4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division (United States) explained

Unit Name:4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Country:USA
Type:Brigade combat team
Branch:Regular Army
Dates:2004–2015
Specialization:inactive
Garrison:Fort Hood, TX
Fort Carson, CO
Battles:Operation Enduring Freedom Afghanistan
Operation Iraqi Freedom

The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division is an inactive brigade of the United States Army. Between 1975 and 1984, the brigade served at Fort Carson, CO, and in Germany. The brigade was reactivated in 2004, and deployed four times in support of the War on Terror, once to Iraq and three times to Afghanistan, before being inactivated in 2015.

History

Cold War

The Brigade was first activated in December 1975 as "Brigade 76", a mechanized infantry brigade to reinforce Army forces in Europe under the 1974 Nunn Amendment. The Brigade deployed to Wiesbaden, West Germany between March and June 1976. Originally designed as rotational forces, the Brigade was reassigned to Europe permanently in late 1976, when expected cost savings from the use of rotational forces failed to materialize.[1] [2] The Brigade was subsequently inactivated in 1984.

Afghanistan and Iraq

As part of the US Army's reorganization in 2004, the 4th Infantry Division reactivated its 4th BCT as a modular BCT. Initially organized as a Heavy Brigade Combat Team (HBCT), the brigade included:

The brigade deployed to Baghdad from 2006–2007. After returning to Fort Hood, the brigade was reflagged as 4th BCT, 1st Cavalry Division. Simultaneously, the 2nd BCT, 2nd Infantry Division at Fort Carson, CO, was reflagged as the 4th BCT, 4th Infantry Division. With the reflagging, the brigade was reorganized as an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), consisting of:

As an IBCT, the brigade deployed to Afghanistan three times, twice to Regional Command East and once to Regional Command South.

The brigade deployed to RC East from May 2009 to May 2010. On 3 October 2009, 54 Soldiers from the brigade's Troop B, 3-61 CAV were attacked by 300 or more insurgents at Combat Outpost Keating during the Battle of Kamdesh. Two Soldiers from the brigade, Staff Sergeant Clinton Romesha and then-Specialist Ty Carter were awarded the Medal of Honor for their actions during the battle. Eight American Soldiers from the brigade were killed, and 27 others were wounded during the battle.[4] [5] [6]

Inactivation

On 16 April 2015, the 4th BCT inactivated, and reflagged as the 2nd BCT, as part of the Army's reduction to 32 BCTs.[7]

Lineage and honors

Lineage

Campaign participation credit

Decorations

See also

4th Infantry Division (United States)

External links

Notes and References

  1. Wilson, John B. (1997). "Maneuver and Firepower: The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades". Army Lineage Series. CMH Pub 60-14. United States Army Center of Military History. pp. 366-367.
  2. Web site: Chapter 2: Operational Forces - DAHSUM FY 1976 . www.history.army.mil . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080521001615/http://www.history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1976/ch02.htm . 2008-05-21.
  3. Web site: 4th Brigade - 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized).
  4. News: Eight U.S. Soldiers Dead in Bold Attack in Afghanistan . Tavernise. Sabrina. Sangar Rahimi. 4 October 2009 . The New York Times. 4 October 2009. https://web.archive.org/web/20120203141913/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/05/world/asia/05afghan.html. 3 February 2012. live.
  5. Faeiz, Rahim (Associated Press), "Attack on Afghan outposts kills 8 soldiers ", Military Times, 5 October 2009.
  6. News: U.S. ignored warnings before deadly Afghan attack. Gertz. Bill. 16 October 2009. Washington Times. 6 February 2010.
  7. Web site: 4th IBCT reflags to 2nd IBCT – Fort Carson Mountaineer.