Assigned to the Seventh Army Support Command, 2nd Support Command began its existence as the 2nd Support Brigade in June 1965. It was tasked with providing maintenance, field service units, and direct and general supply to units Seventh Army’s V Corps. The Brigade was inactivated four years later and its control was transferred to the Department of the Army.
In 1969, a Corps Support Command (COSCOM) system was established to provide the two Corps of U.S. Army-Europe the ability to function as self-contained and self-supporting combat units. For VII Corps, the provision of these essential combat support activities fell to VII COSCOM, but in January 1973 that unit was inactivated and was replaced by 2nd Support Command (Corps).
During the Gulf War, the 2nd Support Command was among the units deployed to Kuwait. As a result of the gargantuan logistical challenge facing U.S. and Coalition forces, the size of 2nd Support Command grew from its peacetime roster of under 8,000 to more than 25,000. More than one historian has noted that the success of Operation Desert Storm can be traced directly to the development of a sound theater logistic plan that was flawlessly executed—and much of the credit for that can be traced directly to the work of 2nd Support Command.
The overarching mission of 2nd Support Command is represented by its Combat Service Identification Badge (CSIB), the design of which is taken directly from its Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (unit patch). Its two chevrons, indicative of the unit’s numerical designation, have been inverted to present the appearance they are holding up the sword—a symbol of the unit’s support of combat troops. “Excel All,” the motto of 2nd Support Command, is found on its unit crest (link below).
Related Items
2nd Support Command Unit Pach (SSI)
2nd Support Command Unit Crest (DUI)