4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division
"Highlander"

The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division was established on 4 March 2008 during a reflagging ceremony from the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Fort Bliss, Texas. The unit was known as the "Highlander" Brigade. The nickname Highlander was inspired by the West Texas highlands (Franklin Mountains) surrounding Fort Bliss. Additionally, this was a historical reference to the 1st Armored Division's participation in campaigns across Italy's North Apennine Mountains during World War II.

The 4th Brigade Combat Team consisted of several thousand soldiers, both men and women, from all over the world. Over 60 percent of the Brigade's soldiers had previously deployed to Iraq. The Highlanders began operations in southern Iraq on 4 June 2009. They served in an advisory and assistance role with Iraqi Security Forces in the provinces of Dhi Qar, Maysan, and Muthanna. The Brigade collaborated with the Government of Iraq, Iraqi Security Forces, US State Department, and coalition partners to achieve stability, prosperity, and peace for the people of Iraq. The Advise and Assist mission was the way forward to meet the directives established by the US-Iraq Security Agreement. The Government of Iraq and Iraqi Security Forces were in the lead for operations and the US was subsequently in a supporting role.