New brigades mark move to more mobile force

By Jamie McIntyre
CNN Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The Army's transition to a lighter, more mobile force takes another step forward Thursday when officials announce the formation of four rapid deployment brigades, according to Pentagon sources.

Although the latest initiative began during President Clinton's administration, it also reflects the desire by Bush administration officials for a faster, easily adaptable force that meets their strategic priorities.

RESOURCES Message Board: The U.S. military

The four new units -- called "Interim Brigade Combat Teams" -- will be composed of about 3,500 soldiers each. Instead of tanks, they will employ relatively light and fast armored vehicles.

The first two such brigades have been training since 1999 at Fort Lewis, Washington, using an "Interim Armored Vehicle," a 19-ton carrier with eight oversized tires that can travel as fast as 60 mph and carry nine people.

Secretary of the Army Thomas White and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Eric Shinseki are due to announce the postings of the next four brigade combat teams at Thursday's Pentagon briefing.

Pentagon sources say the new brigades will be stationed in Alaska and Hawaii so they could be rapidly deployed to the Pacific region if necessary.

A report from Zalmay Khalizad, a member of Bush's National Security Council staff, said that after years of focusing on Europe the United States should make Asia a military priority, given the array of threats on that continent.

In 1999 Shinseki announced his intention to give the Army the ability to put between 10,000 to 14,000 troops on the ground anywhere in the world within 96 hours.

The move also seems consistent with the Bush administration's plan to revitalize the military.

When he nominated Donald Rumsfeld to be secretary of defense in January, Bush said, "We will begin creating the military of the future, one that takes full advantage of revolutionary new technologies [and redefines] the way wars are fought."