Also included in the division base is an aviation battalion.
The aviation
battalion is a combat unit organic to the division base.
Brigades are the major subordinate maneuver commands of divisions. The only
permanent unit assigned to a brigade is its headquarters and headquarters
company.
The headquarters and headquarters company provide command and
control over units attached to or supporting the brigade.
Maneuver and support units are provided to the brigade to meet specific
mission requirements. Battalions are attached to brigades. They serve to
destroy or disrupt the enemy and to seize and hold terrain.
The brigade
headquarters normally controls two to five maneuver battalions and necessary
combat support and combat service support units.
Maneuver Battalions
Battalions are assigned to the mechanized and armored divisions. Battalions
destroy or disrupt the enemy and seize and hold terrain. Each division is
allocated a certain number of battalions. Normal allocation is as follows:
o
Mechanized division - 10 battalions (5 mechanized battalions and
5 tank battalions).
o
Armored division - 10 battalions (4 mechanized battalions and 6
tank battalions).
The divisions could control five more if the mission required it and if the
battalions were available. The point to remember is that there is only one
combat unit that is a permanent part of the division base. That combat unit
is the aviation battalion. The combat maneuver battalions are assigned to
the division based on mission requirements.
Combat support and combat service support are provided to the brigade by the
division.
Normally, field artillery support is provided by a field
artillery direct-support medium-cannon battalion. Other elements that also
routinely support a brigade include:
o
An engineer company.
o
A forward area signal counter platoon.
o
Combat electronic warfare and intelligence elements.
o
A forward support battalion.
From time to time, attack helicopter units may fight with the brigade under
the operational control (OPCON) of the brigade.
Employment
Considerations.
It
is
important
to
understand
the
considerations for employment prior to committing heavy forces on the
AirLand Battlefield.
Heavy brigades are known for their survivable,
mobile firepower. Note that they are normally employed in terrain where
firepower and mobility may be used to the best advantage against an
enemy with similar capabilities. Heavy brigades are employed to destroy
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IS7003
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