71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The 71st Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade (EMIB) is a Texas Army National Guard unit focused on military intelligence and surveillance. It was formed in September 2008, drawing from elements of the 36th Infantry Division. It used to be a Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BfSB); in 2016, BfSB units were eliminated and the 71st was reorganized as an EMIB. It is a distinct unit and does not claim heraldic links to the older Texas 71st Airborne Brigade.

Role and mission: The EMIB is an integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance organization. It can support Army Divisions and Corps with close, deep, and security operations, and it can conduct small-scale contingency missions when augmented by other capabilities.

Structure: The EMIB operates under permanent orders with attached units and affiliations that provide a broad range of intelligence, reconnaissance, and special operations support. It maintains connections with active units such as the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team for certain missions and reports through HHC, 636th Military Intelligence Battalion.

History and milestones: The brigade’s history includes the 636th MI Battalion’s deployment to Afghanistan in 2008-2009, expanded mission support in Ghazni Province (ADT program) from 2009 to 2012, and the addition of various Army National Guard and Special Forces elements through the early 2010s. It has conducted joint training events like TALON FUSION, received new equipment, hosted brigade-level events, and continued to mature its capabilities as an ISR brigade.

Insignia and symbols: The shoulder sleeve insignia features an oriental blue arrowhead with two gold lightning flashes and a black griffin head, symbolizing the unit’s lineage to the 36th Infantry Division, the traditional color of Military Intelligence, and vigilance and speed. The Distinctive Unit Insignia includes a silver shield and the motto “On The Hunt,” reflecting the brigade’s mission focus. The colors and imagery emphasize Texas roots, intelligence, cavalry traditions, and the brigade’s emphasis on rapid, effective target engagement.