82d Brigade Sustainment Battalion
Forward Support Battalion
"Support, Without Which There Is Nothing!"
On 15 January 2006, as part of the Army's transformation towards a modular force, the title and composition of the 82d Forward Support Battalion was changed.
The 82d Support Battalion was activated on 25 May 1968 with an authorized strength of 372 personnel organized into four companies. The mission of the 82d Support Battalion was to provide administrative, finance, legal, medical, maintenance, and supply services to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment in the Republic of Vietnam.
The Battalion's Forward Support Element, stationed at Tan Son Nhut Airfield in Saigon provided direct support maintenance, health service support, and all classes of supply except for Class V and VI to the 3d Brigade's three maneuver battalions, artillery battalion, and other additional units assigned and attached to the 3d Brigade.
The Battalion also deployed it's battalion Headquarters and Main Support Element to Phu Loi Post, north of Saigon. The mission of the Main Support Element was to provide back-up supply, maintenance, and all administrative support to the 3d Brigade. In addition to the logistic support, the battalion defended a large portion of Phu Loi's 1 mile defensive perimeter by manning 17 bunkers and two sentry towers.
The 82d Support Battalion also improvised to provide total support to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment. The HHC coordinated R&R and USO shows for the Brigade, while the A Co ran replacement and training operations for the nearly 5,000 incoming 3d Brigade personnel during a nine month period. In addition, B Company (Medical) deployed and supported two operational elements stationed at both Phu Loi and Tan Son Nhut Airfield. The C Co (Maintenance and Supply) provided direct support maintenance, supply, and transportation from both locations.
The 82d Support Battalion completed in-country stand down on 20 November 1969 and was inactivated at Fort Bragg, NC on 12 December 1969. On 16 August 1993 the 82d Forward Support Battalion was reactivated as a provisional FSB. On 16 April 1994, the 82d FSB was officially activated and assigned the mission of providing for total logistical and combat health support to the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment.
As of March 2004 The 82d Forward Support Battalion was conducting operations in Fallujah, in support of Operation Iraqi freedom.
