18th Corps Support Battalion
The mission of the 18th Corps Support Battalion is to provide direct combat service support (supply and maintenance) to non-divisional V Corps units or as part of a contingency operation. The battalion also provides reinforcing combat service support to divisional units.
The history of the 18th Corps Support Battalion has an unrivaled record of service and dedication to excellence. Originally constituted on 16 July 1940 as the 3rd Ordnance Battalion (Maintenance) and activated at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, on 1 July 1941, the unit was designated later as the Eighth Ordnance Battalion on 11 August of the same year. Landing on the continent of Europe following D-Day, the battalion participated in the Second World War and was awarded campaign streamers for the Rhineland and Central European Campaigns. The battalion was then demobilized in Paris on 15 December 1946 following the end of hostilities.
The 8th Ordnance Battalion commenced a new life in Germany when it reactivated on 1 August 1951 in Feundhaven following four years of inactivation. The battalion relocated in May 1955 to Pioneer Kaserne in Hanau, Germany. It was not until 21 May 1956 that the battalion was transferred to Grossauheim, to what was then known as the Hanau Engineer Depot (renamed Grossauheim Kaserne in 1965). On 16 August 1965, under the COSTAR Concept, the unit was officially known as the 8th Maintenance Battalion. The unit was further re-designated the 18th Corps Support Battalion on 15 July 1993. The battalion relocated to Hutier Kaserne in July 1994.
The 18th Corps Support Battalion plays an integral role in logistical support within the 3rd COSCOM and throughout central region. In the last few years, the 18th Corps Support Battalion has deployed soldiers to Hungary in support of Operation Joint Endeavor/Guard, supported NATO operations as part of Operations Allied Force and Shining Hope in Tirana, Albania, and conducted three Kosovo Force (KFOR) rotations at Camp Able Sentry in Macedonia.
Campaign Participation Credits include the Rhineland and Central European Campaigns during the Armed Forces Expeditionary Campaigns of WWII. The 18th Corps Support Battalion also received the Army Superior Unit Award while supporting Operation Joint Endeavor from October 1995 through November 1996.
The 18th Corps Support Battalion consists of the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, the 71st Ordnance Company (Missile Maintenance) and the 77th Maintenance Company. The units are geographically located in Hanau and Babenhausen, Germany.
The 71st Ordnance Company provides DS/GS maintenance to non-divisional Avenger and Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) battalions in V Corps. IT provides back-up DS/GS and class IX missile support to Divisional units.
The 77th Maintenance Company provides direct support maintenance and Class IX repair parts support to non-divisional V Corps units or as part of a contingency operation. The Company also provides reinforcing support to divisinoal units.
