The history of the 526th Forward Support Battalion began with the Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 5th Quartermaster Troop Transport Battalion constituted on 17 June 1943, and reactivated 25 August 1943 at Camp Swift, Texas. On 23 November 1943, the unit mission changed to a support role. The unit was redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 5th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile, and was sent to the European Theater of Operations where is served with distinction.
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The unit was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation for services to the Allies against the aggressor forces of the Germans and the Axis Powers. During the reduction of wartime forces after WWII, the 5th Quartermaster Battalion, Mobile, was inactivated on 30 September 1946 in Germany. The unit colors were returned to the United States. In preparation for future planning and emergencies, the unit was again redesignated 1 October 1946 as Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 5th Transportation Corps Truck Battalion.
After a period of inactivity, the 5th Transportation Corps Truck Battalion was again redesignated, this time from a detachment to a company on 20 November 1950. Activation occurred 22 December 1950 at Ft. Eustis, Virginia, home of the Army Transportation School. On 1 September 1952, the company was renamed Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 5th Transportation Amphibious Truck Battalion. On 27 June 1955, the unit was again inactivated at Ft. Eustis, Virginia.
On 3 May 1960, the unit, Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 5th Transportation Amphibious Truck Battalion was redesignated as the 5th Transportation Battalion, consisting of a Headquarters and teams. On 10 May 1960, the colors were flown to Okinawa where the unit was again activated until deactivation on 25 June 1963. When the 101st Airborne Division deployed to Vietnam, and developed an airmobile concept, the need of an aircraft direct support maintenance battalion arose. The unit was again redesignated on 1 July 1968, and activated in Vietnam.
The unit mission was to provide direct support maintenance for all rotary wing aircraft in the 101st Airborne Division, (Airmobile). While in Vietnam, the 5th Transportation Battalion performed its mission in an exemplary manner earning distinction and praise for meritorious service, gallantry and civil actions. The unit returned to the United States and was inactivated 18 September 1986 at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. The 5th Transportation Battalion has a solid reputation in the United States Army for providing support on and off the battlefield.
The unit has adapted to the needs of the Army as times, mission, and technology has changed. The 5th Transportation Battalion is being reactivated as the 526th Forward Support Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). The 526th Forward Support Battalion consists of the Headquarters and Alpha Company (Supply), Bravo Company (Maintenance), and Charlie Company (Medical). The 526th Forward Support Battalion will habitually support the 502nd Infantry Brigade (2nd Brigade).
The 526th Forward Support Battalion is a proud member of the 101st Division Support Command and stands prepared to meet its next: “Rendezvous with Destiny” 526th Support Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia for the 526th Support Battalion The distinctive unit insignia, redesignated for the 526th Support Battalion effective 16 April 1994, with description and symbolism revised, was originally approved for the 5th Transportation Battalion by letter AGAH-A, The Institute of Heraldry, 2 September 1969.
The description and symbolism of the design are as follows: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2. 86 cm) in height overall, consisting of a pair of red wings conjoined and elevated, surmounted by a gold tower bearing a red fleur-de-lis. Arched between the wings at the top, a gold scroll inscribed “BEST” in red and arched below in the device a gold scroll inscribed in red. SYMBOLISM Brick red and golden yellow are colors associated with the Transportation Corps, the original allocation of the organization.
The fleur-de-lis and tower represent the former battalion’s honors for campaign service in Europe, World War II, for which it was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation “European Theater”. The pile, a V-shaped heraldic partition, suggests the prior unit’s reactivation in Vietnam. The V-shaped wings allude to the special aircraft maintenance and supply mission of the former battalion and its nickname, “The Flying Fifth”. It is also indicative of the numerical designation of the parent unit.
