Also known as an organizational flash, the beret flash approved for Headquarters, 2nd Brigade Combat Team (BCT), 101st Airborne Division is worn centered on the stiffener of the maroon beret designated for Airborne-qualified units. As a general rule, Officers wear their non-subdued insignia of grade centered on the flash and Enlisted personnel wear their Distinctive Unit Insignia (or Regimental Distinctive Insignia if the unit has no approved DUI). Exceptions to this rule are found in
paragraph 4-10(e) of DA PAM 670-1.
The oval is authorized for personnel in the unit who have earned a Parachutist or Air Assault badge. It is worn by both male and female Soldiers beneath Parachutist and Air Assault badges on Service Uniform coats and shirts (AGSU, ASU, and ASU Dress variation) and by female Soldiers on the green or blue Army Maternity Tunic.
A list of authorized wearers of both insignias is found in
paragraph 21-32 of AR 670-1. Their wear guidance is found in
paragraph 21-32 of DA PAM 670-1.
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Headquarters (HQ), 2nd BCT, 101st Airborne Division was originally constituted as HQ, 159th Infantry Brigade on 5 August 1917 and organized as an element of the 80th Division on 27 August 1917. Over the next forty-plus years, it would undergo numerous reorganizations/redesignations, fighting under different titles in three campaigns in three World War I campaigns and four in World War II but all the while remaining an element of (or assigned to) the 80th Division, later known as the 80th Infantry Division and 80th Airborne Division.
Its association with the 80th Division ended in October 1963 when it was redesignated as HQ and HQ Company (HHC), 159th Infantry Brigade. The following year, it was given its current numeric designation as it began an association with its current parent organization, the 101st Airborne, as HHC, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division. As a result of the Army’s transition to a modular Brigade-based structure and the introduction of Brigade Combat Teams, the unit underwent its final redesignation on 16 September 2004 when it became HQ, 2nd Brigade Combat, 101st Airborne Division.
Taking part in every major conflict involving the U.S. except the Korean War, the Brigade saw action in three campaigns in World War I, four in World War II, a dozen in Vietnam—earning three Republic of Vietnam (ROV) Cross of Gallantry awards and which an ROV Civil Action Honor Medal First Class—and two in the Persian Gulf War of 1990-1992. It has deployed to the Middle East numerous times in support of the War on Terrorism and has been credited for action in at least four campaigns, most recently for its 2016-2017 service in Iraq in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Since 2003, the 2nd Brigade Combat Teams’ Headquarters has been a Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, and three Meritorious Unit Commendations.
Nicknamed "Strike," the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division is based at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.