FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
The 235th Signal Company, Special Troops Battalion, 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), inactivated at Fort Eustis, Jan. 31.
The inactivation is a result of changes in the Fort Eustis transportation mission.
"In this new chapter, the Army needs a leaner transportation brigade with a narrower mission focus," said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Noah Cloud, Special Troops Btn. commander. "The new brigade structure will accommodate this capability, but unfortunately does not require an internal signal company."
In recent years, the 235th Sig. Co. provided response capabilities for Operation Unified Response in Haiti, and deployed numerous times to support Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. During its missions, the unit established communication networks for civilian and military communities, and helped local infrastructures establish communication systems.
According to the unit's official biography, such capabilities have not always been an essential mission throughout the evolution of the Army, and the heritage of the 235th Sig. Co. reflects that.
The 235th Sig. Co. was first activated July 4, 1944 at Camp Davis, N.C., as the 235th Radar Maintenance Unit, Type C. After an inactivation, the unit was reactivated as the 235th Sig. Detachment on July 1, 1965 at Fort Bragg, N.C. After a number of inactivations and reactivations, the unit became the 235th Sig. Co. on Nov. 15, 1971 at Lakehurst Naval Air Station, N.J.
After reorganization due to changes in mission requirements, the unit was assigned to Joint Base Langley-Eustis on May 16, 2012.
Like their predecessors, the Soldiers of the 235th Sig. Co. have found a way to persevere despite change, said Cloud.
"I feel confident that Soldiers of the 235th Sig. Co. will continue to serve the nation in their new capacities around the Army," said Cloud. "Though we may case our colors, we do not erase all that these great Soldiers and leaders have accomplished in the past, or will accomplish in the future."
The Soldiers and families affected by this inactivation have either moved laterally to other units within Fort Eustis, or been assigned to other locations to share their skills with the rest of the Army.
"Our Soldiers learned vital communications mission information while in this company," said 1st Sgt. Eliseo Navarrete, 235th Sig. Co. first sergeant. "While an inactivation can be seen as a draw down, this is an opportunity for our expert Soldiers to spread their experience and knowledge across the entire Army."
Capt. Richard Miles, 235th Sig. Co. commander, shared Navarrete's sentiments in his address to the unit.
"This unit accomplished every mission, and constantly operated under a stressful schedule," said Miles. "Whether it was deploying to Haiti, standing by during Hurricane Sandy or deploying overseas to the field to provide tactical communications for every subordinate unit in the brigade, you all excelled."
In honor of the Soldiers and the ones before them, Cloud offered his insight.
"Today, we pause to recognize and honor the Soldiers of the 235th Sig. Co., past and present," said Cloud. "Those combined contributions, new and old, throughout multiple deployments, counteroffensives and battles have made an everlasting difference to this Army and the nation."