The 302nd Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion Activates on Fort Campbell

Photo By Spc. Jayden Woods | Col. Jared Harty, brigade commander of 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), gives a speech during the 302nd IEW Battalion activation ceremony on Fort Campbell, Ky., Sept. 15, 2023. Lt. Col. Benjamin Polanco, commander of 302nd Intelligence Electronic Warfare Battalion, 525th EMIB, and Command Sgt. Maj. David Scott, command sergeant major of 302nd IEW Battalion, accepted responsibility of the unit during the ceremony. (U.S. Army Photo by Spc. Jayden Woods)  

FORT CAMPBELL, KY, UNITED STATES

09.15.2023

Story by Maj. Ryan Miller 

525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade

The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) welcomed the 302nd Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion with an activation ceremony at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Sept. 15, 2022.

The 302nd Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion (IEW) will provide multi-domain intelligence collection capabilities to the 101st Airborne Division, enhancing the Division’s intelligence readiness.

Originally known as the 302nd Military Intelligence Battalion, the unit was first organized April 1, 1944, as the 3252 Signal Company, seeing service in Germany and France During World War Two. The Battalion deactivated in 2008 after a long history of supporting intelligence operations around the world.

The Battalion’s reactivation is part of ongoing force modernization efforts to ensure the 101st Airborne is ready to face near-peer threats on a modern battlefield. The addition of the 302nd IEW Battalion is part of a larger Army transformation that recognizes changing global threats, the need to re-focus on large-scale combat operations, and the necessity of keeping pace with adversaries.

“Today was a momentous occasion for not only the U.S. Army but also the 101st Airborne Division,” said Col. Jared B. Harty, Commander of the 525th Expeditionary Military Intelligence Brigade. “Now the Commanding General of the 101st Airborne Division possesses an Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion that can provide muti-disciplined intelligence support to support his priorities and initiatives.”

The 302nd IEW Battalion is led by Lt. Col. Benjamin Polanco Jr. and Command Sgt. Maj. David A. Scott.

The historic location of the activation and continuing the history of the 302nd was of critical importance to the Battalion Commander. “This activation signifies the return of a legacy,” said Polanco. “A legacy that we (The Sly Fox Soldiers) are excited to continue.”

• Date Taken: 09.15.2023
• Date Posted: 09.19.2023 11:44
• Story ID: 453765
• Location: FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US