299th Brigade Support Battalion (United States)

299th Brigade Support Battalion
Active	23 March 1966 –
Country	United States
Type	Support
Nickname(s)	Lifeline
Motto(s)	On Call To Serve
Colors	Maroon
Engagements	World War I World War II Vietnam War Afghanistan Campaign Iraq Campaign File:299thBSBcrest.jpg

The 299th Brigade Support Battalion, also known as the Lifeline, is a support battalion in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 1st Infantry Division. The battalion is stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas.

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 with a chevron embattled of seven to chief between a bayonet and a rose with a yellow center on a red background. Attached below the shield a silver scroll inscribed "ON CALL TO SERVE" in blue letters. Symbolism: The chevron, representing the rafters supporting a roof, stands for the Battalion's support function. The embattled upper edge of the chevron indicates capability for combat support; the embattlements are seven in number in reference to the organization's original designation. The white bayonet on the blue background, for Infantry, refers to both the unit's activation in Georgia at Fort Benning, called the "Home of the Infantry," and to its initial assignment to an Infantry Brigade. The white heraldic rose on the scarlet background represents the Cherokee Rose, the Georgia State flower. The gold barbs of the rose simulate a star and refer to the conception of Support Battalions by the Army Staff study entitled "CO-STAR." Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 7th Support Battalion on 8 November 1966. It was redesignated for the 299th Support Battalion on 17 June 1983.

Units

The 299th BSB, as of 2008, is composed of:

• Headquarters and Headquarters Company "Headhunters" is the Headquarters Staff
• Alpha Company "Atlas" is the Transportation Unit
• Bravo Company "Bandits" is the Maintenance Unit
• Charlie Company "Cobras" is the Medical Unit
• Delta Company "Seminoles" is the Forward Support Company for 5-4 CAV
• Echo Company "Eagles" is the Forward Support Company for 1-63 AR
• Foxtrot Company "Falcon" is the Forward Support Company for 1-18 IN
• Golf Company "Gunslinger" is the Forward Support Company for 1-7 FA

History

Origin

The 299th Brigade Support Battalion was constituted on 23 March 1966 in the Regular Army as the 7th Support Battalion and assigned to the 199th Separate Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning GA.

Operation New Dawn

In November 2010, the 299th Brigade Support Battalion deployed to Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn. They are currently deployed.

Lineage

• Constituted 23 March 1966 in the Regular Army as the 7th Support Battalion and assigned to the 199th Separate Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia
• Activated on 1 June 1966
• Inactivated 15 October 1970 and redesignated as the 299th Forward Support Battalion
• Activated on 20 October 1983 and assigned to the 1st Infantry Division in Schweinfurt, Germany
• Inactivated on 15 August 1991
• Reactivated on 16 February 1996
• Redesignated in March 2008 as the 299th Brigade Support Battalion at Fort Riley, Kansas

Honors

Campaign Participation Credit

• World War I

1. Montdidier-Noyon
2. Aisne-Marne
3. St. Mihiel
4. Meuse-Argonne
5. Lorraine 1917
6. Lorraine 1918
7. Picardy 1918

• World War II

1. Normandy

• Vietnam

1. Defense
2. Counteroffensive
3. Counteroffensive, Phase II
4. Counteroffensive, Phase III
5. Tet Counteroffensive
6. Counteroffensive, Phase IV
7. Counteroffensive, Phase V
8. Counteroffensive, Phase VI
9. Tet 69/Counteroffensive
10. Summer-Fall 1969
11. Winter-Spring 1970

• Southwest Asia

1. Defense of Saudi Arabia
2. Liberation and Defense of Kuwait
3. Cease-Fire

Decorations

• Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1969
• Army Superior Unit Award for 1996–1997
• Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1965-1968
• Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1965-1970
• Valorous Unit Award for SAMARRA October 2004 - November 2004
• Valorous Unit Award for IRAQ February 2004-February 2005
• Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.

• Global Security Retrieved 17 July 2005
• 2nd Brigade Official Website Retrieved 17 July 2005
• Society of the Big Red One Retrieved 17 July 2005
• Lineage and Honors Retrieved 17 July 2005
• Distinguished Unit Retrieved 17 July 2005
• Draft of 2nd Brigade History, compiled and edited by CPT Ross, 2nd Brigade Historian. Courtesy of CPT Ross. 26 July 2005
• {{Cite book| title = Sicily| series = The U.S. Army Campaigns of World War II| publisher = [[United States Army Center of Military History| url = http://www.history.army.mil/brochures/72-16/72-16.htm | accessdate = 27 July 2005| first = Andrew J.| last = Birtle| id = CMH Pub 72-16}}

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