101st Sustainment Brigade
Division Support Command (DISCOM), 101st Airborne Division
"Lifeliners"
The 101st Sustainment Brigade was the first of its kind, formed from the combining of two Brigade units, the 101st Division Support Command (DISCOM) and the 101st Corps Support Group. The Forward Support Battalions and the Main Support Battalion were task organized to the four Brigade Combat Teams (BCTs) as part of the 101st Infantry Division (Air Assault). The 101st Corps Support Group units were task organized to the new 101st Sustainment Brigade while the CSG Headquarters was inactivated.
The mission of the 101st Sustainment Brigade deploys worldwide providing combat service support operations as part of a Division, COSCOM, or Theater operation as directed. On order support deployment and redeployment operations.
Under the Pre-Modular Brigade Combat Team structure, the Division Support Command (DISCOM) was one of six major subordinate commands in the Division. The others were the three infantry brigades, the aviation brigade, and the Division Artillery (DIVARTY). The DISCOM provided effective and responsive support to tactical units. To provide this support to the tactical commander, logistics and HSS assets were effectively organized and positioned where they are needed. The DISCOM units were an HHC/DMMC, an MSB, three FSBs, Combat Service Support Automation Management Office (CSSAMO), and an AMCO.
The DISCOM Headquarters provided personnel and equipment for the command, supervision and control of division level combat service support service operations. It also furnished automatic data processing support to assist in the accomplishment of the supply and maintenance functions of the DISCOM. The headquarters company provided personnel and equipment for the command and internal combat service support of the DISCOM headquarters.
Fluid, nonlinear operations and enormous demands for resources characterize the battlefield. Support in such an environment is the challenge facing support planners and operators. They arm, fuel, fix, and move the division, and sustain its soldiers. These actions allow the LID commander to take advantage of opportunities to achieve tactical advantage. The DISCOM commander and staff as well as support planners and operators at division and brigade incorporated the sustainment imperatives in all actions. The imperatives were anticipation, integration, continuity, responsiveness, and improvisation.
The DISCOM commander and staff anticipated future missions. They did this by understanding the division commander's plan and translating current developments into future needs. Anticipation helps the division commander form a supportable plan. The DISCOM commander and staff focused on responsive support of future operations. They did not merely react to support needs sent to the DISCOM. They planed ahead and tried to foresee unexpected changes while supporting current operations. To better anticipate needs the DISCOM commander and staff had a close relationship with the division staff.
The LID's support assets provide only essential CSS. They stock only mission essential supplies. Personnel normally use supply point distribution. An exception is supply of barrier materials. The corps throughputs these directly to the emplacement site whenever possible. Personnel also deliver bulk fuel and water to the light infantry battalions. Wherever possible, other supplies are throughput from the corps to the unit or the BSA. Intensive management of MHE ensures this limited resource meets a variety of logistics missions. Ambulances returning to forward areas backhaul medical supplies and equipment if necessary.
The 101st Airborne Division Support Command (DISCOM) was activated on 1 July 1956 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky as the 101st Airborne Division Support Group. The Support Group was composed of the 326th Airborne Medical Company, the 426th Airborne Quartermaster Company, the 101st Parachute Support and Maintenance Company, the Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment and the Band.
Organizational changes occurred in April 1957. On April 25, 1957, the 101st Airborne Division Support Group was reorganized and redesignated as Support Group, 101st Airborne Division. The 426th Airborne Quartermaster Company became the 426th Supply and Transport Company. The 101st Parachute Support and Maintenance Company separated from the Group. The 101st Administration Company and Company B, 313th Army Security Agency Battalion were added to the Group.
In February 1964, the Support Group was reorganized and redesignated the 101st Airborne Division Support Command. Subordinate units were the 326th Medical Battalion, the 426th Supply and Transport Company, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the Band, the 101st Administration Company, and the 101st Air Equipment Support Company.
In October 1992, the DISCOM was provisionally reorganized into three Support Battalions (Forward) and one Main Support Battalion, and also the 101st Personnel Service Company, the 101st Finance Battalion, the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and the Band.
On April 16, 1994, the reorganization, redesignation became official. The DISCOM currently consists of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, the 63rd Chemical Company, the 426th Forward Support Battalion, the 526th Forward Support Battalion, the 626th Forward Support Battalion, the 801st Main Support battalion, and the 8th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (AVIM).
11 September 2001 signaled another chapter in the DISCOM history. The 626th Forward Support Battalion along with elements from the 801st Main Support Battalion, 8-101st Aviation Battalion, the DISCOM Headquarters all deployed to Afghanistan supporting the 3rd Brigade, Task Force Rakkasan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. In February 2003, the Division Support Command deployed to Southwest Asia for Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing Combat Service Support to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
On 16 September 2004, the 101st Airborne Division Support Command was deactivated, and its elements reorganized and reactivated as the 101st Sustainment Brigade. Subordinate units were the Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 101st Soldier Support Battalion, 106th Transportation Battalion, the 129th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, and 561st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
In 2005 the elements of the 101st Sustainment Brigade deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in support of other deployed elements of the 101st Airborne Division.
