4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division (United States)
Encyclopedia
The 4th Brigade Combat Team ("Long Knife Brigade") is a combined arms
Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division. Its major equipment includes M1A2SEP Tanks
, M2A2 & M3A2 ODS Bradley
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
, M109A6 Paladin Howitzers
, and M1151 Up-armored Humvees.
Texas. At a ceremony on Noel Field, MG Peter W. Chiarelli
presented the colors to COL Stephen Twitty
, the first commander of the brigade.
, Texas
. The 4th BCT was one of several new units activated throughout the Army as part of the total Army transformation process. During the ceremony, the unit colors were passed to Col. Stephen Twitty, who assumed command of the 4th BCT, also known as the "Long Knife" Brigade. The Brigade was built by the reassignment of 2-12 Cavalry from 2nd Brigade, 2-7 Cavalry and 1-9 Cavalry from 3rd Brigade, and the transfer of the 27th Main Support Battalion from the inactivating DISCOM. 5-82 Field Artillery and the 4th Brigade Support battalion were newly activated units.
in October and November 2006. 2–12 Cavalry deployed to Baghdad
to augment the 1st Cavalry Division efforts in the capital city of Iraq
. The 4th BCT assumed responsibility of Ninawa province from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division on 9 December 2006. The brigade headquarters was based in Mosul
, Ninawa's provincial capital. The brigade's mission was to build capable Iraqi security forces and to conduct counter insurgency operations to neutralize anti-Iraqi forces. The brigade transferred authority to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in December 2007 and completed redeployment operations following their 14-month deployment.
, "Highlanders."
Dhi Qar and Maysan. The brigade's operational environment was roughly the size of South Carolina
, had 2.8 million citizens and included Iraq's fourth-largest city, An Nasiriyah. While the 4 BCT was located at Contingency Operating Base Adder in Dhi Qar province, the unit deployed 3 battalions to the Maysan province where it built 2 bases and several ports of entry along the Iraq-Iran border. 2–7 Cavalry occupied FOB Garryowen and operated in northern Maysan province while 1–9 Cavalry and 5–82 Field Artillery "Black Dragons" occupied FOB Hunter in southern Maysan province. The brigade's other 3 battalions were based at COB Adder. The 2–12 Cavalry "Thunderhorse" partnered with Iraqi units in Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces. The 27th BSB "Rough Riders" provided support across the brigade's operational environment. The brigade's 4th Special Troops Battalion "Spartans" provided enablers and performed garrison and base defense operations at COB Adder.
During its one-year deployment, the 4 BCT served as higher headquarters for 3 Romanian battalions: the 151st Infantry Battalion "Black Wolves," the 341st Infantry Battalion "White Sharks," and the 26th Infantry Battalion "Red Scorpions." These Romanian units were an integral part of the BCT's success through their partnership with the 10th Iraqi Army Division Special Forces and combat patrols in Dhi Qar province.
In addition to the Iraqi Security Forces, the 4 BCT also partnered with the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) in each of its three provinces to improve the Iraqi people's quality of life in southern Iraq. The unit provided logistics, movement and security support to the PRTs to allow them to improve the governance and economic conditions in the 3 provinces.
The 4 BCT worked with the Iraqi Security Forces to seize over 10,000 dangerous munitions and apprehend dozens of criminals in the Maysan marshes to improve the security situation in southern Iraq. 2–7 Cavalry worked with the Iraqi Police in Majar al Kabir to capture the criminals responsible for murdering 6 British Military Police in November 2004. The brigade also worked with the Iraqi Security Forces to provide successful security to Iraq's provincial elections in January 2009.
During the 4 BCT's tour, the 10th Iraqi Army Division conducted Operation "Lion's Roar," a combined live-fire exercise in Maysan province in April 2009 – the first of its kind in the Iraqi Army. The exercise integrated U.S. enablers and demonstrated the capability and lethality of the Iraqi Army.
During the final month of the brigade's rotation in May 2009, it transitioned the security responsibility of the historic Ziggurat at Ur to the Iraqi Security Forces. Previously, the Ziggurat was inside the perimeter of COB Adder in Dhi Qar province. The structure is one of the world's oldest historical archeological sites and a treasure of the Iraqi people.
On May 4, 2009, a part of the 4th BCT, 1st CAV composed of 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery returned home from Iraq. On May 10, a second group of 300 soldiers of the 4th BCT came home after a 15 months tour in Iraq.
Combined arms
Combined arms is an approach to warfare which seeks to integrate different branches of a military to achieve mutually complementary effects...
Brigade of the 1st Cavalry Division. Its major equipment includes M1A2SEP Tanks
M1 Abrams
The M1 Abrams is a third-generation main battle tank produced in the United States. It is named after General Creighton Abrams, former Army Chief of Staff and Commander of US military forces in Vietnam from 1968 to 1972. The M1 is a well armed, heavily armored, and highly mobile tank designed for...
, M2A2 & M3A2 ODS Bradley
M2 Bradley
The Bradley Fighting Vehicle is an American fighting vehicle platform manufactured by BAE Systems Land and Armaments, formerly United Defense.As with other infantry fighting vehicles, the Bradley is designed to transport infantry with armor protection while providing covering fire to suppress enemy...
Infantry Fighting Vehicles
Infantry fighting vehicle
An infantry fighting vehicle , also known as a mechanized infantry combat vehicle , is a type of armoured fighting vehicle used to carry infantry into battle and provide fire support for them...
, M109A6 Paladin Howitzers
M109 howitzer
The M109 is an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1960s. It was upgraded a number of times to today's M109A6 Paladin...
, and M1151 Up-armored Humvees.
Units
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment
- 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment
- 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment
- 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment82nd Field Artillery Regiment (United States)- Foundation and Formation :The 82nd Field Artillery traces it earliest history to that of the "First Dragoons". This type of fighting force was unique employing a fighting force that was skilled both as horse mounted and dismounted troops. Dragoon is derivitave from the French Army designation...
- 27th Brigade Support Battalion
- 4th 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...
Heraldry
The 4th Brigade is a subordinate component of the 1st Cavalry Division and wears the same shoulder sleeve insignia.Initial Organization
The 4th Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was first constituted on 18 October 2005 at Fort BlissFort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
Texas. At a ceremony on Noel Field, MG Peter W. Chiarelli
Peter W. Chiarelli
Peter W. Chiarelli is a United States Army General who is serving as the 32nd and current Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. He previously served as commander, Multi-National Corps—Iraq under General George W. Casey, Jr. He assumed his current assignment on August 4, 2008...
presented the colors to COL Stephen Twitty
Stephen Twitty
Stephen M. Twitty born in Spartanburg, South Carolina is a United States Army General Officer.Brigadier General Twitty was awarded the Silver Star Medal, our Nation's Third Highest Award for Valor, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Noted for his relationship with journalist David Bloom that was...
, the first commander of the brigade.
Activation
The 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division was activated in a ceremony held 18 October 2005 at Noel Field at Fort BlissFort Bliss
Fort Bliss is a United States Army post in the U.S. states of New Mexico and Texas. With an area of about , it is the Army's second-largest installation behind the adjacent White Sands Missile Range. It is FORSCOM's largest installation, and has the Army's largest Maneuver Area behind the...
, Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
. The 4th BCT was one of several new units activated throughout the Army as part of the total Army transformation process. During the ceremony, the unit colors were passed to Col. Stephen Twitty, who assumed command of the 4th BCT, also known as the "Long Knife" Brigade. The Brigade was built by the reassignment of 2-12 Cavalry from 2nd Brigade, 2-7 Cavalry and 1-9 Cavalry from 3rd Brigade, and the transfer of the 27th Main Support Battalion from the inactivating DISCOM. 5-82 Field Artillery and the 4th Brigade Support battalion were newly activated units.
First Deployment
On the one year anniversary of the 4th BCT activation, the unit conducted a color casing ceremony to prepare for its deployment to Iraq. The brigade combat team minus 2–12 Cavalry arrived in Ninawa ProvinceNinawa Governorate
Ninawa is a governorate in northern Iraq, and the Arabic name for the biblical city of Nineveh in Assyria. It has an area of and an estimated population of 2,453,000 people in 2003. Its chief city and provincial capital is Mosul, which lies across the Tigris river from the ruins of ancient...
in October and November 2006. 2–12 Cavalry deployed to Baghdad
Baghdad
Baghdad is the capital of Iraq, as well as the coterminous Baghdad Governorate. The population of Baghdad in 2011 is approximately 7,216,040...
to augment the 1st Cavalry Division efforts in the capital city of Iraq
Iraq
Iraq ; officially the Republic of Iraq is a country in Western Asia spanning most of the northwestern end of the Zagros mountain range, the eastern part of the Syrian Desert and the northern part of the Arabian Desert....
. The 4th BCT assumed responsibility of Ninawa province from the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division on 9 December 2006. The brigade headquarters was based in Mosul
Mosul
Mosul , is a city in northern Iraq and the capital of the Ninawa Governorate, some northwest of Baghdad. The original city stands on the west bank of the Tigris River, opposite the ancient Assyrian city of Nineveh on the east bank, but the metropolitan area has now grown to encompass substantial...
, Ninawa's provincial capital. The brigade's mission was to build capable Iraqi security forces and to conduct counter insurgency operations to neutralize anti-Iraqi forces. The brigade transferred authority to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in December 2007 and completed redeployment operations following their 14-month deployment.
Reflagging and Move to Fort Hood
In March 2008, the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Cobras) from the 4th Infantry Division became the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division at Cooper Field on Fort Hood, Texas. The former Long Knife Brigade reflagged to the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division1st Armored Division (United States)
The 1st Armored Division—nicknamed "Old Ironsides"—is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Bliss, Texas. It was the first armored division of the U.S...
, "Highlanders."
Second Deployment
Under the 4 BCT's second commander, Colonel Philip Battaglia, the brigade deployed in June 2008 to southern Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-10. As part of the Multi-National Division-Center, the 4th BCT trained and mentored the 10th Iraqi Army Division, 3 Provincial Police Forces and Iraq Border Patrol units along the Iran-Iraq border in the provinces of Muthanna,Dhi Qar and Maysan. The brigade's operational environment was roughly the size of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, had 2.8 million citizens and included Iraq's fourth-largest city, An Nasiriyah. While the 4 BCT was located at Contingency Operating Base Adder in Dhi Qar province, the unit deployed 3 battalions to the Maysan province where it built 2 bases and several ports of entry along the Iraq-Iran border. 2–7 Cavalry occupied FOB Garryowen and operated in northern Maysan province while 1–9 Cavalry and 5–82 Field Artillery "Black Dragons" occupied FOB Hunter in southern Maysan province. The brigade's other 3 battalions were based at COB Adder. The 2–12 Cavalry "Thunderhorse" partnered with Iraqi units in Muthanna and Dhi Qar provinces. The 27th BSB "Rough Riders" provided support across the brigade's operational environment. The brigade's 4th Special Troops Battalion "Spartans" provided enablers and performed garrison and base defense operations at COB Adder.
During its one-year deployment, the 4 BCT served as higher headquarters for 3 Romanian battalions: the 151st Infantry Battalion "Black Wolves," the 341st Infantry Battalion "White Sharks," and the 26th Infantry Battalion "Red Scorpions." These Romanian units were an integral part of the BCT's success through their partnership with the 10th Iraqi Army Division Special Forces and combat patrols in Dhi Qar province.
In addition to the Iraqi Security Forces, the 4 BCT also partnered with the Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRT) in each of its three provinces to improve the Iraqi people's quality of life in southern Iraq. The unit provided logistics, movement and security support to the PRTs to allow them to improve the governance and economic conditions in the 3 provinces.
The 4 BCT worked with the Iraqi Security Forces to seize over 10,000 dangerous munitions and apprehend dozens of criminals in the Maysan marshes to improve the security situation in southern Iraq. 2–7 Cavalry worked with the Iraqi Police in Majar al Kabir to capture the criminals responsible for murdering 6 British Military Police in November 2004. The brigade also worked with the Iraqi Security Forces to provide successful security to Iraq's provincial elections in January 2009.
During the 4 BCT's tour, the 10th Iraqi Army Division conducted Operation "Lion's Roar," a combined live-fire exercise in Maysan province in April 2009 – the first of its kind in the Iraqi Army. The exercise integrated U.S. enablers and demonstrated the capability and lethality of the Iraqi Army.
During the final month of the brigade's rotation in May 2009, it transitioned the security responsibility of the historic Ziggurat at Ur to the Iraqi Security Forces. Previously, the Ziggurat was inside the perimeter of COB Adder in Dhi Qar province. The structure is one of the world's oldest historical archeological sites and a treasure of the Iraqi people.
On May 4, 2009, a part of the 4th BCT, 1st CAV composed of 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery returned home from Iraq. On May 10, a second group of 300 soldiers of the 4th BCT came home after a 15 months tour in Iraq.