Deployment, redeployment top 2012 activities for 470th MI Brigade

By Gregory Ripps, 470th Military Intelligence Brigade Public AffairsDecember 20, 2012

Interrogation
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Rope Descent
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The inverted rope descent doesn't dismay Soldiers of the 401st Military Intelligence Company as they proceed through an obstacle course at Joint Base San Antonio-Camp Bullis, Texas. The company, a direct subordinate unit 470th MI Brigade, conducted t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Uncasing
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Kris Arnold, 14th Military Intelligence Battalion commander, and battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Fanelli uncase the battalion's colors during a brief ceremony Dec. 3. The uncasing symbolizes the 470th MI Brigade subordinate battalion's o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The 470th Military Intelligence Brigade opened 2012 with one of its battalions already deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and another battalion preparing for a similar mission.

The 201st MI Battalion began the year with its approximately 150 Soldiers training in individual intelligence collection tasks. They then progressed through team- and company-level tasks to culminate their training with battalion-level intelligence collection tasks.

Lt. Col. Joe Barber, battalion commander, explained that the end result was that the Soldiers could provide actionable, or useful, intelligence to the warfighter "on the ground" and to "make that intelligence the best they can produce."

Most training took place at the Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) Detention Training Facility (IDTF) operated by the 470th MI Brigade at Camp Bullis, Texas. The IDTF simulates facilities used overseas for questioning detainees and analyzing information. Throughout the year, the IDTF provided training for other MI battalions and battlefield surveillance battalions.

"The scenarios are designed to train Soldiers in their individual skill sets, in tactics, techniques and procedures, and with their equipment to prepare them for deployments 'down range,'" said Lt. Col. Kevin Hosier, brigade operations and training officer.

Among those other units training at the IDTF was the 338th MI Battalion, an Army reserve component of the 470th. Nearly 100 of the 338th's Soldiers performed annual training at Camp Bullis, not only to enhance their warrior and specialty skills, but also to get to know one another. Although headquartered on Camp Bullis, the 338th includes members from Kansas, New York and other states.

The 201st Military Intelligence Battalion cased its colors Sept. 6, and few days later its members deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Then, on Oct. 21, the 14th MI Battalion came home from Afghanistan, uncasing its colors during a brief ceremony Dec. 3.

"Through constant challenge … you kept your eye on the mission, you took care of your team, and you returned home setting a new standard for interrogation operations and our profession of arms in trust, discipline and fitness," said Col. Pierre Gervais, brigade commander.