CARSON CITY, Nev. –
The infantry is coming to Nevada.
The Nevada Army National Guard has been selected as the U.S. Army’s next mobile infantry battalion, Brig. Gen. Randy Lau, Nevada Army National Guard land component commander, announced today.
“This selection reflects our organization’s proven excellence in manning, versatility and combat readiness — significantly expanding our capabilities and reinforcing our strategic role in national defense,” Lau said.
Under the Army Transformation Initiative, the Department of Defense seeks to reduce its Armored Brigade Combat Teams (ABCT) to 13 in total; from five to two in the National Guard. Among the brigades in the transition are the 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team in Idaho with its downtrace units in Montana, Oregon and Nevada.
The 1st Squadron, 221st Cavalry represents Nevada’s Soldiers in the brigade.
“This means we are looking at gaining a battalion along with one combat logistics company,” said Chief Warrant Officer 4 David Bouse. Nevada Army National Guard force integration and readiness officer. “It keeps Nevada relevant and in the forefront of largescale combat operations (LSCO), specifically for operations in the U.S. Indo-Pacific area of responsibility.”
Lt. Gen. Jonathan Stubbs, director, Army National Guard, emphasized the importance of LSCOs in his “Minuteman Campaign Plan.”
“We must immediately and decisively train towards that threat,” Stubbs explained in his plan. He described LSCO an “extensive joint combat operations in terms of scope and size of forces committed, conducted as a campaign aimed at achieving operational and strategic objectives.”
During his speech in Reno at the 54th General Conference of the Enlisted Association National Guard of the United States, Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Prosser, 1st Army command sergeant major, echoed that sentiment when he said, “this is not about the equipment, it’s not about the platform; it’s about the concept and structure.”
To do this, Nevada’s armored cavalry squadron will replace its tanks with infantry squad vehicles or ISVs and various other equipment for mobile infantry use. These agile vehicles are transportable by CH-47 Chinook designed to enhance mobility in infantry units. The nine-passenger ISV is based on the Chevrolet Colorado ZR2 platform under a GM contract.
The transition could expand the Nevada Army National Guard with an additional 300 manning positions, Bouse said. This will likely not change the unit’s structure given the decision was largely made to include the recruiting pool available in Las Vegas with headquarters at the Clark County Armory in North Las Vegas, Bouse said. It also provides more opportunities for training, which were restricted with armored cavalry.
The Nevada Army Guard will be given two years to stand up for the new mission and reclassify many Soldiers for infantry operations.
During a meeting with Idaho Army National Guard leadership on Aug. 27, including Brig. Gen. James Packwood, assistant adjutant general, Army, both Idaho and Nevada mentioned the importance of keeping traditions and heraldry with the unit, including the “Wild Horse” call sign and designation as a cavalry brigade. The goal is to keep those traditions as both state's continue working toward the development of this two-state partnership, senior officers from both states said.
“I want to extend my deepest appreciation to the troopers of the 1-221 Cavalry and our dedicated state staff,” Lau said. “Your tireless coordination, planning, and execution made this possible. This is a major milestone — not just for the unit, but for the entire Nevada Army National Guard.”