About this Unit
The 311th Military Intelligence Battalion (311th MI BN) was originally constituted on 18 May 1942 as the 311th Signal Company, Wing, and activated at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Over the decades, the unit underwent several reorganizations, ultimately being redesignated as the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion on 16 September 1982. The battalion has served in numerous conflicts, including the Vietnam War and Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, providing critical intelligence support to U.S. Army operations. Today, the 311th MI BN is assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where it continues its mission of delivering timely and actionable intelligence to support combat operations.
Historical Facts
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Origins in World War II: The 311th Military Intelligence Battalion traces its lineage to the 311th Signal Service Battalion, activated in 1944, which provided critical communications support in the European Theater during World War II.
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Meritorious Unit Commendation: The battalion earned the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its outstanding service in Europe during World War II, highlighting its early distinction in military operations.
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Reactivation and Redesignation: The unit underwent several activations and inactivations, finally being redesignated as the 311th Military Intelligence Battalion in 1982 at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
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Assignment to the 101st Airborne Division: The 311th MI BN is a key part of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), providing intelligence support to one of the Army’s most storied divisions.
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Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm: The battalion played a significant intelligence role during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in 1990-1991, supporting the rapid victory in the Gulf War.
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Global War on Terrorism: The 311th MI BN has deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, providing signals, human, and counterintelligence support.
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Distinctive Unit Insignia: The battalion’s insignia features a sphinx, symbolizing secrecy and intelligence, along with lightning bolts representing signal and electronic warfare capabilities.
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Support for Humanitarian Operations: In addition to combat operations, the 311th MI BN has supported humanitarian missions, including disaster relief and non-combatant evacuation operations.
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Advanced Technology Integration: The battalion is at the forefront of integrating new intelligence-gathering technologies, including unmanned aerial systems and advanced surveillance equipment.
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Nickname and Motto: Known as the "Silent Warriors," the 311th MI BN lives by the motto "Seek, Find, Know," reflecting its relentless pursuit of actionable intelligence for battlefield commanders.
