"We will carry out a campaign characterized by shock, by surprise, by flexibility ... and by the application of overwhelming force."
- CENTCOM commander General Tommy Franks commenting on the conduct of Operation: Iraqi Freedom, March 21st, 2003

The M2 Bradley is the US Army's first mechanized infantry combat vehicle. The first production models appeared in 1981 (at the height of the Cold War), and they were soon being produced at the rate of 600 per year. The hull of the M2 is made of aluminum, with a layer of space laminated armor applied for added protection. The Bradley is equipped with a 25mm Bushmaster cannon and stabilizer to allow for firing on the move. Its troop compartment, located in the rear, is fitted with firing ports and periscopes to allow troops to fire from within the vehicle. Night vision capability and a nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) defense system are standard on all of the different variants. The Bradley plays a key role in the US Army's combined arms concept, but critics say it is too big, too expensive, and too difficult to maintain and is insufficiently armored to operate with main battle tanks on the battlefield.

Pictured here is a 1:72 scale replica of a US M2A3 Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle which served with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division [Mech], then deployed to Iraq during 2003. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-1/2-inches
Width: 2-inches

Release Date: December 2010

Historical Account: "Combined Arms" - The 1st Cavalry Division ("First Team") is a heavy armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Fort Hood, Texas. It is the largest division of the U.S. Army with 16,700 soldiers. The division did not take part in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. However, it deployed to Iraq in early 2004, relieving the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad.

Effective July 15th, 2005, the 1st Cavalry Division transitioned to the Unit of Action modified table of organization and equipment (MTOE). No longer are brigade sized elements made up purely of armor and/or infantry battalions. Brigades are now composed of Combined Arms Teams (CAB), meaning that every maneuver battalion is identical in organization and makeup to any other maneuver battalion, excluding the brigade reconnaissance squadrons. Each maneuver battalion is now a mixture of infantry, armor, engineer, and miscellaneous support personnel. The U.S. Army maintains only one company-sized element of horse troops (the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment), although the U.S. Special Operations Command includes horseback riding soldiers in its operations.