246th Transportation Battalion (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 246th Transportation Battalion is a transportation battalion
of the United States Army
. During peacetime, the 246th is part of the 272nd Regional Support Group, a major subordinate command of the Michigan Army National Guard
. Headquarters for the 246th are at the Jackson
Readiness Center in Jackson, Michigan
.
All of the Battalion's subordinate companies
have deployed at least once in support of the Global War on Terror. The 1461st was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation for its actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the period of 19 September 2006 through 3 August 2007.
and distinctive unit insignia
were both approved on 17 April 2008 . Both consist of a blue shield with a gold wheel and gauntlet surmounting the brick red hub. The base of the shield consists of a golden yellow dancetté.
On the coat of arms, there is a crest above the shield. The crest consists of a golde and blue wreath on which stands a gold griffin
. Atop the distinctive unit insignia is a brick red scroll inscribed "Wolf Hounds" in gold.
Symbolism
In heraldry, the griffin represents vigilance and readiness. For Michigan, it also harkens to French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
whose ship, Le Griffon
, was the first European vessel to sail the upper Great Lakes
.
Brick red and golden yellow are the colors traditionally associated with Transportation units. The wheel symbolizes the Battalion’s basic mission of transportation. The closed gauntlet, adapted from the 46th Infantry Division’s shoulder sleeve insignia, alludes to the historical significance of the Division to the units in the Battalion. It also denotes the unit’s vigilance to engage in any audacious task. The dancetté signifies the Lower Peninsula and the hills of southern Michigan, the home state of the Battalion.
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. During peacetime, the 246th is part of the 272nd Regional Support Group, a major subordinate command of the Michigan Army National Guard
Michigan Army National Guard
- Units :* Joint Forces Headquarters, Lansing, MI* 177th Military Police Brigade, Taylor, MI* 210th Military Police Battalion, Taylor, MI* 1st Battalion, 182nd Field Artillery, Detroit, MI* 1st Battalion, 119th Field Artillery, Lansing, MI...
. Headquarters for the 246th are at the Jackson
Jackson, Michigan
Jackson is a city located along Interstate 94 in the south central area of the U.S. state of Michigan, about west of Ann Arbor and south of Lansing. It is the county seat of Jackson County. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 33,534...
Readiness Center in Jackson, 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"....
.
Mission
Headquarters of the 246th Transportation Battalion provides command, control, and supervision of units engaged in motor transport and terminal operations (less seaport).Organization
Subordinate to the 246th during peacetime are:- 1460th Transportation CompanyCompany (military unit)A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
, MidlandMidland, MichiganMidland is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan in the Tri-Cities region of the state. It is the county seat of Midland County. The city's population was 41,863 as of the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Midland Micropolitan Statistical Area....
, MI - 1461st Transportation Company, Jackson, MI and AugustaAugusta, MichiganAugusta is a village in Kalamazoo County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 899 at the 2000 census. The village is mostly within Ross Township, though a small portion extends south into Charleston Township....
, MI - 1462nd Transportation Company, HowellHowell, MichiganHowell is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 9,489. It is the county seat of Livingston County and is located mostly within Howell Township, but is politically independent from Howell Township...
, MI - 1463rd Transportation Company, WyomingWyoming, MichiganWyoming is a city in Kent County in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 72,125. That makes it the 2nd largest community or city in West Michigan, the 14th largest city in the state of Michigan, and the 18th largest community in the state as well...
, MI and SturgisSturgis, MichiganSturgis, is a city in St. Joseph County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 10,994 at the 2010 census. The city is located at the northeast corner of Sturgis Township and at the intersection of US 12 and M-66....
, MI
All of the Battalion's subordinate companies
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
have deployed at least once in support of the Global War on Terror. The 1461st was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation for its actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the period of 19 September 2006 through 3 August 2007.
Battalion Commanders
- MAJMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
John T. Collins III (July 2011 to present) - LTCLieutenant colonelLieutenant colonel is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine forces and some air forces of the world, typically ranking above a major and below a colonel. The rank of lieutenant colonel is often shortened to simply "colonel" in conversation and in unofficial correspondence...
Jerome P. Hurtgen Jr. (January 2010 to July 2011) - LTC Andrew M. Roman (August 2008 to December 2009)
- LTC Paul H. Scheidler (February 2007 to July 2008)
Command Sergeants Major
- CSM Kennth L. Holmes (May 2010 to present)
- CSM John E. Engel
- CSM Mark D. Surbrook (March 2006 to ??)
Unit Insignia
The 246th Transportation Battalion coat of armsCoat of arms
A coat of arms is a unique heraldic design on a shield or escutcheon or on a surcoat or tabard used to cover and protect armour and to identify the wearer. Thus the term is often stated as "coat-armour", because it was anciently displayed on the front of a coat of cloth...
and distinctive unit insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
A Distinctive Unit Insignia is a metal heraldic device worn by soldiers in the United States Army. The DUI design is derived from the coat of arms authorized for a unit...
were both approved on 17 April 2008 . Both consist of a blue shield with a gold wheel and gauntlet surmounting the brick red hub. The base of the shield consists of a golden yellow dancetté.
On the coat of arms, there is a crest above the shield. The crest consists of a golde and blue wreath on which stands a gold griffin
Griffin
The griffin, griffon, or gryphon is a legendary creature with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle...
. Atop the distinctive unit insignia is a brick red scroll inscribed "Wolf Hounds" in gold.
Symbolism
In heraldry, the griffin represents vigilance and readiness. For Michigan, it also harkens to French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle
René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle, or Robert de LaSalle was a French explorer. He explored the Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, the Mississippi River, and the Gulf of Mexico...
whose ship, Le Griffon
Le Griffon
Le Griffon was a 17th century sailing ship built by René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle in his quest to find the Northwest Passage to China and Japan....
, was the first European vessel to sail the upper Great Lakes
Great Lakes
The Great Lakes are a collection of freshwater lakes located in northeastern North America, on the Canada – United States border. Consisting of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario, they form the largest group of freshwater lakes on Earth by total surface, coming in second by volume...
.
Brick red and golden yellow are the colors traditionally associated with Transportation units. The wheel symbolizes the Battalion’s basic mission of transportation. The closed gauntlet, adapted from the 46th Infantry Division’s shoulder sleeve insignia, alludes to the historical significance of the Division to the units in the Battalion. It also denotes the unit’s vigilance to engage in any audacious task. The dancetté signifies the Lower Peninsula and the hills of southern Michigan, the home state of the Battalion.