History of the 29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

The 29^th Infantry Brigade was organized in the Hawaii Army National Guard (HARNG) in January 1959. The original elements of the Brigade consisted of the Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company and the 1^st and 2^nd Battle Groups, 299^th Infantry. These units of the new Brigade were formed primarily from the 299^th Regimental Combat Team, the 298^th AAA Battalion, and the 120^th Signal Support Company.

In April 1963, the Brigade reorganized with the conversion of the battle group into three separate infantry battalions under brigade control. The Brigade reorganized again in November 1965 with one of the infantry battalions of the Brigade providing the nucleus for a support battalion and the 227^th Engineer Battalion reorganized into the 227^th Engineer Company and 1^st Battalion, 487^th Field Artillery. In December 1967, Troop E, 19^th Cavalry, was added to the Brigade base.

The Brigade was called to active duty for the Vietnam War on May 13 1968 through Dec. 13, 1969. The 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry, U.S. Army Reserve; 227^th Military Intelligence Detachment from Arizona; and the 40^th Aviation Company from California joined the Brigade at Schofield Barracks. Twenty-nine individuals gave their lives in the service of their country while on active duty during the mobilization.

In October 1972, the Brigade was designated a round-out brigade to the 25^th Infantry Division at Schofield Barracks. The Brigade served as a round-out brigade until Sept. 30, 1986. In October 1986, the Brigade was reorganized and designated as the 29^th Infantry Brigade (Separate). The Brigade served as the round-up separate brigade to I (US) Corps. In 1993, the 29th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was designated as one of the fifteen Enhanced Army National Guard (ARNG) Brigades. The Brigade was to become the only multi-state and multi-component enhanced brigade.

In September 1995, the 1^st Battalion, 184^th Infantry, California ARNG; Battery E, 1^st Battalion, 216^th Air Defense Artillery, Minnesota ARNG; and Troop F, 82^nd Cavalry, Oregon ARNG were added to the 29^th Infantry Brigade (Separate) replacing the deactivated 1^st Battalion, 299^th Infantry and Troop E, 19^th Cavalry.

On Aug. 16, 2004, the 29^th Infantry Brigade (Separate) was called to active duty to support the Global War on Terrorism. The Brigade mobilized at Schofield Barracks, HI, then formed at Fort Bliss, Texas. On Oct. 2, 2004 the Brigade deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and assumed the Security Forces Mission in theater. Units of the 29^th Brigade Combat Team served in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Iraq. Eighteen Soldiers gave their lives in service to their country during this mobilization.

On Sept. 1, 2006, the 29^th Separate Infantry Brigade became the 29^th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT). The 29^th IBCT comprised of the Brigade Headquarters and Headquarters Company; 1^st Battalion, 158^th Infantry, Arizona ARNG; 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry, USAR; 1^st Squadron, 299^th Cavalry Regiment; 1^st Battalion, 487^th Field Artillery; 29^th Brigade Special Troops Battalion; and 29^th Brigade Support Battalion.

In August of 2008, the 29^th IBCT was called upon again to serve in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Brigade mobilized at Fort Hood, Texas and teamed with the 45^th Fires Brigade from the Oklahoma ARNG, forming “Task Force Lava Thunder.” The 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry and the 1^st Squadron, 299^th Cavalry performed convoy security escort missions into Iraq. The 1^st Battalion, 487^th Field Artillery, 29^th Brigade Support Battalion, and the 29^th Brigade Special Troops Battalion were responsible for Camp Command Cell and security operations in Kuwait. Three Soldiers gave their lives in service to their country during this mobilization.

Upon the Brigade’s return home in the fall of 2009, the 29^th IBCT was again reorganized, replacing the 100^th Battalion, 442^nd Infantry with the 1^st Battalion, 294^th Infantry from the Guam ARNG.

During the summer of 2012, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 29^th IBCT mobilized twelve Security Force Assistance Advisor Teams (SFAT) that deployed across Afghanistan to support Operation Enduring Freedom. The SFAT is a team organized of subject matter experts: commanders, officers, and senior non-commissioned officers – whose mission was to enable the Afghan security forces to lead independent operations.

On Sept. 1, 2014 the 29^th Brigade Special Troops Battalion was deactivated and reorganized as the 227^th Brigade Engineer Battalion. Then on 1 September 2016 the 29^th IBCT added a third Infantry Battalion 1-297^th Infantry from Alaska ARNG.

During the period Nov. 5, 2018 to 22 July 2019, the Headquarters 29^th IBCT mobilized to provide mission command over multinational operations throughout Kosovo, strengthening the United State’s interoperability with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Alliance partners and supporting the U.S. Army Europe’s lines of effort in the Balkans region.

Last updated Jan 2025

Distinctive Unit Insignia

Shoulder Sleeve Insignia

29th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Leadership