Congressman Turner, Chairman of the House Armed Services Tactical Air and Land Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Army announced they would convert an existing infantry brigade combat team to an armored brigade combat team.
“I commend and support the Army’s recent decision to convert an Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCTs) to an Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCTs). As Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee, restoring critical Army Readiness shortfalls and increasing current Army end-strength has been a top priority for the Subcommittee.
“I believe this plan is a good first step in returning the Army to where it needs to be in terms of full spectrum capability and reducing current levels of risk. I look forward to continuing to work with the Army to develop ways to increase their ABCT force structure, either through growing more ABCTs or through converting another IBCT.”
During a Heritage Foundation event on November 16th, 2016 to mark the release of Heritage’s 2017 Index of U.S. Military Strength report where Congressman Turner was the keynote speaker, Congressman Turner had indicated that a potential option the Army could consider in order to improve lethality and capability of Brigade Combat Teams would be to convert an existing infantry brigade combat team to an armored brigade combat team as soon as possible.
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