The design of the 106th Signal Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB) is essentially identical to the Brigade’s unit patch, which was originally approved for the 1109th Signal Brigade on 16 May 1989.
Orange and white, Signal Corps branch colors, are used predominantly for the insignia, with two vertical blue arcs added to suggest the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans at the Isthmus of Panama, a reference to the 1109th‘s activation at Corozal, Panama on 20 September 1988 through the reorganization of the U.S. Army Information Systems Command South into the 1109th and 1190th Signal Battalions. The location also inspired the unit motto “Tropic Communicators."
Both battalions earned the Armed Forces Expedition (Panama) campaign streamer for their service in Operation Just Cause, with the 1109th Signal Brigade taking the Panamanian national TV station offline to disrupt defensive capabilities. The 106th Signal Brigade inherited this insignia when it was reactivated and redesignated from the 106th Signal Group on 16 October 1991, presumably consolidated with the 1109th in the process.
Crossed swords are always a sign of support and strength in military heraldry. Here, the blades are stylized and have the appearance of lightning flashes that the electronic nature of the Brigade’s mission and the high rates of speed of modern communications.
Related Items
106th Signal Brigade Patch (SSI)
106th Signal Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)