The mission of a tank battalion is to conduct operations ashore utilizing maneuver, armor protected firepower and shock action in order to close with and destroy the enemy, as well as provide expertise in anti-tank operations. Currently, tank battalions utilize the M1A1 Abrams main battle tank and the M88A2 Recovery Vehicle. Tank battalions consist of a headquarters and service company and four or six (4th Tanks) tank companies. Each tank company is equipped with 14 tanks and the H&S Co. has a section of two tanks in the battalion headquarters for use by the battalion CO and XO. By 2022 all the tank battalions will be disbanded.