3rd Brigade Combat Team

 

Mission

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), preserves the highest possible decisive action readiness in order to protect our nation and its vital strategic interests. We remain “Ready Now and Relevant Tomorrow.”

 

History

The 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI) was established Sept. 16, 2004, at Fort Drum, New York.

The 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment; 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment; 4th Battalion, 25th Artillery Regiment; 3rd Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment; 710th Brigade Support Battalion; and 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion were brought together to form the Spartans of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI). They served in both the Regional Command East and the Regional Command South areas of responsibility in Afghanistan.

In February 2006, the brigade deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VII and VIII, where they fought the Taliban in the mountainous terrain of the Afghan-Pakistani border. When the Spartan Brigade redeployed to Fort Drum after 16 months, the Afghan people nicknamed them “the Tribe of the Crossed Swords” because of the gallant efforts displayed in combat.

In January 2009, Soldiers of the Spartan Brigade deployed again to Afghanistan, returning to RC-East, where they were tasked with providing security for the Logar and Wardak provinces as well as the southern entrance to the country’s capital.

In March 2011, the Spartan Brigade found itself called upon to deploy to Afghanistan again. The 3rd BCT Soldiers were sent to Kandahar Province, the RC-South area of responsibility. The brigade was responsible for opening 22 schools and three medical clinics, as well as securing and refurbishing more than 50 kilometers of Highway 1, the national highway for southern Afghanistan.

In October 2013, the Spartan Brigade embarked on its final deployment to Afghanistan. The 3rd BCT deployed once again to Regional Command East, but this time as an advise and assist brigade. Although they deployed as a smaller contingent, they assumed responsibility for most of the provinces in the region – among them Wardak, Logar, Ghazni, Khost, Paktia and Paktika – thus relieving a division-size element. The brigade partnered with the Afghan National Army’s 203rd Corps, sharing their expertise, helping them to grow their capabilities as they continued to assume responsibility for the security of their nation and its people.

In August 2014, the brigade inactivated most of its elements at Fort Drum and reactivated in February 2015 using the assets of the 4th Brigade Combat Team ("Patriots"), 10th Mountain Division at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

In October 2015, the Patriot Brigade deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Resolute Support. The brigade worked closely with the Afghan army, air force, and police forces while focusing on advise and assist missions in an effort to combat the insurgency. They returned to Fort Polk in June 2016.

In August 2017, the unit deployed to the Republic of Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Members of the brigade teamed with multiple nations and the 1st Armored Brigade of Fort Bliss, Texas, to eradicate ISIS forces within the northern Iraqi desert and surrounding areas. After redeploying to Fort Polk in June 2018, the unit prepared to stand as a quick reactionary force for incidents that might occur around the globe.

In June 2019, Task Force Patriot deployed to the southwestern border in order to conduct operations in support of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Task Force Patriot was the first unit to establish consolidated BCT command and control over all Title 10 forces along the southwest border. Task Force Patriot’s steadfast commitment to supporting the DHS remained in place through the transfer of authority to 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, on Dec. 13, 2019, after which time the Patriot Brigade redeployed to Fort Polk (known as Fort Johnson since 2023) to continue preparation for future missions.

 

Campaign Participation Credit:

War on Terrorism: Afghanistan: Consolidation I

 

Decorations:

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2006-2007

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), streamer embroidered AFGHANISTAN 2009

Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for the period Oct. 31, 2013, to July 19, 2014

Subordinate battalions:

• 2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment

• 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment

• 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment

• 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment

• 5th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment

• 317th Engineer Battalion

• 710th Brigade Support Battalion