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| 13th Signal Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Unit name | 13th Signal Battalion |
| Dates | 1916–present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch | United States Army |
| Type | Signal |
| Role | Military communications |
| Size | Battalion |
| Garrison | Fort Hood |
| Nickname | "Wizards" |
| Motto | "Send and Return" |
| Colors | Orange and White |
| Notable commanders | Major General John A. Bohn, Colonel Robert L. Taylor |
13th Signal Battalion is a United States Army signal corps battalion that provides tactical and strategic communications support to maneuver, command, and control elements. Tracing lineage to World War I-era signal units, the battalion has supported operations in major 20th- and 21st-century conflicts and has been assigned to several divisions and corps-level headquarters. Its mission encompasses installation of voice, data, and radio networks, satellite communications, and cyber-electromagnetic activities in support of United States Army Central, III Corps, and joint task forces.
The battalion's antecedents were organized during World War I alongside expansions in the American Expeditionary Forces and later reconstituted during World War II for campaigns in the European Theater of Operations and the Pacific Theater of Operations. Elements served during the Korean War attached to units operating on the Korean Peninsula and provided signal support during the Cold War in Europe with postings to NATO commands and forward locations such as Germany and the United Kingdom. During the Vietnam War, detachments supported signal operations in the Republic of Vietnam and coordinated long-haul communications with Pacific Air Forces. In the post-9/11 era, the battalion deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and later multinational stabilization efforts tied to Operation Inherent Resolve and partnership exercises with NATO allies. Reorganizations paralleled army-wide modular transformations under initiatives by United States Army Training and Doctrine Command and United States Army Forces Command.
The battalion is structured under doctrinal signal force designs, with a headquarters and headquarters company overseeing subordinate companies such as tactical installation companies, network support companies, and expeditionary signal companies. Companies have been task-organized to support formations including III Corps, 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Infantry Division, 2nd Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Armored Division, and corps signal brigades like the 35th Signal Brigade. The battalion interfaces with joint and combined formations including United States Air Force, United States Navy, United States Marine Corps, Marine Expeditionary Force, and United States Special Operations Command elements. It conducts training at ranges and centers such as National Training Center (United States), Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Bliss, Fort Hood, and uses simulation resources provided by Army War College-affiliated programs and Joint Forces Command exercises.
Operational deployments include support to tactical headquarters in major campaigns like the Normandy landings-era reorganizations, signal logistics in the Battle of the Bulge, communications planning for Operation Overlord-related campaigns, tactical radio relay in the Tet Offensive period, and satellite-ground links during Operation Desert Storm. Recent deployments provided theater-level network operations for Multi-National Force – Iraq and strategic communications nodes for International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. The battalion has also executed humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions coordinated with United States Agency for International Development, United Nations Stabilization Mission, and partner militaries during crises such as responses tied to Hurricane Katrina and multinational exercises like Operation Atlantic Resolve.
The battalion fields a mix of terrestrial and space-enabled systems including tactical radios like the AN/PRC-117, AN/PRC-152, satellite terminals such as AN/TSC-85B, AN/TSC-93, and vehicular shelters integrated with the Warrior Information Network-Tactical and command post systems linked via Blue Force Tracker and Global Broadcast Service. It implements network management tools conforming to Department of Defense Information Network standards and employs encryption suites compatible with Secure Terminal Equipment and Joint Tactical Radio System waveforms. Support equipment includes mobile switching centers, fiber-optic backbone installation kits, microwave relay systems, and power generation assets maintained to support expeditionary operations and interoperability with Allied Communications Publication protocols used by NATO members.
The battalion and its predecessors have received campaign credit for World War I, World War II campaigns, Korean War campaigns, Vietnam War campaigns, and Southwest Asia operations during Gulf War actions. Unit decorations include Meritorious Unit Commendation, Army Superior Unit Award, and collective recognitions for service during Global War on Terrorism. Individual members have been awarded decorations including the Bronze Star Medal, Legion of Merit, Soldier's Medal, Purple Heart, and Distinguished Service Medal for extraordinary contributions to signal and communications operations.
Heraldry includes a distinctive unit insignia featuring orange and white colors traditional to the Signal Corps (United States Army), with symbols representing lightning bolts, satellites, and signal towers referencing capabilities associated with historic units like the Signal Corps Regiment. Traditions emphasize technical proficiency, adopted mottos such as "Send and Return", and observances aligned with Signal Corps Birthday commemorations. The battalion maintains affiliations with veterans' organizations including the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and professional associations like the Association of Old Crows.
Category:United States Army Signal units