The 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment (First Arkansas), is an infantry battalion of the Arkansas Army National Guard, headquartered at Malvern, assigned to the 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.The Institute of Heraldry, Retrieved 13 January 2010, The 1–153rd has deployed companies in support of the Multi-National Security Force (SFOR 9) to Bosnia and to Saudi Arabia as part of Operation Southern Watch. 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry has twice deployed as a battalion for Operation Iraqi Freedom, once from 2004–05 and a second time in 2008. The battalion was awarded the Meritorious Unit Citation for the period, 17 March 2004 – 23 March 2005.
Background The history of the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry as an individual battalion really begins with the reorganization of the 39th Infantry Division in 1967 and the creation of the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate). For history of the 1st Battalion prior to 1967, see 153rd Infantry Regiment (United States) and 39th Infantry Division (United States).
Creation of 39th Infantry Brigade In 1967 the 39th Infantry Division was reorganized and redesignated as the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate) and in 1973 was paired with the US 101st Airborne Division as a training partner and became an air-assault brigade.
In 1994 the 39th was again reorganized and gained its designation as an "enhanced" brigade.
In 1999, the 39th became part of the 7th Infantry Division under the Army Integrated Division concept which paired National Guard and Reserve brigades with active duty headquarters and support units.Global Security.org, 39th Infantry Brigade (Light) (Separate/Enhanced), Retrieved 21 January 2010, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/39in-bde.htm
Overseas training deployments The 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry units conducted numerous overseas training rotations throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.1967–2002, 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), The Arkansas Brigade, 35 Years of Excellence, A Brief History of the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate)
1986, Company B, 1–153 conducted annual training in Honduras. 1990, Company A, 1–153rd conducted annual training in Honduras as part of the National Guard Bureau's Overseas Training Program. Company C, 1–153rd Infantry conducted annual training in the United Kingdom. 1991, 1–153rd Infantry deployed with selected members of 2–153rd on a SOUTHCOM rotation to the Jungle Operations Training Center (JOTO) at Fort Sherman, Panama.
Operation Southern Watch In May through September 1999, Company B, 2nd Battalion, 153 Infantry was activated for Operation Southern Watch.Global Security. Org, 3–153rd Infantry Battalion, Retrieved 22 January 2010, http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/3-153in.htm B/2-153 deployed to Kuwait. 39th Brigade Soldiers provided security at Patriot Missile batteries during these deployments. The mission lasted a total of seven months, and was the first "pure" National Guard effort in the region.
Company C, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry carried on the 39th's role in Operation Southern Watch when they replaced B/2-153 IN in September 1999.1967–2002, 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate), The Arkansas Brigade, 35 Years of Excellence, Memorandum from BG Ronald S. Chastain
Security Force Nine (SFOR 9) In March 2001, Company D, 1–153rd and Company D, 3–153rd deployed to Bosnia as part of the Multinational Stabilization Force (SFOR), Security Force Nine in order to assist with the enforcement of the mandate of the United Nations Mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina (UNMIBH). The companies were attached to 3rd Squadron, 7 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division for the deployment as part of Task Force Eagle. They performed presence patrols outside Forward Operating Base Morgan and Camp McGovern, and participated in the consolidation of weapon storage sites. The soldiers also guarded the sites.
Operation Iraqi Freedom II Ramp-up In 2002 the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment was notified that it would be participating in a rotation to the Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Polk, LA as a part of the 39th Infantry Brigade (Separate). For National Guard units, a rotation is actually a three-year process that provides additional money, resources and training opportunities in order to improve unit readiness before the actual rotation through the JRTC. The battalion was required to complete a mission rehearsal exercise during the 2003 annual training conducted at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas. Less than a month after the completion of this major training milestone, the battalion received its alert for deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom on 28 July 2003.
Alert, train, and man the battalion On 12 October 2003, the battalion, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Kendall A. Penn, was ordered to federal service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II for a period of up to 18 months. The battalion would undergo post mobilization training at Fort Hood, Texas from October 2003 until January 2004. In January the battalion shipped its vehicles and equipment to Iraq from Fort Hood, and then moved to Fort Polk for a Mission Rehearsal Exercise at the JRTC.
When the 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment received its alert for deployment, it was approximately 130 soldiers short of its authorized end strength. This shortage was due in large part to the way new recruits are accounted for in the National Guard. In the active army a new recruit only comes to a unit and is counted on its books after the soldier has completed Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training. In the National Guard, the new recruit is counted on the unit's strength reports as soon as the soldier signs his contract. The 39th Brigade had over 500 soldiers who had not completed either Basic or Advanced Individual Training upon alert.
This shortage led to the decision to consolidate the available manning into two infantry battalions that would be supplied for the brigade by the Arkansas National Guard and to ask National Guard Bureau to provide the third infantry battalion. The 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment was selected as one of the two Arkansas infantry battalions which would deploy.
During consolidation of the 1st, 2nd and 3rd battalions 153rd Infantry for OIF II, efforts were made to maintain unit integrity at least the platoon level. The units were consolidated in the following fashion:
Battalion Headquarters OIF II Unit Consolidated Units 3rd Battalion, 153rd Infantry HHC, 3–153rd HHC, 2–153rd Company A, 3–153rd Company Company B, 3–153rd Company B, 2–153rd Company C 3–153rd Company C, Company D, 3–153rd Company D, 1st Battalion, 153rd Infantry HHC, 1–153rd HHC, 1–153rd Company A 1–153rd Company A and 2 Plts from B/1-153rd Company B, 1–153rd Company B, 3–153rd Company C, 1–153rd Company C, 1–153rd Company D, 1–153rd Company D, 1–153rd and 1 Plt from D/3-153rd Company D, 3–153rd Company D,
Operation Bowie Fury Area of operations The 39th BCT was task organized with 1–153rd IN being detached to 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Brigade, in exchange for the attachment of 2nd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, to the 39th Brigade Combat Team.
1–153rd IN was headquartered in the Green Zone in Baghdad with the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. The 1–153rd was further task organized with in the 3rd BCT by the detachment of Company C, 1–153rd to 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment. The 1–153rd in turn received the attachment of the Troop A, 1–9th Cav, a mechanized cavalry unit, thus providing the task force with a mechanized company team.
Significant combat actions Task Force (TF) 1–153rd Infantry (Inf) was task organized effective 16 March 2004. The task organization included A/1-9 Cavalry and direct support maintenance elements of the 39th Support Battalion. The task force's assigned strength for the deployment averaged 720 Soldiers during the service period. TF 1–153rd conducted a tactical convoy from Kuwait to Baghdad, Iraq, 1–3 April 2004. The convoy consisted of ten serials, totaling over 300 vehicles representing six of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 1st Cavalry Division task forces. Upon arrival in its area of responsibility (AOR), the Karradah District of Baghdad, TF 1–153rd was charged with securing zones 10, 13, 14W and operating Checkpoint 11, a major point of entry into the International Zone (IZ). On 6 May 2004 a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attached Checkpoint 11, resulting in one soldier killed in action (KIA) and two soldiers wounded in action (WIA). The TF 1–153rd soldiers manning the checkpoint were successful in containing the attack and prevented entry into the IZ.
TF 1–153rd conducted over seventy raids, 8,280 patrols and 1,440 traffic control points during its deployment, resulting in 120 insurgents captured and numerous rocket propelled grenades (RPGs), explosives, and weapons captured. The task force's effectiveness was reflected in a captured arms dealer's refusal to bring shipments of heavy weapons into Karradah for fear of capture in one of the many traffic control points established by the task force. The task force was also responsible for securing numerous high-value assets (HVAs) located in its area of responsibility, including the Japanese, South Korean, Kuwait and Polish embassies, Baghdad University, and the World Health Organization.
In June 2004, the task force participated in a cordon and search operation which resulted in the discovery and disarming of a large improvised explosive device (IED) emplaced to kill the Japanese Charge d 'Affairs, and the capture of the individuals responsible for its emplacement. In January 2005, the task force responded to a vehicle borne improvised explosive device (VBIED) attack against the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution of Iraq (SCIRI) headquarters. The attack resulted in thirteen dead and over fifty wounded Iraqi civilians. Company A and the task force quick reaction force (QRF) cordoned the area against further attack and immediately began rendering aid to wounded Iraqis. The task force later assisted SCIRI as they conducted a force protection assessment and emplaced barriers to harden the facility. Mr. Abdul Aziz Al-Hakim, the head of the party later thanked General Casey for the task force's quick response and assistance. In total, the task force was attacked by twelve VBIEDs, twenty seven IEDs, forty seven indirect fire attacks, and fifty three attacks by small arms.
A/1-9th Cav also conducted numerous combat operations on Haifa Street in Zone 8S that resulted in the capture of 114 insurgents, and numerous RPGs, mortars, and explosives. The battalion also trained Company A, 302nd Battalion of the Iraqi National Guard to company proficiency. Company A, 302d later fought in intense, sustained combat operations on Haifa Street. The task force also implemented over $5.6 million in community improvement projects and projects to restore essential services in Karradah. The money was spent to provide the greatest economic stimulus possible to the Karradah District and resulted in the creation of over 2,000 temporary jobs.
1-153rd IN captured six division targets and contained or disrupted fifteen Vehicle Borne Improvised Explosive Device (VBIED) attacks in their sector. The battalion worked to suppress indirect fire attacks on the International Zone during the Transfer of Iraqi Sovereignty and weekly Iraqi National Congress meetings. The 1–153rd commander, LTC Kendall Penn also worked closely with the Karahda District Counsel to oversee over six million dollars of infrastructure and community improvement projects in the battalion's area of operations.
Members of Company C, 1–153rd spent weeks fighting as part of TF 1–9th CAV, 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division on the hotly contested area of Haifa Street in Baghdad.
Redeployment