The 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade is a unit in the Delaware Army National Guard, with a home station in Smyrna, Delaware. The 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade provides command and control to assigned and attached units. The 261st Signal Brigade supervises the installation, operation, and maintenance of up to 16 NODES in the theater communications system excluding the division and corps systems. The brigade also hosts a Joint Command, Control, Computer and Communications Center, or JCCC, at its headquarters in Smyrna, Delaware.
Mission
The 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade provides command and control to assigned and attached units. The 261st Signal Brigade supervises the installation, operation, and maintenance of up to 16 NODES in the theater communications system excluding the division and corps systems. The HHC, 261st Theater Tactical Signal Brigade is employed to command and control echelons above corps tactical signal battalions, theater strategic organizations, and separate companies as required to support theater communications networks.
Subordinate units
One battalion currently falls under command of 261st Signal Brigade:
The 198th Expeditionary Signal Battalion provides command, control, and supervision of organic and assigned units, and provides nodal and extension communications support for the Combatant Commanders of unified or specified commands, Army Service Component Commanders, or Joint Task Force/Joint Forces Land Component Commands. 198th Deployed to Camp Cropper, Iraq from **need dates and mission** The 198th traces its lineage all the way back to the Revolution, to Colonel John Haslet's1st Delaware Regiment which was formed 21 January 1776. The regiment was a significant contributor at the Battle of Cowpens on 17 January 1781. The battalion also served at Fort Miles as the 198th Coastal Artillery Battalion during World War 2. Former subordinate Units:
280th Signal Battalion, The 280th mobilized at Dover Air Force Base to supplement the base security squadron from January 2003 through December 2004. The battalion was inactivated on **date** and its assets were incorporated into the 198th.
History
The 261st Signal Brigade began its lineage in 1943 as the Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 68th Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade at New Caledonia. After the war, the unit was redesignated to National Guard status as the 261st Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade. The modern 261st TTSB is a mobile force able to rapidly deploy, supporting both state and federal missions. The 261st served a 10-month tour at Camp Victory, Iraq managing communications in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and returned to Delaware 2 October 2009. The 261st returned to drill status in March 2010. Col. David A. Passwaters III took command of the unit in a ceremony 6 March at Smyrna Readiness Center. The next day, outgoing commander Brig. Gen. Scott E. Chambers was installed as Deputy Adjutant General for the entire Delaware Army National Guard.
Lineage and honors
Constituted 25 February 1943 in the Army of the United States as Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 68th Antiaircraft Artillery Brigade
Captain Jeff Stevens relinquishes command of HHC/261 TTSB, 10 April 2016.
Insignia
Shoulder sleeve insignia
Description: A lozenge with horizontal axis overall and vertical axis overall consisting of four lozenges conjoined, the upper of colonial blue and bearing a white five pointed star and each of the remaining three divided into white and orange areas by a zig-zag partition line, all within a buff border. It has Velcro on the back so it sticks to a uniform. Symbolism: Orange and white are the colors used by Signal units. Colonial blue and buff were suggested by the flag of the state of Delaware. The single star alludes to Delaware as the "first state" to sign the Constitution; it is also used to indicate the capital city of Dover, the unit's home area. The pattern formed by the conjoined lozenges is indicative of precise planning and represents the unit's capabilities. The white and orange zig-zag simulates electric flashes and refers to the technology of a communications system and the unit's mission. Background: The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for 261st Signal Command on 7 January 1971. It was amended on 27 January 1971 to correct the description of the insignia. On 19 January 1972 the insignia was redesignated for the 261st U.S. Army Strategic Communications Command. It was redesignated on 4 December 1974 for the 261st Signal Command. The shoulder sleeve insignia was redesignated for the 261st Signal Brigade on 1 September 1996.
Distinctive unit insignia
Description: A silver color metal and enamel device in height overall consisting of four orange lightning flashes issuing vertically from a blue lozenge charged with a white star between four white vertical arcing lightning bolts, all above an orange scroll inscribed "FORESEE" in silver letters. Symbolism: Orange and white are the traditional colors of the Signal Corps. The four white electronic flashes represent command and control, communications and computers, the four "C's" of a modern military Signal organization. The diamond shape and blue color refer to the Delaware State flag, and the star refers to Dover, the state capital and the unit's home area. The orange flashes represent the unit's mission to disseminate and direct communication efforts over a wide area. Background: The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 261st Signal Command on 31 August 1979. It was redesignated for the 261st Signal Brigade on 1 September 1996.
