Link to join the private group: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1C5aZfd4Mn/?mibextid=wwXIfr Unit History
The 502d Intelligence Electronic Warfare (IEW) Battalion (BN), originally designated as the 502d Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion, originally comprised of five separate MI service platoons, was activated at Taegu, Korea on 1 September 1952 and assigned to the Far East Command. The Battali
on was instrumental in providing vital and timely intelligence in support of the Korean War. For its efforts in providing United Nations’ Forces with valuable tactical intelligence gained from interrogators, order of battle analysts, and photo interpreters, the Battalion was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation and a Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation. The unit also participated in the following campaigns: Korea Summer 1952; Third Korean Winter 1952-1953; Korea Summer 1953. Upon cessation of hostilities, the Battalion was inactivated on 20 January 1955. On 25 March 1961, the Battalion was reactivated at Yongsan, Korea as a Field Army Battalion assigned to the U.S. Army Pacific Command and subsequently assigned to the Eighth U.S. From 1961 to 1978, the 502d was the only MI Battalion assigned in the Republic of Korea. During this period, the Battalion provided key analytical research on the developing North Korean Army. The Battalion was reorganized in April 1977, and assigned to the Intelligence and Security Command, and later inactivated on 1 January 1978. On 1 October 1986, the 502d Military Intelligence Battalion was reactivated at Fort Lewis, Washington and assigned to the 35th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. On 1 September 1987, the 502d Military Intelligence Battalion was transferred from the 35th ADA Brigade and reassigned to the newly activated 201st Military Intelligence Brigade, I Corps, where, as the Operations Battalion, it provided vital and timely tactical intelligence, electronic warfare, secure communications, and operational security support to I Corps and its subordinate units. On 15 January 2004, after the completion of the initial invasion of Iraq, the 502d deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II, making this its first combat campaign in 52 years. Upon arrival in Baghdad, Iraq, the Battalion reorganized with some additions as Task Force Rainier. This Battalion Task Force provided critical command and control functions for Tactical Human Intelligence Teams operating throughout Iraq in support of Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I) and Multinational Corps-Iraq (MNC-I). The Battalion returned home to Fort Lewis in December 2004. On 11 August 2006, the 502d deployed again to Iraq, this time in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) 06-08. Reorganizing and renaming again as Task Force Rainier, the Battalion brought intelligence assets from other units, as well as Reserve Component Soldiers, to accomplish its intelligence collection mission. Organized into Human Intelligence Collection Teams and Triton Collection Teams (Signals Intelligence), the Battalion operated throughout not only the greater Baghdad area, but also across the entirety of Central and Southern Iraq, supporting the operations of MNF-I, MNC-I, and four Multinational Divisions (Baghdad, Central, Central South, and Southeast). The Battalion returned home to Fort Lewis in October 2007, having served 15 months supporting the OIF campaign. On 14 March 2008, the 502d held its last formation as an Operations Battalion. Under revision of the force structure, the 201st Military Intelligence Brigade was redesigned as a Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, changing the 502d into a Collections Battalion. As the mission of the 502d changed, it lost much of its legacy force and transformed into a modular force. On 27 August 2009, the Battalion again deployed in support of OIF as part of the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade and returned to Fort Lewis on 20 August 2010. On 30 May 2012, the 502d deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 12-13 where the Battalion supported Regional Command South in Southern Afghanistan. The Battalion returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord on 20 February 2013. In June 2014, Bravo Company, 502d deployed again with elements from both Alpha and Charlie Company in support of Operation Enduring Freedom to Regional Command South in Afghanistan. Upon their redeployment, on 22 July 2015, the 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade converted into the 201st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade. This led to the reorganization of the 502d Military Intelligence Battalion. On 06 August 2015 Charlie Company deactivated, and on 08 January 2016, Bravo Company deactivated after standing up a Company on 30 September 2015 at Fort Gordon, Georgia as the Collection and Exploitation Company under the 201st E-MIB. In February 2017, the 502d redeployed from Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel after serving honorably and receiving great accolades for their exceptionally meritorious service. In the summer and fall of 2018, 502d welcomed and integrated Bravo Company to its new home on JBLM. In August 2019, the 502d again deployed in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel 19-20, providing critical intelligence support in Afghanistan. The Battalion redeployed again after another successful deployment, once again receiving recognition and accolades for their professionalism and skill. In October 2021, the 502d Military Intelligence Battalion was redesignated as the 502d Intelligence Electronic Warfare Battalion (CORPS) thus becoming the first Intelligence Electronic Warfare Battalion in the Army. For incoming Soldiers, please direct all Sponsorship questions to the following address:
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