2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division

2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Unit name	2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division
Caption	The Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the 101st Airborne Division.
Dates	1917–1919; 1921–1942; 1942–1945; 1948–1949; 1950–1953; 1956–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Air assault infantry
Size	Brigade
Command structure	101st Airborne Division
Garrison	Fort Campbell
Nickname	"Strike" Brigade
Battles	World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)
Identification symbol label	Distinctive unit insignia

2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division is a major maneuver formation of the United States Army and a core component of the 101st Airborne Division. Known as the "Strike" Brigade, it is an air assault infantry unit capable of rapid deployment and decisive action. Headquartered at Fort Campbell on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, the brigade has participated in every major conflict involving the United States since World War II.

History

The lineage of the 2nd Brigade traces back to units first constituted during World War I, though its modern identity was forged with the activation of the 101st Airborne Division in 1942. During World War II, its predecessor units fought with distinction in the Normandy landings, the Operation Market Garden, and the Battle of the Bulge. Following the war, the brigade was inactivated and reactivated several times before becoming a permanent element of the reorganized 101st Airborne Division as an airmobile unit in the 1960s. It played a pivotal role in the Vietnam War, notably during the Battle of Hamburger Hill in the A Shau Valley. The brigade was later reorganized as an air assault formation, a role it has maintained through subsequent deployments to Southwest Asia, the Balkans, and the Greater Middle East.

Organization

The 2nd Brigade is organized as a brigade combat team, centered on three infantry battalions: the 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, and the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. These battalions are supported by the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment for reconnaissance, the 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment for fires, and the 39th Brigade Engineer Battalion and 526th Brigade Support Battalion for sustainment and engineering. This combined arms structure allows the brigade to conduct sustained operations across complex terrain, leveraging the division's extensive fleet of UH-60 and CH-47 helicopters.

Notable operations and campaigns

The brigade's combat history is extensive, beginning with the 101st Airborne Division's parachute assault into Normandy on D-Day. In Vietnam, it was heavily engaged in the I Corps Tactical Zone, including the brutal fighting at Dong Ap Bia. During the Gulf War, elements participated in the Battle of Khafji and the subsequent ground campaign. Following the September 11 attacks, the brigade deployed repeatedly to Afghanistan, conducting operations in the volatile Paktika Province and Khost Province as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. It also served multiple tours during the Iraq War, with significant deployments to Baghdad, Mosul, and Najaf.

Commanders

The brigade has been led by numerous distinguished officers throughout its history. Early commanders in Vietnam included Colonel John H. Cushman. More recent commanders have led the unit through contemporary conflicts, such as Colonel Joseph B. Berger during operations in Afghanistan. Commanders are typically selected from the Infantry Branch and are often graduates of senior military colleges like the United States Army War College.

Insignia and heraldry

The brigade wears the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the 101st Airborne Division, a black shield with a bald eagle's head, known as "Old Abe." Its own distinctive unit insignia features a silver winged sword on a blue background, symbolizing its air assault mission. The brigade's motto, "Strike," is emblematic of its operational philosophy. The heraldic items are officially recorded and protected within the Institute of Heraldry.

Honors and awards

The 2nd Brigade and its subordinate units have received numerous unit decorations, including the Presidential Unit Citation for actions in Normandy and Bastogne. Battalions have also been awarded the Valorous Unit Award for combat in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan, and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for service in the Gulf War. Individual soldiers from the brigade have earned high honors such as the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, and the Purple Heart.

Category:101st Airborne Division Category:Brigades of the United States Army Category:Military units and formations in Kentucky Category:Military units and formations in Tennessee