16th Sustainment Brigade's tradition dates back more than five decades when, less than two months after its constitution as the 16th General Support Group, it was activated on December 10, 1965 in the Dominican Republic in the aftermath of Operation Powerpack (a U.S. military intervention in the country) and following the withdrawal of Organization of American States’ peacekeeping forces. It was later awarded credit for participation in an Armed Forces Expedition for the work it performed in the country. The group was inactivated in 1968.
September, 1987 saw the unit redesignated as the 16th Support Group and activated in Germany. In the next decade, the Group was deployed to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia (Operations Desert Shield) and Kosovo. In 2003, as the 16th Corps Support Group, it was sent to Iraq as part of the first phase of Operation Iraqi Freedom, and was subsequently redeployed there in 2005.
Two years later, it was combined with 7th Corps Support Group to form its current designation as the 16th Sustainment Brigade. The brigade was deployed to Iraq in July 2008, marking its first time in the country as a sustainment brigade; its mission was to support Multi-National Division North via sustainment, force protection, and logistical operations.
In July 2008, the brigade deployed to Iraq for its first tour in Operation Iraqi Freedom as a sustainment brigade in support of Multi-National Division North. It currently is responsible for sustainment of all forces attached or assigned to U.S. Army Europe (USAREUR) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM).
Taken from the unit's Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (link below), the Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB) of the 16th Sustainment Brigade is highlighted by a crossed battle-ax and key—an image of the key to battlefield success that the unit provides to warfighters. It is also a direct allusion to the unit’s motto, “Logistics The Key To Win” found on its unit crest. An embattled chevron creating the appearance of a castle’s merlon and crenels is an emblem that evokes the notion of strong defense, while the red wedge below the chevron is indicative of support.
Related Items
16th Sustainment Brigade Patch (SSI)
16th Sustainment Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)