The 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade is a unit of the U.S. Army Reserve based in Massachusetts.
| 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade | |
|---|---|
 302nd MEB Shoulder Sleeve Insignia | |
| Country |  United States of America |
| Branch |  United States Army Reserve |
| Type | Maneuver Enhancement |
| Role | Rear Area Support and Protection |
| Size | 2,200 |
| Part of | 412th Engineer Command |
| Garrison/HQ | Chicopee, Massachusetts |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | COL Anthony Mancari |
Organization
editIt is a brigade of 2,200 Soldiers housed at a variety of locations throughout New England, New York and Pennsylvania. The 302nd MEB conducts Rear Area Operations for the Army Corps or Division.
The brigade is a tenant of Westover Air Reserve Base in Chicopee, Massachusetts.[1] The headquarters moved from the Fort Devens military base in 2008, and continues to occupy a new nearly $31-million building with a variety of units from different branches of the military.
This unit is one of 21 combat support brigades (maneuver enhancement) the Army created: 18 in the Army National Guard, and 3 in the Army Reserve.[2]
The organization is one of five types of multifunctional support brigades that have been be established under the transformation to the modular force. The others are the sustainment brigade, battlefield surveillance brigade, combat aviation brigade, and fires brigade.
Role
editA maneuver enhancement brigade's (MEB) mission is to provide maneuver support to a force commander, normally at the division level. The MEB groups together a number of previously dispersed functions in order to achieve this goal. The MEB generally contains a signal and main support battalion. This force is then augmented by combat engineer, military police, air and missile defense, chemical defence. Depending on the mission it may be assigned explosive ordnance disposal (EOD), civil affairs or a tactical combat force. They are tailored with the capabilities required for each operation. More than one maneuver enhancement brigade may be assigned to a division or corps.
Subordinate units
editAs of 2020 the following units are subordinate to the 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade:[3]
- 365th Engineer Battalion
- 368th Engineer Battalion
- 479th Engineer Battalion
Unit insignia and heraldry
edit- Shoulder sleeve insignia
On a vertical rectangular embroidered item coming to a 90-degree angular point at base, divided vertically, red and green, surmounted in the middle a blue pale throughout edged yellow, displaying a yellow double head fasces; all within a 1⁄8 inch (0.32 cm) yellow border. Overall dimensions are 2+1⁄4 inches (5.7 cm) in width and 3 inches (7.6 cm) in height.
- Symbolism
Red suggests the unit's engineer duties. The dark blue pale denotes the chemical capabilities of the brigade. The double head fasces and the green color symbolize the unit's key element of the military police capabilities and underscore their readiness to implement military duties.
- Background
The unit insignia was originally approved for the 302nd Combat Support Brigade (Maneuver Enhancement) effective 16 September 2008. It was amended to correct the unit designation to the 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade.[4]
Decorations
edit| Ribbon | Award | Year | Orders |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Army Meritorious Unit Commendation | Afghanistan Retrograde 2021-2022 |  |
References
edit- ^ Metaxas, Pamela H. (March 21, 2008). "Groundbreaking held for new reserve center". MassLive.com. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
- ^ "Chief of Staff Discusses Army Imperatives at AUSA Meeting". Army Logistician. 40 (1). United States Army. January 2008. Archived from the original on January 7, 2017. Retrieved March 13, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Army Reserve > Commands".
- ^ "302d Maneuver Enhancement Brigade". The Institute of Heraldry. Retrieved 2023-09-03.