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43rd Sustainment Brigade (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 43rd Sustainment Brigade is a U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM) combat service support
unit stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado
. The Brigade motto is "Provide with Pride". The Brigade call sign is "Rough Riders". The 43rd Sustainment Brigade has deployed overseas to Somalia, Cuba, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
on 18 January 1966 as the 43rd General Support Group. The unit was activated on 26 March 1966 at Fort Carson, Colorado and organized on 16 May 1966. The first battalion to join the Group was the 68th Transportation Battalion which was activated in August 1966. Three more battalions joined the Group in 1967: 195th Maintenance Battalion on 23 February; 242nd Maintenance Battalion on 25 February; and 70th Ordnance Battalion on 1 March.
On 26 July 1967, acting on a seven hour notification, HHC, 43rd and 352nd Transportation Company (Light Truck) deployed to Selfridges Air Force Base, Michigan
, to provide logistical support for the elements of the XVIII Airborne Corps during riot control operations. In August and September 1967, units of the Group deployed to Alaska
during severe flooding to establish a field laundry site. In 1968, the organization of the Group changed: the 336th Ordnance Battalion joined the Group on 20 May and the 242nd Maintenance Battalion, one of the Groups original members, inactivated on 25 August. In addition to Group organization changes, the 336th Ordnance Battalion deployed to Southeast Asia on 26 September 1968.
In 1970 three military police companies (19th, 148th and 984th) and the 283rd Aviation Company joined the Group in May; the 40th Supply and Service Company joined the Group in November; and the 195th Maintenance Battalion (another of the Group's original members) inactivated on 4 December. In 1971 the 283rd Aviation Company was transferred to Fort Bragg
in June; the 4th Military Police Company joined the Group; and a third original member, the 70th Ordnance Battalion, was inactivated in November. In 1972 the 19th Military Police Battalion was formed as a headquarters for the Military Police companies; the 52nd Engineer Battalion joined the Group in July; and the 4th Military Intelligence Company and B Company, 75th Infantry(Ranger)
joined the Group in August. The Group was redesignated as the 43rd Corps Support Group in 1973.
, Cuba to participate in support of Operation Sea Signal
as the 43rd Joint Logistics Support Group for JTF 160. The 43rd returned from Cuba in February 1995.
), 450th Movement Control Battalion (USAR
), and the 726th Finance Battalion (MA ARNG
) were attached to the 43rd for this deployment. The unit was operating primarily in support of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade after the redeployment of the 10th Mountain Division. During this deployment, a robust Rear-Detachment provided Command & Control for the units that did not deploy- primarily the 4th Engineer Battalion
and the 10th Combat Support Hospital
as well as elements of the 68th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion.
, the unit provided logistics to the United States forces operating in Regional Command-South
and Regional Command-Southwest
. They returned to Fort Carson in March 2011.
Combat service support
Combat service support is a subset of military logistics. Combat service support is more limited in depth than logistics, as it primarily addresses those factors directly influencing combat operations.-United States Army:...
unit stationed at Fort Carson, Colorado
Fort Carson, Colorado
Fort Carson is a United States Army installation located near Colorado Springs, primarily in El Paso County, Colorado. It is north of Pueblo, Colorado in Pueblo County. The 137,000 acre installation extends south into Pueblo and Fremont counties...
. The Brigade motto is "Provide with Pride". The Brigade call sign is "Rough Riders". The 43rd Sustainment Brigade has deployed overseas to Somalia, Cuba, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Organization
The 43rd Sustainment Brigade is currently assigned directly to FORSCOM but reports to the 4th Infantry Division while in garrison. Subordinate elements of the 43rd are:- 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion (CSSB)
- Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 68th CSSB
- 32nd Transportation Company (Palletized Load SystemsPalletized load systemThe Palletized Load System is a logistics supply program that entered service in the United States Army in 1993. It performs line haul , local haul , unit resupply, and other missions in the tactical environment to support modernized and highly mobile combat units...
)- 1st Platoon, 2nd Transportation Company (Heavy Equipment Transportation)
- 59th Quartermaster Company59th Quartermaster Company (United States)The 59th Quartermaster Company is a bulk petroleum company designed to provide semi-portable storage for of fuel and to provide distribution of fuel to military units within a specified geographic area while deployed overseas. Its secondary mission is to provide armed military escort to military...
(Petroleum Supply)- 40th Quartermaster Detachment (Petroleum Laboratory)
- 60th Ordnance Company (Ammunition)
- 183rd Maintenance Company (Equipment Repair and Calibrations)
- 247th Quartermaster Company (Warehousing) (forming)
- 360th Transportation Company (Petroleum Transportation)
- 549th Quartermaster Company (Shower, Laundry, and Clothing Repair)
- 43rd Brigade Special Troops BattalionSpecial Troops BattalionA Special Troops Battalion is an organic unit of a modular brigade, Division , corps or higher echelon United States Army organization...
- Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 43rd Sustainment Brigade
- 152nd Movement Control Team
- 230th Financial Management Company
- 534th Signal Company
- 573rd Movement Control Team
Service history
The unit was constituted into the Regular ArmyRegular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
on 18 January 1966 as the 43rd General Support Group. The unit was activated on 26 March 1966 at Fort Carson, Colorado and organized on 16 May 1966. The first battalion to join the Group was the 68th Transportation Battalion which was activated in August 1966. Three more battalions joined the Group in 1967: 195th Maintenance Battalion on 23 February; 242nd Maintenance Battalion on 25 February; and 70th Ordnance Battalion on 1 March.
On 26 July 1967, acting on a seven hour notification, HHC, 43rd and 352nd Transportation Company (Light Truck) deployed to Selfridges Air Force Base, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
, to provide logistical support for the elements of the XVIII Airborne Corps during riot control operations. In August and September 1967, units of the Group deployed to Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
during severe flooding to establish a field laundry site. In 1968, the organization of the Group changed: the 336th Ordnance Battalion joined the Group on 20 May and the 242nd Maintenance Battalion, one of the Groups original members, inactivated on 25 August. In addition to Group organization changes, the 336th Ordnance Battalion deployed to Southeast Asia on 26 September 1968.
In 1970 three military police companies (19th, 148th and 984th) and the 283rd Aviation Company joined the Group in May; the 40th Supply and Service Company joined the Group in November; and the 195th Maintenance Battalion (another of the Group's original members) inactivated on 4 December. In 1971 the 283rd Aviation Company was transferred to Fort Bragg
Fort Bragg (North Carolina)
Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Cumberland and Hoke counties, North Carolina, U.S., mostly in Fayetteville but also partly in the town of Spring Lake. It was also a census-designated place in the 2010 census and had a population of 39,457. The fort is named for Confederate...
in June; the 4th Military Police Company joined the Group; and a third original member, the 70th Ordnance Battalion, was inactivated in November. In 1972 the 19th Military Police Battalion was formed as a headquarters for the Military Police companies; the 52nd Engineer Battalion joined the Group in July; and the 4th Military Intelligence Company and B Company, 75th Infantry(Ranger)
United States Army Rangers
United States Army Rangers are elite members of the United States Army. Rangers have served in recognized U.S. Army Ranger units or have graduated from the U.S. Army's Ranger School...
joined the Group in August. The Group was redesignated as the 43rd Corps Support Group in 1973.
Operation Desert Shield & Desert Storm
The 43rd Corps Support Group deployed to Southwest Asia as a part of Operation Desert Shield & Operation Desert Storm from October 1990 to April 1991.Operation Restore Hope
The Group also deployed to Somalia as a part of Operation Restore Hope from December 1992 to September 1993 to fight the USC forces of Somalia's strongman General Mohammed Farrah Aidid. The Group was redesignated as the 43rd Area Support Group on 16 April 1994.Operation Sea Signal
In September 1994, the 43rd deployed to Guantanamo BayGuantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
, Cuba to participate in support of Operation Sea Signal
Operation Sea Signal
Operation Sea Signal was a United States Military humanitarian operation in the Caribbean in response to an influx of Cuban and Haitian migrants attempting to gain asylum in the United States. As a result, the migrants became refugees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base. The operation took place from...
as the 43rd Joint Logistics Support Group for JTF 160. The 43rd returned from Cuba in February 1995.
Operation Iraqi Freedom
In February 2003 the 43rd Area Support Group deployed to Kuwait and various sites in Iraq to support Operation Iraqi Freedom I. The group returned home in August 2003. The Provider team deployed again from October 2004 to September 2005 to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom III.Operation Enduring Freedom
The 43rd Area Support Group deployed from January 2007 through January 2008 under Colonel John Howard to coordinate logistics for all US forces operating in Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom VIII. The 147th Personnel Service Battalion (MN ARNGMinnesota National Guard
The Minnesota National Guard is composed of approximately 14,000 soldiers of the Minnesota Army National Guard and Airmen of the Minnesota Air National Guard, serving in 63 communities across the state. The Constitution of the United States specifically charges the National Guard with dual federal...
), 450th Movement Control Battalion (USAR
United States Army Reserve
The United States Army Reserve is the federal reserve force of the United States Army. Together, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard constitute the reserve components of the United States Army....
), and the 726th Finance Battalion (MA ARNG
Massachusetts National Guard
The Massachusetts National Guard was founded as the Massachusetts Bay Colonial Militia on December 13, 1636, and contains the oldest units in the United States Army. It is currently headquartered in Milford, Massachusetts and commanded by Major General Joseph C...
) were attached to the 43rd for this deployment. The unit was operating primarily in support of the 82nd Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade after the redeployment of the 10th Mountain Division. During this deployment, a robust Rear-Detachment provided Command & Control for the units that did not deploy- primarily the 4th Engineer Battalion
4th Engineer Battalion (United States)
The 4th Engineer Battalion is an engineer battalion of the United States Army. It is made up of combat engineers. The unit saw action in the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War...
and the 10th Combat Support Hospital
10th Combat Support Hospital
The 10th Combat Support Hospital is a combat support hospital of the United States Army first constituted on 23 June 1942 in the Army of the United States as the 10th Field Hospital.- Lineage :...
as well as elements of the 68th Combat Support Sustainment Battalion.
Transformation
Effective 17 July 2008, the 43rd Area Support Group was redesignated as the 43rd Sustainment Brigade. As part of the reorganization, the 43rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion and 230th Financial Management Company (FMCO) were activated and the 10th Combat Support Hospital and 4th Engineer Battalion were reassigned away from the Brigade.Extra-curricular Activities
The 43rd maintains an active motorcycle safety program and mentoring program. As part of their esprit d'corps building process, Soldier participated in a "Spring Kick Start" ride through Colorado Springs on 3 April 2009.Operation Enduring Freedom XI
Colonel Edward Daly led the 43rd Sustainment Brigade Headquarters into Afghanistan for their second tour in March 2010. While deployed in KandaharKandahar
Kandahar is the second largest city in Afghanistan, with a population of about 512,200 as of 2011. It is the capital of Kandahar Province, located in the south of the country at about 1,005 m above sea level...
, the unit provided logistics to the United States forces operating in Regional Command-South
Regional Command South
Regional Command is a multinational military formation, part of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. It is responsible for provincial reconstruction and security in Kandahar, Lashkar Gah, Qalat and Tarin Kowt. The Command also has responsibility for the provinces of Nimruz...
and Regional Command-Southwest
Regional Command Southwest
Regional Command is an international military formation, of roughly division size, which is one of the components of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan. It was formed in July 2010 largely from an area previously in Regional Command South. It is headquartered at Camp...
. They returned to Fort Carson in March 2011.
Campaign Streamers
| Conflict | Streamer | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Gulf War Gulf War The Persian Gulf War , commonly referred to as simply the Gulf War, was a war waged by a U.N.-authorized coalition force from 34 nations led by the United States, against Iraq in response to Iraq's invasion and annexation of Kuwait.The war is also known under other names, such as the First Gulf...  |
Defense of Saudi Arabia | 1991 |
| Liberation and Defense of Kuwait | 1991 | |
| Cease Fire | 1991 | |
Operation Iraqi Freedom |
Liberation of Iraq | 2003 |
| Transition of Iraq | 2003 | |
| Iraqi Governance | 2004 | |
| National Resolution | 2005 | |
Operation Enduring Freedom  |
Consolidation II | 2007–2008 |
| Consolidation III | 2010–2011 |
Unit Decorations
| Ribbon | Award | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Joint Meritorious Unit Award Joint Meritorious Unit Award The Joint Meritorious Unit Award is a military award that was established on June 4, 1981 by Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger and was implemented by Department of Defense Directive 1348.27 dated July 22, 1982... |
1996 | For Joint Logistics Support Element, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba |
 |
Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... (Army) |
1991 | For Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm |
Shoulder Sleeve Insignia
- Description: On a buff colored vertical rectangular embroidered item, arched outwardly at top and bottom, a red diagonal stripe from upper left to lower right, between a white compass rose upper right and stylized buff mountain range of five peaks with white snowcapped with dark gray details; all within a 1/8 inch (.32 cm) yellow border. Overall dimensions are 2 1/16 inches (5.24 cm) in width and 3 1/16 inches (7.78 cm) in height.
- Symbolism: Buff and scarlet are the colors traditionally associated with the Support units. The diagonal stripe suggests protection. The compass rose signifies guidance and the unit’s capability to deploy worldwide. The stylized mountain range denotes Fort Carson, Colorado, home of the unit since 1966. The five peaks allude to the five campaigns fought by the 43rd Corps and Area Support Groups, predecessors to the 43rd Sustainment Brigade.
- Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved effective 16 April 2008. The insignia was designed by unit personnel while deployed to Afghanistan in 2007.
Distinctive Unit Insignia
- Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/4 inches (3.18 cm) in height overall consisting of a white Doric column in center and behind its lower half a gold sun with two rays shown on either side above two sprigs of laurel issuant at either side of the column base; enclosing the sun and laurel passing in front of the upper section of the column a semi-circular gold scroll inscribed with the words “PROVIDE WITH PRIDE” in red letters.
- Symbolism: The central column is indicative of strength and support. The gold sun is for the high quality of service the unit provides and the laurel represents pride in achievement.
- Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 43rd Support Group on 25 April 1973. It was redesignated effective 16 April 2008, for the 43rd Sustainment Brigade and amended to update the description and symbolism.
Liberty
- The White Buffalo of the 43rd Area Support Group is named "Liberty", and was unveiled on 1 October 2001. It was manufactured by Star Nursery & Garden Center, Pueblo, Colorado. In some traditions, these animals are sacred. The "White Buffalo" is the most revered of all. The appearance of the White Buffalo is a sign that prayers are being heard, that the sacred pipe is being honored, and that the promises of prophesy are being fulfilled.
- Liberty has deployed with the Brigade Headquarters to Iraq, Kuwait, and Afghanistan.
- On 17 September 2008, Liberty was refurbished and Liberty II was delivered into the custody of the Brigade by Star Nursery allowing the unit to deploy one while the other guards the home front.
In the media
- Equipment from the 43rd ASG was used as backdrop for Stargate SG-1Stargate SG-1Stargate SG-1 is a Canadian-American adventure and military science fiction television series and part of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer's Stargate franchise. The show, created by Brad Wright and Jonathan Glassner, is based on the 1994 feature film Stargate by Dean Devlin and Roland Emmerich...
. Location shooting was conducted at the NORAD facility, Cheyenne MountainCheyenne MountainCheyenne Mountain is a mountain located just outside the southwest side of Colorado Springs, Colorado, U.S., and is home to the Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station and its Cheyenne Mountain Directorate, formerly known as the Cheyenne Mountain Operations Center .Throughout the Cold War and...
, Colorado SpringsColorado Springs, ColoradoColorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
, Colorado in the vicinity of the 43rd's garrison at Fort Carson. - 43rd deploys to Afghanistan for the second time
- 43rd Runs in the Army Ten Miler from Kandahar
- 43rd returns from a year-long deployment in Afghanistan