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.
As of 2007, the unit is composed of:
HHC, 177th Armored Brigade
1st Battalion, 346th Regiment
2nd Battalion, 349th Regiment
3rd Battalion, 349th Regiment
2nd Battalion, 410th Field Artillery (Training Support)
1st Battalion, 350th Regiment
2nd Battalion, 350th Regiment
As of 2015, the Brigade is composed of:
HHD, 177th Armored Brigade
1st Battalion, 305th Regiment (Armor)
2nd Battalion, 305th Regiment (Artillery)
3rd Battalion, 315th Regiment (Engineer)
1st Battalion, 346th Regiment (Air Defense Artillery)
2nd Battalion, 346th Regiment (CS/CSS)
3rd Battalion, 347th Regiment (CS/CSS)
2nd Battalion, 348th Regiment (CS/CSS)
3rd Battalion, 348th Regiment (CS/CSS)
3rd Battalion, 349th Regiment (Logistics Support)
1st Battalion, 350th Regiment (Logistics Support)
2nd Battalion, 350th Regiment (Logistics Support)
2nd Battalion, 410th Regiment (Artillery)
For further information see The Brigade, A History by John J. McGrath from the Combat Studies Institute Press, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
