Country United States Type Military Intelligence Garrison/HQ Decatur, Alabama | Branch U.S. Army Part of Alabama National Guard | |
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Role Provide intelligence analysis and collection support | ||
The 142nd Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BfSB) is located at Decatur, Alabama. The 142nd BfSB is a Major Command (MACOM) of the Alabama Army National Guard.
The 142nd BfSB stood up as a brigade in the Alabama Army National Guard Surveillance Brigade of the United States Army in 2011.
The brigade is tasked to improve the situational awareness for commanders at division level or higher, so they can adapt their units combat power for the current operations. For this the Battlefield Surveillance Brigades can deploy unmanned aerial vehicles, signals gathering equipment, human intelligence collectors and long range surveillance patrols.
The 142nd BfSB is currently composed of:
The 142nd BfSB conducts intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.
History
Symbolism of 142nd shoulder sleeve insignia
The eight pointed star polygon, symbolic of Helios the Greek God of the Sun, who could see and hear everything, denotes alertness. The red diagonal cross of the white star polygon signifies the Alabama State flag, the home state of the Brigade. The crossed swords suggest the aggressive and protective requirements and the elements of physical danger inherent in the mission. The following colors represent the branches that form the Brigade: oriental blue refers to the Military Intelligence functions and yellow and red indicates the Cavalry capabilities to accomplish its reconnaissance mission. The shoulder sleeve insignia was approved on 3 March 2011. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-1045)
Symbolism of 142nd unit crest
The shield, a warrior’s primary piece of equipment, represents the Brigade’s responsibility to the defense of national security. The lightning bolt symbolizes swiftness of communication, a basic category to Military Intelligence. The following colors represent the branches that form the Brigade: oriental blue refers to the Military Intelligence functions and yellow and red indicates the Cavalry capabilities to accomplish its reconnaissance mission. The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 3 March 2011.