35th Signal Brigade (United States)

35th Signal Brigade (Theater Tactical)
35th Signal Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia.
Active	1943–45 1967–2007 2007–present
Country	United States
Branch	Regular army
Garrison/HQ	Fort Gordon, Georgia
Motto(s)	"Utmost of our Ability"
Engagements	World War II Operation Desert Storm Operation Enduring Freedom Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation Inherent Resolve
Commanders
Commander	COL Charles P. Daly
Command Sergeant Major	CSM William J. Jordan
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia

The 35th Signal Brigade is the largest signal unit in the world and was the only airborne signal brigade in the United States Army. The brigade was previously based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and provided rapidly deployable force projection signal support, and rapid communications for Army, joint, and combined Operations. On 23 April 2007, the 35th Signal Brigade relocated to Fort Gordon, Georgia.

The new mission statement of the 35th Signal Brigade states the unit "to deploy, install, operate, and maintain a tactical theater communications package worldwide while supporting joint and combined operations."

The 35th Signal Brigade (“THE Lion Brigade!”) was formed as the 931st Signal Battalion (Air Support Command) and activated on 11 January 1943 at Esler Field, Louisiana. In June 1944, the unit was reorganized and re-designated as the 931st Signal Battalion. The unit deployed to India and Burma where it provided communications to the American and British Armies. The battalion received credit for participating in India-Burma, Central Burma, and the China offensive campaigns. It also received a Meritorious Unit Citation for serving in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. Following World War II, the 931st was deactivated in India in 1945. The 931st was reactivated 25 April 1967 and re-designated as the 35th Signal Group, based at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where it gained airborne status.

The 35th Signal Group participated in multiple training and emergency deployment readiness exercises between 1967 and 1979 to prepare for any mission. Due to the changes in the organizational structure of the Army, the 35th Signal Group was reorganized as the 35th Signal Brigade on 16 December 1979 to support XVIII Airborne Corps level assets. In 1983, the brigade headquarters deployed to Grenada in support of Operation Urgent Fury, where elements of the brigade established communications by providing tactical satellite communications between Fort Bragg, Grenada and higher level command in CONUS. The brigade headquarters deployed to Honduras in support of Operation Golden Pheasant in 1988. There, the brigade supported the U.S.'s show of force. In 1989, the brigade participated in Operation Just Cause, and assumed operational control of all joint task force level tactical communications assets in Panama by overseeing the JTF message switching network, radio nets and ensuring AUTOVON connectivity.

The 35th Signal Brigade deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of XVIII Airborne Corps during Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm from 1990 to 1991. The brigade established the largest tactical satellite network ever installed in support of a corps area of operations. The Lion Brigade received campaign participation credit for the Defense of Saudi Arabia and the Liberation and Defense of Kuwait and the Meritorious Unit Commendation award for its actions.