| 21st Signal Group 21st Signal Brigade | |
|---|---|
 Current brigade patch | |
| Active |
1965—1971 2003—Present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch |
 United States Army |
| Type | Military Communications Command |
| Role | Providing C4 Support |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 7th Signal Command (Theater) |
| Brigade HQ | Fort Detrick, Maryland |
| Motto(s) | "Edge of the Sword" |
| Engagements |
Vietnam War War on Terrorism |
The 21st Signal Brigade is a military communications formation of the United States Army Signal Corps providing C4 support to the United States Armed Forces High Command.
Organisation[]
The current organisation of the brigade:[1]
- Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company, at Fort Detrick, Maryland
- 56th Signal Battalion, at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas
- 114th Signal Battalion, at Raven Rock Mountain Complex, Pennsylvania
- 302nd Signal Battalion
Mission[]
The 21st Signal Brigade's mission is to provide Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) systems support to the President, Secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, Department of Defense, Combatant Commanders and other Federal Agencies. To establish, operate, protect, and sustain the Army's CONUS (Continental United States) strategic portion of the Global Information Grid. To protect and provide for the well-being of our people.[1]
The 21st Signal Brigade conducts network operations for theater-based LandWarNet communication systems, networks, and enterprise services providing information services support to warfighters, intergovernmental, interagency and civil authorities to enable full spectrum operations.[1]
Lineage and Honours[]
- Constituted 22 June 1965 in the Regular Army as 21st Signal Group
- Activated 1 September 1965 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina
- Inactivated 27 November 1971 at Fort Lewis, Washington
- Re—designated 16 October 2003 as 21st Signal Brigade, and activated at Fort Detrick, Maryland
Lineage (Descriptive)
The original 21st Signal Group was constituted on 22 June 1965 in the Regular Army as the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 21st Signal Group and activated on 1 September 1965 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The unit was headquartered at Nha Trang, South Vietnam and provided area signal communications support throughout 10,000 square miles of area for I Corps and II Corps tactical zones. The unit also saw action throughout thirteen campaigns during the Vietnam War and received the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The Unit went inactivated on 27 November 1971 at Fort Lewis, Washington. Then on 16 October 2003 the Unit was reactivated and designated the 21st Signal Brigade, headquartered at Fort Detrick, Maryland.[1]
Campaign Participation Credit[2][3]
- Vietnam
- Counteroffensive
- Counteroffensive, Phase II
- Counteroffensive, Phase III
- Tet Counteroffensive
- Counteroffensive, Phase IV
- Counteroffensive, Phase V
- Counteroffensive, Phase VI
- Tet 69/Counteroffensive
- Summer—Fall 1969
- Winter—Spring 1970
- Sanctuary Counteroffensive
- Counteroffensive, Phase VII
- Consolidation I
- Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966—1968
- Army Superior Unit Award, Streamer embroidered 2008—2009
Heraldic Items[]
Distinctive Unit Insignia[2]
- Description: A gold colour metal and enamel device that consists of a sword pointed up with gold hilt and white blade between two orange lightning flashes that originate at the sword's pommel and terminate on either side of its point, all entwined by an S—shaped gold scroll extending from upper left to lower right and bearing the inscription EDGE OF THE SWORD in black letters.
- Symbolism: Orange and white are the colours traditionally associated with the Signal Corps. The lightning flashes flanking the sword represent the signal function in support of the military mission.. The motto is indicative of the spirit of the organisation.
Footnotes[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 21st Signal Brigade at Fort Detrick Website.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Signal Corps book, pp. 72–3.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Department of the Army Lineage and Honors, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 21st Signal Brigade (Razor Sharp).
References[]
- Rebecca Robbins Raines, Army Lineage Series: Signal Corps, United States Army Center of Military History, District of Columbia, 2005.