513th Military Intelligence Brigade - INSCOM'S Contingency Force

The 224th MI Battalion conduct aerial collection and exploitation of communications and electronic intelligence in support of INSCOM and other War Fighters.

Leadership Team

COAT OF ARMS

Shield: Quarterly azure and argent a griffin sejant or grasping two flashes saltirewise gules.

Motto: VIGILANCE ABOVE

The 224th Aviation Battalion (Radio Research) was activated in Saigon, Vietnam, on 1 June 1966. Four companies with a total of 6 aircraft and 159 personnel initially comprised the battalion, but it quickly expanded in size. By July 1967, the battalion had reached its highest strength of 1066 personnel. Within two years 30 aircraft had been assigned to the unit. On 1 December 1968 it was redesignated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 224th Aviation Battalion.

On 19 May 1971, the battalion was redesignated the 224th Army Security Agency Aviation Battalion. The battalion participated in fifteen campaigns and received three awards of the Meritorious Unit Commendation, along with the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm during its service in the Vietnam Conflict

On 3 March 1973, the colors of the battalion were transferred to Oakland, California, and the unit was deactivated. This brought the Army’s initial exploratory effort in Army Airborne Special Electronic Mission Aircraft (SEMA) Signals Intelligence to a close.

On 1 June 1981, the unit was reactivated as the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion (Aerial Exploitation) at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia. The battalion was organized with a Headquarters and Headquarters Service Company, Company A (Aerial Surveillance) (OV-1/RV-1 Mohawk) and Company B (Electronic Warfare) (Guardrail). From February 1984 to January 1990, the battalion provided continuous aerial intelligence collection support to the U.S. Southern Command from an OCONUS operating base.

In 1992 and 1993, B Company, 224th retired their Improved Guardrail V (RC-12D) system and began fielding the Guardrail Common Sensor (RC-12N) system (GRCS System 1).

In 1996, A Company, 224th ended a legacy when they retired the last of the OV-1 and RV-1 Mohawk reconnaissance aircraft. A Company was deactivated in 1997.

Company B deployed the RC-12N Guardrail Common Sensor system to Operation Phoenix Venture in Kuwait from August 2001 through June 2002. During this time, they also supported US Central Command in support of Operations Desert Spring, Southern Watch and Operation Enduring Freedom.

On 15 November 2002, the 21st Military Intelligence Company (Aerial Surveillance) (Hunter UAV) from Joint Readiness Training Center at Ft. Polk, Louisiana was designated as A Company, 224 Military Intelligence Battalion (RQ-5A Hunter UAV). From October through December 2002, B Company deployed to South America to support Operation Palmetto Deck in support of US Southern Command anti-terrorism and counter-drug operations.

In January 2003, A Company deployed to the CENTCOM AOR in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Company A entered Iraq on 21 March 2003. B Company and Headquarters Service Company entered Iraq in May 2003. HSC and B Company redeployed to Hunter Army Air Field in September 2003. A Company redeployed their Soldiers to Ft. Polk in January 2004 and restationed to Hunter Army Air Field, falling onto their redeployed equipment on 22 March 2004.

From May through December 2004, B Company again deployed to the CENTCOM AOR, this time to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

A Company deployed to Ft. Huachuca from April through May of 2005 in support of Joint Task Force–North (JTF-N) to assist the Naco/Douglas border patrol area for Homeland Security missions.

In January 2004 B Company initiated an extensive series of aircraft and intelligence systems upgrades in preparation for a pending deployment back to Iraq. From August through October 2005, B Company responded to an urgent request from US Southern Command and conducted a quick reaction deployment to South America for Operation Palmetto Deck II.

A Company deployed to Ft. Huachuca for a second operation in support of JTF-N Homeland Security mission from 14 October through 18 November 2005.

In January 2006, A Company replaced its RQ-5A UAVs with the MQ-5B Hunter UAV.

The 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, as a subordinate unit of the 525th Military Intelligence Brigade (Airborne), deployed to Iraq on 2 May 2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08. On 16 December, 2006, the 224th Military Intelligence Battalion was administratively reassigned to the US Army Intelligence and Security Command. The Battalion is now under the administrative control of the 513th MI BDE at Fort Gordon, Georgia. The battalion returned to Savannah 1 May 2007.

The 224th Military Intelligence Battalion, as a subordinate unit of the 504th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, deployed to Iraq on 6 May 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 08-10. The Battalion continues to provide the highest quality aerial reconnaissance and surveillance support to the war fighters around the world with the MQ-5B Hunter Unmanned Aerial Vehicle and the RC-12N Guardrail Common Sensor.

Decorations