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Command change heralds drawdown for 3rd Brigade

Jul- 8-2005 » Filed Under: General Military

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By Ben Murray, Stars and Stripes

VILSECK, Germany — The Army announced Thursday that it will reduce the 1st Infantry Division’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team in Vilseck to a small detachment to make room for a Stryker Brigade Combat Team that is set to arrive as early as 2006.

The drawdown, timed to begin with the the 3rd BCT’s official change of command to Lt. Col Michael Todd this week, will begin immediately, 1st ID spokesman Bill Coppernoll said.

“In accordance with the Army and [European Command] transformation plans, the introduction of Stryker BCT capability will follow the 3rd BCT, 1st Infantry Division being drawn down to cadre strength,” Coppernoll said.

Thursday’s announcement set in stone a movement of forces openly talked about in Army circles but not confirmed until this week. As with many units involved in the U.S. military’s consolidation and transformation plans, details on the specific destiny of the combat team had remained secret.

The announcement did not, however, contain information about how many troops would remain in the cadre-size brigade, or where it might eventually reside. That kind of information, Coppernoll said, along with the identity of the Stryker unit to replace the 3rd BCT, would be revealed later. [...]


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