Mechanized Infantry Division (Philippines)

The Mechanized Infantry Division, Philippine Army, is the Philippine Army's only cavalry unit specializing in armored and mechanized deployment.

History of Cavalry and Armor in the Philippines
The MID traces its origins to the cavalry units raised by the Spanish Army raised during the long years of colonial rule and the revolution. These units are the following:


 * Colonial Horse Guards Squadron (raised 1755, first cavalry unit to be raised in the islands)
 * Colonial Dragoons Regiment (raised 1772 as a Squadron, later raised into a Regiment, the first in the islands, stood down 1860)
 * Aguilar Hussars Cavalry Militia Regiment (Colonial Militia) (raised 1804)
 * 1st (Philippine) Chassuer Squadron (raised 1860, later became the 31st Cavalry Regiment "Philippine Cavalry")
 * 2nd (Spanish) Lancer Squadron (raised 1860)
 * cavalry units raised during the Philippine Revolution
 * Presidential Cavalry Squadron raised in late 1898 for the defense of the President and his First Family

The Philippine Revolutionary Army, starting in 1898, officially included the cavalry as one of its arms.

During the American occupation, a full cavalry regiment, the 26th Cavalry Regiment, Philippine Scouts, was formed in 1922 to provide a cavalry regiment to the regular forces of the Philippine Scouts. This regiment was based in Fort Stostenburg, Angeles, Pampanga. With the formation of the AFP in 1935 came the formation of the 1st Cavalry Regiment under the 1st Infantry Division, Philippine Army. but, just as during the revolutionary period, was assigned to Malacanang Palace with the duties of the protection of the President, the First Family, and the palace complex. At the same time, the concept of armored forces was being introduced to the AFP. An old Renault FT 17 tank used during the First World War became the first armored vehicle to be used in the Philippines, albeit only for training purposes. This is the very tank featured in the modern cavalry insignia used by the PA.

During the Second World War's opening days, the 26th Cavalry staged the final cavalry charge in US Army history on Jan. 16, 1942, while fighting the Japanese in Morong, Bataan. (The 1st Cavalry Regiment later stood down in March of the same year.) During the stages of the defense of Bataan, for the first time, tanks and armored vehicles were used in battle in the Philippines, replacing the horses. Units using them including the 194th and 192nd Tank Battalions and the 17th Ordnance Company (Armored), United States Army, which later became the Provisional Tank Group, USSAFE (using M3 Stuarts, Universal Carriers and M3 Gun Motor Carriages) and the 2nd Provisional Tank Battalion of the 2nd Regular Division, PA, USSAFE (also using the Bren gun carriers).

After the war, M4 Shermans, among other vehicles, formed the basis of the armored and mechanized forces of the PA. The 1st and 2nd Light Tank Companies were raised in 1946 to provide the starting blocks for armored warfare in the country. Later, a tank training company was formed in Pampanga to train PA servicemen in armored warfare techniques.

Mission
Their mission is to organize, train, equip, deploy and sustain armor forces in the conduct of support operations to "win the peace" in order to help the Filipino nation create an environment conducive to sustainable development and just and lasting peace.

Vision
A modern, dynamic, and relevant light armor division.

Units
The following are the combat units that are under the Mechanized Infantry Division.

Brigades: Battalions: Squadrons: Companies/Troop (Separate):
 * 1st Mechanized Infantry (Maasahan) Brigade
 * 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Magbalantay) Brigade
 * 1st Mechanized Infantry (Lakan) Battalion
 * 2nd Mechanized Infantry (Makasag) Battalion
 * 3rd Mechanized Infantry (Makatarungan) Battalion
 * 4th Mechanized Infantry (Kalasag) Battalion
 * 1st Cavalry (Tagapanguna) Squadron
 * 2nd Cavalry (Kaagapay) Squadron
 * 3rd Cavalry (Masigasig) Squadron
 * 1st Light Armored Cavalry (Rapido) Troop
 * 2nd Light Armored Cavalry (Tagapaglingkod) Troop
 * 3rd Light Armored Cavalry (Katapangan) Troop
 * 4th Light Armored Cavalry (Karangalan) Troop
 * 5th Light Armored Cavalry Troop
 * 6th Light Armored Cavalry (Paghiluigyon)Troop
 * 7th Light Armored Cavalry (Masasarigan)Troop

Support

 * Headquarters & Headquarters Service Battalion
 * Army Aviation (Bagwis) Battalion
 * Signal (Kalatas) Company
 * Engineer Combat (Sambisig)Company
 * Armor Maintenance (Masinop)Battalion
 * Armor School

Assets
The Mechanized Infantry Division integrates infantry operations with mechanized units:
 * V-150 Commando APC
 * Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle
 * M113 Armored Personnel Carrier
 * Simba Amored Personnel Carrier
 * Scorpion Light Tank

Operations

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