246th Transportation Battalion (United States)

The 246th Transportation Battalion is a transportation battalion of the United States Army. During peacetime, the 246th is part of the 272nd Regional Support Group, a major subordinate command of the Michigan Army National Guard. Headquarters for the 246th are at the Jackson Readiness Center in Jackson, Michigan.

Mission
Headquarters of the 246th Transportation Battalion provides command, control, and supervision of units engaged in motor transport and terminal operations (less seaport).

Organization
Subordinate to the 246th during peacetime are:
 * 1460th Transportation Company, Midland, MI
 * 1461st Transportation Company, Jackson, MI and Augusta, MI
 * 1462nd Transportation Company, Howell, MI
 * 1463rd Transportation Company, Wyoming, MI and Sturgis, MI

All of the Battalion's subordinate companies have deployed at least once in support of the Global War on Terror. The 1461st was awarded a Meritorious Unit Citation for its actions in Operation Iraqi Freedom during the period of 19 September 2006 through 3 August 2007.

Battalion Commanders

 * LTC John T. Collins III (July 2011 to present)
 * LTC Jerome P. Hurtgen Jr. (January 2010 to July 2011)
 * LTC Andrew M. Roman (August 2008 to December 2009)
 * LTC Paul H. Scheidler (February 2007 to July 2008)

Command Sergeants Major

 * CSM David L. Folsom II (April 2013 to present)
 * CSM Kennth L. Holmes
 * CSM John E. Engel
 * CSM Mark D. Surbrook (March 2006 to 07)

Unit Insignia
The 246th Transportation Battalion coat of arms and distinctive unit insignia were both approved on 17 April 2008. Both consist of a blue shield with a gold wheel and gauntlet surmounting the brick red hub. The base of the shield consists of a golden yellow dancetté.

On the coat of arms, there is a crest above the shield. The crest consists of a golde and blue wreath on which stands a gold griffin. Atop the distinctive unit insignia is a brick red scroll inscribed "Wolf Hounds" in gold.

Symbolism

In heraldry, the griffin represents vigilance and readiness. For Michigan, it also harkens to French explorer René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle whose ship, Le Griffon, was the first European vessel to sail the upper Great Lakes.

Brick red and golden yellow are the colors traditionally associated with Transportation units. The wheel symbolizes the Battalion’s basic mission of transportation. The closed gauntlet, adapted from the 46th Infantry Division’s shoulder sleeve insignia, alludes to the historical significance of the Division to the units in the Battalion. It also denotes the unit’s vigilance to engage in any audacious task. The dancetté signifies the Lower Peninsula and the hills of southern Michigan, the home state of the Battalion.