Organization of the 81st Tactical Group, Armed Forces of Ukraine - 2005

 

Organization of the 81st Tactical Group, Armed Forces of Ukraine TO&E No. 2/222 from 12 March 2005 (made by me)

This TO&E was created for one particular unit - the 81st Tactical Group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.  The term “tactical group” in Ukrainian military language usually means ad hoc battle group and only here was used as a name of a permanent unit with its own TO&E.

The reason for this is politics. In 2003-2004 Ukraine formed three brigades for service in Iraq as part of the Multinational Forces: 5th, 6th, 7th. Formation of the 8th Independent Mechanized Brigade was under way in 2004, when it was decided to withdraw Ukrainian troops from Iraq and send as a final rotation only one battalion instead a brigade. One-battalion “brigade” looked ridiculous, so the unit was named “tactical group”.

The group was formed from the 80th Independent Airmobile Regiment and served in Iraq in April - December 2005. It was the last Ukrainian unit serving in Iraq. After the return from Iraq 81st Tactical Group was reformed back into 80th Independent Airmobile Regiment.

 

Personnel strength according to the TO&E:

general – 1,

officers – 109,

warrant officers – 69

non-commissioned officers – 119

privates – 486

TOTAL: 864 men.

 

Weapons and equipment according to the TO&E:

wheeled APC – 56,

30mm AGL – 12,

120mm mortars – 6,

R-142N auto radio – 1,

R-145K HQ vehicle – 3,

R-145BM HQ vehicle – 2,

personnel cars – 10,

trucks – 18,

special trucks – 3,

special vehicles (arms and services) – 38,

fire truck – 1,

trailers – 8.

 

Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 81st Tactical Group, Armed Forces of Ukraine