1st Armored Division Engineer Brigade
The 1st Armored Division Engineer Brigade was officially activated in September 1992 with three battalions - the 12th, 23rd, and 40th Engineer Battalions. In the summer of 1994, the 12th Battalion moved with the 3rd BCT to Fort Lewis, Washington, where it was re-flagged the 168th Engineer Battalion. In 1995, the Engineer Brigade deployed to the former Republic of Yugoslavia in support of Peace Enforcement Operations during Operation Joint Endeavor. With attached units from both USAREUR and CONUS, the Brigade quickly grew to over 5,000 soldiers. Most significantly, the Brigade planned and executed the historic crossing of the flooded Sava River on 31 December 1995. During the initial Bosia deployment, the Brigade was responsible for construction of base camps for over 20,000 soldiers, construction and maintenance of roads, and establishing freedom of movement through the many minefields found throughout Bosnia.
In the spring of 1997, the 23rd Engineer Battalion re-flagged to the 16th Engineer Battalion. In October 1997, the Engineer Brigade began its deployment to Bosnia with the 16th Engineer Battalion and elements of HHD, Engineer Brigade to support Operation Joint Guard. Engineer missions included the monitoring of de-mining efforts by the Entity Armed Forces as well as road and bridge repair. The 40th Engineer Battalion replaced the 16th Engineer Battalion in June 1998 and began transition efforts by the Entity Armed Forces towards meeting humanitarian de-mining standards in Bosnia. In addition, the Engineer Brigade took on the significant mission of managing $34 million worth of construction projects to improve quality of life and operational facilities for soldiers assigned to Task Force Eagle. Major projects included repair of the Tuzla Airfield allowing for strategic air capacity; upgrades of Eagle, Commanche, and McGovern basecamps; closure of the Blue Factory, Guardian, and Colt basecamps; and construction of a hospital at Eagle basecamp.
After returing to Germany, the Brigade immediately began a five month train-up for the Division and CORPS Warfighter Exercises. The Brigade also completed the planning and execution of the 55th Anniversary Ceremony of D-Day Invasion in Normandy France. The Iron Sappers of the Engineer Brigade have a legacy of dedicated service in the United States Army Europe and they continue the rich tradition of combat engineers in America's Tank Division.
