Two beacons with orange flames denote one of the oldest methods for long-distance communications, and they form the focal point of the 11th Signal Brigade’s unit crest (it is also called a Distinctive Unit Insignia, or DUI). Here they also represent the number “11,” as in the numerical designation of the brigade. A fleur-de-lis recalls the unit’s service in Europe during World War II; the three campaigns in which the Brigade participated are represented by the black fields formed by the partition created by the beacons. A scroll containing the motto “Flexibility-Dependability” forms the base of the crest. Just as with the unit’s Shoulder Sleeve Insignia / Combat Service ID Badge (SSI / CSIB), orange and white are used because of their traditional association with Signal Corps emblems and insignias. Noticeably absent from the unit crest is any physical or textual reference to the Brigade's nickname, "Desert Thunderbirds."
Guidance on wear of the DUI is found in DA Pamphlet 670-1, Section 21-22, "Distinctive unit insignia" and 21–3(d) and (e), "Beret" and "Garrison Cap," respectively.
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The 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade was originally constituted as the 3103rd Signal Service Battalion in the Army of the United States on 1 September 1943 and activated 20 December 1943 at Fort Monmouth. It served in the European Theater during World War II and earned three campaign streamers (Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe) and was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
It was reorganized and redesignated on 25 April 1966 as HQ and HQ Company, 11th Signal Group and subsequently received its designation as the 11th Signal Brigade on HQ and HQ Company, 11th Signal Brigade on 1 October 1979. It was under that designation that it deployed to the Middle East to take part in the First Gulf War, where it participated in all three of that conflict’s campaigns and was later honored with a Meritorious Unit Commendation.
The Brigade would go on to become the 11th Theatre Tactical Signal Brigade (TTSB) and was stationed at Fort Hood (now known as Fort Cavazos) in Texas. In 2021, the 11th Theater Tactical Signal Brigade was transitioned into the 11th Corps Signal Brigade, an element of Army Forces Command; the newly minted Corps Signal Brigade was given a new Distinctive Unit Insignia with a design featuring the unit’s mascot, a black Thunderbird, perched upon a gridlined globe with thunderbolts shooting from its eyes.
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