Light Armor Division

Infobox Military Unit
unit_name= Light Armor Division


caption= Coat of Arms of the Phil Army Light Armor Division Mobile Suit Division
dates= March 19, 1986 - September 11, 2006 (Light Armor Brigade); September 11, 2006 - Present
country= flagicon|Philippines Philippines
allegiance=
branch= Philippine Army
type= Cavalry, Armored Cavalry
role= Conventional Warfare, Armor & Cavalry Operations
size= 5 Light Armor Battalions (organic), 3 Mechanized Infantry Battalions (organic), 2 Light Armor Company (separate), 1 Company size Rapid Deployment Force, Army Aviation Battalion, Armor Maintenance Battalion, Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battalion, Signal Company, Engineer Combat Company, The Armor School. . Total is 6000+ soldiers
command_structure= Under the Philippine Army, (1) Armor Battalion OPCON to Infantry Division
current_commander= MGen Isagani C Cachuela AFP
garrison= Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac
ceremonial_chief=
colonel_of_the_regiment=
nickname= "PALAR","PALAD","Light Armor","PALAR","LAD,PA","LADiv"
patron=
motto= "We'll do our job the best way we can"
colors=
march=
mascot= Kampilan & Tank
battles= Light Armor and aviation support operations against the NPA, MILF, Terrorists and local criminal elements
notable_commanders= MGen Pedro Cabuay AFP, LtGen Efren l Abu AFP
anniversaries=September 11
decorations= Presidential Streamer Award
battle_honours=
identification_symbol_label=Unit Patch
identification_symbol=LAD BadgeThe Light Armor Division, Philippine Army, known officially as the PALA Division, is the Philippine Army's only cavalry unit specializing in armored and mechanized deployment.

History

As the need to activate combat units with warm bodies coming from the reserve pool of officers in the inactive status and from the ranks of the 20-year old conscripts in response to the threat of secession from the Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF) increased was a corresponding clamor to establish units that would provide the needed punch in battle. That unit included the armor, hence, the activation of armor battalions.

While the growing number of armored units in the AFP was perceived as a sign of organizational strength, it had its downside where units competed for critical logistical parts for the armored vehicles. It was the main reason why tank and reconnaissance (equipped with armored cars) units in the battalion combat teams (BCTs) were not able to optimize the use of their armored assets due to problems on maintenance.

Thus, the Philippine Army Light Armor Regiment (PALAR) integrated all the existing Light Armor Battalions and Separate Companies of the Army on 16 August 1976. Like its predecessors, the new unit saw action in many battles against lawless elements or enemies of the state and earning the respect not only of their adversaries but all other supported units of the AFP as well.

As envisioned in the late 1970s, a modern Army with the capability of rapid troop movement or deployment was not carried out due to some bureaucratic complications. It was only after the famed EDSA Revolution of 22 to 25 February 1986 when the plan was revived. Part of the impressive plan was to upgrade the armored unit and improve its capabilities.

On 19 March 1986, the unit was upgraded into a brigade size and was officially designated the Light Armor Brigade or LABde.

Following the sale of military reservations in Metro Manila by virtue of Republic Act No. 7227, or Bases Conversion Development Act of 1992, which was signed into law by President Corazon Aquino on 13 March 1992, to include a substantial part of Fort Bonifacio, the Brigade transferred to its present station at Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac on 3 February 1996.

The Light Armor Brigade was upgraded into a Division on 11 September 2006.

Today, the Division maintains five (5) Light Armor Battalions, three (3) Mechanized Infantry Battalions, two (2) separate Light Armor Companies deployed in various parts of the archipelago, one (1) Aviation Battalion stationed in Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, an Armor Maintenance Battalion, a Headquarters and Headquarters Service Battalion, a Signal Company, an engineer Combat Company and the Armor School, 1ACT, all based in Camp O'Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.

For the first time in the history of the Armor, the Division was given a task to undertake internal security operation (ISO) mission in the areas of operation (AO) of Tarlac City and Nueva Ecija(3MIB).

In Line with the Army Modernization Plan, the Armor Division at the advent of the 21st Century, would be geared towards it new role of conventional warfare combat arms. Equipped with state-of-the-art materiel and military hardware and trained in first-rate armor curriculum, its personnel is envisioned to produce men of sterling qualities to serve in a fully professional army of tomorrow. A vision deeply rooted by its long history of existence and service to God, country and people.

[http://www.army.mil.ph/Army_Sites/INFANTRY%20DIVISIONS/Armor/history.htm]

Mission

Their mission is to organize, train, equip, deploy and sustain armor forces to defeat the CTM by 2010, destroy the ASG and contain the SPSG in order to establish physically and psychologically secured environment conducive to national development.

Units

The following are the combat units that are under the PALAD.
* 1st Light Armor (Tagapanguna) Battalion
* 2nd Light Armor (Magiting) Battalion
* 3rd Light Armor (Kaagapay) Battalion
* 4th Light Armor (Masigasig) Battalion
* 5th Light Armor (Kalasag) Battalion
* 1st Mechanized Infantry (Lakan) Battalion
* 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Makasag) Battalion
* 3rd Mechanized Infantry (Makatarungan) Battalion
* 6th Light Armor (Paghiliugyon) Company (Separate)
* 8th Light Armor (Masarigan) Company (Separate)
* 1st Armored Cavalry (Rapido) Troop

Operations

* Anti-guerrilla operations against the New People's Army, MILF, and Abu Sayyaf Group.

References

* [http://www.army.mil.ph/Army_Sites/INFANTRY%20DIVISIONS/Armor/Index.htm Official Site of the PA LAD.]