[Homer]

The cannon re-equipping of the 278th was always a bit confusing. I appreciate that it gave an early model of the hodge-podge nature of the the military as a whole after two and a half years of “broken-backed” warfare and allowed for the introduction of a variety of esoteric vehicles.

That said, the Army had a variety of light cavalry and motorized infantry organization models using the hmmwv or jeep, up to the OTL ACR(L). With production of TOW, small arms, hmmwv, and potentially M198 howitzers presumably ramped up for the war in China, material may be available in quantity. This equipment is easily transported, supports existing doctrine, and uses existing logistics stockpiles. Plus, the combat mos manning numbers in the light ACR/CAV TOE are less than or equal to those of a heavy ACR or CAV unit. Any excess support personnel in HHTs and RSS can be released back as replacements. With a heavy squadron (+), all the separates (MICO, ADA btty, Sapper CO, and MP plt), and two reequipped light squadrons the regiment can still perform most reconnaissance and security missions. The biggest handicap would be the loss of the RAS, assuming that the helo’s were cocooned and shipped and not sent by strategic airlift.

I wonder what the chain of events is that sees the 278th requipped with nonstandard material prior to the nuclear strikes?