Mistakenly referred to as simply the “279th Support Brigade” by all major insignia retailers, the 279th Army Field Support Brigade, headquartered in Birmingham, Alabama, is actually one of ten major subordinate commands of United States Army Sustainment Command (ASC). ASC is itself a major subordinate command of the United States Army Materiel Command and was formed in 2006.
The 279th Army Field Support Brigade traces its roots to the organization of the HQ, 1st Battalion, 151st Engineers in the Alabama National Guard at Huntsville on 21 December 1940. Redesignated twice during World War II, first as a Combat Engineer Regiment and then as an Engineer Combat Battalion, it was inactivated in December 1945. After reorganization in 1947 as Federal recognition as the HQ, 151st Engineer Combat Battalion, the unit was deployed to Korea.
In 1955 it reverted to state control and was consolidated with the 279th Antiaircraft Automatic Weapons Battalion (which was originally formed in 1944 as a Coast Artillery Battalion in Alaska) and designated the 279th Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion. After a nearly 50-year stint as HQ, 279th Signal Battalion, on 1 September 2008 it was converted and redesignated to its current title.
As the only Army Field Support Brigade in the ASC, the Brigade’s mission is to supplement active-component Army Field Support Brigades while simultaneously commanding, controlling, and sustaining contracting units working with Alabama National Guard on a contingency basis. It also carries out Defense Support to Civil Authorities operations, providing necessary logistics and contracting support, with the motto “Integrity Always” (found emblazoned on its
unit crest, or
Distinctive Unit Insignia) at the forefront of its efforts.
Related Items
279th Army Field Support Brigade Patch (SSI)
279th Army Field Support Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)