1) A brigade is made up of 5 battalions (Brigade HQ + 4 combat battalions).
---Hint--- on the Population and Production screen (F2), GU Training tab, the size of the various units is listed (Garrison Battalion 5, engineer brigade 25, for example)
2) Task Group screen (F12), check the "Lifepods" tick. They can now be the target of orders (usually, pick up)