The 525 Battlefield Surveillance Brigade has a long, rich history of providing direct and general Intelligence support to America’s rapid deployment forces. They’ve been stationed on Fort Bragg, NC off and on since 1948.
The 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade provides intelligence analysis and collection support to the XVIII Airborne Corps. It is the only rapidly deployable battlefield surveillance brigade in the United States Army. The brigade headquarters, two MI battalions and a Cavalry Squadron are stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The brigade’s capabilities include a full range of advanced intelligence analysis and intelligence collection that includes counterintelligence, long range surveillance, aerial signals intelligence, and Tactical Exploitation of National Capabilities (TENCAP). Its Soldiers come from across the range of Military Occupational Specialties in the Army to include military intelligence disciplines, infantry, aviation, signal, and the full range of critical Combat Support and Combat Service Support experts. Its mission is to provide all-source, predictive intelligence and electronic warfare in support of worldwide contingency operations.
Over the years, they’ve lost their share of personnel but it turns out that they are the only unit on Bragg without a memorial. Although I was never assigned to the 525th MI, I have many friends who have been and I served as a SIGINT NCO for many years in another unit on Bragg and as an Intelligence Officer in a unit on Pope AFB for a few more. Naturally, Lightning Friends and Family Memorial Organization’s story, and their effort to pay for a memorial is of interest to me. I thought it was a good idea to share the organization with SSD’s readers as well as info on their upcoming golf tournament.
The Lightning Friends and Family Memorial Organization was established for the purpose of constructing a Memorial to honor fallen Soldiers of the 525th BfSB. The Lightning Memorial is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit public charity organization. All contributions are tax-deductible. The permanent monument will be erected on Ft. Bragg, NC. This memorial project will recognize those service members and their families who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving.
To learn more, ‘Like’ them on Facebeook – www.facebook.com/pages/Lightning-Friends-and-Family-Memorial-Organization