Brigaad

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Brigaad


caption= Standard Estonian military map symbol for a a brigade.
dates= present
country= EST
branch= Estonian Ground Force
type= infantry
size= 8750
equipment= small firearms
grenade launchers
mortars
tactical transport vehicles
infantry fighting vehicles
portable missile launchers
artillery group
air defence systems
current_commander= Colonel
current_commander_label=Commander

Brigaad, ( _en. brigade) is an average military unit led by a senior officer that is subordinate to an infantry division. "Brigaad" is bigger than a pataljon ("battalion") but smaller than a diviis ("division"). It is currently the largest military formation among the Estonian Ground Force infantry units. [http://www.mil.ee/kevadtorm/?s=kasulik Estonian Defence Forces formations]

Leadership

It usually consists 5000 to 8750 soldiers, and is further subdivided into battalions. "Brigaad" is composed of seven battalions of 900 to 1250 soldiers each, as well as a brigade leader ("brigaadiülem") who is usually a colonel ("kolonel"). His second in command is major as an assistant of the brigade ("brigaadiülema abi"). [http://www.kaitseliit.ee/index.php?op=body&cat_id=100 Eesti relvajõudude ametikohtade tunnused]

Organization

One single "brigaad" is meant to operate on a battlefield along with other "brigaad's" on a landscale not creator than 10 x 15 kilometres. The is a logistical support element in the structure of a "brigaad" which is based on a reserv battalion. The formation transport is usually made up by 1500 tactical transport vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz UNIMOG 435 [http://sodur.com/?id=412&sid=10 Transport vehicles of the Estonian Ground Forces] .

Other military uses

A brigade's commanding officer is commonly a brigadier general, brigadier or colonel. In Imperial or Commonwealth forces, the brigadier was assisted by a brigade major who was chief of staff of the brigade. In the armies of colonial powers, such as the British Empire, brigades frequently garrisoned isolated colonial posts, and their commanders had substantial discretion and local authority.

ee also

*Military science
*Pataljon ( _en. Battalion)
*Diviis ( _en. Division)

Notes and references