299th Brigade Support Battalion (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 299th Brigade Support Battalion, also known as the Lifeline, is a support battalion in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team
of the 1st Infantry Division. The battalion is stationed in Fort Riley
, Kansas.
Symbolism: The chevron, representing the rafters supporting a roof, stands for the Battalion's support function. The embattled upper edge of the chevron indicates capability for combat support; the embattlements are seven in number in reference to the organization's original designation. The white bayonet on the blue background, for Infantry, refers to both the unit's activation in Georgia at Fort Benning, called the "Home of the Infantry," and to its initial assignment to an Infantry Brigade. The white heraldic rose on the scarlet background represents the Cherokee Rose, the Georgia State flower. The gold barbs of the rose simulate a star and refer to the conception of Support Battalions by the Army Staff study entitled "CO-STAR."
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 7th Support Battalion on 8 November 1966. It was redesignated for the 299th Support Battalion on 17 June 1983.
On 15 October 1970, at Fort Benning, Georgia, the battalion was inactivated and relieved from assignment to the 199th Separate Infantry Brigade; and, concurrently was redesignated as the 299th Forward Support Battalion. On 20 October 1983, the battalion was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and activated in Schweinfurt, Germany.
2nd Brigade Combat Team
2nd Brigade Combat Team or 2 BCT is a designation for modularized brigades of the United States Army. It may refer to:*2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division *2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division...
of the 1st Infantry Division. The battalion is stationed in Fort Riley
Fort Riley
Fort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
, Kansas.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description: A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield with a chevron embattled of seven to chief between a bayonet and a rose with a yellow center on a red background. Attached below the shield a silver scroll inscribed "ON CALL TO SERVE" in blue letters.Symbolism: The chevron, representing the rafters supporting a roof, stands for the Battalion's support function. The embattled upper edge of the chevron indicates capability for combat support; the embattlements are seven in number in reference to the organization's original designation. The white bayonet on the blue background, for Infantry, refers to both the unit's activation in Georgia at Fort Benning, called the "Home of the Infantry," and to its initial assignment to an Infantry Brigade. The white heraldic rose on the scarlet background represents the Cherokee Rose, the Georgia State flower. The gold barbs of the rose simulate a star and refer to the conception of Support Battalions by the Army Staff study entitled "CO-STAR."
Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 7th Support Battalion on 8 November 1966. It was redesignated for the 299th Support Battalion on 17 June 1983.
Units
The 299th BSB, as of 2008, is composed of:- Headquarters and Headquarters Company "Headhunters" is the Headquarters Staff
- Alpha Company "Atlas" is the Transportation Unit
- Bravo Company "Bandits" is the Maintenance Unit
- Charlie Company "Cobras" is the Medical Unit
- Delta Company "Seminoles" is the Forward Support Company for 5-4 CAV
- Echo Company "Eagles" is the Forward Support Company for 1-63 AR
- Foxtrot Company "Falcon" is the Forward Support Company for 1-18 IN
- Golf Company "Gunslinger" is the Forward Support Company for 1-7 FA
Origin
The 299th Brigade Support Battalion was constituted on 23 March 1966 in the Regular Army as the 7th Support Battalion and assigned to the 199th Separate Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning GA.Vietnam
On 1 June 1966, the battalion was activated and deployed to the Republic of Vietnam serving with distinction from 1966 to 1970 and earning 10 Battle Streamers and the Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with 2 Palms, two Meritorious Unit Commendations and the Civil Action Honor Medal.On 15 October 1970, at Fort Benning, Georgia, the battalion was inactivated and relieved from assignment to the 199th Separate Infantry Brigade; and, concurrently was redesignated as the 299th Forward Support Battalion. On 20 October 1983, the battalion was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division and activated in Schweinfurt, Germany.
Bosnia-Herzegovina
The battalion was inactivated on 15 August 1991 and subsequently reactivated on 16 February 1996. In March of 1996, the battalion deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina as a part of Task Force Eagle where they served with distinction earning the Presidential Unit Citation for their excellence.Kosovo
In June of 1999, the battalion again deployed to the Balkans, this time to Kosovo as a part of Task Force Falcon where they established the first Logistical Base in the new theater of operations. On 16 December 1999, the battalion redeployed to home station. On 4 May 2002, a large slice of the battalion redeployed again to Kosovo as the 299th Logistics Task Force (LTF) in support of Multi-National Brigade (East). They provided superb support in providing a safe and secure environment for the people of Kosovo. On 14 November 2002, the 299th LTF returned to home station to conduct reintegration operations and to prepare for future combat operations.Operation Iraqi Freedom
From 2004-2005 the 299th FSB served in OIF 04-05, and from 2006-2007 the 299th FSB served in OIF 07-08. Upon completion of this combat tour the 299th FSB was relocated to Ft Riley, Kansas and re-designated the 299th Brigade Support Battalion a modular Support Battalion. From 2008-2009 the 299th BSB served in OIF 09-10 in Baghdad, Iraq where they served with distinction earning the Meritorious Unit Citation.Operation New Dawn
In November 2010, the 299th Brigade Support Battalion deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. They are currently deployed.Lineage
- Constituted 23 March 1966 in the Regular Army as the 7th Support Battalion and assigned to the 199th Separate Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia
- Activated on 1 June 1966
- Inactivated 15 October 1970 and redesignated as the 299th Forward Support Battalion
- Activated on 20 October 1983 and assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany
- Inactivated on 15 August 1991
- Reactivated on 16 February 1996
- Redesignated in March 2008 as the 299th Brigade Support Battalion at Fort RileyFort RileyFort Riley is a United States Army installation located in Northeast Kansas, on the Kansas River, between Junction City and Manhattan. The Fort Riley Military Reservation covers 100,656 acres in Geary and Riley counties and includes two census-designated places: Fort Riley North and Fort...
, KansasKansasKansas is a US state located in the Midwestern United States. It is named after the Kansas River which flows through it, which in turn was named after the Kansa Native American tribe, which inhabited the area. The tribe's name is often said to mean "people of the wind" or "people of the south...
Campaign Participation Credit
- World War IWorld War IWorld War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
- Montdidier-Noyon
- Aisne-Marne
- St. MihielBattle of Saint-MihielThe Battle of Saint-Mihiel was a World War I battle fought between September 12–15, 1918, involving the American Expeditionary Force and 48,000 French troops under the command of U.S. general John J. Pershing against German positions...
- Meuse-ArgonneMeuse-Argonne OffensiveThe Meuse-Argonne Offensive, or Maas-Argonne Offensive, also called the Battle of the Argonne Forest, was a part of the final Allied offensive of World War I that stretched along the entire western front.-Overview:...
- Lorraine 1917
- Lorraine 1918
- Picardy 1918
- World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- World War II
- NormandyOperation OverlordOperation Overlord was the code name for the Battle of Normandy, the operation that launched the invasion of German-occupied western Europe during World War II by Allied forces. The operation commenced on 6 June 1944 with the Normandy landings...
- VietnamVietnamVietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
- Vietnam
- Defense
- Counteroffensive
- Counteroffensive, Phase II
- Counteroffensive, Phase III
- Tet Counteroffensive
- Counteroffensive, Phase IV
- Counteroffensive, Phase V
- Counteroffensive, Phase VI
- Tet 69/Counteroffensive
- Summer-Fall 1969
- Winter-Spring 1970
- Southwest AsiaSouthwest AsiaWestern Asia, West Asia, Southwest Asia or Southwestern Asia are terms that describe the westernmost portion of Asia. The terms are partly coterminous with the Middle East, which describes a geographical position in relation to Western Europe rather than its location within Asia...
- Southwest Asia
- Defense of Saudi Arabia
- Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
- Cease-Fire
Decorations
- Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit CommendationThe Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
(Army) for VIETNAM 1969 - Army Superior Unit Award for 1996–1997
- Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1965-1968
- Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1965-1970
- Valorous Unit AwardValorous Unit AwardThe Valorous Unit Award is the second highest unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a U.S. Army unit and is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star...
for SAMARRA October 2004 - November 2004 - Valorous Unit AwardValorous Unit AwardThe Valorous Unit Award is the second highest unit decoration which may be bestowed upon a U.S. Army unit and is considered the unit equivalent of the Silver Star...
for IRAQ February 2004-February 2005 - Meritorious Unit CommendationMeritorious Unit CommendationThe Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions....
(Army) OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08