The 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade is a unit of the
U.S. Army Reserve based in Massachusetts.
Organization
It is a
brigade
A brigade is a major tactical military unit, military formation that typically comprises three to six battalions plus supporting elements. It is roughly equivalent to an enlarged or reinforced regiment. Two or more brigades may constitute ...
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
Westover Air Reserve Base is an Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) installation located in the Massachusetts communities of Chicopee and Ludlow, near the city of Springfield, Massachusetts. Established at the outset of World War II, today Westo ...
in
Chicopee, Massachusetts
Chicopee ( ) is a city located on the Connecticut River in Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. At the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the city had a population of 55,560, making it the second-largest city in western Massachuset ...
. 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.
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
A
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
As of 2020 the following units are subordinate to the 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade:
* 365th Engineer Battalion
* 368th Engineer Battalion
* 479th Engineer Battalion
Unit insignia and heraldry
*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 yellow border. Overall dimensions are in width and 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.
Decorations
References
External links
U.S. Army Reserve*
Full listings of Reserve unitsArmy Reserve
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Maneuver Enhancement Brigades of the United States Army
Military units and formations of the United States Army Reserve