About this Unit
The 525th Military Intelligence Brigade (Airborne), originally constituted during World War II as the 525th Interrogation Team, has a distinguished history of providing critical intelligence support to U.S. Army operations. Reactivated and redesignated multiple times, the unit played key roles in conflicts such as the Vietnam War, where it supported intelligence collection, counterintelligence, and interrogation missions. In the post-Vietnam era, the brigade evolved to support rapid deployment with airborne capabilities, participating in operations including Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, the 525th MI Brigade continues to serve as a premier expeditionary intelligence formation, delivering multi-discipline intelligence support to commanders around the globe.
Historical Facts
•
Origins in World War II: The 525th Military Intelligence Brigade traces its lineage back to the 525th Interrogation Team, which was constituted during World War II and saw action in the European Theater.
•
Korean War Service: The unit was reactivated for the Korean War as the 525th Military Intelligence Service Group, playing a key role in intelligence collection and counterintelligence operations.
•
Vietnam War Operations: The 525th MI Group was one of the first U.S. Army intelligence units deployed to Vietnam, conducting human intelligence (HUMINT), counterintelligence, and interrogation missions throughout the conflict.
•
Nickname "The Dragon Brigade": The unit is known as "The Dragon Brigade," a moniker inspired by its role in covert and psychological operations, and its distinctive dragon emblem.
•
Transformation to a Brigade: In 1986, the 525th was reorganized from a group to a brigade, reflecting the increasing importance of military intelligence in modern warfare.
•
Participation in Operation Desert Storm: The 525th MI Brigade deployed to Southwest Asia in 1990-1991, providing vital intelligence support to coalition forces during Operation Desert Storm.
•
Support to Special Operations: Throughout its history, the 525th has provided direct intelligence support to U.S. Army Special Operations Forces, including the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions.
•
Stationed at Fort Liberty (Formerly Fort Bragg): The brigade's long-time home is Fort Liberty, North Carolina, putting it in close proximity to major airborne and special operations units.
•
Operations in Iraq and Afghanistan: The 525th MI Brigade deployed multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, engaging in signals intelligence (SIGINT), HUMINT, and counterintelligence missions.
•
Modern Day Role: As of the 2020s, the 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade continues to provide rapidly deployable, multi-discipline intelligence support to the XVIII Airborne Corps and other major commands.
