Idaho Army National Guard completes transition from an armored brigade to a mobile infantry brigade

After a series of ceremonies across Idaho last week, the Idaho Army National Guard’s 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team completed one of the largest transitions in its history, reorganizing from an armored brigade to a mobile infantry brigade.

As part of the transition, the brigade replaced its Abrams Main Battle Tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles with the Infantry Squad Vehicle, a lighter more mobile platform allowing the brigade to adopt to threats on the future battlefield. The brigade had operated as an armored unit since 1949.

The brigade’s geographical footprint reduced from four states to two while increasing its authorized end strength by nearly 500 Soldiers.

The transformation reorganized unit locations throughout the state, which coincides with the Idaho Army National Guard’s long-term plan to regionally realign the state’s force structure. The organization will repurpose certain facilities in some location while opening new modern facilities in others. In addition, brigade units will no longer be located in Moscow, Preston or Twin Falls.

"This transformation is a critical step in modernizing our force and ensures the 116th remains at the forefront of combat readiness," said Col. Jason Gracida, commander of the 116th CAV (MBCT). "Our citizen-Soldiers are the most vital part of our organization. This initiative equips them with the tools and structure needed to be more agile and decisive on the battlefield.”

The 116th CAV (MBCT) will retain its cavalry lineage, designation and traditions.

The reorganization is part of the U.S. Army’s Transformation Initiative that aims to modernize its force and strengthen its capabilities in response to emerging global threats by adapting fighting formations and integrating new technologies to meet current and future threats.

The 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion deactivates

The 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion was headquartered in Twin Falls and deactivated on June 5.

The battalion consisted of two engineer companies, a military intelligence company, a signal company and a forward support company. Alpha Company was stationed in Mountain Home. Bravo Company was headquartered in Moscow with detachments in Grangeville and Orofino. Alpha and Bravo companies were both engineer companies. Charlie Company, a signal company, and Delta Company, a military intelligence company, were both stationed on Gowen Field. The unit’s forward support company, E Company, 145th Brigade Support Battalion, was stationed in Jerome.

The engineer battalion was established on March 16, 2006, as the 116th Brigade Special Troops Battalion and converted to the 116th Brigade Engineer Battalion on October 1, 2016. The unit deployed in support of Operation New Dawn from 2010-2011.

145th Brigade Support Battalion relocates to Jerome

Previously headquartered in Lewiston, the 145th Brigade Support Battalion reorganized as the 145th Light Support Battalion and relocated to Jerome on August 1. The battalion is a division asset but will remain under operational control to the 116th CAV (MBCT).

Its headquarters and headquarters company, previously stationed in Lewiston, and its Alpha Company, a distribution company in Post Falls, reorganized together to form Headquarters Distribution Company. Bravo Company, a maintenance company stationed in Post Falls, also relocated to Jerome and redesignated as Alpha Company. The company’s mission expanded as a maintenance and supply company.

The Jerome Readiness Center opened in June and was dedicated in honor of former Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne. The 55,000 square-foot facility includes modern classrooms, a learning center and administrative space for company and battalion staffs and is the state’s first readiness center built this century.

Charlie Company redesignated as Bravo Company and remains in Boise and as a medical company.

The support battalion’s forward support companies became combat logistic companies.

Golf Company, stationed in Boise, redesignated as Charlie Company and remains in Boise to provide support to the 2-116th CAV REG. Delta Company, assigned to the Nevada Army National Guard’s 1st Battalion, 221st Cavalry Regiment will remain Delta Company and not be reassigned. The Nevada's Army National Guard 1-221 CAV REG is the only 116th CAV (MBCT) unit not located in Idaho and provides the brigade with a third mobile infantry battalion.

Echo Company, previously stationed in Jerome, relocated to Orofino. Foxtrot Company redesignated as Service Battery, 1-148th Field Artillery and will remain in Idaho Falls with a detachment in Rigby.

The 1-116th CAV REG activates in Lewiston

The 1st Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment, a mobile infantry battalion, was activated in Lewiston on July 30, where it is headquartered. Mobile infantry companies Alpha and Bravo are stationed in Post Falls. Charlie Company, also a mobile infantry company, was organized and stationed in in St. Anthony.

Delta Company, a multi-purpose company, provides the battalion with organic strike, reconnaissance and sensing capabilities, is stationed in Grangeville.

The 2-116th Combined Arms Battalion transitions to a mobile infantry battalion

In June, the 2nd of the 116th Combined Arms Battalion reorganized as 2nd Battalion, 116th Cavalry Regiment on June 18. Its two armor companies and one mechanized infantry company were redesignated as mobile infantry companies, a newly formed multi-purpose company was activated, and its logistics support company was reorganized as a combat logistics company.

The unit’s headquarters and headquarters company remain in Caldwell. Alpha Company relocated from Emmett to Burley. Bravo Company remains in Nampa. Charlie Company remains on Gowen Field. Delta Company, a newly formed multi-purpose company, is stationed in Emmett and provides the regiment with organic strike, reconnaissance and sensing capabilities.

The 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment maintains armored Paladins

The 1-148th Field Artillery Regiment remains largely unchanged and will maintain its armored Paladins. The regiment is a now division asset assigned administratively to the brigade.

Charlie Battery relocated from Burley to Boise and its logistical support company, Service Battery, is now organic to the regiment.

Detachment 1, Alpha Company, located in Preston consolidated into the main company stationed in Blackfoot. Detachment 1, Bravo Battery, consolidated from St. Anthony to the main battery located in Rexburg.

Additional units activate

On July 31, Company M, 116th CAV (MBCT) was activated in Boise. The unit brings together multiple scouting, electronic warfare and unmanned systems capabilities into a single unit to increase the lethality and mobility of the brigade.

The 126th Engineer Company was activated in Mountain Home. The unit is comprised of combat engineers from the brigade’s former engineer battalion’s Alpha and Bravo companies. The 122nd Signal Company was activated in Boise and consists largely of Soldiers who served in the battalion’s Charlie Company and the 216th Military Intelligence Company was also activated in Boise, consisting of largely the same Soldiers who served in the BEB’s Delta Company.

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