The 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary) is a Transportation brigade of the United States Army. It is known and referred to as "the most deployed unit in the Army" because of its continuous mission to provide logistical support to all branches of the service for both training and war-time activities.
Units
7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), Fort Eustis
10th Transportation Battalion (Terminal) 11th Transportation Battalion (Terminal)
History
The 7th Transportation Group was the "Army's Navy." The 7th Transportation Group was the only Composite Transportation Group within the Active Component of the U.S. Army. The 7th Transportation Group has served around the world in time of conflict since its activation in 1942. The 7th Transportation Group executes missions such as the annual Joint Logistics-Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operations.
The 7th Transportation Group's mission is to "conduct multi-modal transportation operations in support of the Reception, Staging, Onward Movement and Integration (RSOI) of joint and/or combined forces into a theater of operations". While the focus is normally on the group's ability to operate common-user seaports, coastal and inland waterway Main Supply Routes (MSRs), theater rail terminals and local and line haul truck transportation, the group's capabilities extend beyond these functions.
The group is structured with one Movement Control Battalion and two Terminal Battalions. All three battalions are composite and multi-functional. In total, the group has a current strength of just over 4000 soldiers, operates 59 vessels, and 1100 ground vehicles. Almost a quarter of these vehicles are material handling equipment.
The unit supports all branches of the service by moving troops, equipment, and supplies. It also performs humanitarian missions. To do this, the 7th Transportation Group operates ports, rail terminals, and coastal and inland watch ways all over the world. Operation Uphold Democracy Haiti/Retrograde is an example of deployment of 7th Transportation Group personnel.
During World War II, the 7th Transportation Group commanded ports in the United Kingdom. During the Korean War, the 7th Group was redesignated as the 7th Medium Port and was responsible for all port operations in Pusan, Korea, in support of UN Forces. During the Vietnam War, the command provided a training base for the deployment of all watercraft and terminal service units deployed to the Republic of Vietnam.
During the Grenada evacuation operation, elements of the group deployed on two separate occasions to discharge and load cargo by sea and air. The command was called upon again during Operation Just Cause in Panama, where it deployed to provide airfield and control group support and functional services.
During the period of 1990 and 1991, the 7th Transportation Group played a key role in the success of Operations Desert Shield, Storm and Farewell. Within days of the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait, elements of the group began pouring into the Saudi desert. After the 82d Airborne Division, transporters from the 7th Transportation Group, Fort Eustis, Virginia were the next soldiers to deploy to the Middle East, readying the ports, air terminals and lines of communication for the rest of the U.S. military. Once the troops were in place, the 22d Support Command had to provide materiel and stores to the forward units. Until the arrival of the 32d Transportation Group in January, the 7th Transportation Group served as the Support Command's long-distance trucker as well as manager of the ports. Opening the first seaports and airfields, the command grew to 9,200 soldiers.
Little more than a year after the return from Saudi Arabia, the group became involved in the deployment of over 1,100 soldiers in support of Operation Restore Hope in December 1992. The last rotation of soldiers departed the Port of Mogadishu in April 1994 after the United Nations assumed command of the humanitarian operation. Four months later, the group was again involved in another humanitarian mission in Mombasa, Kenya, providing relief support to Rwanda during Operation Support Hope.
In September 1994, at the onset of Operation Uphold Democracy, the group deployed over 1,500 soldiers to Haiti, providing transportation support to U.S. and allied forces. During October 1994, the group deployed over 580 soldiers to southwest Asia in support of Operation Vigilant Warrior.