1 ABCT transitions from Armored to Stryker brigade

1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division
Story by Staff Sgt. Craig Cantrell

Date: 03.17.2014
Posted: 03.19.2014 14:37
News ID: 122244

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. - The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team officially transitioned to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team during a ceremony held on Founder’s Field, March 17.

“We bid farewell to four of our battalions and welcome six new battalions to the Raider Brigade,” said Col. Dave Hodne, commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Raiders from past wars attended the ceremony to watch their colors being cased and welcome the new standards of the brigade.

“One only has to briefly scan the history of this great brigade to recognize the significant contributions of these incredible Soldiers and the generations of Raiders that have gone before them,” said Hodne.

The United States Army announced in January that it would convert the 1st ABCT to a SBCT.

Replacing Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles with lighter Stryker combat vehicles reduces heavy vehicle maneuvers and fuel consumption, and is expected to reduce dust and air pollution at Fort Carson. Additionally, the net number of Soldiers training at Fort Carson will be fewer than anticipated, because the action coincides with the inactivation of another BCT as part of the Army-wide reductions announced in June 2013.

The conversion is meant to achieve a needed operational mix of BCTs within the Army, and will take an estimated 10 months to complete.

The Stryker brigade combat team combines the capacity for rapid deployment with survivability and tactical mobility.

The Stryker infantry carrier vehicle enables Soldiers to maneuver within the close confines of urban terrain, provide protection in open terrain, and transport infantry quickly to critical battlefield positions.

The eight-wheeled Stryker is the first new military vehicle to enter service into the United States Army since the Abrams tank in the 1980s.

“The Strykers are lighter than the tanks and provide us a degree of strategic mobility you don’t have in a tank formation,” said Hodne.

There are eight configurations of the ICV, including the M1135 nuclear, biological, chemical reconnaissance vehicle (NBC RV), M1134 anti-tank guided missile (ATGM), M1133 medical evacuation vehicle (MEV), M1129 mortar carrier (MC), M1132 engineer squad vehicle (ESV), M1130 command vehicle (CV), M1131 fire support vehicle (FSV) and the M1127 reconnaissance vehicle (RV).

“This reorganization is simply another chapter in the historic journey of this brigade that documents the trials and triumphs of our Army and our Nation,” said Hodne.