About this Unit
The 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor Regiment (2-70 AR) traces its origins to the 70th Tank Battalion, first activated in July 1940. The battalion saw extensive combat in World War II, participating in campaigns including Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. During the Gulf War, 2-70 AR played a key role in Operation Desert Storm, leading armored assaults with the 1st Armored Division. More recently, the battalion has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and continues to serve as a critical armored force within the U.S. Army.
Historical Facts
•
World War II Origins: The 70th Armor Regiment traces its roots to World War II, and the 2nd Battalion (2-70 AR) was originally constituted as part of the 70th Tank Battalion in 1940.
•
D-Day Participation: Elements of the 70th Tank Battalion landed at Utah Beach on D-Day, June 6, 1944, supporting the 4th Infantry Division during the Normandy invasion.
•
Battle of the Bulge: 2-70 Armor's predecessors fought valiantly in the Battle of the Bulge, helping to resist the German counteroffensive in late 1944.
•
Korean War Service: The battalion's lineage includes distinguished service in the Korean War, where it earned several campaign streamers and decorations.
•
Modernization and Reactivation: The 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor, has been inactivated and reactivated multiple times, reflecting Army reorganizations and changes in armored doctrine.
•
Operation Desert Storm: The battalion played a key role in the Gulf War, deploying with the 1st Armored Division and conducting rapid offensive operations against Iraqi forces.
•
Iraq War Deployments: 2-70 AR deployed multiple times to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting both offensive operations and stability tasks.
•
Task Force Iron Dukes: During the Iraq War, 2-70 AR often operated as Task Force Iron Dukes, integrating infantry, engineers, and support troops for combined arms operations.
•
Distinguished Unit Citations: The battalion has earned several unit citations and decorations for extraordinary heroism and performance in combat, including Presidential Unit Citations.
•
Current Assignment: As of recent years, 2nd Battalion, 70th Armor is assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas.
