Here's a little history lesson on how we are what we are today.
Until 2006, the 256th Brigade was a "Heavy" brigade that consisted of 2 mechanized infantry battalions (2nd & 3rd Battalions, 156th Infantry Regiment) each equipped with 44 Bradley Fighting Vehicles, 1 armor battalion (1st Battalion, 156th Armored Regiment) equipped with 44 Abrams Main Battle Tanks, and a self-propelled artillery battalion (1st Battalion, 141st Artillery Regiment) that was equipped with (18) 155 mm howitzers. This was known as a HBCT (Heavy Brigade Combat Team). As of 01 September 2006, the 256th Brigade is transitioning to a light configuration of two infantry battalions plus a battalion of towed artillery and one support light cavalry squadron. This new organization is known as an IBCT (Infantry Brigade Combat Team) which will have a little over 3 and a half thousand soldiers when at full strength. The HBCT and IBCT along with the SBCT (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) are to be the three organizations that will make up the future army's ground force maneuver units that will project combat power on land.
The old task organization of the 256th brigade was 6 mechanized infantry companies of 14 IFV(s) each, 3 armor companies of 14 tanks each and 3 batteries of 155 mm self propelled artillery cannons with 6 howitzers each. In addition the armor and both mechanized infantry battalions had two vehicles (tank or Bradley) set aside for the battalion commander and the battalion operations officer.
The new task organization will be 6 light infantry companies, 2 anti-tank companies armed with TOW missiles, 2 mounted recon troops, 1 dismounted recon troop, and 2 batteries of towed artillery with 105 mm cannons with 8 cannons each. The brigade will also have a support battalion and a special troops battalion for CS/CSS (Combat Support/Combat Service Support). These 2 battalions will possess support units such as signal, intelligence, military police, combat engineers, transportation, quartermaster (supply), maintenance, and medical.
2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry
The 1st Battalion, 156th Armor, headquarters Shreveport, Louisiana in Caddo Parish, has been decommissioned and replaced by the brigade's newest battalion, the 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry as of September, 2006. The mission of the 2-108th CAV is to provide the 256th IBCT with reconnaissance and early warning during combat operations.
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