116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Steven Williamson (HiB2Bornot2B) · Public domain · source
Unit name	116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Dates	1917–present
Country	United States
Allegiance	United States Army National Guard
Branch	United States Army
Type	Infantry
Role	Brigade combat team
Size	Brigade
Garrison	Virginia
Nickname	"Stonewall Brigade"
Motto	"Ever Forward"
Battles	World War I, World War II, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom

116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

The 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is a brigade-sized formation of the United States Army National Guard with a lineage tracing to Civil War and 20th-century organizations. It serves within the United States Army force structure, operates under state and federal authority, and integrates with active-duty formations during contingencies, exercises, and deployments. The brigade has participated in major 20th- and 21st-century campaigns and maintains partnerships with other National Guard units, NATO allies, and federal commands.

History

The unit traces origins to pre-World War I militia formations and was reorganized during the National Defense Act of 1916 and the mobilizations for World War I. It was federalized during the interwar period and expanded in response to World War II mobilization directives issued by the War Department (United States). Postwar restructuring under the National Guard Bureau and the Total Force Policy adjusted its role through the Cold War, aligning it with continental defense and overseas contingency missions. During the post-9/11 era, the brigade was mobilized for operations associated with Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, reflecting strategic shifts articulated in the Quadrennial Defense Review and interagency guidance from the Department of Defense. Periodic reorganizations followed Army-wide modularity reforms initiated by General Peter J. Schoomaker and the Army Transformation initiatives of the early 2000s.

Organization and Structure

As a brigade combat team, the formation conforms to the Army's modular BCT construct established by the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and the Forces Command. Its headquarters element provides command and control, connecting to state headquarters in Richmond, Virginia and to federal echelons including the III Corps and combatant commands when mobilized. Subordinate elements have included infantry battalions, a cavalry reconnaissance squadron, a field artillery battalion, a brigade engineer battalion, and a brigade support battalion—mirroring structures promulgated by the TRADOC Pamphlet 525-3-1. The brigade integrates personnel authorized under Title 32 and Title 10 of the United States Code and operates equipment from Army modernization portfolios such as the Stryker, towed artillery systems like the M777 howitzer, and reconnaissance platforms aligned with Joint Publication 3-0 doctrines.

Campaigns and Deployments

Units aligned with the brigade participated in campaigns during World War I theaters and saw combat in World War II campaigns in the European Theater of Operations, including operations tied to the Normandy landings and the Battle of the Bulge where National Guard formations were widely employed. In the 21st century, brigade elements were deployed to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom and to Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom, conducting missions that ranged from stability operations to partnered capacity-building with host-nation security forces and coordination with United States Agency for International Development-linked reconstruction programs. The brigade has also participated in multinational exercises such as NATO Exercise Trident Juncture and regional readiness events coordinated by U.S. Northern Command and U.S. Army Europe, supporting interoperability with allies like United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Poland.

Training and Readiness

Training follows standards set by the National Guard Bureau and the United States Army Combined Arms Training Strategy, with collective training at venues including the Joint Readiness Training Center and state-controlled training areas. Pre-deployment preparations incorporate mission-essential tasks, live-fire exercises, and joint interoperability drills with U.S. Special Operations Commands and coalition partners referenced in NATO Standardization Agreements. Readiness metrics adhere to guidelines in Department of Defense Directive 7730.65 and readiness reports submitted to the Secretary of Defense. The brigade conducts annual training under State Active Duty and federally funded training assemblies, and participates in mobilization exercises with reserve components aligned through the Total Force Integration initiative.

Honors and Distinctions

Elements of the brigade and predecessor units received campaign streamers and unit awards for actions in World War I and World War II, as well as commendations for 21st-century deployments under the Meritorious Unit Commendation criteria. Decorations and honors are documented per Army traditions codified by the Center of Military History (United States) and may include state-level awards from the Governor of Virginia for domestic missions such as disaster response and emergency operations coordinated with Federal Emergency Management Agency. The brigade's lineage and honors are maintained through the U.S. Army Human Resources Command and published in official order of battle records.

Notable Personnel and Leadership

Throughout its history, the brigade and its antecedent organizations have been commanded by officers who later served in senior positions within the Virginia National Guard, Department of the Army, and state government. Senior leaders with ties to the brigade have included generals and colonels who participated in interagency planning with the Joint Chiefs of Staff or served in advisory roles to the Secretary of Defense and the Governor of Virginia. Notable non-commissioned officers have been recognized by institutions such as the Sergeants Major Academy and received awards referenced in the Armed Forces Service Medal eligibility discussions. The unit's leadership development has interfaced with professional military education at the U.S. Army War College, the Command and General Staff College, and civilian institutions partner schools.

Category:Brigade combat teams of the United States Army National Guard