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History of the
Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion
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Originally activated as the Division Special Troops Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division on 15 July 2005 during division’s conversion to a modular force, the battalion carries the lineage of the 1st Cavalry Division which began in 1921. The battalion was formed from Soldiers of the 312th Military Intelligence Battalion, the 13th Signal Battalion, and the Division Headquarters and Headquarters Company. In April 2010 the DSTB was inactivated and the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion of the 1st Cavalry Division was activated. In late August 2005, the DSTB executed its first mission: provide support to the Division Main Command Post and Tactical Command Post (forward) as they deployed to provide humanitarian relief throughout Louisiana in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Throughout the late summer and fall of 2006, the DSTB deployed over 1200 Soldiers from Fort Hood, TX to Baghdad, Iraq where it supported 1st Cavalry Division/Multinational Division-Baghdad during Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08, conducting relief in place and transfer of authority on 15 November 2006. The DSTB quickly grew to over 2000 personnel of all services as the “Surge” forces entered Iraq. For its superb performance during this decisive period in Iraq, the DSTB was collectively recognized with the Meritorious Unit Commendation. The DSTB was relieved of its mission in Baghdad on 19 December 2007 and redeployed all personnel and equipment back to Fort Hood, TX having played a critical role in the transformation of Iraq into a free nation. In the fall of 2008, the DSTB received orders to return to Baghdad. Sending forth elements of the Network Hub Platoon to Qatar in late December 2008 in order to establish critical communications support, the DSTB deployed throughout January 2009, closing on Baghdad by the end of the month. The battalion, as the headquarters command and support force for the 1st Cavalry Division/Multi-National Division-Baghdad, conducted relief in place and transfer of authority on 10 February 2009, officially assuming its mission for Operation Iraqi Freedom 09-10. The DSTB returned from Iraq in early 2010 and began reintegration with family and the local community. In the spring they inactivated and reactivated as Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion. The Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion (HHBn) of the 1st Cavalry Division consists of the HHBn command group and battalion staff and contains the Division command group and staff. The HHBn is organized into four internal companies, the 1st Cavalry Division Band and the Horse Cavalry Detachment. The Headquarters and Service Company contains the battalion command and its staff and also the division command group (CG, DCG-M, DCG-S, CSM, Chief of Staff and SGS) and the CG's special staff - IG (inspector general), public affairs office, staff judge advocate and chaplain section. A Company, OPS, contains the following staff sections: G3 (operations and training), G5 (plans), Division Engineers, Fire Support Element, G7 (Information Operations and Psychological Operations), G9 (civil affairs), CBRNE (chemical biological, radiological, nuclear and explosives), PMO (provost marshal). B Company, I&S, contains the G1 (personnel), G2 (iIntelligence), G4 (logistics), G8 (comptroller) and division surgeon section. C Company, SIG, has the G6 and provides signal support. The battalion continues to "Live the Legend". Distinctive Unit Insignia
Description: A metal and enameled device 1 inch (2.54 cm) in height overall consisting of a gold colored Norman shield with a black horse's head couped in sinister chief, and a black bend charged with two five-pointed stars.Symbolism: The device is a miniature reproduction of the 1st Cavalry Division's shoulder sleeve insignia with the addition of two five-pointed stars. The Division Commander and the Division Staff wore the distinctive insignia design from 1922 to 1934 as a shoulder sleeve insignia.Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 1st Cavalry Division on 25 August 1965. It was redesignated for the 1st Air Cavalry Division on 5 August 1968. It was redesignated for the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile) on 10 September 1968. The insignia was redesignated for the 1st Cavalry Division on 24 May 1971.
The Distinctive Unit Insignia for the Division
Special Troops Battalion
Description: A Silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in width, consisting of a shield blazoned as follows: “Per bend Or and Azure (Teal Blue) a horse’s head couped Sable, in base between two lightning flashes chevronwise reversed a mullet Argent.” Attached above, a Teal Blue motto scroll inscribed “LIVE THE LEGEND” in Silver letters. Symbolism: Gold recalls the Cavalry lineage of the unit and traditionally represents high achievement and excellence. Teal denotes the branch immaterial standing of the organization and indicates troop diversity. The horse, alluding to the unit horse Pegasus, refers to the traditions of Cavalry and the First Team. The star represents courage, vigilance and preparedness to defend the nation and recalls the unit’s status as the only separate battalion in the Division. The star also refers to the previous Maverick Organizations in the Division which consisted of three separate battalions and two separate companies. The lightning flashes symbolize the modernization of unit Command and Control systems and recall the unit’s association with the Division Signal and Military Intelligence Battalions. They also denote speedy response to mission requirements. Black signifies strength and solidarity. Background: The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 13 January 2006. Coat of Arms
Blazon Shield: Per bend Or and Azure (Teal Blue) a horse's head couped Sable fimbriated of the first, in base between two lightning flashes cevronwise reversed Argent fimbriated of the third a mullet Argent garnished Sable Crest: None. Motto: LIVE THE LEGEND. Symbolism Shield: Gold recalls the Cavalry lineage of the unit and traditionally represents high achievement and excellence. Teal denotes the branch immaterial standing of the organization and indicates troop diversity. The horse, alluding to the unit horse Pegasus, refers to the traditions of Cavalry and the First Team. The star represents courage, vigilance and preparedness to defend the nation and recalls the unit’s status as the only separate battalion in the Division. The star also refers to the previous Maverick Organizations in the Division which consisted of three separate battalions and two separate companies. The lightning flashes symbolize the modernization of unit Command and Control systems and recall the unit’s association with the Division Signal and Military Intelligence Battalions. They also denote speedy response to mission requirements. Black signifies strength and solidarity. Crest: None. Background: The coat of arms was approved on 13 January 2006. |
