Military coverage is filled with jargon that sometimes obscures the story. Here is a quick guide to U.S. Army formations and select equipment — what they consist of, how large they are and what they do.

Battalion: A battalion, usually about 400-strong, is comprised of three rifle companies, a combat support company and a headquarters company. Battalions often blend companies with different fighting specialties to take on tasks that no existing unit is properly configured to tackle. Battalions normally fight enemy forces they can see and engage. This is defined as an area extending from less than 100 yards in forests, urban areas and other close terrain out to about two to three miles from the battalion’s direct and indirect weapons-fire.

Brigade: The brigade provides mobility, counter-mobility and survivability, topographic engineering and general engineering support to the largest unit - the corps — and augments the corps’ various divisions. The brigade may contain combat engineer battalions, separate engineer companies, assault float bridges, and topographic and tactical bridge companies. It contains around 2,500 people commanded by a colonel.

Bunker buster: A bomb designed to destroy hardened targets deep under ground. The American GBU-28 bunker buster bomb is guided by laser and can break through 100 feet of earth or 20 feet of concrete before exploding. The GBU-28 was initially developed in 1991 for penetrating hardened Iraqi command centers.

Constant Phoenix: A modified C-135B transport aircraft equipped with devices to detect radioactive “clouds” from nuclear weapons detonations. It is controlled by the Air Force Technical Applications Center (AFTAC) and operated by the 45th Reconnaissance Wing at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska. The interior seats 33 people.

Company: Company-sized units, 130 to 150 soldiers, are normally commanded by captains. They consist of two or more platoons, usually of the same type, a headquarters unit and some logistical capabilities. Companies are the basic elements of all battalions.


Division: Divisions perform major tactical operations for the corps and can conduct sustained battles and engagements. One division is made up of at least three brigades with between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. Divisions are normally commanded by major generals. Types of divisions include light infantry, armored and mechanized infantry, airborne and air assault.

IED: An IED, or Improvised Explosive Device, is a “homemade” device that is designed to cause death or injury by using explosives alone or in combination with toxic chemicals, biological agents, or radiological material. IEDs may be detonated by a suicide bomber or remotely detonated. They may utilize commercial or military explosives, homemade explosives, or military ordnance and ordnance components.

Platoon: A platoon is four squads - generally three rifle squads and one weapons squad, normally armed with machine guns and anti-tank weapons. Lieutenants lead most platoons, and the second-in-command is generally a sergeant first class.

Squad: A small military unit consisting of 10 to 11 soldiers.

Stryker: The U.S. Army’s newest armored vehicle. The 19-ton, eight-wheeled Stryker can be configured for use in infantry, reconnaissance, fire support or medical evacuation missions. It can operate at 60 mph and has a range of 312 miles. The vehicle may be transported by C-130 aircraft.

(Source: MSNBC Research/ Defense Department)

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