9th Psychological Operations Battalion Activates Company

FORT BRAGG, NC – The 9th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne) may be one of six battalions in the 4th Psychological Operations Group (Airborne), but it is now the largest PSYOP battalion in the U.S. Army due to the activation of a new tactical PSYOP company.

Echo Company was activated in a ceremony March 23rd on Regimental Field where the Company Commander, Maj. Travis McCrackine, and Sgt.1st Class Hethe Allemand, who will soon be the company first sergeant symbolically, uncased the Echo Company guidon.

Lt. Col. Bruce Leahy, 9th PSYOP Bn. Commander, told the audience to not be fooled by the company's age as the Soldier who make up the new company are not new to tactical PSYOP.

"The Soldiers in the formation before you have spent the past 14 months in the ranks of Charlie Company, 1st PSYOP Battalion where they recently provided tactical PSYOP support to the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force- Afghanistan," he said.

Leahy said the Soldiers come with an appreciation and understanding of what it takes to be a Tactical PSYOPer and that their experience will provide the necessary building blocks "to provide tactical PSYOP support  to any theater commander in any environment."

Soldiers from the 9th PSYOP Bn. have provided support to every major military operation since 1990 when the battalion became responsible for tactical psychological operations worldwide. Immediately following the events of 9-11 the battalion rapidly deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and then in 2003 deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom. Today the battalion remains engaged at all levels in support of OEF and OIF as well as contingency operations worldwide. Most recently tactical teams from 9th PYSOP Bn. (A) deployed to Haiti to support ongoing earthquake relief efforts.