reorganized as a combined arms battalion when the brigade was modularized into a Brigade Unit of Action. The battalion is headquartered in Fayetteville, North Carolina and consists of the following companies:

* Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) located in Fayetteville, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* A Co. (Infantry) located in Williamston, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* B Co. (Infantry) located in Smithfield, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* C Co. (Armor) located in Southern Pines, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* D Co. (Armor) located in Sanford, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* E Co. (Engineer) located in Wadesboro, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]

1st Squadron, 150th Armored Reconnaissance Squadron (ARS)

1-150th ARS is part of the West Virginia Army National Guard and was reorganized from the 1st Battalion, 150th Armor to become the Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition Squadron for the brigade. The squadron is headquartered in Bluefield, West Virginia and consists of the following troops:

* Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT) located in Bluefield, West VirginiaWV-ARNG Unit Locations. [http://www.wv.ngb.army.mil/units/units.aspx] ]
* A Trp. located in Williamson, West VirginiaWV-ARNG Unit Locations. [http://www.wv.ngb.army.mil/units/units.aspx] ]
* B Trp. located in Eleanor, West VirginiaWV-ARNG Unit Locations. [http://www.wv.ngb.army.mil/units/units.aspx] ]
* C Trp. located in Glen Jean, West VirginiaWV-ARNG Unit Locations. [http://www.wv.ngb.army.mil/units/units.aspx] ]

=1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment (Fires Battalion)=

1st Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment was reorganized as a fires battalion when the brigade was modularized into a Brigade Unit of Action. The battalion is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina and consists of the following batteries:

* Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB) located in Charlotte, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* A Btry. located in Lincolnton, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* B Btry. located in Monroe, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]

230th Brigade Support Battalion

The 230th Brigade Support Battalion is headquartered in Goldsboro, North Carolina and consists of the following companies:

* Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) located in Goldsboro, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* A Co. located in Benson, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* B Co. located in Dunn, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* C Co. located in Goldsboro, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* D Co. is part of the West Virginia Army National Guard and is located in Glen Jean, West VirginiaWV-ARNG Unit Locations. [http://www.wv.ngb.army.mil/units/units.aspx] ]
* E Co. is located in Kinston, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* F Co. is located in Red Springs, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* G Co. is located in High Point, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]

30th Brigade Special Troops Battalion

On April 9th, 2006, HHC 30th Corps Support Group was reflagged HHC 30th Brigade Special Troops Battalion and was attached to 30th HBCT when the brigade was modularized into a Brigade Unit of Action. The battalion is headquartered in Durham, North Carolina and consists of the following companies:

* Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) located in Durham, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) located in Clinton, North Carolina (even though 30th BSTB is a subordinate unit of 30th Brigade HHC, for logistical and organizational reasons it is listed as being attached to 30th BSTB)www.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ] [US Army Field Manual 3-90.61 - The Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 22 December 2006]
* A Co. (Military Intelligence) located in Burlington, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]
* B Co. (Signal) located in Durham, North Carolinawww.1-800-GO-GUARD.com | North Carolina [http://www.1800goguard.com/NC/] ]

References

Bibliography
*Pike, John. "30th Enhanced Heavy Separate Brigade." Globalsecurity.org. Last updated 21 June, 2006. [http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/30in-bde.htm]
*"Guard Family Connection" magazine, volume 3, No. 4. Published 15 October, 2007. PDF [http://www.nc.ngb.army.mil/GFC/magazine/GFC_9.pdf]
*Lowe, Christi. "30th Brigade Combat Team to deploy to Iraq", WRAL.com. 30 October, 2007. [http://www.wral.com/news/local/story/1985801/]