66th Military Intelligence Brigade (United States)

Last updated

66th Military Intelligence Brigade
66MIBdeSSI.png
Active1986–1995
2008–present
Country Flag of the United States.svg United States
BranchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Part ofADMINCOM: United States Army Intelligence and Security Command
OPCOM: United States Army Europe
Installation Clay Kaserne, Germany
Motto(s)Power Forward
Battle honours World War II
Website 66th Military Intelligence Brigade
Commanders
Current
commander
COL Christina A. Bembenek
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
66 MI Bde DUI.jpg

The 66th Military Intelligence Brigade ("Six-Six-M-I" and 66th MIB) is a United States Army brigade, subordinate to United States Army Intelligence and Security Command and based at Wiesbaden Army Airfield, Wiesbaden, Germany. [1] After years of history as a counter intelligence/intelligence group with headquarters in Munich and geographically dispersed detachments, it became a brigade on 16 October 1986, but was inactivated in July 1995. Reformed again as an intelligence group in 2002, it became a brigade again in 2008.

Contents

The unit's mission is to provide intelligence support to U.S. Army Europe [2] and U.S. Army Africa. [3] Part of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade supports near real-time missions for deployed soldiers such as operations in Afghanistan [4] and also Iraq. Members of the brigade provide mission support by utilizing databases running on computer clusters and communicate on encrypted networks, such as the NSA-certified TACLANE encrypted network. [5]

The 66th MIB includes the 2nd Military Intelligence Battalion. Soldiers of the 66th MIB can be individually attached to other U.S. Army units in the course of their duties. Members are also on duty at U.S. Air Force installations, such as RAF Mildenhall. One brigade soldier was killed in action near a Forward Operating Base in Afghanistan in 2010. [6] Unit members analyze sources in, among other languages, Russian and Persian.

Soldiers in the brigade ideally hold qualifications in military intelligence and counter-intelligence, depending on their specific roles. Some also hold military (NWC, NDU, AFSC etc.) and/or civilian academic degrees.[ citation needed ] Entrance and intermediate training of military intelligence personnel is provided by the United States Army Intelligence Center at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.

Organization 2023

As of May 2023 the brigade consists of the following units: [7] [8]

Misconduct in the past

Leadership

The current head of the unit is the Brigade Commander, COL Christina A. Bembenek. [12]

Shoulder sleeve insignia

Description

On a silver gray hexagon, one point up, with a 18 inch (0.32 cm) oriental blue border 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height and 2+58 inches (6.7 cm) in width overall, an oriental blue hexagon bearing a yellow sphinx superimposed by a silver gray dagger hilted black.

Symbolism

Oriental blue and silver gray, representing loyalty and determination, are the colors of the Military Intelligence branch. Yellow/gold symbolizes excellence. The hexagon borders reflect the numerical designation of the unit. The sphinx, a traditional military intelligence symbol, indicates observation, wisdom and discreet silence. The unsheathed dagger reflects the aggressive and protective requirements and the element of physical danger inherent in the mission of the unit.

Background

The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 27 August 1987 for the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. It was cancelled on 17 July 2002. The insignia was reinstated effective 18 June 2003 and redesignated as an exception to policy for the 66th Military Intelligence Group, with description and symbolism updated. (TIOH Drawing Number A-1-740) [13]

Distinctive unit insignia

Description

A Gold color metal and enamel device 1+316 inches (3.0 cm) in width overall consisting of a hexagon composed of a chequy of (6) Black and White sections (one angle up), surmounted throughout by a smaller hexagon (flat side up) composed of a chequy of nine sections of Gold and Blue (oriental) with the center square charged with a Gold sphinx head, facing to the left, all above a Gold scroll inscribed "HONOR VALOR AND SECURITY" in Blue (Oriental) letters.

Symbolism

The black and white symbolize enlightenment and knowledge both day and night around the world. The chequy represents the unit's tactical and strategic capabilities in counterintelligence. The sphinx is a traditional intelligence symbol and indicates observation, wisdom and discreet silence. The hexagon within a hexagon "6-6" further distinguishes the numerical designation of the organization.

Background

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 66th Military Intelligence Group on 16 July 1969. It was redesignated for the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade on 8 October 1986. The insignia was redesignated effective 16 October 2002, with the description updated, for the 66th Military Intelligence Group. [13]

Lineage

Constituted 21 June 1944 in the Army of the United States as the 66th Counter Intelligence Corps Detachment.

Activated 1 July 1944 at Camp Rucker, Alabama.

Inactivated 12 November 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.

Activated 10 November 1949 in Germany.

Allotted 20 September 1951 to the Regular Army.

Reorganized and redesignated 20 December 1952 as the 66th Counter Intelligence Corps Group.

Reorganized and redesignated 1 January 1960 as the 66th Military Intelligence Group.

Redesignated 25 July 1961 as the 66th Intelligence Corps Group.

Redesignated 15 October 1966 as the 66th Military Intelligence Group.

Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1986 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade.

Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 1992 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade.

Inactivated 16 July 1995 in Germany.

Redesignated 28 February 2002 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 66th Military Intelligence Group.

Activated 16 October 2002 in Germany. [14]

Redesignated July 2008 as the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. [15]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lucius D. Clay Kaserne</span> U.S. Army airfield in Germany

Lucius D. Clay Kaserne, commonly known as Clay Kaserne, formerly known as Wiesbaden Air Base and later as Wiesbaden Army Airfield, is an installation of the United States Army in Hesse, Germany. The kaserne is located within Wiesbaden-Erbenheim. Named for General Lucius D. Clay, it is the home of the Army's 2d Theater Signal Brigade, 66th Military Intelligence Brigade and is the headquarters of the U.S. Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">297th Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)</span> Military unit

Known as "INSCOM's Contingency Force", the 297th Military Intelligence Battalion is a battalion subordinate to the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, located at Fort Eisenhower, Georgia. Its mission is to provide operational, all source intelligence to the Commander, U.S. Army Central Command (CENTCOM). Battalion intelligence operations include all source analysis, collection management, battlefield damage assessment, imagery exploitation and dissemination. The battalion sustains itself and the Brigade Headquarters by providing food service, maintenance, military police and communications support.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">501st Military Intelligence Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 501st Military Intelligence Brigade is a United States Army unit, assigned to the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) under the operational control of United States Forces Korea (USFK) located in South Korea. The 501st MI Brigade conducts theater level multi-discipline intelligence collection and analysis, aerial Intelligence Surveillance & Reconnaissance (ISR), and security operations in support of Eighth United States Army, U.S. Army Pacific, U.S. Pacific Command, U.S. Forces Korea, and other national level agencies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1st Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)</span> U.S. Army unit

1st Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation), nicknamed the "Flying Eye Battalion", is a unit of the United States Army which specializes in the acquisition of aerial signals information in direct support of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. 1st MI Battalion (AE) is currently headquartered at Lucius D. Clay Kaserne in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">United States Army Intelligence and Security Command</span> U.S. Army direct reporting unit

The United States Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) is a direct reporting unit that conducts intelligence, security, and information operations for United States Army commanders, partners in the Intelligence Community, and national decision-makers. INSCOM is headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">177th Military Police Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 177th Military Police Brigade (Combat Support) is a military police brigade of the United States Army based in Taylor, Michigan. It is the largest component of the Michigan Army National Guard.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">305th Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)</span> US Army intelligence training unit

The 305th Military Intelligence Battalion is part of the United States Army's 111th Military Intelligence Brigade located at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. It consists of three companies: A-Alpha Company, B-Bravo Company, and C-Charlie Company. The battalion's primary mission is to train Initial Entry Training soldiers for military occupational specialties 35F.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade</span> Military unit

The 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade is located at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. The 201st was originally named the 201st Military Intelligence Brigade and on 3 July 2008 it became the Army's third active duty battlefield surveillance brigade and was renamed the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BfSB). The US Army decided to get rid of its BfSBs and the 201st was realigned into a new expeditionary military intelligence brigade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">504th Military Intelligence Brigade</span> Military intelligence brigade of the III Armored Corps, US Army

The 504th Military Intelligence Brigade is located at Fort Cavazos, Texas. The brigade is tasked to improve the situational awareness for commanders at division level or higher, so they can adapt their units combat power for the current operations. For this the Military Intelligence Brigades can deploy unmanned aerial vehicles, signals gathering equipment, human intelligence collectors and long range surveillance patrols. From 2007 to 2015 the 504th served as an expeditionary military intelligence brigade (EMIB) becoming one of three active duty Surveillance Brigades of the United States Army. In 2015, the brigade returned to its original name and mission as the 504th Military Intelligence Brigade conducting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of III Armored Corps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">500th Military Intelligence Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 500th Military Intelligence Brigade is a unit of the United States Army and subordinate to the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. Its mission is to provide tailored, multi-disciplined intelligence and intelligence capabilities in support of USARPAC and other Commands, to defeat adversaries, promote regional stability, support partners and allies, and protect US interests. The 500th is headquartered at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">319th Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)</span> Military unit

The 319th Military Intelligence Battalion is a military intelligence battalion in the United States Army and is part of the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade (Expeditionary).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">470th Military Intelligence Brigade (United States)</span> American military intelligence unit

The 470th Military Intelligence Brigade is a unit of the United States Army and subordinate to the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command. Its mission is to provide tailored, multi-disciplined intelligence and counter-intelligence in support of United States Army South (ARSOUTH) and United States Southern Command (USSOUTHCOM). The 470th is headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, Texas with subordinate battalions located in Texas and Florida. Elements of the 470th have participated in Operation Just Cause and have deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dagger Complex</span>

The Dagger Complex is a US military base in Darmstadt (Germany), close to Griesheim and located at the Eberstädter Weg, south of the August-Euler-Airfield.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2nd Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)</span> Military unit

2nd Military Intelligence Battalion is a unit of the United States Army which specializes in the acquisition of signals information in direct support of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. The 2nd MI Battalion currently is headquartered at Wiesbaden Army Airfield in Germany.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade</span> Military unit

The 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade (Expeditionary) is a unit of the United States Army specializing in the acquisition and analysis of information with potential military value. On 28 October 2014, the unit was reflagged from the "525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade" to an expeditionary military intelligence brigade, the first of its kind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">116th Military Intelligence Brigade (United States)</span> Military unit

The 116th Military Intelligence Brigade (Aerial Intelligence) (116th MIB) is an intelligence brigade in the U.S. Army charged with conducting 24/7 tasking, collection, processing, exploitation, dissemination and feedback operations of multiple organic and joint Aerial-Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (A-ISR) missions collected in overseas contingency areas of operation.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater)</span> Military unit

The 207th Military Intelligence Brigade (Theater) (207th MIB (T)) is a military intelligence brigade of the United States Army Intelligence and Security Command that conducts intelligence collection and exploitation in support of U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) and U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in order to set the intelligence architecture for the theater, disrupt transnational and trans-regional threats, and promote regional stability in Africa while building and maintaining intelligence readiness. The 207th MIB is the first theater intelligence brigade dedicated solely to Africa.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">308th Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)</span> Military unit

The 308th Military Intelligence Battalion is an active duty Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion of the United States Army assigned to the 902nd MI Group, an Intelligence & Security Command (INSCOM) subordinate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">311th Military Intelligence Battalion (United States)</span> Military unit

The 311th Military Intelligence Battalion is an active duty Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion of the United States Army stationed at Camp Zama, Japan and assigned to the 500th MI Brigade. The 311th MI Battalion is equipped to continue to provide support and train alongside U.S. Army Japan partner units, and Japan Ground Self-Defense Force coalition partners. The 311th conducts continuous multi-discipline Intelligence operations in support of U.S. Army Pacific operations and national level requirements in the U.S. Indo-Pacific area of operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">203rd Military Intelligence Battalion</span> Technical intelligence unit of US Army

The 203rd Military Intelligence Battalion (Technical Intelligence) is the sole technical intelligence (TECHINT) collection and foreign material exploitation unit of the United States Department of Defense and a battalion in the United States Army Reserve. The 203rd obtains and exploits captured enemy materials, maintains one of the premier test and evaluation inventories of adversary equipment and weaponry in the US military, and supports specialized tasking including counter-terrorism, special reconnaissance, and direct action missions. Much of the units work is conducted in close collaboration with the National Ground Intelligence Center. The battalion's intelligence products provide TECHINT support to INSCOM, the Defense Intelligence Enterprise, the broader US Intelligence Community (IC), the Five Eyes, NATO, and foreign allies and partners.

References

  1. "66th MI Public Website" . Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  2. "Units and Commands, Organizational chart of U.S. Army Europe". US Army. Archived from the original on 22 April 2012. Retrieved 18 April 2012.
  3. "New 66th MI commander 'powers forward'". Herald Union. Archived from the original on 4 October 2013. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  4. "66th MI Soldiers are INSCOM's best". US Army. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  5. "Local Employment Opportunities" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 5 October 2013. Retrieved 28 March 2012.
  6. "INSCOM honors fallen Soldier". US Army INSCOM. Retrieved 27 March 2012.
  7. "66th Military Intelligence Brigade". United States Army Intelligence and Security Command. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  8. "66th Military Intelligence Brigade". 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  9. "24th MI Battalion". 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. Retrieved 2 September 2020.
  10. "709th MI Battalion". 66th Military Intelligence Brigade. Retrieved 29 January 2022.
  11. "Fay Report: Investigation of Intelligence Activities at Abu Ghraib" (PDF). findlaw.com. pp. 40, 79, 125, 128. Retrieved 10 April 2012.
  12. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 12 March 2013. Retrieved 6 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  13. 1 2 "66th Military Intelligence Group". The Institute of Heraldry. Archived from the original on 14 September 2012. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  14. "Lineage and Honors of the 66th Military Intelligence Brigade". U.S. Army Center for Military History. Archived from the original on 23 May 2011. Retrieved 2 July 2011.
  15. "66th MI Public Website". U.S. Army INSCOM. Retrieved 25 March 2012.