The 206th Military Intelligence Battalion was originally constituted as the 18th Military Intelligence Battalion in the Regular Army on 15 March 1968 in Germany. After reorganization and redesignation as HHC, 18th Military Intelligence Battalion in 1986, the unit was inactivated in 1995 in Germany. While inactivated, it was given its current designation and subsequently activated 16 June 2000 at Fort Gordon, Georgia (Fort Gordon was redesignated Fort Eisenhower in October 2023). Following the activation of the 116th Military Intelligence Brigade as an aerial intelligence unit in 2015, the 206th Military Intelligence Battalion was assigned to it as an Aerial Exploitation organization.
Although the 206th Military Intelligence Battalion has yet to receive campaign participation credit, its service was recognized with an Army Superior Unit Award for 1988-1989 and another for 1991-1992. Its Detachment, Headquarters, Headquarters and Service Company was awarded a Meritorious Unit Commendation in 2013, and one of its Companies has earned a total of three MUCs since 2013. Since assignment to the 116th MI Brigade, the Battalion’s mission requires constant rotation to Afghanistan, where it provides four-fifths of aerial surveillance, reconnaissance, and intelligence for Combined Joint Operations Area-Afghanistan.
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Originally approved for the 18th Military Intelligence Battalion on 28 August 1970, the 206th Military Intelligence Battalion unit crest (officially called a Distinctive Unit Insignia, or DUI) illustrates the gathering of knowledge to a central point with concentric rays of light. The Battalion’s origins in Germany are celebrated with the image of a white and scarlet lion on a blue field; this is taken from the coat of arms of Hesse, where the Battalion was located when it was activated. A lion’s head symbolizes intelligence and reason. "Collection For Defense" is the unit motto emphasizing the ultimate importance of their missions.