CHAPTER 2: Organization

V. BRIGADE

The basic maneuver unit is the brigade, consisting of maneuver battalions and a wide array of combat support and combat service support elements. In contrast, a separate or independent* brigade is not a part of a division. Instead, it is directly subordinate to a corps, an army, or army group. Besides having more maneuver battalions, a separate brigade has some of the combat support and combat service support assets normally found at division level. The separate brigade needs these support assets to fight more independently, without relying on support from a parent division.

An armor- and mechanized-based OPFOR consists primarily of mechanized infantry units. The mechanized infantry brigade has two basic types: one equipped with infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and one equipped with (armored personnel carriers (APCs). The are also tank brigades. Each of these three types of maneuver brigade has separate and divisional versions. Also, even an armor- and mechanized-based OPFOR may have some truck-mounted motorized infantry.

The terms separate and independent are interchangeable and do not reflect a difference in organization.

* A separate mechanized infantry brigade most likely has four mechanized infantry battalions and one 51-tank tank battalion. However, the mix might be three mechanized infantry battalions and two 31-tank tank battalions.

** When there is a single SP howitzer battalion, it may be either 122-mm or 152-mm, with 152-mm most likely. When there are two battalions, there may be one 122-mm and one 152-mm or, more likely, both 152-mm.

The MIBR (IFV) in the TD has only 2 MIBNs.

Mechanized Infantry Brigade (APC) (Div), MID

* The mechanized infantry brigade (APC) may have a battalion of 122-mm towed howitzers instead of this SP howitzer battalion.

Tank Brigade (Div), MID

The Tank Brigade of a MID has no organic, subordinate Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

Tank Brigade (Div), TD

The Tank Brigade of a MID has a organic, subordinate Mechanized Infantry Battalion.

Motorized Infantry Brigade (Divisional)

* In some motorized infantry brigades, one of these infantry battalions may be mechanized rather than motorized.

The MRL battery is not present in all infantry brigades.

Combat Helicopter Regiment, Army or Corps

* Some combat helicopter regiments may also include six Mi-24R/HIND G1 NBC-sampling helicopters and six Mi-24K/HIND G2 photoreconnaissance helicopters.

* Some separate helicopter squadrons may also have two or three Mi-8SMV/HIP J and two or three Mi-8PPA/HIP K or Mi-8MT (Mi-17P)/HIP H jamming helicopters.

** Some squadrons may also have one or two Mi-8VKP airborne command post helicopters.

Airborne Brigade (IFV) (Div), Airborne Div

Air transport support units required for deployment may be allocated to the brigade from military transport aviation assets. Either transport aircraft or heavy-lift helicopters could air-land the brigade or insert the airborne infantry battalions by parachute.