2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division
The 2nd Brigade is a maneuver Brigade composed of Brigade headquarters, two infantry battalion (1-18 IN and 1-26 IN), one armor battalion (1-77 AR), and supporting units. The 2nd Brigade is located at two Barracks (Kaserne) in Schweinfurt, Germany. 1-18 IN is at Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt. In addition, the 1st Squadron, 4th Cavalry, is co-located at Conn Barracks with the 2nd Brigade.
The Department of Defense announced on July 29, 2005 plans for the return of eleven Army bases to Germany in fiscal year 2007. Additionally, two other bases were identified for return to Germany in following years. These installation returns were scheduled as part of plans for the 1st Infantry Division headquarters'return to the United States with its divisional flag in the summer of 2006. Additionally, the 1st Infantry Division’s subordinate units, as well as selected V Corps and U.S. Army in Europe units, return to the United States, inactivate entirely, convert, or be reassigned in Europe to support Army transformation in fiscal year 2006.
The 2nd Brigade Combat Team will be assigned to another USAREUR unit until further disposition is determined and announced. All other 1ID units remaining in Europe will be converted and/or reassigned to support Army transformation. Also, disposition of other tenant organizations on facilities announced for closure today will be determined and announced in the future.
2nd Brigade History
The 2nd Dagger Brigade was first constituted on 24 May 1917 as Headquarters, 2nd Infantry Brigade of the 1st Expeditionary Division, which was later designated as the 1st Division. During the First World War, the unit distinguished itself with campaign participation credit in the Montididier-Noyon, Aisne-Marne, Meuse-Argonne, Lorraine, and Picardy Campaigns.
Following World War I the Brigade was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Infantry Brigade. It was relieved of assignment to the 1st Division on 11 October 1939 and inactivated 1 June 1940.
In 1942 2nd Brigade units participated in Operation Torch, the landings on North Africa. The 1st Infantry Division at that time was composed of only three infantry regiments, the 16th, 18th, and 26th, all of which distinguished themselves in the push across North Africa from the Kasserine Pass to Rommel's eventual defeat at the battle of El Alemein. These units were then moved to Tidworth Camp in Wiltshire, England in anticipation of a cross-channel invasion late in 1942, but the next amphibious operation the unit would undertake next was to be in Sicily, not France. The brigade units participated in the Sicily campaign, then returned to England, this time in Dorset to prepare for D-Day at Normandy. The 16th Infantry led the way across the beaches of Normandy, closely followed by the 18th. Divisional units participated in the Normandy Campaign throughout the summer of 1944 and subsequent operations across France and Germany until the end of the war. The Brigade was disbanded on 15 January 1945.
On 15 February 1958 the 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division was re-activated at Fort Devens and spent the next five years training in northern Massachusetts and Cape Cod. It was inactivated on 19 February 1963 at Devens, only to be reactivated on 23 October 1963 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division and moved (with the rest of the Divison) to Fort Riley, Kansas in January, 1964.
In September, 1965, the 2nd Brigade deployed to the Republic of Vietnam where it earned fifteen campaign streamers. The Brigade returned to Fort Riley in 1969.
The 2nd Brigade saw action again in December, 1990 when it deployed to South-West Asia as part of the 1st Infantry Division. In Desert Storm, the Brigade earned battle streamers for the defense of Saudi Arabia and the liberation of Kuwait.
On 15 February 1996 the 2nd Dagger Brigade was relocated with the rest of the 1st Infantry Division in Europe, locating at its current home in the German city of Schweinfurt.
In February, 1996 the 2nd Dagger Brigade deployed units to Bosnia-Herzgovina to participate in Operation Joint Endeavor with the 1st Armored Division. On 7 October of the same year the entire Brigade Combat Team deployed to Bosnia as the covering force for the 1st Armored Division's redeployment to Germany. With over 5,000 soldiers, the 2nd Brigade Combat Team participated in Operations Joint Endeavor and Joint Guard in Bosnia. On 10 November 1996 the 2nd Brigade Team assumed responsibility for fhte U.S. sector of Multi-National Division (North). On 20 December 1996 the 2nd Brigade Team assumed the mission of Stabilization Force (SFOR) as the situation in Bosnia stabilized. In May, 1997 the 2nd Brigade redeployed to Schweinfurt minus Task Force 1-77, which remained in Bosnia until November, 1997.
Task Force Falcon, the stabilization force for the Yugoslav province of Kosovo, was first activated on February 4, 1999. TFF served as the U.S. component of the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) with the mission of conducting peacekeeping operations in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's Serbian Kosovo province in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244. Under the command of the 1st Infantry Division and including elements of the 1st Armored Division and 2nd Brigade Combat Team - TFF entered the war-torn province on June 12, 1999. TFF headquarters occupied Camp Bondsteel on June 13, and grew into a Multi-National Brigade (MNB) that included not only US soldiers, but also soldiers from seven other nations.
The troop list was based around the 1st Infantry Division's 2nd ("Dagger") Brigade and included forces from other Army and Marine Corps units. On activation, the Commanding General of Task Force Falcon was designated the Joint Forces Land Component Commander (JFLCC) for JTF Noble Anvil and as the Force Commander for Multi-National Brigade (East), a component of NATO's KFOR. The Falcon Tactical Assault Command Post (TAC) and Echo Troop, 4th US Cavalry, the 2nd Brigade's Reconnaissance Troop (BRT), followed closely on the heels of the French forces, and entered the war-torn province on 12 JUN where they were greeted by scenes of destruction and desolation. The headquarters was established and the BRT and TAC occupied Camp Bondsteel on 13 JUN 1999.
Initially the Task Force monitored and verified the withdrawal of FRY forces from the Area of Operation in accordance with the Military Technical Agreement. As this movement was completed, the force shifted its focus to monitoring and verifying the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA)'s compliance with the Undertaking of Demilitarization and Transformation. As important as the military aspects of these peace enforcement tasks, Falcon found itself assisting in the return of massive numbers of refugees who clogged the roads in sector throughout June as they returned home from an enforced stay in temporary refugee camps. While the ethnic cleansing of the Kosovar-Albanian population abated almost immediately following the entry of Falcon forces, Falcon forces soon found themselves enmeshed in performing basic law and order functions and providing emergency humanitarian relief throughout the sector.
MNB East sought to establish law and order, provide emergency humanitarian assistance and support to UNMIK and other agencies. MNB (E) units adopted schools and facilitated spring planting through the delivery of seed, fertilizer and fuel. MNB (E) also coordinated and facilitated the restoration of schools, public utilities and healthcare facilities.
Nonetheless, the area remained dangerous. KFOR soldiers frequently come under fire from hostile forces in the performance of their duties. Nightly explosions from mines and UXO and routine exchanges of gunfire with unidentified hostile forces were the norm through the middle of August. House fires, looting, assault, and robbery among the civilian populace stretched the MNB (E) troopers thin as they sought to establish a safe and secure environment.
While lawlessness subsided, it did not vanish. The area around the city of Gnjilane became a center of ethnic troubles as unidentified forces increased violent attacks against the Serb populace in an apparent attempt to cause them to move. Grenade and homemade explosive device attacks began to intensify within the city and surrounding towns. In October, the Commanding General of MNB (E) directed a further repositioning of forces in a move, which greatly strengthened our presence along the ethnic fault lines. Gradually, violence began to decrease in this last discernable trouble spot. Indicative of the establishment of the safe and secure environment, the President of the United States visited the MNB (E) area on 23 November and joined Falcon troops to eat an early Thanksgiving Dinner at Camp Bondsteel.
The Task Force conducted countless patrols enabling citizens of Kosovo to return to their farms and businesses because of increased freedom of movement, further moving towards normalcy.
Despite all that has been achieved, much remains to be accomplished. Task Force Falcon's supports UNMIK-chartered civil administrations as they govern areas of ethnic strife. The UNMIK Police contingent gradually grows in strength and capability. Light and heavy industry begin operations slowly and economic progress continues to evolve in a democratic environment. Task Force Falcon and MNB (E) soldiers continue "Ever vigilant" to ensure a safe and secure environment to establish the conditions in which the UNMIK can foster stable administration enabling the transfer of authority from KFOR to the UNMIK and, eventually, to legitimate institutions of local government.
Operation Iraqi Freedom
The 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry from the New York National Guard was activated in late 2003 and left their families, civilian occupations, and college to do their duty as part of the Dagger Brigade Combat Team. They come from New York, Connecticut, New Jersey, Vermont, and a couple of other states in the northeast US, and they are now part of the BCT and will serve in Iraq.
Soldiers of the 2nd DAGGER Brigade Combat Team (BCT) awoke to sunny skies and 60 degree temperatures this morning in Camp New York, Kuwait. Camp New York has been the temporary home for the approximately 3,500 soldiers of the BCT for about two weeks and they were ready to move forward to Iraq. The BCT's journey began for most between 10-12 February 2004 when they were whisked away by bus to Nurnberg Airport. There, we were processed by the efficient and professional 571st Maintenance Battalion from the 21st TSC. They ensured their finance records were up to date and fed us a great meal before moving us to the planes. By 12 February approximately 3400 soldiers from the brigade had arrived in the desert of Kuwait. When they arrived we had about 6 more hours of processing to do at Camp Wolverine. There we received a short brief and two more great meals. The weather was not that hot, but it was dusty. By the early afternoon they were moved a few hours north to Camp New York.
In the early morning hours of 4 March, Camp New York in Kuwait was bustling with activity. Soldiers in combat gear were checking vehicles, weapons and equipment preparing for the Brigade Combat Team's road march into Iraq. NCOs and officers did final pre-combat checks and inspections . led by our unit chaplains, soldiers prayed for safe movement . leaders at all levels gave rousing motivational speeches before the soldiers rolled. At 0700 hours, TF Vanguard departed Camp New York and led the Dagger Brigade Combat team into the combat zone. For the next two days, 20 more groups (or "serials" as we call them) of vehicles amounting to over 2,100 soldiers made the grueling 500-mile trek. At the Iraqi border, we hit "The Berm," an earthen barrier that separates Kuwait from Iraq and we took the next step on our journey. The temperature had started into the low 90's, and our soldiers were drinking plenty of water. The approach march lasted 2 days for most, and 3 days for some. A number of convoys travel on the road into Iraq, and every movement is carefully orchestrated - especially during this transition period -- to ensure that the roads are not overloaded. On the road march route, there are established Convoy Support Centers where we got fuel and some rest. By the evening of 6 March, the final convoys were rolling into their new homes known as Forward Operating Bases, or FOBs. Those who could not drive up were flown into FOB Anaconda and then moved to the FOBs by combat patrols. By 8 March the majority of the BCT was in Iraq.
The BCT was greeted by the soldiers of the 1st Brigade (Raider Brigade) and 3rd Brigade (Striker Brigade) of the 4th Infantry Division. The Raider Brigade is stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, while the Striker Brigade is stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado. Each unit from Brigade through squad level linked up with a counterpart and started a 10-day process, what is called a "Relief In Place" or RIP, in order to transfer techniques, procedures, and equipment.
By July 2004, over 120 days into Operation Iraqi Freedom II, the Dagger Brigade Combat Team was continuing to root out the enemies of Iraq while simultaneously balancing our effort of making this historic land into a fully functioning and self-reliant nation. Much of the infrastructure and governmental systems that are needed to run the country are in the stages of development, or not present at all - development of these systems is a major area of emphasis as the soldiers continue to maintain a delicate balance between combat and stability operations. The BCT is helping rebuild government organizations and help repair the infrastructure. Progress is slow, but be assured, we are making progress. The accelerated Transfer of Sovereignty on 28 June has set the stage for the Iraqi Interim Government to exercise control.
The main mission here is to maintain a safe and secure environment, but one day Iraqis will be responsible for their own security. That is why they have moved forward in training, equipping and integrating the Iraqi National Guard - they were recently renamed and they used to refer to these organizations as the "Iraqi Civil Defense Corps." Every day officers, NCOs and soldiers visit ING compounds to liaise with their Iraqi counterparts. The Iraqis are now accompanying US Forces on patrols and manning Traffic Control Points that were once manned exclusively by the US Army. The Iraqis are performing these missions and performing them well! Forty-one soldiers from the 201st ICDC Battalion (working with TF 1-18) received the newly minted Iraqi Achievement Medal for their actions during the month of April. While those soldiers are honing their skills in the field, the Battalion and Brigade Staffs are receiving lessons on how to Command and Control their formations. Some of the Iraqi officers have experience in the old Iraqi Army, and they are eager to learn how a successful and professional Army like ours does business. The US maintains constant contact with ING counterparts, primarily to build their systems, but also to help tailor their organization to run as proficiently as possible.
In order to give some relief to the high unemployment and give the people a sense of pride in their own efforts, the BCT uses funds set aside for civil projects to contract or hire Iraqi businesses and workers to rebuild or develop the things needed in everyday life. Daily there are crews cleaning up the trash on the side of the roads in Tikrit and Bayji. Planning for building or refurbishing schools is underway and contractors are being selected for the projects.
While doing thei normal job of soldiering, some members of Charlie Company 2-108 IN, assigned to TF 1-26 helped a hostage return home. While conducting a security patrol the soldiers found Mr. Thomas Hamill; a Haliburton employee who was taken hostage in April 2004. The soldiers secured Mr. Hamill, dressed his wounds and got him on a helicopter that started his journey back to the United States. It was a great moment for TF 1-26, the BCT, and the Big Red One. The press coverage was nice and it was a chance for the American people to enjoy a positive side of the mission.
On 06 June 2004, the Dagger Brigade Combat Team held its combat patch ceremony, with MG Batiste present to officiate the ceremony. The Commanding General presented all Battalion and Task Force Commanders with 1st Infantry Division Combat Patches, symbolizing the authorization for all soldiers in the Dagger Brigade Combat Team to wear the Big Red One combat patch. The patch is awarded to all soldiers assigned to a unit in a declared hostile environment for at least 30 days. This recognition of wartime service was a very special moment for the entire Division, on a very special day - historically significant as it was the 60th Anniversary of the Normandy assault - D-Day. Every Task Force conducted a similar ceremony at their respective Forward Operating Base.
