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NEWS | Jan. 3, 2020

Reserve assets increase readiness and teamwork in intelligence community

By Katie L. Glover U.S. Army

The 207th Military Intelligence Brigade-Theater (MIB-T) brings readiness to another level through utilizing reserve component assets.

The Lightning Brigade, as 207th MIB-T is widely known, maximizes readiness through operational control of 337th Military Intelligence Battalion, a U.S. Army Reserve component unit out of Fort Sheridan, Illinois.

The 337th MI Battalion is in constant communication and support, taking part in both training programs and missions of the 207th MIB-T.

In March, leaders strengthened relationships through members of the 337th MI Battalion participating in Lightning Week 2019, the 207th MIB-T's mentorship program for leaders at all levels. Through the week, reserve Soldiers were trained in mentorship, leadership, planning and mission capabilities.

"Having leadership from the 337th MI Battalion here over Lightning Week broke down many barriers that are often felt between the active duty and the reserve component," said Lt. Col. Alexander Kerkow, deputy commanding officer of the 207th MIB-T, and an Active Guard/Reserve (AGR) officer. "We truly see our sisters and brothers in the 337th as multipliers of intelligence strength."

Throughout the fiscal year 2020, the 337th MI Battalion will send assets in support of exercises and missions led by the 207th MIB-T.

Most recently, a platoon of soldiers took part in Titan Odyssey, an exercise at Camp Bullis, Texas, from Nov. 11 to Nov. 22. The main effort in the event was the 307th MI Battalion from Vicenza, Italy, with members of the 337th 307th MI Battalion providing additional support.

"Supporting this exercise was a great opportunity for our soldiers and leaders alike," said Maj. Regina Moore, the executive officer for 337th MI Battalion. "Active duty soldiers and reserve soldiers share many common bonds and diverse skill sets, and when they come together, we are able to maximize our intelligence operations."

During the summer, four soldiers from the 337th participated in the unit's Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. After two Soldiers exceeded standards, and earned a spot in the Military Intelligence Readiness Command's competition this January, the 207th leadership took the opportunity to additionally award the winners.

"The competition is in place to emphasize the readiness of soldiers. The members of the 337th work twice as hard, maintaining civilian careers in addition to their military requirements, so when these soldiers go above and beyond, winning awards for their tactical and technical proficiency, it's one of our priorities to recognize this achievement," said Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Timme, 207th MIB-T's command sergeant major.

The 207th MIB-T conducts intelligence collection, analysis, and exploitation in support of U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) and U.S. Army Africa (USARAF) through creating an intelligence architecture for the theater, disrupting transnational and trans-regional threats, and promoting regional stability in Africa.

The 207th activated on March 16, 2016, and is the newest military intelligence brigade in the U.S. Army. The location and leadership of the 207th MIB-T is geographically dispersed, with the headquarters and 307th Military Intelligence Battalion located in Vicenza, Italy, 522nd Military Intelligence Battalion located in Wiesbaden, Germany, and the U.S. Army Reserve asset, 337th Military Intelligence Battalion, located in Fort Sheridan, Illinois.