WASHINGTON – The Virginia National Guard’s 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team, or MBCT, discussed the Army National Guard’s modernization efforts during the Army Current Operations Engagement Tour, highlighting lessons learned from becoming the first National Guard brigade to complete a Joint Readiness Training Center, or JRTC, rotation under the Army’s new Mobile Brigade Combat Team construct.
Col. Arthur S. Moore, commander of the 116th MBCT, said the brigade’s transformation demonstrates how the Army is building more mobile, agile, survivable and lethal formations while preparing National Guard units for future large-scale combat operations. Throughout the past 18 months, the brigade fielded about 35 new capabilities while simultaneously supporting domestic missions, conducting major training events and completing a JRTC rotation at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve operated with a real sense of urgency. The Army is moving quickly to modernize so we’re prepared to fight and win in 21st-century warfare. That means becoming more mobile, agile, survivable and lethal,” Moore said.
The 116th MBCT serves as a model for future National Guard modernization efforts as the first National Guard brigade to complete the transition, Moore said. The formation is helping to shape how the remaining Army National Guard brigade combat teams will modernize in the coming years.
“We’re the first National Guard brigade to complete this transformation. Ultimately, 25 of the Army National Guard’s 27 brigade combat teams will transition to the Mobile Brigade Combat Team structure. Since roughly half of the Army’s combat power resides in the National Guard, this modernization effort is incredibly significant,” Moore said.
A major component of that transformation is the introduction of new capabilities designed to increase mobility and battlefield awareness. Moore explained that the Mobile Brigade Combat Team combines a leaner force structure with advanced technologies, including Infantry Squad Vehicles, unmanned aerial systems, counter-UAS capabilities, electromagnetic warfare systems and improved command-and-control tools.
“We’ve also received short, medium and long-range unmanned aerial systems for reconnaissance, loitering munitions, counter-unmanned aircraft systems, advanced command-and-control capabilities, improved communications and electromagnetic warfare systems,” Moore said.
Soldiers employed new systems in realistic training scenarios during the brigade’s JRTC rotation. Leaders highlighted unmanned systems as one of the most significant advancements fielded during the transition.
“During JRTC, we fielded approximately 21 short-range Teal reconnaissance drones. For the first time, we were able to use those systems to identify targets and then adjust mortar fire onto them. That was a significant capability increase,” said 1st Lt. Adam Mayers, assistant operations officer of 116th MBCT.
One of the most notable aspects of the brigade’s modernization effort is how quickly Soldiers can learn to operate emerging technology, Mayers said. Rather than relying on specialized operators, infantry Soldiers were trained to employ drone systems after less than a week of instruction, significantly expanding the brigade’s ability to integrate unmanned capabilities across the formation.
Leaders also emphasized the importance of partnerships in accelerating modernization. Through collaboration with industry, the brigade has been able to experiment with emerging technologies and evaluate capabilities faster than traditional acquisition and infrastructure timelines would normally allow.
“Military construction projects can take years to complete, but industry partners are often able to provide prototype capabilities much sooner,” Mayers said.
Mayers explained that those relationships extend beyond experimentation. During JRTC, industry partners were able to rapidly resolve technical issues with operational systems, providing immediate support that helped maintain readiness and keep Soldiers training.
International partnerships also played a key role during the brigade’s modernization journey.
Through the Department of War National Guard Bureau State Partnership Program linking Virginia with Finland, Finnish forces integrated directly into the brigade’s JRTC rotation, providing both organizations an opportunity to learn from one another while operating in a realistic training environment.
“At JRTC, Finland deployed one of its advanced mortar companies equipped with the AMOS system. They integrated directly into our operations alongside our field artillery and maneuver units. It was a tremendous opportunity for both organizations to learn from each other's tactics and procedures,” Moore said.
As the Army continues fielding Mobile Brigade Combat Teams across the force, leaders said the lessons learned by the 116th MBCT will help inform future formations undergoing the same transition. Through modernization, partnerships and operational training, the brigade is helping shape how the National Guard prepares for future conflicts while contributing to the Army’s broader transformation efforts.
“We’ve just completed JRTC, so we’re beginning a very robust lessons-learned process. Many organizations across the Army are interested in what we’ve experienced, and we’ll be sharing those lessons with future Mobile Brigade Combat Teams,” Moore said.
The 116th Mobile Brigade Combat Team’s efforts represent a critical step in the Army’s continued transformation toward more agile and adaptable formations. The lessons learned from its rotation will help inform future Mobile Brigade Combat Teams and ensure the Army remains prepared to meet the demands of an evolving battlefield.