490th Chemical Battalion

490th Chemical Battalion
Active	1 May 1964 – present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Chemical warfare
Role	CBRN defense
Size	Battalion
Part of	415th Chemical Brigade
HQ	Fort McClellan, Alabama
Motto(s)	"Smoke, Fight"
Engagements	* Gulf War Defense of Saudi Arabia Liberation and Defense of Kuwait Cease-Fire
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

The 490th Chemical Battalion (490 CH BN) is a chemical warfare and CBRN defense battalion of the United States Army Reserve.

History

The 490th Chemical Battalion was first constituted in the Army Reserve on 24 March 1964, and subsequently activated on 1 May 1964 with headquarters in Anniston, Alabama. On 20 September 1990, the battalion was ordered into active military service and deployed to Saudi Arabia. It then participated in the Gulf War and the attack on Kuwait, before returning and reverting to reserve status on 13 May 1991. Since at least 2004, the battalion has formed part of the 415th Chemical Brigade.

Structure

The current structure of the battalion is as follows:

• Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, at Fort McClellan, Anniston, Alabama
• 310th Chemical Company (Biological Identification/Detection System (BIDS)), at Fort McClellan, Anniston, Alabama
• 318th Chemical Company (Area Support), in Birmingham, Alabama
• 326th Chemical Company (Biological Identification/Detection System (BIDS)), at Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama
• 327th Chemical Company (Maneuver Support), in Chattanooga, Tennessee
• 329th Chemical Company (Maneuver Support), in Orlando, Florida

Heraldry

Heraldry of the 490th Chemical Battalion as approved by the United States Army Institute of Heraldry is as follows:

Coat of Arms

Coat of arms of the 490th Chemical Battalion

Years in use The coat of arms was approved on 27 April 1998. Escutcheon Azure, a cloud Gray charged with a dragon rampant Or standing on an Erlenmeyer Flask Gules. That for the regiments and separate battalions of the Army Reserve: From a wreath Or and Azure, the Lexington Minute Man Proper. The statue of the Minute Man, Captain John Parker (H.H. Kitson, sculptor), stands on the Common in Lexington, Massachusetts. SMOKE FIGHT. Symbolism Blue and gold are the colors for Chemical Battalions. The cloud silhouette, alluding to smoke, represents gas warfare. The Erlenmeyer Flask is indicative of mixing elements and research in the field of chemistry. The dragon symbolizes the fighting capabilities of the battalion. The crest is that of the U.S. Army Reserve.

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Coat of arms of the 244th Aviation Brigade

Years in use The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 28 November 1967. Escutcheon A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/16 inches (2.70 cm) in height consisting of a dark blue cloud silhouette on which is a gold color dragon rampant, poised on a red Erlenmeyer Flask, the flask surmounting a blue arched scroll in base inscribed "SMOKE" on the dexter side and "FIGHT" on the sinister side in gold color metal letters. Symbolism Blue and gold are the colors for Chemical Battalions. The cloud silhouette, alluding to smoke, represents gas warfare. The Erlenmeyer Flask in indicative of mixing of elements and research in the field of chemistry. The dragon symbolizes the fighting capabilities of the battalion.