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500 Utah soldiers are placed on alert

Nov-27-2004 » Filed Under: 56th SBCT

This article mentions the 56th SBCT, the only National Guard unit to convert to a Stryker Brigade. Although the article implies the 56th already has the Stryker vehicle, I have to admit that I don't know if that's the case. Anyone?

Link to Full Article
By Dawn House, The Salt Lake Tribune

About 500 Utah soldiers in the 222nd Field Artillery Battalion have been placed on alert for possible deployment in January with one of the nation's six newly formed combat brigades. The brigades are more mobile than the Army's traditional heavy-tank fighting forces. [...]

The Triple Deuce is likely to be attached to the 56th Stryker Brigade Combat Team, one of the new Brigade Combat Teams unveiled by the Army in October 1999. Five units have been formed from regular Army active-duty troops. The Pennsylvania brigade is the only combat team comprising citizen-soldiers.

"The Army's decision recognizes that the Pennsylvania Army National Guard has achieved the highest levels of strength and readiness of any Army Guard in the nation," said then-Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge - now secretary of Homeland Security - in 2001.

The combat teams are intended to serve as a bridge between the tank-heavy Army of the Cold War era and light, mobile fighting forces that lack armored firepower.

"These interim brigades will help us move towards a force that is more strategically responsive and dominant across the spectrum of military operations," said then-Army Secretary Thomas White in 2001. "Their improved deployability and lethality will enhance deterrence and meet an operational requirement with a capability that does not currently exist."

The combat teams are to be assigned new Interim Armored Vehicles, or Strykers. The system of 10 vehicles includes an infantry carrier, a mobile gun system, an anti-tank guided missile unit, a nuclear, biological and chemical reconnaissance vehicle, and a remote weapon station with an M2 .50-caliber machine gun or an MK19 40 mm grenade launcher.

The vehicles can sustain speeds of 60 mph, have a commonality of parts, a central tire-inflation system and self-recovery abilities, according to the U.S. Army Public Affairs Office.


Comments For " 500 Utah soldiers are placed on alert":

If their mobilization date is January, that would give them 7-8 months to train and integrate with the 172nd SBCT from Alaska. The 56th SBCT will be SBCT #6, and will get their complete equipment sets behind Polk and Hawaii.

Posted by: Mike | November 28, 2004 4:50 AM

I am a member of the 222 and we were deployed for 6 months last year, so we only have 18 months left (in theory). The question we all have is will we be attached as an Artillery unit or will we be integrated in some other way. So, the 56th does not have Strykers yet? Are they operating at full strength? Or are they looking for soldiers to fill the ranks? Nothing personal, but I am hoping we are attached as an Artillery unit, since that is what we have trained for. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, Bill

Posted by: Bill | November 30, 2004 1:07 PM

At present the 56th BDE still has yet to field Strykers. We are currently in increased training tempo preparatory to conversion when the vehicles are fielded.
As we are stil deploying the preparatory technologies for use of the systems involved, the progress has been steady in spite of the daunting challenges to the logisitics and steep learning curve.
Strength is about 600-700 short for the brigade and is being agressively addressed to increase retention and recruitment.
Any further requests for information should be addressed to the appropriate public affairs officer with the brigade, who will be happy to assist you.

Posted by: Steve | January 29, 2005 10:48 AM

The 56th Brigade that the article is refering to may be the 56th Armored brigade of the TX Army National Guard. They are currently being deployed to Iraq. The 56th Stryker Brigade has not Fielded any rolling stock as far as I know. No Strykers, LMTVs, FMTVs, or new Hummvees let alone small arms. We still have some 113s kicking aroung from being a mech unit, but many of these are being shipped to Iraq to replace uparmored hummvees.

Posted by: Jason | February 28, 2005 7:32 PM

Jason,
Sorry to bust your bubble but the 56th SCBT is located in PA not Texas. I should know I am part of said unit. Thanks.

Posted by: Ed | March 23, 2005 7:09 PM

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