39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

The 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, formerly called the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) – nicknamed the Arkansas Brigade[1] or the Bowie Team – is an infantry brigade combat team of the United States Army made up of soldiers from the Arkansas Army National Guard. The 39th IBCT was one of fifteen National Guard brigades designated as an enhanced separate brigade. Brigades with this designation received higher levels of training, more advanced equipment, and higher troop levels than normal National Guard brigades. It also made these brigades a self-contained combat unit capable of intelligence, reconnaissance, maneuver, fire support, combat service support, and command and control without having to require attachments or detachments during deployments. In 2005, it was converted to the standard modular IBCT design as part of Army transformation.

39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
(The Arkansas Brigade)
39th IBCT Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
Active1917–1919,
1946–present
Country United States
Allegiance Arkansas
BranchArmy National Guard
TypeInfantry
SizeBrigade
Part ofArkansas Army National Guard
HeadquartersCamp Robinson, North Little Rock, Arkansas
Nickname(s)"The Arkansas Brigade"
AnniversariesBrigade Day (August 25)
CampaignsWorld War I
War on Terrorism
Commanders
Current
commander		Jonathan M. Stubbs
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

The 39th IBCT is the largest National Guard command in Arkansas. It is headquartered at Camp Joseph T. Robinson in North Little Rock, Arkansas after being at Earl T. Ricks Armory in Little Rock, Arkansas since the formation until storms damaged the roof in May 2014. It was placed in federal service on 12 October 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. The 39th was attached to the 1st Cavalry Division and served in and around Baghdad for a year, returning to the United States in March 2005. In late August 2005, after Hurricane Katrina hit the Gulf Coast of the United States, elements of the 39th, then commanded by Colonel Mike Ross, were among the first military units to provide recovery and relief efforts to citizens of New Orleans, Louisiana. The 39th led the effort to evacuate an estimated 16,000 people from the New Orleans Convention Center. The 39th Brigade completed its second deployment to Iraq in December 2008, after spending a year on active federal duty. Unlike the last deployment to Iraq from 2004–2005, the 39th Brigade headquarters did not have command and control of all of its subordinate units.

Formation

During World War I, an infantry brigade from the 20th Infantry Division was organized as the 39th Brigade from October 1918 to February 1919 consisting of the 48th and 89th Infantry Regiments, however this unit has no connection to the current 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.[2] The main antecedent of today's brigade was the 39th Infantry Division, created in 1917, which consisted of troops from Louisiana, Mississippi, and Arkansas. The division shipped to France, August – September 1918. It was then sent to the St. Florent area, southwest of Bourges, where it was designated as a replacement division and several of the units were transferred to combat divisions.[3] The division demobilized the following month at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana.[4] The unit was demobilized after the war.

In the years between the World Wars, the division headquarters was deactivated, but its Arkansas elements continued as part of the Arkansas National Guard. These former 39th Division elements were activated independently for WWII. For a history of their participation, see the article on the 153rd Infantry Regiment and the 206th Coast Artillery.

The 39th Infantry Division was reconstituted on 30 September 1946. It was composed of units from Arkansas and Louisiana, with its headquarters stationed at New Orleans, Louisiana and the Arkansas portion headquartered in Little Rock Arkansas.[4] During this period the division included the 153rd Infantry Regiment, the 156th Infantry Regiment, and the 206th Artillery Regiment.

In 1967 the division was redesignated as the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) and in 1973 was paired with the US 101st Airborne Division as a training partner and became an air-assault brigade. The following Regiments were represented in the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate): 153rd Infantry Regiment, 151st Cavalry Regiment and the 206th Field Artillery Regiment.

In 1994 the 39th was again reorganized and gained its designation as an "enhanced" brigade.

In 1999, the 39th became part of the 7th Infantry Division under the Army Integrated Division concept which paired National Guard and Reserve brigades with active duty headquarters and support units.[5]

In 2006, the 7th Infantry Division was deactivated and the 39th IBCT was placed under the command and control of the 36th Infantry Division (United States) (Texas National Guard).

Reorganization of 1967

On 2 November 1967 in accordance with National Guard Bureau Memo NG-AROTO 1002-01, the 39th Infantry Division was reorganized and redesignated as the 39th Infantry Brigade.[6] This change resulted in a massive restationing within the state as follows:

New Unit Former Unit Station
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) (w/CA Sec Aug), 39th Infantry Brigade (Sep) Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) (Part), 39th Infantry Division Little Rock
Troop E, 151st CAV Company C, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Conway
239th Engineer Company(Minus Equipment Maint Section, Bridge Platoon, and 2nd Engineer Platoon) Company A, 217th Engineer Battalion Clarksville
Detachment 1, 239th Engineer Company(Equipment Maintenance Section, Bridge Platoon, and 2nd Engineer Platoon) Company E, 217th Engineer Battalion Russellville
39th Aviation Company Company A, 39th Aviation Battalion, and Headquarters and Company A, 739th Maintenance Battalion North Little Rock
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment (HHD), 39th Support Battalion Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 2nd Battalion (105mm) (Towed), 206th Artillery Hazen
Company A (Admin) (with IG, Postal Division, Replacement Detachment, Chaplin Section), 39th Support Battalion 39th Admin Company (Minus), & Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 39th Infantry Division Support Command (39th IDSC) Little Rock
Company C (Medical)(Minus Clearing Platoon), 39th Support Battalion Company B, 125th Medical Batatlion Lonoke
Detachment 1, Company B (Medical)(Clearing Platoon), 39th Support Battalion Company C, 125th Medical Battalion DeWitt
Company C (S&T)(Minus Petroleum Platoon, FLD SVC Platoon and General Transportation Platoon), 39th Support Battalion 222nd Engineer Company (Dump Truck) Stuttgart
Detachment 1, Company C (S&T)(Petroleum Platoon, FLD SVC Platoon and General Transportation Platoon), 39th Support Battalion New Unit Hazen
Company D (Maintenance)(Minus Mechanical Maintenance Platoon Headquarters, Armament Maintenance Section, 4 Mobile Maintenance Section), 39th Support Battalion 176th Ordnance Company (DS) Little Rock
Detachment 1, Company D (Maintenance)(Mechanical Maintenance Platoon Headquarters, Armament Maintenance Section, 4 Mobile Maintenance Sections), 39th Support Battalion Detachment 1, Headquarters and Company A, 739th Ordnance Battalion Perryville
Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery (Minus Radar Section, Metro Section, Communications Platoon, 5th Battalion, 206th Artillery Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery (With Aviation Section) & Service Battery, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(SP) 142nd Artillery West Memphis
Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battery (Radar Section, Metro Section, Communications Platoon, 5th Battalion, 206th Artillery Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), 3rd Battalion, 206th Artillery (Honest John) Marianna
Battery A, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 206th Artillery Battery A, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Wynne
Battery B, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 206th Artillery Battery B, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Forrest City
Battery C, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 206th Artillery Battery C, 5th Battalion, (105mm)(Towed) 142nd Artillery Harrisburg
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Minus Battalion Recon, Battalion Mortar, 3 Company Mess Teams, Battalion Maintenance Platoon, Battalion Medical Platoon, plus chaplain and Personnel Section), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Malvern
Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Battalion Recon and Battalion Mortar), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Ground Surveillance Section, Headquarters Tank Section, Battalion Scout Platoon, Battalion Mortar, Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge Section, 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor Sheridan
Detachment 2, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Battalion Maintenance Platoon, Battalion Medical Platoon), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Minus Ground Surveillance Section, Headquarters Tank Section, Battalion Armored Cavalry, Battalion Mortar & Davy Crocket Platoon, Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge Section, 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor Pine Bluff
Company A, (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, plus Company Mess Team) 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company C, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Prescot
Detachment 1, Company A (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company A, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Arkadelphia
Company B(Minus 2nd Rifle and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company B(−2nd Rifle and Weapons Platoon), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Texarkana
Detachment 1, Company B(2nd Rifle and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Detachment 1, Company B(2nd Rifle Platoon and Weapons Platoon), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Hope
Company C, (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, (Ground Surveillance Section, Battalion Recon, Battalion Mortar, & Battalion Anti-Tank Platoon), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Mena
Detachment 1, Company C, (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry 1121st Transportation Company (Light Truck) Dequeen
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Minus Ground Surveillance Section, Battalion Recon, Battalion Mortar & Battalion Medical Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Minus Ground Surveillance Section, Battalion Recon, Battalion Mortar & Battalion Anti-Tank Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Searcy
Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Battalion Mortar, Battalion Medical Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Ground Surveillance Section, Battalion Recon, Battalion Mortar & Davy Crockett, & Battalion Anti-Tank Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Newport
Detachment 2, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Ground Surveillance Section, Battalion Recon, Battalion Anti-Tank Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 3rd Brigade, 39th Infantry Division Beebe
Company A (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company A, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Walnut Ridge
Detachment 1, Company A (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Battery C, 4th Battalion, (8 inch)(SP) 142nd Artillery Piggott
Company B (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company B, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Batesville
Detachment 1, Company B (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 206th Artillery Augusta
Company C (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons and Weapons Platoon, Plus Company Mess Team), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Battery B, 2nd Battalion, 206th Artillery Brinkley
Detachment 1, Company C (2nd Rifle Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Battery A (Honest John Rocket)(SP), 3rd Rkt How BN, 206th Artillery Helena
Detachment 2, Company C (3rd Rifle Platoon), 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Battery C (105mm)(Towed) 2nd Battalion, 206th Artillery West Helena
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Minus Ground Surveillance Section, Battalion Recon, Battalion Mortar Platoon, Battalion Anti Tank Platoon, Battalion Medical Platoon and 3 Company Mess Teams), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Minus Ground Surveillance Section, Headquarters Tank Section, Battalion Armored Cavalry, Battalion Mortar & Davy Crocket Platoon, Armored Vehicle Launched Bridge Section, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor Warren
Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Battalion Recon, Battalion Mortar Platoon), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Detachment 1, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Battalion, 206th Armor Magnolia
Detachment 2, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), (Ground Surveillance Section, Battalion Anti Tank Platoon, Battalion Medical Platoon ), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry 295th Medical Company (Holding) Dermontt
Company A (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company A, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor El Dorado
Detachment 1, Company A (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company C, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor Crossett
Company B (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, Plus Company Mess Team), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company C, 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor Fordyce
Detachment 1, Company B (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company B, 1st Battalion, 206th Armor Camden
Company C (Minus 2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons, plus Company Mess Team), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company A, 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor McGehee
Detachment 1, Company C (2nd and 3rd Rifle Platoons), 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Company B, 2nd Battalion, 206th Armor Dumas

Overseas training deployments

39th Brigade units conducted numerous overseas training rotations throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.[7]

  • 1981, Company A, 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry (Walnut Ridge and Piggott) conducted annual training in Great Britain with the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as part of the Volunteer Warrior/Hard Charger Exercise.
  • 1986, Company B, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry conducted annual training in Honduras.[8]
  • 1988, two batteries of the 5th Battalion, 206th Field Artillery conducted annual training in Honduras, Companies B and C, 2-153 IN conducted annual training in Great Britain as a part of Operation "Glo Worm/Rattlesnake", at Camp Crickhowell, Wales, hosted by members of the 5th Light Infantry English Citizen Soldiers.
  • 1990, Company A, 1–153rd and Company C, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry, along with the entire 5–206th Field Artillery conducted annual training in Honduras as part of the National Guard Bureau's Overseas Training Program. Company C, 1–153rd IN conducted annual training in the United Kingdom.[8]
  • 1991, 1–153rd Infantry deployed with selected members of 2–153rd on a SOUTHCOM rotation to the Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTO) at Fort Sherman, Panama.
  • 1992, Companies A, B and C, 2–153rd Infantry conducted annual training in Honduras in three separate rotations.

Operation Southern Watch

Company B, 2nd Battalion, 153 Infantry, and Company B, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry of the 39th BCT were activated for Operation Southern Watch, May through September 1999.[9] Company B, 2–153rd deployed to Kuwait while Company B, 3–153rd deployed to Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia. Soldiers provided security at Patriot missile batteries during these deployments. The mission lasted a total of seven months, and was the first "pure" National Guard effort in the region. Company C, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry carried on the 39th's role in Operation Southern Watch when they replaced Company B, 2–153rd Infantry in September 1999.[10]

Company B, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry was the first National Guard unit since the Vietnam War to be involuntarily mobilized by presidential order (President Bill Clinton). The unit was mobilized to support operations in Operation Southern Watch. The 3rd BN Commander was LTC Ewing, B Company Commander was CPT Rozenberg and the company first sergeant was 1SG Nutt. B Company consisted of over 120 soldiers from the Camden and Fordyce units and volunteers from other areas of south and central Arkansas. The unit primarily provided security for two active duty Army Patriot missile batteries in Saudi Arabia. The units conducted initial training for the deployment in Camp Robinson Arkansas and 7th ID in Fort Carson Colorado. The success of the mission laid the ground work for additional deployments of National Guard units.

Security Force Nine (SFOR 9)

In March 2001, Company D, 1–153rd and Company D, 3–153rd deployed to Bosnia as part of the Multinational Stabilization Force (SFOR), Security Force Nine in order to assist with the enforcement of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH).[10] The companies were attached to 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division for the deployment as part of Task Force Eagle. They performed presence patrols outside Forward Operating Base Morgan and Camp McGovern, and participated in the consolidation of weapon storage sites. The soldiers also guarded the sites.[9]

Multinational Forces and Observers (MFO)

On 8 October 2001, 2–153 Infantry was activated.[11] Second Battalion was sent to Egypt in order to take over the Multinational Force and Observers mission, freeing up regular army infantry units to deploy to Afghanistan.

The 2-153's mission during the MFO was: "...to supervise the implementation of the security provisions of the Egyptian-Israeli Treaty of Peace and employ best efforts to prevent any violation of its terms." This mission was accomplished by carrying out four tasks: operating checkpoints, observation posts and conducting reconnaissance patrols on the international border as well as within Zone C; verification of the terms of the peace treaty not less than twice a month; verification of the terms of the peace treaty within 48 hours, upon the request of either party, and ensuring freedom of international marine navigation in the Strait of Tiran and access to the Gulf of Aqaba.

This was the first "pure" National Guard takeover of the MFO mission. 2-153 Infantry deactivated on 11 October 2002.

Operation Iraqi Freedom II

The ramp-up

The 39th Infantry Brigade was notified in 2002 that it would be participating in a rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, LA. For National Guard brigades, a rotation is actually a three-year process that provides additional money, resources and training opportunities in order to improve unit readiness before the actual rotation through the JRTC. The brigade was required to complete a mission rehearsal exercise during the 2003 annual training which was conducted at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Less than a month after the completion of this major training milestone, the brigade received its alert for deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 28 July 2003.

Alert, train, and man the brigade

On 12 October 2003, the brigade, commanded by Brigadier General Ronald Chastain[12] (now Major General retired), was ordered to federal service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II for a period of up to 18 months. The brigade conducted post mobilization training at Fort Hood, Texas from October 2003 until January 2004. In January the brigade shipped its vehicles and equipment to Iraq from Fort Hood, and then moved to Fort Polk for a Mission Rehearsal Exercise at the JRTC. While there, on 17 February 2004, President George W. Bush visited the 39th and had an MRE (Meal, Ready-to-Eat) lunch in a field mess tent with soldiers. After lunch, President Bush made brief remarks to the soldiers.

When the brigade received its alert, it was approximately 700 soldiers short of its authorized end strength. This shortage was due in large part to the way new recruits are accounted for in the National Guard. In the active Army a new recruit only comes to a unit and is counted on its books after the soldier has completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. In the National Guard, the new recruit is counted on the unit's strength reports as soon as the Soldier signs their contract. The brigade had over 500 soldiers who had not completed either Basic or Advanced Individual Training upon alert.

This shortage led to the decision to consolidate the available manning into two infantry battalions that would be supplied for the brigade by the Arkansas National Guard and to ask the National Guard Bureau to provide the third infantry battalion. Because of the 2002 deployment of the 2d Battalion, 153d Infantry to the MFO, the battalion was deemed non-deployable as an organization; however, the soldiers of the battalion were to deploy. The decision was made by BG Chastain to transfer the battalion commander and staff from 2–153 IN to 3–153 Infantry. The 3-153 IN commander and staff were transferred to 2–153 and were designated to function as the brigade's rear detachment during OIF II. This transfer led to the 3-153 IN often being referred to as the two thirds (2/3) battalion by members of the 39th BCT. 3–153rd IN adopted the 2–153rd IN's nickname and call sign, "Gunslingers" for OIF II.

National Guard Bureau met the brigade's need for additional soldiers by alerting 2d Battalion, 162d Infantry, from the Oregon National Guard; a platoon of Company B, 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment, New York National Guard; a platoon of Company C, 1st Battalion, 102d Infantry Regiment from the Connecticut National Guard; the 1115th Transportation Company and elements of the 642d Maintenance Company from the New Mexico Army National Guard; elements of 629th Military Intelligence Battalion from the Maryland National Guard; elements of HHSC, 233d Military Intelligence Company, California National Guard; and, Battery A, 1st Battalion, 103d Field Artillery, Rhode Island National Guard to round out the brigade and bring it to its full deployment strength of 3700 soldiers. With the addition of Company A, 28th Signal Battalion, from the Pennsylvania National Guard, the 39th Brigade included National Guard soldiers from ten states.

Operation Bowie Fury

Mission statement

The 39th Brigade's mission during Operation Iraqi Freedom was to conduct full-spectrum operations focused on stability and support operations and to secure key terrain in and around Baghdad, supported by focused and fully integrated information [IO] and civil-military operations, in order to enable the progressive transfer of authority to the Iraqi people, their institutions and a legitimate Iraqi national government.

The lines of operation as established by 1st Cavalry Division included:[13]

combat operations;

train and equip security forces;

essential services;

promote governance; and,

economic pluralism,

with information operations interconnected throughout.

The end state envisioned by Maj. Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli of these full spectrum operations was a secure and stable environment for Iraqis, maintained by indigenous police and security forces under the direction of a legitimate, national government that is freely elected and accepts economic pluralism.[13]

Area of operations

The 39th Infantry Brigade relieved the 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division in the Baghdad neighborhoods of Adhamiyah and Rusafa as well as elements of 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division at Camp Taji. This relief in place took place in the midst of a multiparty insurgency uprising.[14] The brigade's convoys were heavily opposed during the convoy north.[15] The brigade was task organized with 1–153rd IN being detached to 3rd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division, in exchange for the attachment of 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, of George Armstrong Custer and LZ Albany fame, to the 39th Brigade.

1-153rd IN was headquartered in the Green Zone in Baghdad with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division.

The 39th BCT Headquarters, 239 MI Company, 239 Engineer Company, 2–7th CAV and 1–206th FA were stationed at Camp Cooke in Taji, Iraq.

2–7th CAV controlled a massive area of operations that stretched from just north of the Baghdad City Gate, north along Iraqi Highway 1, (MSR Tampa) to the city of Mushada, bounded on the east by the Tigris River, and stretching west to the boundary with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force, approximately 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) east of Fallujah. This Area of Operations was twice assumed by 1–206th FA when 2–7th CAV was detached from the 39th IBCT. 2–7th CAV was tasked with providing a Military Assistance Training Team to Company D, 307th Iraq National Guard Battalion, based in Mushada, Iraq.[16]

1-206th FA provided fires in support of 39th Brigade combat operations from Camp Taji; functioned as the base defense operations center (BDOC) for Camp Taji, manned the main entry control point (ECP) for Camp Taji; provided convoy and VIP escorts; and, controlled a small area of operations south of Camp Taji between Iraqi Highway 1 and the Tigris River. On two occasions 1–206th FA became responsible for the entire area of operations assigned to the 2–7 Cavalry. The 1–206th Field Artillery was also tasked with providing a military assistance training team to the Headquarters and Companies A, B, and C of the 307th Iraqi National Guard Battalion, which was also stationed at Camp Taji.[16] The 307th was the only Iraqi army element stationed on the Coalition Forces side of Camp Taji.

3-153rd IN was stationed at FOB Gunslinger (aka FOB Solidarity), in the Adhamiyah neighborhood of Baghdad which lies immediately to the west of Sadr City. Additionally 3–153rd was charged with patrolling a large area of operations that stretched north from Baghdad along the east side of the Tigris River, and included the city of Hussainiyah, a town of 500,000 about 12 miles north of Baghdad. 3–153rd Infantry was tasked with providing a military assistance training team to support the Headquarters and Companies C and D of the 301st Iraqi National Guard Battalion, and Company C, 102nd Iraqi National Guard Battalion.[16]

2–162nd Infantry was stationed at FOB Volunteer in the Rusafa neighborhood of Baghdad which lies to the south of Sadr City. 2–162nd Infantry was tasked with supplying a military assistance training team to Companies A and B, of the 301st Iraqi National Guard Battalion.[16]

Significant combat actions

In April 2004 the 39th came under rocket attack at Camp Cooke in Taji, resulting in four Arkansas soldiers killed in action, all members of the 39th Support Battalion, headquartered in Hazen, Arkansas.[17] The 24 April attack resulted in the highest single day casualty total for Arkansas soldiers since the Korean War.

Members of Company C, 1–153rd spent weeks fighting as part of Task Force 1–9 CAV, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division on the hotly contested area of Haifa Street in Baghdad.

2–7th Cavalry, including 1st Platoon, Company C, 3–153rd) was twice detached from the 39th BCT to act as the corps reserve. In August 2004, 2–7 was detached from Multi National Division Baghdad (MND-B) to Multi National Division-South (MND-S) as part of the Battle of Najaf (2004). In November 2004, 2–7 Cavalry was detached to the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force to take part in Operation Al-Fajr, Second Battle of Fallujah.

3-153rd IN provided security to two massive Shiite marches to the Khadamiyah Shrine which were staged through Sunni neighborhoods. They were accompanied by very little violence due to the battalion’s work with Iraqi National Guard and Iraqi Police officials.[18]

On 3 October 2004, SSG Christopher Potts (Battery A, 1–103rd FA) and SGT Russell "Doc" Collier, from 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery were killed in a fire fight with insurgents near the village of Musurraf, south of Camp Taji along the Tigris River. SGT Collier was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for his actions when he moved forward under heavy enemy fire in order to render aid to SSG Potts who had been shot while attempting to silence an enemy automatic weapon.[19] SSG Potts was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with V Device for his actions.[20]

On 14 November 2004, a patrol of 307th Iraqi National Guard Soldiers with an adviser team from 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery led by CPT John Vanlandingham, and an escort platoon from B Company, 3-153 Infantry was ambushed north of Mushada, Iraq. CPT Vanlandingham received the Silver Star medal for his actions to save several wounded Iraqi Army soldiers who had become separated from the patrol during the ambush. CPT Vanlandingham repeatedly exposed himself to enemy fire in order to carry wounded Iraqi soldiers to safety.[21]

The most coordinated enemy attack the brigade had seen occurred on 20 November 2004 when twenty-six soldiers of Company C, 3–153rd Infantry were ambushed near Ft. Apache in North Baghdad. They fended off over 100 insurgents for several hours without ammunition resupply or support. The platoon leader, First Lieutenant Michael McCarty, despite being wounded, endured intense enemy direct fire and personally neutralized an enemy machine gun emplacement without support. Lieutenant McCarty received the Silver Star for going above and beyond the call of duty.[22]

1-153rd IN conducted over 8,200 combat patrols, captured six division targets and contained or disrupted 15 vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attacks in their sector. The battalion worked to suppress indirect fire attacks on the International Zone during the Transfer of Iraqi Sovereignty and weekly Iraqi National Congress meetings. The 1–153rd battalion commander, LTC Kendall Penn also worked closely with the Karahda District Counsel to oversee over six million dollars of infrastructure and community improvement projects in the battalion's area of operations.

The 39th BCT was instrumental in the January 2005 elections. The brigade was responsible for the establishment and security of 20 different polling sites within the brigade's area of operations. In order to avoid jeopardizing the credibility of the election process, it was necessary to avoid a Coalition Force presence at the polling sites. This meant that the security at the polling sites would be the responsibility of the New Iraqi Army units for which the 39th was responsible. 39th Brigade leaders spent countless hours planning and coordination with Iraqi counterpart units and governmental elections officials, and not one polling site in the 39th BCT area of operations was disrupted or forced to close.[23]

Media coverage

The members of the brigade's 239th Engineer Company stationed in Camp Cooke and their families back in Arkansas were the subject of a TV documentary series that aired on the Discovery Times channel called Off To War.

The 39th was also covered by embedded reporter Amy Schlesing of the Arkansas Democrat Gazette for the entire time in Iraq. The definitive work on the 39th Brigade's first deployment to Iraq was published by the Arkansas Democrat Gazette. The work entitled The Bowie Brigade, Arkansas National Guard's 39th Infantry Brigade in Iraq was published in 2005 and is a collection of the work of Ms. Schlesing and the embedded writers and photographers who accompanied the brigade: Statnon Breidenthal, Karen E. Segrave, Arron Skinner, Stephen B. Thorton and Michael Woods.

Redeployment

The 39th BCT was relieved in place by the 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division, on 12 March 2005, which was the same unit that the 39th BCTs, 1–206th Field Artillery had relieved at Camp Taji on 24 March 2004.[15] During the deployment the brigade suffered a total of thirty six killed in action, including soldiers from attached units. Sixteen of those killed in action were members of the Arkansas National Guard. Members of the 39th BCT were awarded three Silver Star Medals, dozens of Bronze Stars and Army Commendation Medals with V device and over 250 Purple Heart Medals. In the March 2005, units of the 39th BCT started their rotation back to Fort Carson, Colorado, Fort Hood, Texas, and Fort Sill, Oklahoma for demobilization.

Order of battle OIF II

The following units were task organized under the 39th Brigade Combat Team during Operation Iraqi Freedom II[24]

Battalion Company Source
HHC, 39th BCT Arkansas National Guard
*2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment HHC, 2–7 CAV Fort Hood, TX
Troop A, 2–7 CAV Fort Hood, TX
Troop B, 2–7 CAV Fort Hood, TX
Troop C, 2–7 CAV Fort Hood, TX
1st Platoon, Company C, 3–153rd Infantry Arkansas National Guard
Troop C, 3rd Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment Fort Hood, TX
Company B, 2-162 IN Oregon National Guard
Battery F, 1st Battalion, 202rd Air Defense Artillery Regiment Illinois National Guard
3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment HHC, 3-153 IN Arkansas National Guard
Company A, 3–153 IN Arkansas National Guard
Company C, 3-153 IN Arkansas National Guard
Company D, 3-153 IN Arkansas National Guard
Troop E, 151 Cavalry Regiment Arkansas National Guard
Elements of Company C, 1st Battalion, 102nd Infantry Regiment Connecticut National Guard
2nd Battalion, 162 Infantry Regiment HHC, 2-162 IN Oregon National Guard
Company A, 2–162 IN Oregon National Guard
Company C, 2-162 IN Oregon National Guard
Company D, 2-162 IN Oregon National Guard
Elements of Company B, 1st Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment New York National Guard
1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment HHSB, 1–206th FA Arkansas National Guard
Battery A, 1–206th FA Arkansas National Guard
Battery B, 1–206th FA Arkansas National Guard
Battery C, 1–206th FA Arkansas National Guard
Battery A, 1st Battalion, 103rd Field Artillery Rhode Island National Guard
Section 1, Battery B, 2nd Battalion-82nd Field Artillery (Paladin) Fort Hood, Texas
Section 2, Battery B, 2nd Battalion-82nd Field Artillery (Paladin) Fort Hood, Texas
39th Support Battalion HHC, 39th SB Arkansas National Guard
Company A, 39th SB Arkansas National Guard
Company B, 39th SB Arkansas National Guard
Company C, 39th SB Arkansas National Guard
1115th Transportation Company New Mexico National Guard
642nd Maintenance Company New Mexico National Guard
Separate Units 239th Engineer Company Arkansas National Guard
239th Military Intelligence Company Arkansas National Guard
Elements of 629th Military Intelligence Battalion Maryland National Guard
Elements of HHSC, 233rd Military Intelligence Company California National Guard
Company A, 28th Signal Battalion Pennsylvania National Guard
**1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment HHC, 1–153rd In Arkansas National Guard
Company A, 1–153 IN Arkansas National Guard
Company B, 1–153 IN Arkansas National Guard
Company C, 1–153 IN Arkansas National Guard
Company D, 1–153 IN Arkansas National Guard
Troop A, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Fort Hood, Texas

1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment was task organized under 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division during OIF II.

Reorganization as a brigade combat team

Upon redeployment in 2005, the 39th Brigade immediately began a major reorganization that transformed the brigade from an enhanced separate brigade (ESB) to an infantry brigade combat team (IBCT) under the United States Army's new Modular Design. This redesign of the army was intended to make the force more easily deployable by making brigades more self contained and less dependent on support organizations at the division level. Major changes for the 39th Brigade included:

  • Transition from a brigadier general to a colonel as Brigade Commander
  • Deactivation of 3rd Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment
  • Deactivation of Troop E, 151st Cavalry Regiment
  • Deactivation of Battery C, 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment
  • Activation of 1st Squadron, 151st Cavalry Regiment, with headquarters at Warren, Arkansas
  • Activation of Special Troops Battalion, 39th IBCT, with headquarters at Conway Arkansas
  • Activation of four new Forward Support Companies, D, E, F and G under the 39th BSB.
  • Reorganization of 239th MI Company as Company B, STB, 39th IBCT
  • Reorganization of 239th Engineer Company as Company A, STB, 39th IBCT
  • Activation of Company C (Signal), STB, 39th IBCT

Along with this reorganization came a significant re-stationing of several units within the state of Arkansas.

Operation Katrina

After Hurricane Katrina hit Louisiana in August 2005, elements of the 39th deployed to New Orleans by C-130s from the Little Rock Air Force Base to support the relief and recovery efforts as part of Operation Katrina.[25] Under tactical control of the Louisiana National Guard, 39th soldiers were given the mission of providing security and food and water to an estimated 20,000 people at the New Orleans Convention Center on 2 September.[26] By the afternoon of 3 September, all individuals staying in and around the Convention Center had been evacuated. The mission of the 39th in Louisiana grew to the point that at one time the brigade was responsible for working with local officials in fourteen parishes. Elements of the 39th and the Arkansas National Guard stayed deployed in Louisiana until February 2006.

Operation Jump Start

In June 2006 the 39th Brigade began deploying troops along the Southwest Border with Mexico as part of Operation Jump Start. The brigade manned two sectors of the border around Lordsburg, New Mexico and near Deming, New Mexico. Unit members occupied observation posts and reported activity along the border to the United States Border Patrol.[27] Various battalions within the 39th Brigade were tasked with supplying volunteer companies during this period. The Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery manned the Deming station from December 2006 through June 2007. While serving in Operation Jump Start members of the brigade were able to begin preparing for the brigade's second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The 1st Arkansas Infantry and the 2nd Arkansas Infantry, the parent units of the 153rd Infantry Regiment and the 142nd Field Artillery Regiment, were stationed in these same areas of New Mexico ninety years earlier during General "Black Jack" Pershing's punitive Mexican Expedition against Pancho Villa.

Second OIF deployment
39th IBCT members stand forming a brigade patch on the parade field Camp Shelby MS

The 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team received an alert for a second deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in April 2007.,[28] The brigade had been home almost exactly two years since demobilizing after OIF II.

This deployment would be dramatically different from the first. Instead of deploying as a brigade combat team, the brigade was tasked with filling 28 unit requests for forces (URFs). These taskings involved supplying convoy security companies, force protection companies, base defense operations center and garrison command cells.[29] Additionally, instead of an 18-month mobilization, with 12 months actually deployed to Iraq like the first tour, this mobilization would be for a total of 12 months, with approximately 10 months being deployed to the combat theater.

Once again the brigade found itself with a shortage of personnel to fill these taskings. Many of these shortages were caused by unresolved medical issues from the first deployment. This time the Arkansas National Guard decided not to ask for outside support, but met the brigade's need for personnel by task organizing the 217th Brigade Support Battalion from the 142nd Fires Brigade, and three companies from the 87th Troop Command to the 39th Brigade for this deployment.

The brigade was placed on duty in October 2007 to prepare for its second deployment to Iraq while still under state control. It began a 90-day pre-mobilization training period at Chaffee Maneuver Training Center (CMTC)on 1 October 2007.[30] This allowed the unit to perform certain tasks in Arkansas and allowed unit members to be closer to their families for a longer period of time.

The brigade was placed in federal service in January 2008 and trained at Camp Shelby, Mississippi until it deployed to Iraq beginning in March 2008.

Order of battle for second OIF deployment

Upon reaching their final destinations, most of the brigade elements fell under the tactical command (TACON) of Regular Army units, primarily the 4th Infantry Division and the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary). The 39th BCT and its subordinate battalions retained administrative control (ADCON) of all brigade elements.

Battalion Company Station
HHC, 39th BCT Camp Victory
1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment HHC, 1–153rd In Camp Victory
Company A, 1–153 IN Camp Victory
Company B, 1–153 IN Camp Victory
Company C, 1–153 IN Camp Victory
Troop A, 1–151 CAV International Zone
Company A, 39th Support Battalion Green Zone
2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment HHC, 2-153 IN Al Asad Airbase
Company A, 2–153 IN Al Asad Airbase
Company B, 2-153 IN Al Asad Airbase
Company C, 2-153 IN Al Asad Airbase
Company D, 2-153 IN Al Asad Airbase
1st Squadron, 151st Cavalry Regiment HHT, 1–151 CAV Talil Air Base
Troop B, 1–151 CAV Talil Air Base
Troop C, 1–151 CAV Talil Air Base
216th Military Police Company, 871st Troop Command Talil Air Base
Company D, 39th Support Battalion Talil Air Base
1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment HHSB, 1–206th FA Camp Taji
Battery A, 1–206th FA Camp Liberty,
Battery B, 1–206th FA Camp Taji
Company G, 39th SB Camp Taji
1123rd Transportation Company, 871st Troop Command Camp Taji
1038th Horizontal Construction Company, 875th Engineer Battalion Camp Taji
217th Brigade Support Battalion, 142nd Field Artillery Brigade HHC, 217th BSB Talil Air Base
Company A, 217th BSB Talil Air Base
Company B, 217th BSB Talil Air Base
Company A, Special Troops Battalion, 39th IBCT Talil Air Base
Company F, 39th Support Battalion Talil Air Base

Task Force Bowie

While deployed in Iraq from April to December 2008, the headquarters of the 39th IBCT assumed the mission as the base defense operations cell (BDOC) for Victory Base Camp (VBC) in Baghdad, Iraq, responsible for the security of over 65,000 coalition soldiers and civilians.[31] With this mission, the BCT headquarters managed and coordinated the security of four subordinate camps and Area Defense Operation Centers (ADOCs), to include: Camp Victory, Camp Striker, Camp Slayer, and Camp Liberty. The BCT headquarters managed entry control and personnel processing at four major entry control points (ECPs) and processed over 2,500 local national workers each day. In addition to internal base security, the BCT managed terrain outside the perimeter in order to better provide defense in depth, as well as improve quality of life for Iraqi population centers adjacent to VBC. These responsibilities also included the Baghdad International Airport (BIAP) that was located in the center of VBC. The BCT, in partnership with its subordinate units, coordinated nearly ten million dollars in projects that benefited local Iraqi communities.

During this same time period, the BCT invested over twenty-one million dollars in base defense improvement to VBC, to include improved towers, barriers, fencing, perimeter lighting, road improvement, water projects, and general force protection initiatives.[31] The 39th IBCT was also charged with providing command and control for the Counter-RAM, Joint Intercept Battery, a system used to destroy incoming artillery, rockets and mortar rounds in the air before they hit their ground targets.

For their efforts, the headquarters, 39th IBCT received the Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC) from the commander, 4th Infantry Division.

The 39th IBCT's task organization for the BDOC mission was:

Battalion Source Station
HHC, 39th BCT Camp Victory
1st Battalion, 153d Infantry Regiment Arkansas National Guard Camp Slayer
1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division Camp Liberty
Counter-Rocket/Mortar Joint Intercept Battery Victory Base Complex
Special Troops Battalion, 4th Infantry Division 4th Infantry Division Victory Base Complex

Task Force 1–153rd IN

Task Force 1–153rd consisted of a Headquarters Company, a Joint Visitor's Bureau Company, a Personal Security Detachment Troop and two Base Defense Companies. The task force was responsible for the force protection and defense of Camp Slayer and the Radwiniya Palace Complex within the Victory Base Camp. The TF 1–153rd searched over 10,000 cars and 35,600 Iraqis to ensure no threats penetrated the perimeter. Soldiers assigned to TF 1–153rd executed 996 combat patrols in the area of operations surrounding Camp Slayer and captured six high-value targets.

Task Force 2–153rd IN

TF 2–153rd was stationed in Al Asad Airbase, Iraq and was organized as a convoy security battalion. The battalion provided convoy security to theater sustainment convoys using the Jordan Line of Communications from Trebil to Al Asad and Forward Operating Base TQ. The unit conducted seventy six combat logistical patrols, four to six days in length, driving over 1,587,000 miles. TF 2–153rd experienced one casualty during OIF 09-09 when an escort vehicle was accidentally struck while providing security at an intersection by one of the escorted vehicles.

Task Force 1–151st CAV

Task Force 1–151st CAV, based at Tallil Airbase, consisted of over 800 soldiers assigned to six companies/troops/batteries consisting of active and reserve components. TF 1–151st CAV conducted over 700 tactical convoy security missions, without losing a single soldier due to enemy activity. The task force was responsible for long haul fuel mission between Tallil Air Base, Logistical Base Sitz, Taji and Balad Air Base. TF 1–151st CAV suffered one non-combat related casualty when a soldier died while working on a vehicle in the motor pool.

1–206th Field Artillery

The Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1–206th Field Artillery was assigned to function as the Garrison Command Cell at Camp Taji, Iraq. The 39th Brigade Deputy Commanding Officer, COL Kirk Van Pelt accompanied the 1–206th to Taji and acted as the garrison commander. The organic units of the 1–206th FA were attached to various battalions in the 1st Sustainment Brigade as convoy security companies. Batteries A and B and Company G, 39th BSB were tasked to escort convoys of concrete barriers to Baghdad during the Siege of Sadr City. The "Clear, Hold, Build Concept" as it was employed in Sadr City involved cordoning several city blocks by emplacing 12–14-foot-tall (3.7–4.3 m) concrete barriers around the area to be sealed off. These barriers weighed several tons each, so an entire convoy might move only 30–40 barriers. The convoy escort team would escort the civilian trucks hauling the barriers from Camp Taji or Camp Liberty to Sadr City, and then provide security on the site for up to six hours while cranes lifted and emplaced each barrier. These missions often came under small arms fire and the threat of improvised explosive devices was constant. The 1–206th FA suffered no killed in action during this second deployment, although Battery B had one killed in action from an attached Regular Army unit. SGT Jose Ulloa, of 515th Transportation Company was killed on 8 August 2008 went the MRAP that he was riding in was struck by an improvised explosive device during a convoy security mission in Sadr City, Baghdad.[32] SGT Ulloa's platoon was attached to Battery B as a convoy security platoon at the time of his death.

Redeployment and reintegration

The 39th IBCT redeployed to Camp Shelby, Mississippi in December 2008 and demobilized. Unlike the first deployment, the soldiers of the 39th were supported by a massive reintegration effort. Soldiers and their families participated in Yellow Ribbon reintegration events at the thirty-, sixty- and ninety-day post redeployment intervals. The soldiers and their families were provided with lodging at convention centers around the state for these events. The soldiers were presented with information on Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR), employment counseling, marriage counseling, Veterans Affairs benefits, post traumatic stress disorder and suicide prevention. Each event included a job fair to assist soldiers in finding employment.

Fallen soldiers

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2004–2005
  • Sergeant First Class William W. Labadie Jr. of Bauxite, Age 45. Killed in Action, 7 April 2004
  • Captain Arthur L. Felder of Lewisville, Age 36. Killed in Action, 24 April 2004
  • Chief Warrant Officer Patrick W. Kordsmeier of North Little Rock, Age 49. Killed in Action, 24 April 2004
  • Staff Sergeant Billy J. Orton of Carlisle, Age 41. Killed in Action, 24 April 2004
  • Staff Sergeant Stacey C. Brandon of Hazen, Age 35. Killed in Action, 24 April 2004
  • Specialist Kenneth Melton of Batesville, Age 30. Killed in Action, 25 April 2004
  • Staff Sergeant Hesley Box of Nashville, Age 24. Killed in Action, 6 May 2004
  • Sergeant First Class Troy Leon Miranda of Wickes, Age 44. Killed in Action, 20 May 2004
  • Sergeant Russell L. Collier of Harrison, Age 48. Killed in Action, 3 October 2004
  • Staff Sergeant Christopher S. Potts of Tiverton, RI, age 38. Killed in Action, 3 October 2004
  • Sergeant Ronald Wayne Baker of Cabot, Age 34. Killed in Action, 13 October 2004
  • Sergeant Michael Smith of Camden, Age 24. Killed in Action, 26 November 2004
  • Corporal Jimmy Buie of Floral, Age 43. Killed in Action, 4 January 2005
  • Specialist Joshua Marcum of Evening Shade, Age 33. Killed in Action, 4 January 2005
  • Specialist Jeremy McHalffey of Mabelvale, Age 28. Killed in Action, 4 January 2005
  • Specialist Lyle Rymer II of Fort Smith, Age 24. Killed in Action, 28 January 2005
  • Staff Sergeant William Robbins of North Little Rock, Age 31. Killed in Line of Duty, 10 February 2005

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2008
  • Sergeant First Class Anthony Lynn Woodham, Age 37, of Rogers, Ark., Heber Springs, Ark., died 5 July 2008, at Camp Adder, Tallil, Iraq, from non-combat related injuries.
  • Specialist James M. Clay, Age 25, of Mountain Home, Ark.; Little Rock, Ark.; died 13 November 2008 in Anbar province, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident.[33]

Unit awards

The service of several of the brigade's units has been recognized by unit awards:

  • 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation (MUC) for the period of 17 March 2004 through 23 March 2005.
  • Meritorious Unit Commendation
  • Company C, 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry was awarded a Valorous Unit Award (VUA) for the period of 24 March 2004 through 20 January 2005.
  • 1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery was awarded the Combat Action Battalion, streamer for the period of 17 March 2004 – 14 March 2005.
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) 39th IBCT was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for the period of 1 April 2008 through 1 December 2008.
  • Meritorious Unit Commendation

Current command
COL Cary A. Shillcutt
  • The 39th is currently commanded by Colonel Jonathan M. Stubbs. COL Stubbs served with the 39th during its OIF II deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and is a former commander of the 2-153rd Infantry.
  • The current Command Sergeant Major is Command Sergeant Major Gregory J. White. CSM White is a former CSM of the 875th Engineer Battalion of the 87th Troop Command.

Previous commanders

The 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was authorized a brigadier general for a commanding officer until 2005 when the brigade was reorganized as a modular brigade combat team, at which time the commanding officer's grade was downgraded to colonel.[34]

  • COL Michael E. "Mike" Spraggins, commander 39th IBCT, 2015-2018
  • COL John M. "Mickey" Stewart, commander, 39th IBCT, 2012–2015
  • COL Kirk E. Van Pelt, commander, 39th IBCT, 2009–2012
  • COL Kendall W. Penn, commander, 39th IBCT, 2007–2009
  • COL George M. "Mike" Ross, commander, 39th IBCT, 2005–2007
  • BG Ronald S. Chastain, commander, 39th BCT, 2000–2005
  • BG Walter A. Paulson II, commander, 39th BCT 1996–2000
  • BG Don C. Morrow, commander, 39th BCT, 1994–1996
  • BG Wesley V. Jacobs, commander, 39th BCT, 1990–1994
  • BG Melvin C. Thrash, commander, 39th BCT, 1986–1990
  • BG James A. Ryan, commander, 39th BCT, 1984–1986
  • BG Oliver W. Myers, commander. 39th BCT, 1981–1984
  • BG John B. Webb, Jr, commander. 39th BCT, 1978–1981
  • BG Harold L. Gwatney, commander. 39th BCT 1973–1978
  • BG Joseph A. Chappell, commander, 39th BCT 1971–1973
  • BG Dan Walker, commander, 39th BCT, 1967–1971

Current units
  • 153rd Infantry Regiment
  • 138th Infantry Regiment
  • 134th Cavalry Regiment
  • 206th Field Artillery Regiment (206th FAR)
  • 39th Brigade Support Battalion (39th BSB)
  • Special Troops Battalion (STB), 39th BCT
Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 39th BCT "Bladerunners" : North Little Rock, Arkansas
1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment "Warrior" : Malvern, Arkansas
2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment "Gunslinger" : Searcy, Arkansas
1st Battalion, 138th Infantry Regiment "Grey" : Kansas City, Missouri [35]
1st Squadron, 134th Cavalry Regiment (IBCT) "Wolf" : Lincoln, Nebraska (effective 9/1/17)[36][37]
1st Battalion, 206th Field Artillery Regiment (1-206th FAR) "Aleutian" : Russellville, Arkansas
39th Brigade Support Battalion (39th BSB) "Provider": Hazen, Arkansas
Special Troops Battalion, 39th BCT (STB, 39th BCT) "Ready": Conway, Arkansas[38]

Dress Distinctions

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

The unit's shoulder sleeve insignia consists of a Bowie knife over a diamond.[39] The Bowie knife symbolizes the state of Arkansas, where the Bowie knife originated, and close hand-to-hand fighting which is the specialty of the light infantry. The diamond is a reference to a unique aspect of the state of Arkansas which has the only diamond field in North America in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. The red and blue colors are the colors of the Arkansas flag and represent both their loyalty (blue) and the blood (red) that its soldiers have shed for both the state of Arkansas, and the United States in its operations. The brigade motto is "Courage".

The ultimate symbol of the 39th Brigade Combat Team is the Bowie knife that adorns the brigade patch and is worn by certain field grade officers and command sergeants major in the brigade.[40]

The most famous version of the Bowie knife was designed by Jim Bowie and presented to Arkansas blacksmith James Black in the form of a carved wooden model in December 1830.[41] Black produced the knife ordered by Bowie, and at the same time created another based on Bowie's original design but with a sharpened edge on the curved top edge of the blade. Black offered Bowie his choice and Bowie chose the modified version.[42] Knives like that one, with a blade shaped like that of the Bowie knife, but with a pronounced false edge, are today called "Sheffield Bowie" knives, because this blade shape became so popular that cutlery factories in Sheffield, England were mass-producing such knives for export to the U.S. by 1850, usually with a handle made from either hardwood, deer antler, or bone, and sometimes with a guard and other fittings of sterling silver.[43]

Bowie returned, with the Black-made knife, to Texas and was involved in a knife fight with three men who had been hired to kill him.[44] Bowie killed the three would-be assassins with his new knife and the fame of the knife grew.[41] Legend holds that one man was almost decapitated, the second was disemboweled, and the third had his skull split open.[41] Bowie died at the Battle of the Alamo five years later and both he and his knife became more famous. The fate of the original Bowie knife is unknown; however, a knife bearing the engraving "Bowie No. 1" has been acquired by the Historic Arkansas Museum from a Texas collector and has been attributed to Black through scientific analysis.

Black soon did a booming business making and selling these knives out of his shop in Washington, Arkansas. Black continued to refine his technique and improve the quality of the knife as he went. In 1839, shortly after his wife's death, Black was nearly blinded when, while he was in bed with illness, his father-in-law and former partner broke into his home and attacked him with a club, having objected to his daughter having married Black years earlier. Black was no longer able to continue in his trade.

Black's knives were known to be exceedingly tough, yet flexible, and his technique has not been duplicated. Black kept his technique secret and did all of his work behind a leather curtain. Many claim that Black rediscovered the secret of producing true Damascus steel.[42]

In 1870, at the age of 70, Black attempted to pass on his secret to the son of the family that had cared for him in his old age, Daniel Webster Jones. However, Black had been retired for many years and found that he himself had forgotten the secret. Jones would later become Governor of Arkansas.

The birthplace of the Bowie knife is now part of the Old Washington Historic State Park which has over forty restored historical buildings and other facilities including Black's shop. The park is known as "The Colonial Williamsburg of Arkansas". The American Bladesmith Society established the William F. Moran School of Bladesmithing at this site to instruct new apprentices as well as journeyman, and mastersmiths in the art of bladesmithing.

As described in the 39th Anniversary Brigade Annual, published for the 39th Brigade's 39th anniversary celebration in 2006 at the brigade headquarters in Ricks Armory, Little Rock, Arkansas, the Bowie knife has been the individual weapon of senior leaders in the brigade since the creation of the brigade in 1967.[45] Only knives that are procured by order of the brigade commander are authorized for wear or presentation. The handle of the knife is commensurate with the leader's rank:[46]

  • General officers are authorized ivory handles.
  • Colonels wear knives with stag handles,
  • Field grade officers and the aide-de-camp wear black handles
  • CW3s and above are authorized walnut handles.
  • Command sergeants major and sergeants major are authorized the cherry wood handle
  • Retired master sergeants are authorized cocobolo handles.

The knife is worn on a pistol belt on the bear's left side with the Army Combat Uniform. The brigade Bowie knife has been worn by members through two deployments in support of OIF II.

The knife continues to be produced in Arkansas. Until his death, each presentation-grade knife was handmade by Mr. Jimmy Lile of Russellville, Arkansas. Mr. Lile was also commissioned to make the knives made by Sylvester Stallone in the "Rambo" movies. The Lile family continued to make the "Bowie knife" for the brigade for several years following Mr. Lile's death. Today the brigade's knife is produced by Mr. Kenny Teague of Mountainburg, Arkansas. The general public cannot purchase one of these knives, but can purchase a different style based on the Bowie knife pattern.

Each brigade Bowie knife bears the recipient's name, social security number, rank, and military branch, as well as the maker's name and serial number of the knife.[45]

Distinctive Unit Insignia

The stars stand for France, Spain, and the United States, the countries to which the Arkansas Territory belonged. The diamond shape was suggested by the state flag, while the wavy bar symbolizes the Arkansas River with the arrow referring to the Indian name "Arkansa." The Green background alludes to the wooded hills of the Ouachita and Ozark national forest. The arrow in flight is used as a symbol of the brigade defending the state.

gollark: I will also enter the "dungeon".
gollark: I REFUSE to consume alcoholols.
gollark: Okay. I can do stuff now.
gollark: For purposes.
gollark: AutoBotRobot WHEN?

See also

References
  1. "Special Designation Listing". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 June 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
  2. McGrath, John J. (2004). The Brigade: A History: Its Organization and Employment in the US Army. Combat Studies Institute Press. ISBN 978-1-4404-4915-4. p.167
  3. GlobalSecurity.org, Military, Agencies, Army, III Corps, 7th Infantry Division, 39th Infantry Bde, 2–153rd Infantry Battalion, "Gunslinger". Retrieved 4 January 2010. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-153in.htm
  4. The National Guard Education Foundation, National Guard Division Histories (by John Listman, unless otherwise noted), 39th Infantry Division. Retrieved 13 January 2010 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 29 February 2012. Retrieved 2016-04-14.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  5. Global Security.org, 39th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate/Enhanced). Retrieved 21 January 2010, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/39in-bde.htm
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 2010-02-05.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  7. 1967–2002, 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), The Arkansas Brigade, 35 Years of Excellence, A Brief History of the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate)
  8. Burgess, Colonel James; Beveridge, Colonel Reid K. and Hargrove, Colonel George: "THE NATIONAL GUARD, THE MONTGONERY AMENDMENT AND ITS IMPLICATIONS", United States Army War College, Carlislie Barracks, PA, 1990, Accessed 16 April 2012, http://www.dtic.mil/cgi-bin/GetTRDoc?AD=ADA237993
  9. Global Security. Org, 3–153rd Infantry Battalion. Retrieved 22 January 2010, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/3-153in.htm
  10. 1967–2002, 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), The Arkansas Brigade, 35 Years of Excellence, Memorandum from BG Ronald S. Chastain
  11. Global Security. Org, 2–153rd Infantry Battalion "Gunslinger". Retrieved 12 January 2010. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/2-153in.htm
  12. BIO of BG Chastain. Retrieved 19 January 2009, http://www.chastaincentral.com/content/ron.html
  13. Restoring Essential Services In Baghdad During Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Colonel L. Barrett Holmes, The U.S. Army War College
  14. Restoring Essential Services in Baghdad During Operation Iraqi Freedom II, Colonel L. Barrett Holmes, The U.S. Army War College, Page 5
  15. Stars and Stripes Mideast edition, 39th Brigade passes torch at Camp Taji, Vince Little, Saturday, 12 March 2005. Retrieved 19 January 2010, http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=27694
  16. 1st Cavalry Division History, Order of Battle. Retrieved 21 January 2010, http://www.first-team.us/tableaux/apndx_03/
  17. Global Security . Org, Army News Service, Mortar attack gets quick response in Taji. Retrieved 20 January 2010 http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2004/04/mil-040429-usa01.htm
  18. Stars and Stripes, Mideast edition, 39th Brigade passes torch at Camp Taji, Vince Little, Saturday, 12 March 2005. Retrieved 19 January 2010, http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=27694
  19. National Guard, Distinguished Service Cross and Silver Star Recipients, Guardsmen recognized for actions "above and beyond" in GWOT, John Listman, National Guard Bureau. Retrieved 31 December 2009. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 July 2009. Retrieved 31 December 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  20. Military .com, Unit Pages, A/1-103rd FA Brigade- Operation Iraqi Freedom. Retrieved 30 December 2009. http://www.military.com/HomePage/UnitPageHistory/1,13506,103477%7C819800,00.html , See also. National Guard, About the Guard, 15 October 2004, 39th Brigade Memorial Service Remembers Heroism of Fallen Soldiers, 1st Lt. Chris J. Heathscott. Retrieved 31 December 2009. http://www.nationalguard.com/news/2004/oct/15/39th-brigade-memorial-service-remembers-heroism-of-fallen-soldiers
  21. Saluting American Valor, Selfless Courage at the moment of truth, John F. Vanlandingham, Arkansas National Guard / Silver Star, Arkansas national guardsman repeatedly put his life on the line to save Iraqis he trained, By Lewis Delavan, Stephens Media LLC 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2009 "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 19 November 2009. Retrieved 30 December 2009.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  22. Michael McCarty, Arkansas Army National Guard, Silver Star By: The Associated Press – The Sentinel-Record – Published: 26 November 2009. Retrieved 19 January 10, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 July 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  23. DA Form 7594, Unit Award Recommendation, Meritorious Unit Award Recommendation submitted by 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry for OIF II
  24. "1ST Cavalry Division"; MG Peter W. Chiarelli Briefing to Friends of the First Team- prepared by public Affair Office, 1st Cavalry Division, 27 January 2004; See also, Cavalry Outpost Publications. Retrieved 14 January 2009, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 27 September 2011. Retrieved 26 January 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  25. New Orleans: post-Katrina violence was exaggerated, Bill Wineburg. Retrieved 14 January 2010. http://ww4report.com/node/1131
  26. Rainbows and Believers. Retrieved 15 January 2010, http://www.rosensteel.com/Web/arkansasnationalguard.html%5B%5D
  27. The National Guard, Arkansas Soldiers Keep Watch on New Mexico Desert, Maj. Keith Moore, Air National Guard Public Affairs Officer, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 20 July 2011. Retrieved 2009-12-31.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  28. The Army Times, Half of Ark. 39th Infantry Brigade to leave, Jon Gambrell, Associated Press. Retrieved 15 January 2010, http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/01/ap_arkansasguard_080102/
  29. Arkansas Matters.com, 39th Brigade Heading Home from Iraq. Retrieved 19 January 2010, http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/news/?cid=158841%5B%5D
  30. Nation Journal Cover Stories, The Guard's Turn to Surge, Sydney J. Freedberg. Retrieved 14 January 2010. http://www.nationaljournal.com/about/njweekly/stories/2007/1214nj1.htm
  31. DA Form 7594, Unit Award Recommendation, Meritorious Unit Award Recommendation submitted by HHC, 39th IBCT for the period 1 April 2008 through 1 December 2008
  32. Stars and Stripes, Mideast edition, Wednesday, 13 August 2008, Mannheim Service Member killed in Baghdad, Steve Mraz. Retrieved 31 December 2009. http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=56717 , See also Facebook, Groups, In memory of Sergeant Jose Ulloa. Retrieved 31 December 2009. http://www.facebook.com/notify-NGB_Splash_Screen?aHR0cDovL3d3dy5mYWNlYm9vay5jb20v#/group.php?gid=174381750758
  33. http://www.armytimes.com/honorthefallen
  34. flyer entitled "39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Arkansas Army National Guard, Thirtieth Anniversary, 1967–1997, The Arkansas Brigade, Celebrating 30 years of Service to our State and Nation, 6 December 1997, Earl T. Ricks Armory, Little Rock, Arkansas"
  35. https://www.facebook.com/39thIBCT/photos/ms.c.eJxFzssNwDAIA9CNKn4Bs~;9iDaQ0EqcnY2BR30PumsYuDzesDCUnKAaQnYj8wIUbLC5kSBjoBzkJH1hSpQEdABpuB~;LArMTe3h20bEC0rmjMY~;VnJRQvU7Mo~_w~-~-.bps.a.1236235759727526.1073741992.172658472751932/1236236066394162/?type=3
  36. Schweers, Jory (20 November 2015). "Restructure of Nebraska Army National Guard". Beatrice Daily Sun. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  37. Hynes, Kevin (21 March 2017). "Nebraska Army Guard cavalrymen exchange 'Pikes' for 'Bowie' knives". Joint Force Headquarters - Nebraska National Guard – via DVIDS.
  38. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 9 June 2012. Retrieved 25 December 2011.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  39. The Institute of Heraldry, The Bowie Brigade. Retrieved 19 January 2009, "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 13 November 2009. Retrieved 19 January 2010.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  40. Arkansas 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Bowie Edition, Volume 07-12, Bringing a Knife to a Gunfight, page 36
  41. Cumpston, Mike ( 1 April 2007). "The American Excalibur (sic): Jim Bowie's lethal legacy". Guns Magazine. Retrieved 2008-07-21, http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_4_53/ai_n27161901
  42. Johnson, Russel (2006). "The Bowie Knife and the Arkansas Toothpick". The Arkansas Travelog Home Page. Archived from the original on 22 June 2004. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  43. Cumpston, Mike ( 1 April 2007). "The American Excalibur (sic): Jim Bowie's lethal legacy". Guns Magazine. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_4_53/ai_n27161901. Retrieved 21 July 2008.
  44. Pacella, Gerard (2002), 100 Legendary Knives, Iola, USA, Krause Publications, 145. ISBN 0-87349-417-2
  45. "39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), Arkansas Army National Guard, Thirtieth Anniversary, 1967–1997, The Arkansas Brigade, Celebrating 30 years of Service to our State and Nation, 6 December 1997, Earl T. Ricks National Guard Armory
  46. Arkansas 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Bowie Edition, Volume 07-12, Bringing a Knife to a Gunfight, page 37
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