177th Armored Brigade (United States)

177th Armored Brigade
177th Armored Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia
Active	1986–1994 1997-1999 2006 – present
Country	United States
Branch	U.S. Army
Role	Training
Size	Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Camp Shelby
Battle honours	World War I: St.-Mihiel, Meuse-Argonne, Lorraine
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia

The 177th Armored Brigade is an AC/RC unit based at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The unit is responsible for training selected United States Army Reserve and National Guard units. The unit was formerly designated as 3rd Brigade, 87th Division. The brigade is a subordinate unit of First Army.

The brigade has been re-designated and re-missioned several times:

• In 1986, the Brigade assumed the mission as the Opposing Force (OPFOR) at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California. The Brigade consisted of 2 battalions: 6th Battalion, 31st Infantry (6–31 IN) and 1st Battalion, 73rd Armor (1–73 AR).
• In 1988 the Brigade re-designated several units and activated others. 6–31 IN became 1–52 IN, 1–73 AR became 1–63 AR. Activated were the 177th Support Battalion, 177th Military Intelligence Company, 164th Chemical Company and the 87th Engineer Company.
• On 26 October 1994, as part of the post-Cold War draw down, the Brigade was inactivated and re-flagged as the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.

Organization

The unit is composed of:

• HHC, 177th Armored Brigade
• 1st Battalion 350th Regiment
• 2nd Battalion 350th Regiment
• 1st Battalion 346th Regiment
• 2nd Battalion 349th Regiment
• 3rd Battalion 349th Regiment
• 2nd Battalion 410th Field Artillery (Training Support)

For further information see The Brigade, A History by John J. McGrath from the Combat Studies Institute Press, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

External links

• Lineage & Honors for 3rd Brigade, 87th Division
• USAR Overview
• Fort Irwin's history of the OPFOR
• Global Security's page for 3/87th Division