653rd Regional Support Group
| 653rd Regional Support Group | |
|---|---|
 Shoulder sleeve insignia | |
| Active | 1999–present |
| Country |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Type | Support Group |
| Role | Large-Scale Deployment Operation (LSDO) |
| Size | Brigade |
| Part of | 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) |
| Headquarters | Mesa, Arizona |
| Motto(s) | Integrity and Determination |
| Colors | Buff Gold Scarlet |
| Commanders | |
| Commander[1] | COL Paul Brittain |
| Command Sergeant Major[2] | CSM Luis Rodriguez |
| Peer Brigades Within the Command | ||||
|
History
[edit]The 653rd Regional Support Group (RSG)is a United States Army Reserve unit headquartered in Mesa, Arizona. Subordinate to the 311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), it provides logistics, sustainment, and mobilization support. The group oversees multiple sustainment and quartermaster battalions across Arizona and California, and is part of the rotational mission supporting the Fort Bliss Mobilization Brigade.[3]
The origins of the 653rd Regional Support Group date back to 20 March 1944, when it was constituted as the 653rd Quartermaster Company (Petroleum Products) and activated on 24 June 1944. During World War II, the unit served in the European Theater of Operations, providing fuel support to Allied forces.
After World War II, the unit was inactivated and later reconstituted on 31 December 1998 in the United States Army Reserve as the 653rd Support Group. It was activated on 16 April 1999 at March Air Reserve Base, California.
On 17 May 2004, the unit was ordered into active service in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, providing logistical support to U.S. and coalition forces. It was released from active duty on 16 May 2006.
The unit was redesignated as the 653rd Regional Support Group on 16 September 2006, and subsequently relocated its headquarters to Mesa, Arizona, on 16 July 2007.
In October 2009, the 653rd RSG deployed to Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, supporting sustainment operations for U.S. forces across the Middle East.
Throughout its history, the 653rd has supported numerous operations:
- Operation Enduring Freedom (2002): Mobilized in Afghanistan.
- Operation Iraqi Freedom (2004–2006): Provided logistical support.
- Operation New Dawn (2010): Supported sustainment operations. }
- Operation Inherent Resolve (2016): Provided logistical support in Iraq and Syria.
- Hurricane Katrina Response (2005): Assisted relief efforts.
In 2019, the 653rd RSG assumed command of the Fort Bliss Mobilization Brigade, overseeing mobilization and demobilization operations for Reserve and National Guard units.[4]
Insignia
[edit]
The distinctive unit insignia (DUI) of the 653rd Regional Support Group was approved on October 7, 1999.[5]
Description: A gold-colored metal and enamel device, 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height, featuring a black pheon (arrowhead) surmounted by two gold lightning flashes in pile. All elements are enclosed by a red scroll inscribed with the motto “INTEGRITY AND DETERMINATION” in gold letters.
Symbolism:
- Buff (gold) and scarlet are the traditional colors used by U.S. Army support units.
- The black pheon represents the steel and aluminum industries near Moreno Valley, California, the group’s original location.
- The lightning flashes denote the electronics and aerospace industries in the region, reflecting energy, innovation, and technology.[5]
Decorations
[edit]| Ribbon | Award | Streamer | Streamer embroidered |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) | 
|
For outstanding service during the period of 4 December 2009 to 31 August 2010. Order: 2013-51[6] |
Units
[edit]
The brigade is composed of the following subordinate elements:[7]
336th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion – Buckeye, Arizona
- 348th Transportation Company (POL 5K) – Buckeye, AZ
- 452nd Quartermaster Company – Glendale, AZ
- 974th Transportation Detachment (MCT) – Glendale, AZ
- 1000th Quartermaster Detachment (C) – Buckeye, AZ
- 1002nd Quartermaster Detachment (B) – Glendale, AZ
418th Quartermaster Battalion – Red Rock, Arizona
- 208th Transportation Company (PLS) – Red Rock, AZ
- 312th Adjutant General Company (HR) – Fallbrook, CA
- 331st Transportation Detachment (MCT) – Red Rock, AZ
- 1001st Quartermaster Detachment (A) – Mesa, AZ
- 655th Quartermaster Detachment – Marana, Arizona
419th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion – Tustin, California
- 163rd Ordnance Company – Tustin, CA
- 340th Transportation Company (MCT) – Camp Pendleton, CA
- 478th Transportation Company – Camp Pendleton, CA
- 968th Quartermaster Company – Tustin, CA
- 998th Quartermaster Detachment (A) – Fallbrook, CA
- 999th Quartermaster Detachment (B) – Miramar, CA
- 1017th Quartermaster Company – Miramar, CA
References
[edit]- ^ "653rd Regional Support Group Change of Command". Facebook. July 2024.
- ^ "Change of Responsibility Ceremony". 311th ESC Facebook. April 6, 2024.
- ^ "653rd RSG assumes Fort Bliss mobilization mission". U.S. Army Reserve. August 28, 2019.
- ^ "653rd RSG assumes Fort Bliss mobilization mission". U.S. Army Reserve. August 28, 2019.
- ^ a b "653rd Support Group". The Institute of Heraldry. Retrieved April 21, 2025.
- ^ "Army Publishing Directorate" (PDF). U.S. Army. April 23, 2025.
- ^ "311th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)". U.S. Army. November 11, 2018. Archived from the original on November 11, 2018.