3rd Signal Brigade ( United States ) The 3d Signal Brigade of the United States Army was an element of III Corps . It was based at Fort Hood , Texas , but was inactivated on 15 April 2008 as part of the transformation of the U . S . Army to a Modular Force Structure . The 3rd Signal Brigade has a history of inactivations and reactivations ever since formation of the unit in 1946 . The 3d Signal Brigade was composed of the Brigade ' s Headquarters and Headquarters Company & the 57th Signal Battalion . On order , the 3d Signal Brigade deployed to a theater of operations , provided command and control communications to the III Mobile Armored Corps ( Phantom ) , and redeployed . Mission . Provide communications and automation support to III Corps ( United States ) and Fort Hood . The unit is tasked with : Subordinate units . 1 Battalion made up the 3rd Signal Brigade : Former subordinate Units : History . On 16 September 1979 , the HHC , 3d Signal Brigade was constituted . HHC , 3d Signal Brigade commanded and controlled the 16th , 54th and 57th Signal Battalions . On 16 April 1989 the Brigade inactivated the 54th Signal Battalion and began a total reconfiguration for fielding on new Mobile Subscriber Equipment ( MSE ) which culminated with the Commander ' s Acceptance Field Training Exercise in November 1989 . The Brigade included HHC , 3d Signal Brigade , 16th Signal Battalion , 57th Signal Battalion , 313th Signal Company , and the 1114th Signal Battalion ( Fort Hood Directorate of Information Management ) . On 27 September 1990 , the 57th Signal Battalion and elements of the HHC , 3d Signal Brigade were deployed to Southwest Asia ( SWA ) where they were attached to the 35th Signal Brigade ( Corps ) ( Airborne ) , XVIII Airborne Corps in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm . In April 1991 , the 57th Signal Battalion and all other 3d Signal Brigade assets were released from attachment and returned to Fort Hood , Texas . On 4 January 2004 the 57th Signal Battalion and elements of the HHC , 3d Signal Brigade were once again deployed to Southwest Asia ( SWA ) in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II ( OIF II ) . For the first time in its history , the entire HHC , 3d Signal Brigade deployed overseas in support of a real world mission . On 23 December 2004 , the 3d Signal Brigade relinquished command and control of the OIF II theater communications network to the 35th Signal Brigade ( Corps ) ( Airborne ) . On 19 May 2006 , the 3d Signal Brigade inactivated its 16th Signal Battalion and 313th Signal Company , leaving the Brigade with only its command and control element , its Headquarters and Headquarters Company , and the 57th Signal Battalion . The Brigade ' s three forms of telecommunication : MSE , TACSAT , and TROPO , provide the III Corps Commander and his field commanders with a strong communications triad which lives up to the Brigade ' s motto of " TRIPLE THREAT ! " Insignia . Shoulder Sleeve Insignia : Description : On an orange shield in width overall and within a 1 / 8 inch white border a blue star fimbriated white between three white lightning flashes . Symbolism : Orange and white are the Signal Corps colors . The star , a reference to Texas , the " Lone Star State , " the place of initial activation , also refers to guidance and achievement . The flashes are symbolic of the speed of communications and also refer numerically to the present designation of the Brigade . The color blue is indicative of support to the Infantry and other combat forces . Background : The insignia was approved on 29 Aug 79 . Distinctive Unit Insignia : Description : A gold color metal and enamel device 1 1 / 8 inches in height overall consisting of three blue discs conjoined two above one and centered thereon a red triangular area with one point down bordered by three gold lightning flashes with points conjoined , and in base on a semicircular gold scroll the words " TRIPLE THREAT " in blue letters . Symbolism : The three roundels represent rounds of ammunition and , together with the colors blue , gold and scarlet , refer to the organization ’ s mission to support the combat arms ; Infantry , Armor , and Artillery . The three flashes denote the unit ’ s triple - threat capability in the performance of its mission , adding emphasis to the motto " TRIPLE THREAT . " Background : The insignia was approved on 17 Dec 80