Blackhorse at 125
Led by its regimental band, the 11th U.S. Cavalry is shown passing in review on the parade ground of Fort Des Moines, in the summer of 1904. The unit is three years old in this image and had just returned from fighting overseas in the Philippines. Via Mike Brubaker. http://temposenzatempo.blogspot.com/2010/05/11th-us-cavalry-band.html
Founded on 2 February 1901 as a horse-mounted cavalry unit, the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment has served the nation for over a century across nearly every major era of conflict.
Blackhorse troopers first saw action during the Philippine-American War and the 1916 Mexican Expedition.
11th Cavalry Regiment in garrison at the Presidio of Monterey, 1932. They retired their horses for armor shortly after, inactivating as a mounted unit in July 1942.
Later, charging into history in World War II during the Normandy invasion and the liberation of Europe, picking up five battle honors as the 11th Cavalry Group, Mechanized.
M-4 Sherman tanks of the 11th Cavalry Group (Mechanized) in Europe during WWII. (US Army 11th ACR Museum)
The Regiment continued its legacy through Vietnam, stood watch at the Fulda Gap against aggression during the Cold War, and answered the call again in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Members of the 11th ACR talk with West German border police during the Cold War, 1986 DA-ST-86-06121
11th Armored Cavalry Regiment M-1 Abrams Reforger 85 DF-ST-85-13232
In every generation, Blackhorse has adapted to meet the demands of modern warfare while preserving its proud cavalry heritage.
Today, the Regiment carries that legacy forward as the Army’s premier Opposing Force at the National Training Center, forging combat-ready formations and sharpening the force for future conflict as, through the years, the 32nd Guards Motorized Rifle Regiment, or the Krasnovian local forces in the Mojave Desert of Fort Irwin.
This started life as an M113
OPFOR.. the NTC Fort Irwin, CA.. It’s an M113 dressed as a Warsaw Pact BMP-2
Sadly, the 11th ACR’s Horse Detachment is scheduled for retirement this year, making this week one of its final unit rides.
The poster from the 11th ACR’s 100th birthday, now a quarter century in the rearview and lacking the most recent honors from the Sandbox. DA-SD-03-07553
Happy birthday, Blackhorse, Allons!