The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team became the first unit in the National Guard to transition from its armor unit to the new infantry squad vehicle.

It’s a transition spearheaded by the Army and new technology to get rid of the Abrams tank, Bradleys, and Paladins in favor of an off-road vehicle that can carry troops and equipment while also being light enough to be dropped out of a plane.

WATCH | See some incredible footage of the Abrams tank in action—

Idaho National Guard trades in tanks for modern war vehicles

“The idea behind this is to be quick and fast up to a line of departure where they would get out, and then the infantry would get to their objective,” explained Col. Jason Gracida.

The 116th has been a heavy armor unit since 1949. Col. Gracida became an armor officer in 2002 and deployed as part of Operation Enduring Freedom as one of the only tank companies in Iraq.

“I like to hold that near and dear to my heart,” said Gracida. “Knowing armor my whole career as an officer, it is kind of sad to see the tanks go, but I think this is helping us adapt to a faster, lighter, and more modernized military.”

The Idaho National Guard welcomed the public to the Warhawk Air Museum on Saturday as a farewell to the tanks and up-armored vehicles, and they got to check out the new infantry squad vehicle.

“This is a great experience my son has been in the Idaho National Guard, and we drove over from Idaho Falls,” said Don Dahl. “A few years ago, my son had the opportunity to be on deployment in this tank serving his country, so to actually come and see the vehicle that he was in during deployment was an opportunity for us.”

It’s the end of an era, as the tank used to be one of the deadliest weapons on the battlefield, but that battlefield has changed over the years with the addition of technology, drones, and long-range missiles.

It’s a tough transition for me to see, as I used to be a tanker from 2010 to 2013, and being inside the Abrams when it fires the main gun is an experience like no other, something Col. Gracida knows as well.

“The first time I ever fired that 120 cannon, there is nothing like it,” said Col. Gracida. “The firepower and the ability to reach out and touch your enemy at 3,500 meters. I always tell everybody it is the best job in the world.”

The 116th will keep its cavalry lineage that dates back to 1920. The 116th has fought in every major American conflict since, but now it will be a light infantry unit known as a mobile brigade combat team.

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BOISE, Idaho — For years, pride flags lined Harrison Boulevard during the month of June, serving as a visible symbol of support for Boise’s LGBTQ+ community.

This year, however, the flags are absent.

The change comes after the passage of House Bill 561, a new Idaho law that restricts certain flags from being displayed on government-owned property. The law impacts the historic light poles along Harrison Boulevard, which are owned by the City of Boise, as well as the median maintained by the Ada County Highway District.

WATCH | Why pride flags are missing from Harrison Boulevard this June—

New Idaho law ends Harrison Boulevard lampposts Pride Flag display

For some North End residents, the absence of the flags has been disappointing.

“Even if the state-level government is ignorant, we are not,” said Amanda, a North End resident who now displays a pride flag outside her home.

Amanda said she was frustrated by the law and what it means for a tradition that many neighbors had come to expect each June.

“I thought that it is a disgrace because our community should be inclusive, and that was something that made all of us proud,” she said.

Several other neighbors who spoke with Idaho News 6 echoed similar sentiments, saying the flags served as a visual reminder that LGBTQ+ community members are welcome in Boise.

Boise City Councilmember Jimmy Hallyburton said the Pride flag display had become an important symbol for many residents.

“If this bill had not been passed, there would be [pride] flags on Harrison Boulevard as we speak,” Hallyburton told Idaho News 6.

RELATED | Pride flags in Boise’s North End vandalized for a third time in 11 days

Hallyburton also noted that House Bill 561 does not apply to temporary events such as parades and festivals.

According to the City of Boise, the flags displayed on Harrison Boulevard are selected by the North End Neighborhood Association under an agreement with the city. Because the light poles are city-owned and located on government property, any displays must comply with Idaho law.

While pride flags are no longer permitted on the light poles, the city tells Idaho News 6 they recently approved a resident’s request to place pride-colored ribbons on city-owned trees along Harrison Boulevard throughout June.

Meanwhile, many residents have found other ways to show their support.

Pride flags can now be seen hanging from homes across the neighborhood, while “Idaho Is Too Great for Hate” yard signs have appeared in front yards throughout the North End.

Many of those signs and flags have been distributed by Pride North End Boise, a newly formed volunteer-led group that was created after it became clear the traditional Harrison Boulevard pride display would not return this year.

Organizers say the response from the community has been overwhelming. As of early June, the group had distributed approximately 250 yard signs and 150 Pride flags, with demand continuing to grow.

Pride North End Boise says it plans to continue distributing signs and flags throughout the community as requests continue to come in.