Reorganization and light infantry status 25th Infantry Division (United States)

25th infantry division 1989

in 1985, division began reorganization conventional infantry division light infantry division. 4 primary characteristics of new light infantry division be: mission flexibility, rapid deployment , combat readiness @ 100 percent strength pacific basin orientation. major configuration changes included addition of third infantry brigade, additional direct-support artillery battalion , expansion of combat aviation battalion brigade-sized unit. transfer of large quantities of heavy equipment, 25th infantry division earned designation light  — reorganization completed 1 october 1986. training became more sophisticated , more intense. in 1988, division s first battalions participated in rotations @ joint readiness training center, fort chaffee, arkansas. training center provides realistic training available light forces in army. coupled joint/combined training exercises cobra gold in thailand, kangaroo in australia , orient shield in japan, division s demanding exercise schedule increased division s fighting capabilities. until 1993 operation team spirit in korea remained division s largest annual maneuver exercise, involving more half of division s strength.