71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade

71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade

Shoulder sleeve insignia
Active Organized September 2008
Allegiance United States of America
Branch United States Army
Type Military intelligence
Size Brigade
Part of Texas Army National Guard
Insignia
71st BfSB Distinctive Unit Insignia

The 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade[1] is a unit of the Texas Army National Guard.

The formation traces its history to elements of the 36th Infantry Division. The genesis of the 71st BFSB was a restructured organization due to doctrinal changes and the inactivation of the 36th Division Artillery (DIVARTY). It is a separate and distinct organization and is not authorized to claim heraldic links to the previous Texas Army National Guard 71st Airborne Brigade. It is an integrated Intelligence, Surveillance Reconnaissance organization capable of close, deep, and security operations for Army Divisions and Corps; it is capable of small-scale contingency missions when augmented by other capabilities.

Organization

ORGANIC Units of a Battlefield Surveillance Brigade

ASSIGNED Units to the 71 BFSB

This separate unit is assigned by permanent order under 71st BFSB control.

HHB, 4st Battalion, 133d Field Artillery Regiment, San Marcos, TX 76666[2]

This separate unit is assigned by permanent order under 71st BFSB control

This separate unit is assigned by permanent order under 71st BFSB control for admin purposes.

This separate unit is assigned by permanent order under 71st BFSB control for admin purposes.

This separate is assigned by permanent order under 71st BFSB control. It reports under the control of HHC, 636th MI Bn.

Heraldic Symbolism

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

Description A blue (oriental blue) arrowhead shaped device 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in width overall bearing two yellow (golden light) lightning flashes pilewise, superimposed by a black griffin’s head erased with a white eye and brow, pupil black.

Symbolism The arrowhead recalls the historical lineage and association as part of the 36th Infantry Division. The oriental blue is the traditional color of Military Intelligence Corps; the griffin embodies vigilance, alertness, and courage, referring to the unique Soldiers assigned this mission. The contrast of the white and black of the griffin’s eye symbolizes overt and clandestine nature of the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade mission. The two lightning flashes represent the extraordinary mix of communication, electronic warfare, and Cavalry, this combined symbology fully represents the speed, agility, and range of target engagement capabilities of the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade force structure.

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Description A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned as follows: “Per pall inverted Gules, Azure and Or, in chief a mullet Argent and a griffin’s head erased Sable with an eye of the fourth (Silver) and in base a wing fesswise of the fifth garnished of the fourth (Silver).” Attached below the device is a Black scroll inscribed with “ON THE HUNT” in Silver letters.

Symbolism Scarlet acknowledges the 36th Infantry Division Artillery from which the Brigade was transformed and highlights the key Battlefield Surveillance Brigade task of targeting. Oriental blue is the traditional color used by Military Intelligence Corps. Gold is the traditional color of Cavalry. The lone star represents the home of the Brigade, Texas. The griffin embodies vigilance, alertness, and courage referring to the unique Soldiers assigned this mission. Black and white of the star and griffin’s eye symbolizes the overt and clandestine nature of the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade mission. The distinctive silver outline of all the symbols and boundaries is the heraldic color of sincerity and honesty; this is required to be an effective combination of the unusual skill sets within the organization. The wing refers to the airborne elements and the agile structure of the 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. “On The Hunt” is the motto and is the task of the Battlefield Surveillance Brigade. Stealth, persistence, relentlessly pursuing to trap or kill our targets.

Short Unit History

Sept 2008 unit formed – The retirement of the 36ID Division Artillery marked the transition to the 71 BFSB. The 1-112 AR Bn and 143 Infantry Detachment (LRS) were modified and combined to form the 3-124 R&S Sqdn. The 636 MI Bn of the 36ID was converted from a CEWI-Heavy structure to a “Vanguard” BFSB MI Bn. The 112 Combat Support Company was converted from elements of 1-112 AR Bn. The 236 Network Support Company was converted from legacy elements of the 236 Signal Bn.

Oct 2008 first unit deployed – The 636 MI Battalion was deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom for a 350-day tour.

Jan 2009 ADT mission support – The State of Texas tasked all TX ARNG Agricultural Development Support Teams (ADT) to be formed and supported by 71BFSB. Mission support was focused on Ghazni Province Afghanistan and concluded with ADT-VI in Nov 2012.

Mar 2009 special forces assigned – C/5-19 SFG(A) is a 88 soldier and Det-1, HHC/5-19, 24 soldiers force structure was assigned to 71BFSB by TXARNG. 5-19 SFG(A) HQ is located in Colorado. C/5-19 soldiers remain on rotation to theaters of operations and conduct multiple overseas rotations in support of EUCOM and AFRICOM. As of this writing C/5-19 has participated in more than 8 joint combined exchange training (JCET) in 11 EUCOM and AFRICOM countries.

Nov 2009 participate in HUMINT/CI events – Trident Lonestar is a recurring training event sponsored by a combat support agency, it includes other country partners, other US services and agencies. 71BFSB continues to participate in and support this training, it has grown to additional country partners and multiple iterations annually.

Feb 2010 translator unit assigned – Det-1, 640 MI PLT is a 4 soldier structure assigned to 71BFSB by TXARNG. 640 MI PLT HQ is located in California. These are native heritage linguists who provide strategic level linguist support to theater commands. These soldiers are perpetually deployed.

Apr 2010 first BFSB-focused training mission – Available elements of the Brigade staff, 3-124 R&S, and 112 CSC participate in the initial iteration of TALON FUSION. TF rehearsal model is an asset integration focused training event. It is a menu-based model that teaches adaptable skill-sets for commanders, staff and collection-targeting assets of the BFSB to focus on the complex requirements associated with Operational Level Reconnaissance missions.

Jun 2010 parachute infantry assigned – 1st Bn(ABN)–143rd Infantry Regiment is a 550 soldier (TXARNG), 133 Pax (AKARNG), 133 Pax (RIARNG) force structure was assigned to 71BFSB by TXARNG. 1-143 is a standard MTOE airborne infantry structure, it is classified as a tactical combat force (TCF) under Army modularity. Line companies assigned to Alaska and Rhode Island train with and deployed with the battalion.

Oct 2011 more special forces assigned – C/1-19 SFG(A) is a 88 soldier and Det-1, HHC/1-19, 24 soldiers force structure was assigned to 71BFSB by TXARNG. 1-19 SFG(A) HQ is located in Utah. C/1-19 soldiers remain on rotation to theaters of operations and conduct multiple overseas rotations in support of PACOM. As of this writing C/1-19 has participated in more than 6 joint combined exchange training (JCET) in 8 PACOM countries.

Nov 2010 3-124 and 1-143 notified for mobilization – Units reconfigure and accept additional soldiers to perform assigned mission. 3-124R&S performed as the multi-mission battalion for JTF-HOA, Djibouti Africa Feb-Sep 2012. 1-143 performed Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) security forces mission for 13 separate locations in Afghanistan Feb-Sep 2012

Feb 2011 begin organic unit fielding of equipment – the BFSB organic structure received required MTOE equipment to fill existing missing and shortage items; this intense fielding effort lasted through Nov 2012. the units continue to receive MTOE and non-MTOE mission essential equipment such as close access target reconnaissance (CATR) items and training to build a focused and functional BFSB.

Jul 2011 special operations support assigned – 197 special troops support company (STSC) is a 162 soldier force structure was assigned to 71BFSB by TXARNG. The parent organization is the active component 528 Sustainment Brigade, special operations, airborne (SO) (A), Ft Bragg NC. Provides a full range of special operations focused support to theaters of operations is scheduled for first team to deploy Apr 2014 is support of OEF.

Nov 2011 71BFSB unit heraldry – the unit researched and designed shoulder sleeve insignia and distinctive unit insignia approved by US Army Department of Heraldry.

Jun 2012 first consolidated annual training – organic elements of 71BFSB plus the 1-143IR conduct brigade level collective training to validate systems and conduct field operations over-seeing a small-scale, but more mature model of the TALON FUSION rehearsal.

Jul 2012 missile artillery assigned – 4th Bn (HIMARS)-133rd FA is a 374 soldier force structure was assigned to 71BFSB by TXARNG. 4-133 is a standard MTOE HIMARS structure, it is classified as a tactical combat force (TCF) under Army modularity. Jan 2013 received firing systems; this was the key enabler to reconstitute this organization after 5 years of perpetual mobilization support. Has a training relationship with 45FiB, OKANRG.

Feb 2013 first brigade dining out – as a part of the commander’s readiness workshop the 71BFSB hosted a consolidated dining out for all assigned and organic units in Austin Texas.

Mar 2013 special forces mobilized – leadership and key team level elements of C/5-19 SFG(A) was mobilized in support of OEF Mar-Dec 2013.

Apr 2013 redeployed units join the formation – more than 1300 soldiers return to traditional inactive duty training (IDT) status from 3-124 and 1-143 mobilizations.

Jul 2013 the Brigade matures – more than 500 soldiers of the 71BFSB participate in a challenging annual training at Ft Hood. Units conducted extensive rehearsals in water operations, airborne, raids and, operational level reconnaissance missions. Complex, long distance communications tasks were rehearsed with exceptional success. Unit SOPs were refined, teams were built, the unit matured it ability to communicate as brigade level organization.

Sep 2013 more special forces structure – 6 additional CPT slots from HQ, 1 and HQ, 5-19SFG(A) were added to the company structures as MTOE augmentation to provide for officer developmental positions during the lengthy special force qualification process.

May 2014 Warfighter – the organic force structure of the base-line 71st BFSB was trained during WFX 14-05A at Ft Leavenworth KS. The organization matured and developed the Brigade staff ‘s understanding and application of collection-targeting assets in a complex rapidly changing exercise environment. The Brigade team received an uncommon positive assessment from the Mission Command Training Center. It was an exceptionally positive learning and growing experience for the majority of the staff.

Training Models Associated with 71 BFSB

To be posted:
Command Brief Slide Deck
Capabilities Summary
Command 5-year Training Strategy
Operational Graphics describing TALON FUSION and ARROWHEAD FURY rehearsal models.

References

  1. ↑ "TIOH - Heraldry - 71st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade". Tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil. Retrieved 2012-04-14.
  2. ↑ https://www.dvidshub.net/news/printable/74038
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