Meanwhile, back at Ft. Knox, the tests of weapons, equipment and tactics for the army's new medium brigades proceed apace. Some interesting findings so far;
-The LAVs can't deal with mud as well as .tracked vehicles can. This despite the assurances of the LAV manufacturers that design improvements had made LAVs more capable in mud. This is true, but once the troops tried it out they agreed that the improvement was not sufficient.
- An overlooked item was the ability of wheeled armored vehicles to deal with roadblocks, particularly big things like buses or trucks. These obstacles are no problem to tanks (indeed, the crews rather enjoy having a go at a bus or truck)  

Meanwhile, back in Washington, the Army has discovered that the air force is quite enthusiastic about the new LAV approach. Not just for the obvious reason (LAVs are easier for air force transports to move around), but because this gives Air Force tactical air power and intelligence a larger role in future battles. Without the army tanks around to slug it out with enemy heavy armor and artillery, the air force will get that job, and dibs on a larger chunk of the defense budget. The air force fans in congress are also enthused about this new interpretation of what the medium brigades mean.