The first elements, which included the 1st Battalion and regimental headquarters, flew over the Owen Stanley Range to Popondetta and Dobodura on 30 December, where they came under the command of Lieutenant General Edmund Herring's Advanced New Guinea Force.

[3]: 329–330 The 163rd Regimental Combat Team was attached to Major General George Alan Vasey's 7th Division and Doe assumed command of the Sanananda Front from Brigadier Ivan Dougherty on 3 January 1943.

[3]: 330  The front line consisted of a raised road with Japanese positions on relatively dry ground astride it, surrounded by jungle swamp.

[3]: 332 In 2022, the regiment deployed in support of Operation Spartan Shield and its soldiers served in Kuwait, Jordan, and Syria.

[4] A Gold color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Per fess Argent and Azure, in chief a palm tree on a mount Proper and in base a giant cactus and fleur-de-lis Or.

The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 163d Infantry Regiment, Montana National Guard on 8 December 1941.

Per fess Argent and Azure, in chief a palm tree on mount Proper and in base a giant cactus and a fleur-de-lis Or.