501st Military Intelligence Brigade (United States)

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.

501st Military Intelligence Brigade
Active20 October 1950 - Present
CountryUnited States of America
Allegiance United States
BranchUnited States Army
TypeCombat Support
RoleMilitary intelligence
SizeBrigade
Part ofUnited States Army Intelligence and Security Command
StationedUSAG Humphreys, Republic of Korea
Nickname(s)Red Dragons
Motto(s)Strike with Fire
Unit ColorsRed and Black
Mascot(s)Red Dragon
DecorationsROK Presidential Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Commendation
Commanders
CommanderCOL Paul Oh
Command Sergeant MajorCSM Michael Martino
Notable
commanders		COL Mary A. Legere, 2002–2004
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia of the bridge

Structure

History

Constituted on 13 October 1950 in the regular Army as HHC, 501st Communication Reconnaissance Group, the unit was activated on 20 October 1950 at Camp Pickett, Virginia, and assigned to the Army Security Agency (ASA). On 28 May 1951, the 501st transferred from Camp Pickett to Camp Stoneman, California, for staging to Busan, Korea.

The 501st arrived at Busan on 25 June 1951. The unit spent four days in the Busan assembly area, awaiting sea transportation to Inchon. The 501st arrived at Inchon on 1 July 1951. The Group headquarters moved into the war damaged main building of the Kyonggi Middle School, Seoul, Korea. By 15 July, the 501st had assumed administrative and operational control of all ASA units in Korea.

By the end of hostilities in July 1953, the Group had three battalions and five companies assigned. Beside the numerous citations awarded to its subordinate units, the Group received the Meritorious Unit Commendation (1 July 1951 to 27 July 1953), the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit citation (15 July 1951 to 30 April 1953) and credited for participation in six campaigns.

On 28 January 1956, the 501st Communications Reconnaissance Group was redesignated as HHC, 501st ASA Group. On 1 July 1965, the 501st ASA Group was inactivated and its personnel and mission transferred to the 508th USASA Group, a TDA organization, as part of a worldwide reorganization occurring within ASA to provide greater flexibility in support of tactical units.

On 1 January 1978, HHC, 501st ASA Group was redesignated HHC, 501st Military Intelligence Group and activated at Yongsan, Korea. The Group took place of the temporary 501st MI Group (Provisional), organized at Camp Coiner on 1 April 1977, as part of the major reorganization within Army Intelligence, which merged individuals disciplines into one organization.

On 16 October 1986, the 501st was elevated to Brigade status under the Army of Excellence guidelines.[1]

The 501st Military Intelligence Brigade's 524th Military Intelligence Battalion deployed elements in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan to assist in operations between NATO and Republic of Korea (ROK) Army units. The last of these elements returned in early 2013.

References
  1. "501ST MI BDE History". 501st Military Intelligence Brigade. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
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