The US Army’s 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division out of Fort Carson, Colorado, has completed its conversion to a Stryker brigade.
The achievement was marked with a ceremony on June 15, nearly two years after the conversion was announced in September of 2018. The 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division out of Fort Bliss, Texas is also converting to a Stryker brigade.
“Today the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team officially becomes the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team,” said Col. Scott Knight, commander of the 2nd SBCT during his speech. “This is a day that will be added to a long and rich history for our unit. A history that we will honor and carry forward.”
During the ceremony, Knight and Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarland, commanding general for the 4th Inf. Div., talked about the brigade’s history and future from an infantry brigade to Stryker brigade.
“When this re-designation was first announced, then Secretary of the Army Esper said this shift was part of a broader strategy to ensure that our Army remain the most lethal ground combat force able to deploy, fight and win against any adversary, anytime, anywhere,” said McFarland. “And while we don’t know where or when the next fight will take place, Stryker’s will certainly be a key part of that fight against any potential threat.”
Knight added that the brigade began their conversion process in the fall of last year. Since the beginning of the brigade’s conversion the unit has turned in more than 11,000 pieces of equipment no longer need for a Stryker brigade and has received more than 30% of Stryker vehicles, as well as adjusting personnel manning.
Since the beginning of the process, organizationally, the brigade has closed three infantry companies across the units maneuver battalions and gained one new troop, Echo Troop, to the brigade’s squadron.
According to the brigade leadership the unit plans to finalize their conversion in late 2021.
“You’ve spent countless hours working through property books and paperwork and you’ve initiated your OPNET (operator new equipment training) and your FLMNET, (field level maintenance new equipment training) and all of it is essential to making the conversion such a success,” said McFarland. “I am proud of the work you’ve done to date and I look forward watching you as you continue to embrace this vehicle.”
