3-й кавалерийский полк (США)

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3-й кавалерийский полк
Герб 3-го кавалерийского полка
Активный	1846 – настоящее время
Страна	Соединенные Штаты
Ветка	Армия Соединенных Штатов
Часть	III корпус [1]
Гарнизон / Штаб	Форт Худ, Техас
Псевдоним (ы)	Храбрые винтовки [2]
Девиз (ы)	Кровь и сталь
Помолвки	Индийские войны Мексикано-американская война Гражданская война в Америке Война с Испанией Восстание на Филиппинах Первая мировая война Вторая мировая война Война в Персидском заливе Война в Ираке Война в Афганистане Операция «Внутренняя решимость»
Командиры
Текущий командир	Полковник Кевин Д. Брэдли
Известные командиры	Персифор Ф. Смит [3] Томас Девин [3] Вашингтон Л. Эллиот Энсон Миллс [3] Хью Л. Скотт Гай Генри, старший Гай Генри, младший Джонатан Уэйнрайт Джордж С. Паттон , младший Джеймс Х. Полк Мартин Э. Демпси HR McMaster
Знаки отличия
Отличительные знаки отличия подразделения
3-й CR Знаки отличия на плече

Третьего кавалерийского полка , бывший третий бронированный кавалерийский полк ( «Brave Винтовки» ^[2] ) является полк армии Соединенных Штатов в настоящее время размещены в Форт Худ, штат Техас .

История этого полка в армии США восходит к 19 мая 1846 года, когда он был сформирован в регулярной армии как полк конных стрелков в казармах Джефферсона , штат Миссури . Это подразделение было реорганизовано в начале Гражданской войны в США 3 августа 1861 года в 3-й кавалерийский полк США. В январе 1943 года полк был переименован в 3-ю кавалерийскую группу ( механизированную ). Сегодня они оснащены машинами Stryker. 3-й бронекавалерийский полк был последним тяжелым бронекавалерийским полком в армии США, пока он официально не стал полком «Страйкер» 16 ноября 2011 года. Он сохранит свое происхождение как 3-й кавалерийский полк.^[4]

Под разными названиями он участвовал в одиннадцати крупных конфликтах: индейские войны , американо-мексиканская война , гражданская война в Америке , испано-американская война , филиппино-американская война , Первая мировая война, Вторая мировая война, Персидский залив. Война , СПС в Боснии, Операция «Свобода Ирака» , Операция «Новый рассвет», Операция «Несокрушимая свобода» и совсем недавно операция «Внутренняя решимость» .

Двадцать три солдата полка были награждены Почетной медалью , все они были награждены за храбрость в бою между 1871 и 1898 годами. В список вошел Уильям «Буйвол Билл» Коди , награда которого была отменена в 1916 году за то, что он не был военнослужащим. Медаль Коди была восстановлена ​​в 1989 году.

Структура [ править ]

Для получения дополнительной информации о текущей структуре см. # Смена миссии ниже.

В состав 3-го кавалерийского полка входят семь эскадрилий. Каждый эскадрон разделен на четыре кавалерийских Войска / Батареи / Роты. Полк также контролирует четыре независимые роты / войска: есть штаб полка и штабные войска, 4 кавалерийские эскадрильи, эскадрилья полевой артиллерии, инженерная эскадрилья полка и эскадрилья поддержки.

• Штаб полка и штабные войска (RHHT) (Ремингтон)
• 1-й эскадрон 3-го кавалерийского полка (Тигр)
  • HHT (Roughrider)
  • Отряд (Отряд апачей) - Пехотный отряд
  • B Troop (Bandit Troop) - Пехотный отряд
  • C Troop (Безумный отряд) - Пехотный отряд
  • D Troop (Отряд Дракона) - Отряд поддержки эскадрильи
• 2-я эскадрилья 3-го кавалерийского полка (сабля)
  • HHT (Раттлер)
  • F Troop (Лисий отряд) - Пехотный отряд
  • E Troop (Орлиный отряд) - Пехотный отряд
  • G Troop (Мрачный отряд) - Пехотный отряд
  • H Troop (Heavy Troop) - Отряд поддержки эскадрильи
• 3-я эскадрилья 3-го кавалерийского полка (Гром)
  • HHT (Havoc Hounds)
  • I отряд (Отряд Железного Ястреба) - Пехотный отряд
  • K Troop (Killer Troop) - Пехотный отряд
  • L Troop (Молниеносный отряд) - Пехотный отряд
  • M Troop (Бешеный отряд) - Отряд поддержки эскадрильи
• 4-я эскадрилья 3-го кавалерийского полка (Longknife)
  • HHT (Охотники за головами)
  • N Troop (Отряд кочевников) - Разведывательный отряд
  • O Troop (Отряд преступников) - Разведывательный отряд
  • P Troop (Отряд хищников) - Разведывательный отряд
  • Q Troop (Ртуть) - отряд с тяжелым вооружением, состоящий из вариантов мобильной артиллерийской системы и противотанковых управляемых ракет "Страйкер". Часто ставили задачи разведывательным и пехотным войскам.
  • R Troop (Отступник) - Отряд поддержки эскадрильи
• Полевая артиллерийская эскадрилья 3-го кавалерийского полка (Сталь)
  • Штаб-квартира и штаб-квартира Батарея (HHB) (Brimstone)
  • A Battery (King) – M777
  • B Battery (Lion) – M777
  • C Battery (Regulator) – M777
  • Service Battery (Caisson) – Squadron Support Battery
• Regimental Engineer Squadron (Pioneer)
  • HHT (Railsplitter)
  • Alpha Troop(Ares)- Engineer Troop
  • Bravo Troop (Brawler)- Engineer Troop
  • Charlie Troop (Centurion)- Signal Troop
  • Delta Troop(Ghostrider)- Military Intelligence Troop
  • Sustainment Troop (Tomahawk) – Squadron Support Troop
• Support Squadron 3rd Cavalry Regiment (Muleskinner)
  • HHT (Bullwhip)
  • Supply and Transportation Troop (Packhorse)
  • Maintenance Troop (Blacksmith)
  • Medical Troop (Scalpel)

Origins[edit]

Полк конных стрелков был утвержден законом Конгресса от 1 декабря 1845 года и был сформирован в казармах Джефферсона , штат Миссури . Президент подписал закон 19 мая 1846 года, и командующим стал полковник Персифор Ф. Смит . Так возникла новая организация в армии Соединенных Штатов: полк стрелков, оснащенный для обеспечения большей мобильности, чем пехота, и оснащенный ударными винтовками модели 1841, обеспечивающими большую дальность и более точную огневую мощь, чем мушкеты пехоты или карабины драгуна. В то время конные стрелки считались отдельной ветвью вооруженных сил и носили зеленые канты с трубой для знаков различия ветвей.

Когда полк конных стрелков был организован в соответствии с постановлением Конгресса в 1846 году, первые укомплектованные роты были A, B, C и D. Они не были обозначены как войска до 1883 года, а позже составили ядро ​​1-го ( Тигр) эскадрилья 3-го кавалерийского полка. Роты C и F были набраны в горах Пенсильвании , Мэриленда , Вирджинии и Северной Каролины , рота I была сформирована в Новом Орлеане, Луизиана , а остальная часть полка была набрана из Огайо , Индианы , Иллинойса , Кентукки и Теннесси . ^[5]

«Бандитский отряд» (затем рота Б) - старший отряд полка. Он был организован 1 августа 1846 года и состоял из 1-го капитана , 1- го 1- го лейтенанта , 1- го 2-го лейтенанта , 1-го бреветского 2-го лейтенанта и 75 рядовых. «Бешеный отряд» (тогда рота С) был организован 1 сентября 1846 года под командованием капитана Сэмюэля Х. Уокера . Он указан как находившийся «на отдельной службе в Вашингтоне , получая оборудование и рекрутов для Компании» до 21 мая 1847 года. Несомненно, «оборудование», которое он получал, представляло собой партию из 1000 револьверов Кольта-Уокера, которые он разработал совместно с Сэмюэлем Кольтом. . "Отряд апачей"(тогда рота А) завершила свою организацию 1 октября 1846 года. КапитанУильям Винг Лоринг был первым командиром роты, а позже стал 2-м полковником полка, прежде чем уйти в отставку, чтобы служить Конфедерации. «Отряд Дракона» (тогда рота D) был организован 4 октября 1846 года с 3 офицерами и 61 военнослужащим. Капитан Генри Поуп был первым командиром роты D.

Мексикано-американская война [ править ]

Первоначально сформированный для обеспечения безопасности путешественников по Орегонской тропе , полк был немедленно переброшен на юг, когда началась мексикано-американская война . Конные стрелки потеряли большую часть своих лошадей в шторме во время плавания через Мексиканский залив , вынудив их драться спешенными. Как только полк высадился в Веракрусе 9 марта 1847 года, он продолжил службу в шести кампаниях Мексиканской войны. 17–18 апреля полк участвовал в ожесточенных рукопашных боях во время битвы при Серро-Гордо и вскоре снова участвовал в битве при Контрерасе 19 августа. 20 августа 1847 г. генерал Уинфилд СкоттКомандующий американскими войсками в Мексике произнес речь, из которой первые шестнадцать слов стали важными для полка. Полк был окровавлен и измучен ожесточенными боями при Контрерасе, но даже в этом случае каждый стоял по стойке смирно при приближении Скотта. Генерал снял шляпу, низко поклонился и сказал: «Отважные стрелки! Ветераны! Вы были крещены огнем и кровью и вышли из стали!» Эта награда изображена на гербе полка и является источником девиза полка «Кровь и сталь» и прозвища «Храбрые винтовки».

Вскоре после этого конные стрелки были отправлены на отчаянную битву при Чурубуско в тот же день.

Сегодня весь военнослужащий должен громко бросить вызов всем офицерам 3-го кавалерийского полка с долей полковой награды, данной полку конных стрелков во время американо-мексиканской войны. Когда рядовой солдат готовится оказать военную любезность при контакте с офицером, он кричит «Храбрые винтовки», после чего офицер отвечает «Ветераны».

8 сентября 1847 года, когда американские войска продолжали наступление на Мехико , была получена информация о том, что пушечный завод и большой запас пороха предположительно находились в Молино-дель-Рей , в 1000 ярдах к востоку от замка Чапультепек . MAJ Эдвин В. Самнер взял 270 стрелков, чтобы прикрыть американский фланг, когда началась атака на Молино-дель-Рей . 4000 мексиканских кавалеристов были готовы атаковать фланг США, но люди Самнера прошли по глубокому ущелью (которое мексиканская кавалерия считала непроходимым), атаковали и разбили значительно превосходящие силы. ^[5]

Кульминация участия полка в мексиканской войне наступила 13 сентября 1847 года, когда бригаде, которой принадлежал полк, было приказано поддержать штурм крепости Чапультепек , место расположения Мексиканской национальной военной академии . Была сформирована пара тщательно отобранных штурмовых отрядов численностью 250 человек, в том числе большое количество конных стрелков под командованием КПТ Бенджамина С. Робертса . Во время атаки группа морских пехотинцев США начала давать сбои после того, как их офицеры были потеряны, поэтому подполковник Роберт М. Моррис быстро взял на себя ответственность и повел их на вершину. ^[5]Во время штурма крепости другие части полка захватили у подножия замка мексиканскую артиллерийскую батарею. Возглавляя американские войска, полк ворвался в Мехико в 13:20. В 7 часов утра 14 сентября 1847 года сержант Джеймс Мэнли из роты F и капитан Бенджамин Робертс из роты C подняли национальный флаг над Национальным дворцом, в то время как капитан Портер, командир роты F, развернул полковое знамя с балкона. ^[5]

До конца пребывания полка в Мексике они выполняли полицейские обязанности и преследовали упрямых партизан. Тем не менее, они также принимали участие в сражениях при Матаморосе 23 ноября 1847 года, Галаксаре 24 ноября и Санта-Фе 4 января 1848 года. Полк конных стрелков заработал репутацию среди армейских командиров как храбрый и стойкий отряд; Генерал Уинфилд Скотт сказал: «Там, где должна была проводиться кровавая работа,« Стрелки »были криком, и вот они. Все отзываются о них с похвалой и восхищением». ^[5]

Во время мексиканской войны 11 солдат были приняты в ряды, а 19 офицеров получили повышение по службе за храбрость в бою. Полковые потери в Мексике составили примерно 4 офицера и 40 человек убитыми, 13 офицеров и 180 ранеными (многие из которых в конечном итоге умрут), а также 1 офицер и 180 человек, которые умерли по другим причинам. ^[6] Стрелки окончательно покинули Мексику 7 июля 1848 года и прибыли в Новый Орлеан 17-го. Их корабль « Алек Скотт» направил их вверх по реке Миссисипи обратно в казармы Джефферсона, штат Миссури. ^[5]

Пограничный долг [ править ]

Полк вернулся в казармы Джефферсона, штат Миссури , 24 июля 1848 года, где его ветеранам было разрешено собраться, и были обучены новобранцы. 10 мая 1849 года он начал изнурительный марш протяженностью 2 000 миль (3200 км) к территории Орегона, чтобы выполнить миссию, для которой он был первоначально организован. По пути роты C и E оставались в гарнизоне форта Ларами, а роты B и F занимали гарнизон Fort Hall на реке Снейк . Остальные роты прибыли в Орегон-Сити в ноябре 1849 года. В мае 1851 года конным стрелкам было приказано вернуться в казармы Джефферсона. Все лошади и Troopers были переведены на 1 - й драгунский вКалифорния , и офицеры и унтер-офицеры отправились на корабле в Панаму . Перейдя перешеек , они сели на другой корабль и вернулись на родину полка, прибыв туда 16 июля 1851 года. В течение следующих шести месяцев полк набирался, перевооружался и переучивался. ^[7]

В декабре 1851 года полк был отправлен в Техас . К январю 1852 года полк прибыл в Форт Меррилл , где в течение следующих четырех лет действовал против индейских племен, живших в этом районе. Патрули, стычки, охрана и сопровождение были частью повседневной жизни. В 1853 году полк был переименован в Первый полк конных стрелков, потому что армия рассматривала возможность создания еще одного полка конных стрелков. Этого не произошло, и часть осталась единственным полком конных стрелков. ^[7] Дж. Б. Стюарт прослужил год в полку в 1854 году в звании лейтенанта после того, как окончил Военную академию США .

В 1856 году индейские проблемы на территории Нью-Мексико потребовали дополнительных войск, и полк двинулся дальше на запад. Форт-Юнион стал их базой, а роты полка были рассредоточены по обширной территории, простирающейся от Денвера, штат Колорадо, до границы между Мексикой и США и от Западного Техаса до Невады , Аризоны и Юты . В Техасе их сменил вновь созданный 2-й кавалерийский полк.(позже обозначен как 5-й кавалерийский полк, когда 2-й драгунский полк был переименован во 2-й кавалерийский полк). Служба в Нью-Мексико была постоянной и очень требовательной, различные роты 1-й конной стрелковой армии были разбросаны по всему миру, а количество имеющихся войск было совершенно недостаточным для патрулирования такой большой территории. ^[8]

Гражданская война в США [ править ]

В апреле 1861 года разразилась Гражданская война в США , и 13 офицеров покинули полк, чтобы присоединиться к делу Конфедерации , в том числе будущие генералы Джозеф «Боевой Джо» Уиллер , Уильям У. Лоринг , Дэбни Х. Мори , Уильям Х. Джексон , Джордж Б. Криттенден и Джон Г. Уокер . Ни один рядовой не покинул полк. ^[9]

В начале войны силы Конфедерации численностью около 3000 техасцев начали кампанию в Форт-Блисс, штат Техас, по захвату территорий Нью-Мексико и Колорадо . Полк конных стрелков был одним из немногих подразделений регулярной армии в регионе, способных им противостоять. 25 июля 1861 года отряды компаний B и F под командованием майора Исаака Линде вступили в ожесточенный бой у Месиллы . Здесь они атаковали линии Конфедерации, но были отброшены после того, как атака прервалась из-за точного ответного огня, и люди отступили в Форт Филмор , где он был позже сдан 26 июля. ^[8]

Перед гражданской войной армия США выставила на вооружение пять конных полков; 1-й драгунский, 2-й драгунский полк, полк конных стрелков, 1-й кавалерийский и 2-й кавалерийский полки. 3 августа 1861 года все конные полки армии США были классифицированы как «кавалерийские», а полк конных стрелков был переименован в 3-й кавалерийский полк США со штаб-квартирой в Форт-Томас , третьим по старшинству в регулярной армии.

Из-за истощения полк уменьшился в размерах, а солдаты рот A, B и H были переведены в другие команды, в результате чего размер 3-го кавалерийского полка был не больше батальона. Несмотря на это, 26 сентября 1861 г. роты C, G и K разгромили кавалерийское подразделение повстанцев возле Форт-Торн, штат Нью-Мексико . 21 февраля 1862 г. роты C, D, G, I и K под командованием майора Томаса Дункана сражались в битве при Вальверде , крупнейшее наземное сражение Гражданской войны к западу от реки Миссисипи. ^[5] Битва произошла у стратегически важного брода через Рио-Гранде к северу от форта Крейг , штат Нью-Мексико . Силы Союза под командованием генералаЭдвард Кэнби попытался сдержать конфедератов под командованием генерала Генри Хопкинса Сибли, но был обойден. Во время боя офицер роты E 3-й кавалерии, CPT Александр Макрей , командовал батареей артиллерии и нанес тяжелый урон атакующему противнику, но в конце концов был атакован и уничтожен. CPT McRae был из Северной Каролины и подвергся остракизму со стороны своей семьи за то, что продолжал бороться за Союз. Во время битвы он и его временная батарея отразили несколько волн атак Конфедерации, пока они не были захвачены. Макрей был убит в бою, и в его честь был назван Форт Макрей , штат Нью-Мексико. Он был одним из двух офицеров 3-го кавалерийского полка, погибших в гражданской войне.^[5]

После битвы при Вальверде роты C и K вступили в бой с индейцами у каньона Команч, в то время как рота E до 4 марта оказывала помощь в эвакуации Альбукерке и Санта-Фе . 26 марта 1862 года рота C была атакована в каньоне Апач силами Конфедерации, что стало первой схваткой в битве при перевале Глориета . Во время этой битвы солдаты 3-й кавалерии и другие силы Союза нанесли поражение Конфедератам, а отряд добровольцев из Колорадо уничтожил вражеский поезд снабжения, вынудив их отказаться от всех амбиций захватить Нью-Мексико или Колорадо. ^[5] Когда силы Конфедерации отступили в Техас, их преследовала 3-я кавалерия, которая догнала их в Перальте.. Во время этой битвы роты D, E, G, I и K вступили в схватку с противником и вынудили его отступить, положив конец кампании в Нью-Мексико . Компания E преследовала отступающих конфедератов вплоть до Техаса до 22 апреля. После этого полк отправился в казармы Джефферсона 23 ноября, а затем в декабре в оккупированный Союзом Мемфис, штат Теннесси , где он оставался до октября 1863 года ^[5].

С октября по декабрь 1863 года 3-я кавалерийская армия участвовала в операциях на Мемфисской и Чарльстонской железной дороге и участвовала в стычках в различных местах, таких как Станция Бартон , Кейн-Крик и Станция Дикинсона, Алабама. Затем генерал Уильям Т. Шерман поручил ему выполнить различные разведывательные миссии в составе авангарда своей армии. Во время кампании в Ноксвилле полк разведал и прикрыл продвижение экспедиции по оказанию помощи. Элементы полка также вступили в бой с частями Конфедерации в Мерфи, Северная Каролина, и Лаудоне, Теннесси . ^[5]

С мая 1864 года и до конца войны 3-й кавалерийский полк дислоцировался в Литл-Роке, штат Арканзас . В их обязанности входило «предотвращение организации вражеского командования, захват партизанских отрядов и сопровождение поездов». ^[5] Во время патрулирования из Литл-Рока в Бентон, штат Арканзас, 21 августа 1864 года солдаты попали в засаду, устроенную партизанами Конфедерации, и были вынуждены бежать. Возникшие в результате замешательство и быстрое побег стали известны как «гонки Бентона». ^[5] Когда Гражданская война закончилась, 3-я кавалерия оставалась в Литл-Роке до апреля 1866 года в эпоху Реконструкции.. Они потеряли двух офицеров и тридцать рядовых, которые были либо убиты в бою, либо умерли от ран, а также трех офицеров и 105 рядовых, которые умерли от болезней или других небоевых причин. ^[10]

Индийские войны [ править ]

Компания E, путешествующая по реке Арканзас , потеряла 13 солдат убитыми, 9 ранеными и 12 пропавшими без вести, когда 28 января 1866 года произошел катастрофический взрыв парохода Майами . В апреле 1866 года компании A, D, E, H и L были отправлены в Карлайл. Казармы в Пенсильвании должны быть восстановлены, и полку снова было приказано прибыть на территорию Нью-Мексико для кампании против индейцев. В 1868–1869 гг. Во многих боях против апачей Мескалеро , а также с индейцами хикарилла , навахо и юте участвовали отряды полка между реками Рио-Гранде и Пекос.. 9 июля 1869 г. роты G и I были атакованы войсками навахо возле форта Самнер , штат Нью-Мексико. Один солдат скончался от ранения стрелой, а четверо мужчин были ранены достаточно серьезно, чтобы их можно было слезть с лошадей. Когда оставшаяся часть отряда отступила, на этих людей напали и убили индейцы. Пятеро мужчин были убиты и четверо ранены. ^[11] Начиная с февраля 1870 года, большинство рот 3-го кавалерийского полка начали двигаться по отдельности на территорию Аризоны, но штаб полка и рота I переехали в лагерь Халлек , а рота D - в лагерь МакДермит , оба на севере Невады. В конце 1871 г. полк был переведен на север в департамент Платт., в которую входили нынешние штаты Вайоминг , Монтана , Северная Дакота , Южная Дакота и Небраска . 3-я конница стала основной конной силой для операций Департамента в районе Блэк-Хиллз . ^[5]

Летом 1876 года полк участвовал в кампании Little Big Horn против сиу и шайенов . 17 марта части 3-й кавалерийской части сражались вместе со 2-м кавалерийским полком в битве при Паудер-Ривер . Во время этого ожесточенного боя был ранен PVT Лоренцо Э. Мейерс из роты М, и шорник Джеремайя Дж. Мерфи из роты F и кузнец Альберт Главински из роты М попытались спасти его. Раненому отрезали конечность от рук мстительных индейцев, но Мерфи и Главински были награждены Почетной медалью.за их отважную попытку спасения. Американские войска были вынуждены отступить после того, как их ряды были нанесены обморожением; От этого состояния пострадали 66 военнослужащих. В этом бою 3-я кавалерийская армия потеряла трех человек убитыми и одного раненого. 17 июня 1876 года десять рот 3-й кавалерийской армии сражались в битве при Роузбад-Крик . ^[5] Это было крупнейшее сражение между армией и индейцами в истории американского Запада, в котором 1400 дружественных индейцев и солдат противостояли более чем 1500 враждебным индейцам. ^[12] Несмотря на то, что американские войска были заблокированы индейцами, во время битвы «три батальона 3-й кавалерии под командованием капитанов Миллс, Генри и Ван Влит, проявили храбрость, героизм и выдающиеся качества. ^[5]«CPT Генри был ранен в лицо, потерял глаз и в конце концов стал 12-м полковником полка. Четыре солдата 3-й кавалерии получили Почетную медаль за храбрость в этой битве. Их звали: трубач Элмер А. Сноу из роты М , 1SG Джозеф Робинсон из компании D, 1SG Майкл А. МакГанн из компании F и 1SG Джон Х. Шингл из компании I.

После того, как генерал Кастер позорного поражения «s в битве при Литтл Bighorn , генерал Крук возглавил экспедицию , чтобы наказать виновников бойни. Собрав отряд из пехоты, кавалерии и местных разведчиков, Крук выступил, не взяв с собой достаточного количества пайков. Так началась одна из самых мрачных глав истории 3-й кавалерии; Конина марта . Кавалеристам приходилось есть своих убитых скакунов, обувь и все остальное, что попадалось им в руки. Марш подошел к концу недалеко от Слим-Баттс , Южная Дакота. Здесь солдаты догнали сиу и сокрушили их. Под командованием CPT Энсона Миллса 3-я кавалерийская армия начала атаку на главного американского коня.В деревне LT Frederick Schwatka возглавил атаку, чтобы рассеять лошадей индейцев, а LT Эммет Кроуфорд построил линию боя и вступил в бой с противником на расстоянии. Когда битва была выиграна, деревня была разграблена, и солдаты получили свою первую настоящую еду с тех пор, как они ушли. 25 ноября 1876 года роты H и K сражались бок о бок с элементами 2-го, 4-го и 5-го кавалерийских полков в битве на тупых ножах . Вождь Тупой Нож оказал упорное сопротивление, но потерпел поражение, а его деревня была разграблена кавалерией. После этого сражения 3-я кавалерийская армия продолжала патрулировать и поддерживать мир на западной границе, пока в Аризоне не разразились неприятности.

С восстанием апачей весной 1882 года полку было приказано вернуться в Аризону, и 17 июля 3-й и 6-й кавалерийские полки победили апачей- отступников в битве при Биг-Сухой Воши . Эта битва подавила последнее восстание апачей в Аризоне, а также положила конец участию полка в Индийских войнах . Это действие привело к присуждению еще двух почетных медалей 1SG Чарльзу Тейлору из компании D и лейтенанту Джорджу Х. Моргану из компании K. ^[12]

В 1883 году термин «рота» изменился на «войска» в конной службе, а в 1885 году красно-белый гидон заменил узор из звезд и полос 1863 года, принятый в начале Гражданской войны. ^[12]

В 1885 году полку было приказано вернуться в Техас, где он оставался до 1893 года. Между 1893–1897 годами 3-я кавалерия путешествовала по США, занимаясь гарнизоном, обучением и церемониями на Востоке и Западе . В июле 1897 года штаб полка и четыре военнослужащих были размещены в форте Итан Аллен , штат Вермонт , а остальные вернулись в казармы Джефферсона, штат Миссури. ^[5]

Испано-американская война [ править ]

В апреле 1898 года полк был собран в лагере Джорджа Х. Томаса в национальном парке Чикамауга и приписан к бригаде временной кавалерийской дивизии, когда разразилась испано-американская война . ^[13]

13 мая 1898 года полк прибыл в Тампу, штат Флорида . 8 июня полк без четырех военнослужащих встал на борт и спешился на транспорт Рио-Гранде, направляющийся на Кубу . Были сформированы три временных эскадрильи; 2-й эскадрильей командовал MAJ Генри У. Весселс-младший и состоял из войск C, E, F и G. 3-я эскадрилья под командованием CPT Чарльза Мортона состояла из войск B, H, I и K. оставленные в лагере (Войска A, D, L и M) в Тампе заботились о животных и имуществе полка и инструктировали новобранцев. Полк высадился в Дайкири , Куба, но был вынужден оставить большую часть своих лошадей. ^[13]

Одна из целей армии состояла в том, чтобы захватить испанские позиции на возвышенности вокруг кубинского морского порта Сантьяго-де-Куба со стороны суши . Это заставило бы испанские военные корабли в гавани отплыть, чтобы встретиться с ВМС США . Кавалерийская дивизия, в которую входил полк, была одной из трех дивизий, которым была поставлена ​​задача атаковать эти холмы, известные как Высоты Сан-Хуана . 3-й кавалерийский полк был одним из пяти регулярных кавалерийских полков США, сражавшихся там. ^[13]

Три отряда 3-й эскадрильи переправились через Кеттл-Хилл на испанские позиции вокруг того, что было известно как Сан-Хуан-Хилл . Несмотря на нехватку воды, солдаты атаковали укрепленные испанские позиции пешком. Несмотря на то, что они были вынуждены продвигаться в гору и переходить реку, передвижение солдат было частично прикрыто густой листвой. SGT Эндрюс, несший полковое знамя, упал из пулевого ранения, но он был быстро восстановлен, и продвижение возобновилось. ^[14] Отряд B продвинулся к линии врага у блокпоста Сан-Хуан.(отличается от дома Сан-Хуан), где флаг США полка, который нес сержант Бартоломью Малхерн из отряда E, был первым, поднятым в момент победы. 2-я эскадрилья, находившаяся в резерве на Кеттл-Хилл, в тот же вечер присоединилась к 3-й эскадрилье на Сан-Хуан-Хилл . 23 июля 1-й лейтенант Джон У. Херд , квартирмейстер полка, руководил несколькими солдатами , выгружающими припасы с корабля « Странник» возле Баия-Хонда, когда на них напал отряд из 1000 испанских кавалеристов. После того, как двое мужчин были застрелены и корабль был выведен из строя, Херд возглавил оборону и отразил атаку врага. За это действие он получит Почетную медаль. Полк оставался на Кубе до 6 и 7 августа 1898 года, когда они отплыли в Монток-Пойнт, штат Нью-Йорк .^[13]

Потери 3-й кавалерии составили три солдата убитыми, шесть офицеров и сорок шесть солдат ранеными. 1-й лейтенант Джон У. Херд , квартирмейстер полка, был награжден Почетной медалью за выдающуюся храбрость в бою, а пяти солдатам были вручены Почетные грамоты. Эти сертификаты явились предвестником медали « Серебряная звезда» . ^[13] 3-я кавалерийская армия просуществовала недолго. В феврале и марте 1899 года два отряда были направлены в Форт Шеридан, штат Иллинойс , два отряда - в казармы Джефферсона, четыре солдата и отряд - в Форт Майер, штат Вирджиния , а остальная часть полка осталась в форте Итан Аллен. ^[15]

Старый Билл [ править ]

В 1898 году американский художник Фредерик Ремингтон посетил лагерь 3-й кавалерийской армии США в Тампе, Флорида, где полк готовился к вторжению на Кубу во время испано-американской войны. Во время своего визита внимание Ремингтона было обращено на одного из унтер-офицеров. Сержант Джон Ланнен показался художнику олицетворением кавалериста и сделал несколько набросков Ланнена. Из этих черновых набросков Ремингтон позже выполнил ставший знаменитым рисунок, изображающий солдата верхом на коне с карабином в руке, изображенный здесь. Когда-то в прошлом этот рисунок стал известен как Старый Билл. Этот рисунок представляет солдат, подразделение и род войск и стал символом мобильных операций в армии США. ^[15]К сожалению, SGT Lannen заразился желтой лихорадкой , как и многие другие американцы на войне, и умер в Сантьяго после почти 30 лет национальной службы.

Филиппино-американская война [ править ]

When the United States defeated Spain in the Spanish–American War, 400 years of Spanish rule in Cuba, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippine Islands came to an end. The United States, as a new world power, saw the Philippines as the perfect location for a naval facility to support a new Pacific fleet. 3rd Cavalry units had barely arrived at their new duty stations in the U.S. when, on 22 July 1899, the Regimental Headquarters and Troops A, C, D, E, F, K, L, and M were ordered to Seattle, Washington. From Seattle, this force embarked for the Philippine Islands to operate against the insurgents who were trying to prevent the United States from taking control. Meanwhile, Troops B, G, H, and I were ordered to assemble at Fort Myer.^[16]

The deploying troops landed in Manila in October 1899, with the remaining four troops following from Fort Myer in 1900. The 3rd Cavalry remained on the island of Luzon until 1902, fighting sixty-two engagements during that time. The fighting was often fierce with no quarter asked and none given. This would be the first time the U.S. Army would fight in a jungle environment, and the first time it would fight a counterinsurgency, but it would not be the last. The regiment returned to the United States in detachments between April and November 1902. The Headquarters, band, and Troops A, D, I, K, L, and M were stationed in Montana, Troops B and C in Wyoming, Troops G and H in Arizona, Troop E in Idaho and Troop F in North Dakota.^[16]

The 3rd Cavalry Regiment remained in the United States until December 1905, when it was again ordered to the Philippines for peacetime occupation duty. It remained there until 1908, when it was ordered home and stationed in Texas. The following nine years were spent in garrison and patrolling the Mexican border.^[17] On 21 Oct 1915 ten men of Troop G made up half a US garrison in the last of the United States/Mexican Border raids at Ojo de Agua Raid.

World War I[edit]

On 17 March 1917, the entire 3rd Cavalry Regiment was transferred to Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and one month later, the United States of America entered the First World War on the side of the Allies. The regiment was one of the first units to arrive in France in November of that year, and immediately began their duties; the operation of three major horse remount depots. The three squadrons were charged with the purchase of horses, mules and forage, the care, conditioning, and training of remounts before issue, and the distribution and issue of remounts to the American Expeditionary Force.^[5] The only 3rd Cavalry unit to see action in World War I was K Troop, detached from 3rd Squadron, the Troop served in I Corps during the Aisne-Marne Offensive (18 July – 6 August 1918), and in III Corps on the Vesle Front (7-17 August), the Oise-Aisne Offensive (18 August – 9 September), and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive (14 September – 11 November).^[5]

Troop K also served as part of the Army of Occupation. The occupation forces' first order of business was to continue training and to be prepared to implement a contingency plan in case Germany refused to sign the armistice or hostilities were resumed. Troop K participated in the March to the Rhine and served in the American Sector of the Army of Occupation from 15 November 1918 – 1 July 1919, when it prepared to sail home.^[5] After the Armistice, the regiment was ordered to sell the remaining animals to French civilians. 345,580 animals were sold, and $52,000,000 was recovered for the Army. The 3rd Cavalry Regiment departed Brest, France and arrived home in Boston, Massachusetts on the Fourth of July, 1919.^[5]

Inter-War period[edit]

Upon arrival in the US, Headquarters was moved to Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, and 3rd Squadron was stationed in Fort Myer, Virginia. 2nd Squadron, along with Troops A and C were inactivated, and 3rd Squadron was redesignated as the 2nd Squadron. Because 2nd Squadron's posting was so close to Washington D.C. and Arlington National Cemetery, the troopers were frequently called upon to serve as honor guards and escorts for distinguished visitors, and as funeral escorts for distinguished citizens and military personnel.^[5] 2-3 Cavalry became known as the "President's Own" because of these duties. On 11 November 1921, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment provided the cavalry escort for the interment of the Unknown Soldier and the dedication of the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery. SSG Frank Witchey, the regimental bugler, sounded Taps at the ceremony, and this bugle and tabard are on display in the regimental museum in Fort Hood, Texas. The 3rd Cavalry provided the Tomb's honor guard until 1941. During this period, the regiment became well known throughout the Eastern USA for its horse shows and stunt-riding teams.^[5]

In July 1932, MAJ George S. Patton was made the executive officer of the 3rd Cavalry, which was ordered to Washington by Army Chief of Staff, General Douglas MacArthur. Patton took command of the 600 troops of the 3rd Cavalry, and on 28 July, MacArthur ordered Patton's troops to advance on protesting veterans known as the "Bonus Army" with tear gas and bayonets. Patton was dissatisfied with MacArthur's conduct, as he recognized the legitimacy of the veterans' complaints and had himself earlier refused to issue the order to employ armed force to disperse the veterans. Patton later stated that, though he found the duty "most distasteful", he also felt that putting the marchers down prevented an insurrection and saved lives and property. He personally led the 3rd Cavalry down Pennsylvania Avenue, dispersing the protesters.

World War II[edit]

When the United States entered World War II after the Attack on Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941, the 3rd Cavalry was still a horse-mounted unit in an age of mechanized warfare. 21 February 1942 marked the end of an era as the troopers turned in their horses for armored vehicles. They began their training at Fort Benning, Georgia and in January 1943, the Regiment was reorganized as follows; the 3rd Cavalry Regiment was redesignated the 3rd Mechanized Cavalry Group (MCG), 1st Squadron became the 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, and 2nd Squadron became the 43rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron. At Camp Gordon, Georgia the Group began conducting mechanized operations and participated in combined arms maneuvers in Tennessee and Fort Jackson, South Carolina before sailing to England.^[18]

Arriving in England in June 1944, the 3rd MCG began preparing for combat in France. They landed in Normandy on 9 August and were assigned to be the covering force of XX Corps of Patton's Third Army. While conducting screening, reconnaissance, and covering missions, the 3rd MCG was the first unit of the Third Army to reach the Meuse River and the Moselle River, and were also the first to enter the city of Thionville.^[18] On 31 August 1944, the 1st platoon of B Troop, 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, with 30 men, 6 Jeeps armed with .50 cal MG, and three M-8 armored cars with 37 mm guns made a raid behind enemy lines to Thionville, France, in a desperate attempt to prevent the bridge across the Moselle from being destroyed by the Germans.

The platoon conducted the raid 75 miles (121 km) behind enemy lines as US Forces advanced slowly towards the Moselle River to effect a crossing on its push toward the German "West Wall". Troop commander Captain James D. Jackson succeeded in crossing the river to the eastern approach to the bridge and cut the wires leading to the demolition charges, and was wounded in the attempt. An enemy sniper then killed Sgt. T Baker when he assumed command, at that time Pvt. Lawrence Webb manned the .50 cal machine gun atop one of the Jeeps and fired upon the sniper until he was wounded himself. Sgt. Baker was the only fatality among the raiders.

Their mission accomplished, the platoon crossed the dynamite-laden bridge to rescue Jackson before falling back, fighting their way out. In so doing, they were no doubt the first American troops to cross the Moselle in WWII. The platoon suffered 6 casualties and 2 Jeeps lost. Captain Jackson was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, and the bridge over the Moselle was temporarily saved from destruction. The remainder of the Army did not reach and cross the Moselle until 12 September at Arnaville, France.

On 3 November 1944, the 135th Engineer Combat Battalion, the 705th Tank Destroyer Battalion, and the 40th Field Artillery Group were attached to the unit. Because of these attachments, the 3rd MCG was renamed "Task Force Polk" after COL James H. Polk, the 32nd Colonel of the Regiment.^[19] Task Force Polk grew and shrunk throughout the war, and its max strength was roughly 5,000 men when the 5th Ranger Battalion was attached as well. On 17 November, TF Polk crossed the Moselle and possibly became the first US troops to enter Germany. Covering the advance of the 10th Armored Division, TF Polk was heavily engaged in the Battle of Metz, where it fought dismounted in fierce urban combat.^[19]

During the Battle of the Bulge, cavalrymen held their positions and conducted active defensive operations around the Moselle River, and maintaining contact with other US units. Probing German defenses and dissipating minor German thrusts along the line ensured more American troops were not needlessly pulled away from the fighting around Bastogne. Once the German counteroffensive had been stymied, TF Polk began its move to the Siegfried Line and the Rhine River. Crossing the Rhine on 29 March 1945, the troopers made a three-day dash over 150 miles to capture Bad Hersfeld, north of Fulda. In April and early May 1945, with the end in sight, TF Polk was sent south into Upper Austria to link up with elements of the Red Army.^[18]

On 5 May 1945, the 3rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron entered the small village of Ebensee, Austria and came face to face with the Nazi's "Final Solution". KZ Ebensee on the edge of the town contained about 16,000 prisoners, who hadn't been fed for about 3 days and who were dying at the rate of 400 per day. First on the scene, the squadron's first priority shifted from combat to care for the prisoners. The town's bakeries were put on round-the clock baking status. Bakers, who at first refused, found an M-8 or Sherman gun muzzle pointed into their shop.

The squadron remained in the area caring for the prisoners until medical units relieved them. After VE Day, the troopers were ordered to cross the Alps into Northern Italy to keep an eye on the various factions vying for power in postwar Yugoslavia, but returned to Austria shortly afterwards. The 3rd Mechanized Cavalry Group was the first military unit to cross the Alps since Hannibal in 215 BC. During the Second World War, the 3rd MCG (TF Polk included) moved 3,000 miles in 265 days (117 days of continuous combat without rest), and accounted for 43,000 enemy killed, wounded, and captured. The 3rd Squadron returned stateside to a 30-day furlough before reporting to Fort Bragg to begin training for "Operation Downfall" – the invasion of the Japanese home islands. Their training was canceled when Japan surrendered on 14 August 1945.^[18]

Cold War[edit]

After the war the regiment was posted to Fort George G. Meade. During this time troopers of the regiment were filmed at Ft. Meade for sequences in the science fiction film The Day the Earth Stood Still in 1950.^[20] The first time the 3rd Cavalry served on the Iron Curtain was in August 1955, when it replaced the 2nd Cavalry as part of the Army's Gyroscope plan that rotated entire units between Germany and the U.S. In February 1958, the cycle repeated and the troopers of the 3rd Cavalry returned to the States as the 2nd Cavalry resumed their former mission. The 3rd Cavalry, though, would not remain stateside for long.

When 3rd Cavalry returned to the United States from Germany in February 1958, and was once again stationed at Fort Meade. The regiment became part of the Strategic Army Corps (STRAC) and, from 1958–1961, it was the recipient of four STRAC streamers, awarded for superior readiness and training.^[21]

In November 1961, the regiment was deployed to Germany once again in response to the Soviet threat during the Berlin Crisis. The troopers were stationed in Kaiserslautern but the unit soon found itself once again patrolling the border. Cavalry Troops within the regiment were soon attached on a monthly, rotating basis to the 14th Armored Cavalry Regiment to assist with patrols in the 3/14 ACR sector. Additionally, the 1st and 2nd Squadrons relieved units of the 14th Cavalry for two one-month periods during 1962 and 1963. During 1964, though, the regiment played a larger role in border operations.

Since the 11th Cavalry was scheduled to return to the U.S. in the summer of 1964, a unit was needed to fill the gap along the Iron Curtain in southeastern Bavaria. To meet this requirement, the 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry, was re-designated as the 1st Squadron, 11 ACR, and rotated back to the states with the 11th Cavalry. At the same time, the 11th Cavalry's 1st Squadron stationed in Straubing was re-designated as 2nd Squadron, 3rd Cavalry, and conducted border operations under the regimental colors of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment. The unit conducted border operations from its two border camps until March 1965 when it was relieved by 2/9th Cavalry of the 24th Infantry Division. The regiment remained in Germany until July 1968 when it moved to Fort Lewis, Washington. The 3rd Armored Cavalry regiment participated in the Return of Forces to Germany (REFORGER) exercise 1 during 1968 and REFORGER 2 during July and August 1971.

In July 1972, the 3rd Cavalry received orders to move to Fort Bliss, Texas, and subsequently participated in REFORGERs during 1975, 1977, 1978, 1982, 1983, and 1988.

Gulf War[edit]

On 7 August 1990, the regiment was alerted to move overseas in defense of Saudi Arabia. In September 1990, the regiment arrived in country as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps, and moved into defensive positions north of the TAPLINE Road near the town of Al-Nairiyah. The regiment served as covering force for the Corps' defense of Saudi Arabia during DESERT SHIELD. See the Order of battle of the Gulf War ground campaign for other units in the Corps. During deployment of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment from Germany to Saudi Arabia in December 1990, the 3rd Cavalry's officers hosted their counterparts from the 2nd Cavalry in a traditional "Lucky" conference, this one known as a "Lucky 5."

In January 1991, the regiment moved to the west as part of the Coalition Forces "left hook" maneuver and took up positions along the Iraqi border in the area known as the Neutral Zone. On 22 January 1991, elements of I Troop led by the 63rd Colonel, Colonel Douglas Starr, engaged in the first ground combat of the XVIII Airborne Corps. The regiment's attack was successful in destroying an Iraqi Army outpost. On 24 February 1991, the 2nd "Sabre" Squadron led the regiment across the berm into Iraq. In 100 hours, the regiment moved over 300 kilometers, and left remnants of three Iraqi Republican Guard divisions in its wake. The regiment was task organized with over 7,000 soldiers for Desert Storm. The former regimental deputy commander, 2007–2009 LTC(R) Nathan E. Hines III, was the regimental scout platoon leader during the assault into Iraq. At the time of OIF 07-09 he was one of only three soldiers in the 5,000 soldier regiment who served with them in Operation Desert Storm.

The regiment deployed back to the U.S., arriving 5 April 1991. The regiment fielded new combat systems and conducted the first National Training Center rotation for a combat proven unit.^{[citation needed]} The regiment deployed to NTC 11–91 and defeated the OPFOR during regimental force on force operations; the culmination battle for the rotation. In the fall of 1995, the 3rd ACR began its relocation to Fort Carson with the regiment fully standing up in the Spring of 1996 (The 4th Infantry Division was relocated from Fort Carson to Fort Hood, Texas).

Four years after the return from Operation Desert Storm in April 1996, the regiment completed its move to its new home at Fort Carson, Colorado. During this historic period the regiment was led by COL Douglas Starr, 63rd Colonel of the Regiment, COL Robert Ivany, 64th Colonel of the Regiment, COL Robert Young, 65th Colonel of the Regiment, COL Robert Wilson, 66th Colonel of the Regiment, and COL Martin Dempsey, 67th Colonel of the Regiment.

Bosnia peacekeeping[edit]

In August 1998, the regiment was notified that it would participate in the Bosnian peace-keeping mission as part of Stabilization Force 7 (SFOR 7). This would be a unique deployment because the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment (less 1st Squadron), would be under the operational control of the Texas National Guard's 49th Armored Division. SFOR 7 was the first time that a National Guard organization would have command authority over active component units as well as a multinational force, known as Task Force Eagle. 3rd ACR troopers had to stand down from a more aggressive war fighting posture to act as neutral observers. They trained at Brcko, a simulated Bosnian village built by Fort Carson to provide a realistic training environment. After taking part in sustained training exercises conducted by other units stationed at Ft. Carson, those members of the regiment slated for the deployment completed a rigorous exercise at Ft. Polk, Louisiana designed to test their readiness for the SFOR mission. While the SFOR units were to be involved in the peacekeeping operations in Bosnia, Task Force Rifles (TFR) was activated back at Fort Carson. Composed of Tiger Squadron and all regimental units remaining at Fort Carson, TFR was tasked with post red cycle duties as well as maintaining the many vehicles that were not taken to Bosnia.^[22]

When the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment deployed, beginning in February 2000, it represented 75% of the American contribution to the Multinational Division North (MND-N) and constituted the bulk of the American maneuver element.^[22] The Troopers of Saber Squadron helped facilitate the elections that began a new era of democracy for the Bosnian state. There were no major incidents or violent demonstrations in their area of responsibility during the six-month deployment. Thunder Squadron occupied Camp Dobol and its area of responsibility on 27 March 2000. Thunder Squadron Troopers provided security for more than 3,000 Bosnian widows and mourners who returned to the Serb-dominated town of Potacari.^[23]

For the first time, a U.S. Army artillery unit conducted patrols as part of the peacekeeping operations for MND-N when the troopers of Regulator Battery assumed peacekeeping responsibility for Banovici and Zivinici. Other activities included weapons storage site inspections, removal of roadblocks, and confiscation of illegally cached weapons. Thunder Squadron also conducted joint patrols with Turkish, Russian, Estonian, Polish, Swedish, and Danish troops.^[23]

Long Knife Squadron was paired with the 49th Aviation Brigade of the Texas National Guard to form the Joint Aviation Brigade for the SFOR 7 rotation. Long Knife aviators supported reconnaissance, security, and air movement missions with both American and international units flying missions not only for MND-N, but also for Multi-National Divisions Southwest and Southeast. The aircrews of 4th Squadron flew almost 5,000 sorties for over 2,000 missions, logging more than 12,000 hours.^[23]

Members of TFR were tasked to perform the Wild Land Fire Fighting mission, by preparing to deploy to any fires east of the Mississippi River. Tiger Squadron conducted a Level I gunnery and a Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise before preparing to receive regimental units returning from Bosnia.^[24]

TFR also represented the regiment at Fort Hood during CPX Ulchi Focus Lens. This exercise simulated the deployment of the regiment to South Korea. Before the troopers of Task Force Eagle could return to Fort Carson, they had to train their replacements to assume the peacekeeping mission. Once this was accomplished, the various units began returning to Fort Carson and the last unit closed on 7 October 2000.^[24]

Exercise Bright Star[edit]

Beginning in September 2001, Tiger Squadron, with elements of the Regimental Headquarters, Longknife and Muleskinner Squadrons, deployed to Egypt to participate in exercise Bright Star 01/02 as part of a Combined Forces Land Component command (CFLCC) coalition. The coalition included elements from the U.S. Marine Corps, Egypt, France, Kuwait, Greece, Italy, and the British Army.^[25]

The 3rd ACR Troopers took part in field training and live fire exercises while in Egypt. They also conducted training on nuclear, biological, and chemical warfare, night warfare, and the use of smoke on the battlefield. Static displays and briefings on air defense artillery capabilities were also provided. Aviation support was provided for the exercise by Longknife Troopers in the form of medical evacuation and personnel transport, while the Muleskinners of Support Squadron established and operated a logistics support system.^[25]

In addition, members of Tiger Squadron and the regimental staff conducted affiliation training with their Egyptian counterparts to teach them to function as observer/controllers (OC) for the forces involved in ground tactical operations, as well as establishing and maintaining communications and command and control between the various multinational OC forces. The terrorist attacks against the U.S. on 11 September was ironically the pre-selected day they were briefed on terrorism as they prepared for the mission. The Pentagon considered sending these troops and assets directly to Afghanistan upon the completion of the historical mission. It was later revealed that a treaty prohibited this action.^[25]

Operation Iraqi Freedom I: 2003–2004[edit]

In support of the global War on Terror, Coalition forces invaded Iraq in March 2003. The 3rd ACR received a deployment order for movement to the CENTCOM AOR on 14 February 2003. Equipment was prepared and moved by rail from Fort Carson to the port at Beaumont, Texas. The advance party, consisting of Fox Troop and other key leaders from Regimental HQ, arrived in Kuwait on 2 April and the remainder of the regiment arrived in Theater by the middle of the month.^[26] The first elements of the regiment crossed the border into Iraq on 25 April 2003 and were immediately tasked to perform an economy of force mission to secure and stabilize Al Anbar Governorate in the western part of the country.^[26]

TF Rifles successfully performed many missions ranging from offensive operations to civil affairs operations. Daily activities include reconnaissance, security patrols, escort duty, static security, and presence patrols. Killing or capturing former regime loyalists, securing mass grave sites, as well as restoring law and order by assisting Iraqi National Police was also accomplished by TF Rifles. The 3rd ACR was focused on securing weapons caches between Lake Tharthar and the Euphrates River, and managed to detain several high-value targets on the Defense Intelligence Agency blacklist. TF Rifles also assisted in training the Iraqi Civil Defense Corps (ICDC), and managed to train over 3,000 recruits.

Significant operations conducted by the 3rd Cavalry included Operation Rifles Blitz on the volatile Syrian border town of Al Qaim and Operation Rifles Fury (a.k.a. Operation Santa's Claws) on the insurgent strongholds of Rawah and Anah. The 3rd Cavalry also was responsible for Iraq's border with Saudi Arabia during the Hajj of 2003 and 2004, when thousands of Iraqis had to be searched and processed before they could leave for and return from Mecca.

By the end of August, the Task Force had confiscated 1,080 122 mm artillery rounds, 928 mortar rounds, 8,991 23 mm rounds, 2,828 AK-47s, two pistols, ten anti-tank missiles, forty-five anti-tank mines, eight surface-to-air missiles, four kegs of gunpowder, 300 130 mm high explosive rounds, three boxes of hand grenades, twenty high explosive anti-tank rounds, 125 100 mm tank gun rounds, 134 rocket-propelled grenades, two sniper rifles, thirty 37 mm anti-aircraft rounds, one improvised explosive device, and one SA-7 surface to air guided missile system.^[27]

Various units of the Task Force found themselves managing a large number of projects to rebuild the infrastructure and restore basic services, efforts aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the Iraqi people. Many schools in Iraq were found to have been turned into munitions storage facilities, because the regime knew Coalition forces would not attack schools. These schools were cleared, renovated and returned to use.^[28]

Longknife Squadron established aerial border qualification standards and became the first aviation unit in theater to operate well inside the five kilometer buffer zone established by U.S. Central Command. The success of the program resulted in its adoption by CJTF-7 as the theater standard.^[29]

Over twenty forward operating bases (FOB) were established in order to provide the best possible living conditions for Task Force personnel, and from which combat, security, and sup-port operations could be conducted throughout a 140,000 square kilometer area. The various FOBs established by the task force became nodes in a massive logistical network.^[29]

For its service in the Operation Iraqi Freedom I, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment received the Valorous Unit Award. Approximately 400 citations for valor were also awarded. 33 officers and troopers of the 3rd ACR were killed in action, and 18 more from TF Rifles, and 233 more were wounded.

First loss[edit]

Shortly after entering Iraq, the 2nd Squadron of the 3rd ACR was tasked with protecting several abandoned enemy ammunition supply points (ASP) and the Air force base located in Al Habbaniyah. On 1 May 2003, after days of responding to reports of arson fires and the looting of ammunition, an M1 Abrams tank crew from H(Heavy) Company patrolling near the Euphrates River, discovered a group of Iraqis deliberately setting fires. This group was seen fanning the flames with a powder that was later discovered to be the propellant from artillery powder bags. These Iraqis attempted to direct the fire toward the troops to get the troops to displace from the area making it possible for them to steal ammunition buried in caches placed along the river and around the abandoned buildings near the Company's makeshift compound. While in pursuit of the Iraqis, the fire intensified with high flames surrounding the M1 Abrams. In an attempt to evade the fire, the Tank climbed a berm that quickly gave way forcing the heavy M1 Abrams to plunge nose first into a canal. The Tank quickly took on water and as a result, PFC Jesse Givens, the driver, drowned and became the first 3rd ACR soldier lost in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

CPT David M. Rozelle[edit]

Capt. David M. Rozelle is the first amputee to return to U.S. military duty in a combat zone.^[30] Capt. Rozelle deployed to the town of Hit, Iraq as the commander of the 3rd ACR's K Troop ("Killer"). During operations in Hit, Rozelle's Humvee ran over an anti-tank mine which destroyed both the Humvee and Rozelle's right lower leg. This resulted in the amputation of Rozelle's foot and ankle.

After being given an artificial leg, Capt. Rozelle returned to duty as commander of the 3rd Cavalry's Headquarters Troop. He then redeployed to Iraq with the 3rd ACR on their third tour in Iraq. Since his injury, Rozelle has completed the New York Marathon and written the book, Back in Action: An American Soldier's Story of Courage, Faith and Fortitude.^[31]

"Steve-O"[edit]

Known as "Steve-O" to protect his identity, this 13-year-old boy was one of the 3rd Cavalry's most helpful informants.^{[citation needed]}

Steve-O's father was once an army captain in the Republican Guard, and led a 40-man insurgent group after the Coalition invasion. Forced to fight alongside his father against the Americans and severely beaten by his father, Steve-O walked to a 3rd Cavalry check-point to turn in his father.

After turning in his father, Steve-O turned in a number of other insurgents. Often riding in the back of a Humvee, Steve-O would simply point out people he saw at the meetings of insurgents his father used to take him to. However, with Steve-O's father arrested and his mother killed by insurgents in retribution, Steve-O had nowhere left but to live on Forward Operating Base "Tiger" with the troopers of the 3rd Cavalry.

After the 3rd Cavalry returned from their year-long deployment to Iraq, Steve-O continued to live on post with the Marines that replaced the cavalry. Eventually, 1SG Daniel Hendrex was able to arrange for Steve-O to leave Iraq and come to the United States.

Steve-O's story came to public attention when he and the troopers responsible for his successful move to the United States appeared on an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show.^{[citation needed]}

Operation Iraqi Freedom III: 2005–2006[edit]

The 3rd Cavalry only remained stateside for less than a year, before returning to Iraq for a second tour. The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom 04–06 in February 2005. The regiment served from South Baghdad province to Western Ninewa Province in Northwestern Iraq until March 2006. The 2nd Battalion of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment (of the 82nd Airborne Division) served with the regiment in Iraq from September – December 2005. In September 2005, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment conducted 'Operation Restoring Rights' to defeat a terrorist stronghold in the city of Tal Afar.

In July 2005, the Army announced that the regiment would re-station to Fort Hood within months of returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment officially departed Fort Carson, Colorado in July 2006.

Two elements of the regiment stayed behind at Fort Carson and were subsequently re-flagged. The regiment's aviation element was re-flagged as 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry, part of the 1st Infantry Division, while the other element was re-flagged as part of the U.S. 4th Infantry Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team rear detachment.

Operation Restoring Rights[edit]

By the time 3rd Cavalry returned to Iraq in 2005, the northern city of Tal Afar had fallen entirely under the control of insurgents. Led by Colonel H.R. McMaster, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment focused first on pacifying the smaller surrounding cities and closing down the nearby Syrian border to prevent supplies and routes of escape to the insurgents occupying the city. The next stage was to build a massive earthen berm that enclosed Tal Afar, the berm was constructed by Alpha Company 113 Engineer Battalion stationed out of Indiana, as law-abiding residents were ordered out to evacuation camps. Operation Restoring Rights included forces from 1st Squadron, 2nd Squadron, Support Squadron, the Air Squadron (4th Squadron), and various US Special Forces formations. Additionally, Iraqi Army formations moved into the city en masse, consisting of 5,000 soldiers from the Iraqi Army 3rd Division (partnered with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment), 1,000 soldiers from the 1st Battalion of the 1st Brigade of the 2nd Iraqi Army Division (from Irbil and partnered with the US Special Forces), and Iraqi Special Forces commandos.

Additionally, an Iraqi police brigade and Mosul Police units moved in to provide perimeter security. Operation Restoring Rights began in late August 2005 as 1st Squadron and its Iraqi Army Brigade moved into Tal Afar and began conducting focused raids on the Western part of Tall Afar, while 2nd Squadron and its Iraqi Army Brigade moved to isolate the enemy strongpoint in the Sarai District. Meanwhile, as the regiment moved to isolate the eastern portion of the city, the enemy put up an intense fight against 1st Squadron as they pursued them relentlessly through the western part of the city. Apaches attack and Kiowa scout helicopters from 4th Squadron tracked the enemy while ground forces pursued them into their safe haven, destroying them with direct fire from ground platforms and hellfire missiles from the air. Air Force munitions were used against especially hardened defensive positions.

As 2nd Squadron and an Iraqi Army battalion from the 2nd Iraqi Army Division moved into place, they received critical intelligence on the enemy battle positions and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that allowed them to destroy the enemy in detail with precision fires from the Apache and Kiowa helicopters and with USAF support. Over half of the enemy leadership was killed or captured in the days leading up to the assault on the Sarai. 2nd Squadron, 1st Squadron, and elements of Support Squadron manning checkpoints, captured over 1,200 enemy fighters as they tried to flee the city, some even hiding behind children and dressed as women. The regiment attacked into the Sarai and cleared it of the remaining enemy, finding a complex enemy training base within the ancient structures.

After the regiment returned from Iraq, Tal Afar Mayor Mayor Najim Abdullah al Jubori sent a letter to Gen. George Casey, the senior U.S. commander in Iraq, thanking the 3rd Cavalry for liberating his town. The Mayor's letter became the subject of widespread media attention after U.S. President George W. Bush mentioned it during a speech in March 2006.^[32]

Post OIF 04-06[edit]

Following OIF 04–06, the regiment relocated from Fort Carson, Colorado to Fort Hood, Texas. The regiment officially completed its move in July 2006. On 29 June 2006, COL H.R. McMaster completed his command and officially gave the guidon to COL Michael Bills. The 3rd ACR began training for another tour in OIF right away, fielding new weapons systems (including new M1A2 Abrams tanks and M3A3 Bradley fighting vehicles) and re-build the organization following the move from Fort Carson. In July the regiment completed a successful NTC rotation 07–09.

Operation Iraqi Freedom 2007–2009[edit]

On 25 October 2007, the regiment began its third tour in Iraq. 1st and 3rd Squadrons are deployed in the Ninawa Province, 2nd Squadron was deployed to eastern Diyala province until OCT when it rejoined the regiment in Mosul. 1st Squadron in Qayarrah, and 3rd Squadron in Mosul. Because Mosul is the most violent major city in Iraq, Heavy Company, Eagle Troop and 43rd Combat Engineer Company (2/3 ACR) were attached to 3rd Squadron to help with increased insurgent activity. A platoon from 43rd Combat Engineer Company 3rd PLT (heavy blue) was attached to Heavy Company also 3rd Platoon Heavy Company attached to Lightning Troop, becoming Lightning 5th Platoon, "Gold Platoon" in order to help bear the largest, and most dangerous area of the city. 4th Squadron is served in Baghdad. Thunder Squadron was part of several major operations in order to clear the city of insurgents, including Operations Lions Roar, which was praised as one of the turning points in the war on terror.^{[by whom?]}

1st Squadron's King Battery (attached to 4th Stryker Brigade, 2nd Infantry Div., and then 1/25th SBCT) firing artillery and is split between three FOBs (Warhorse, Normandy & Diyala Media Center), which allows the Battery to cover the entire Diyala Province. Firing over 7,700 rounds in eleven months, King Battery has destroyed the previous record which was set by a battalion size element.^{[citation needed]}

2nd Squadron minus, composed of Grim Troop, Fox Troop, Lion Battery and the Squadron Headquarters and Headquarters Troop spent the bulk of the deployment at FOB Caldwell in Eastern Diyala Province, where it was responsible for 62% of the battle space of 4/2 ID. During the deployment 2nd Squadron passed from the operational control of 4/2 ID to 2nd SCR where they remained until they rejoined 3rd ACR in OCT 2008. 2nd Squadron conducted several major operations during its time in Diyala including Operation Raider Harvest, which removed the most of the last pockets of organized resistance in Diyala in the vicinity of Muqdadiyah. 2nd Squadron also spearheaded Operation Sabre Tempest, the largest combined Iraqi Army–U.S. Army air assault mission of OIF.^{[citation needed]} This operation and several follow-on operations cleared and secured Diyala Province from Baqubah to the Iranian border. Having completed its mission in Diyala, 2nd Squadron rejoined the rest of 3rd ACR in Mosul in OCT 2008 where it assumed an area of responsibility between 1st and 3rd Squadrons. On rejoining the regiment, Grim Troop, from 2nd Squadron was awarded the Draper Award for Leadership Excellence. 2nd Squadron held this area and in combined operations with Iraqi security forces destroyed numerous caches and detained more than 50 insurgents before the squadron's redeployment to Fort Hood in January 2009.

Post OIF 07-09[edit]

On 3 April 2009, Reginald E. Allen became the 73rd Colonel of the Regiment, the first African-American to command a United States cavalry regiment, and Jonathan J. Hunt, the XVIIIth Regimental Command Sergeant Major. The new command team immediately focused on the reception of equipment from the post-deployment reset program, the integration of newly arrived personnel, and the continuation of individual training. The Squadrons concentrated on weapons qualification, combat life saver training, and mandatory classes and schools through the summer until they began to receive their combat vehicles back from reset. As each unit's tanks and Bradleys arrived, the crews conducted communications and live fire tests as well as driver's training to certify new operators on their equipment. Soldiers also attended refresher training on new equipment and upgrades made during the reset process. With all of their vehicles and weapons finally back from reset, the squadrons accelerated their training pace to prepare for the next deployment to Iraq.

In the fall of 2009 the regiment received orders to deploy to Iraq again the following summer. This time period also marked the beginning of a series of field training exercises that gradually increased in intensity as the squadrons moved into the collective phase of training. Platoon and troop-level situational training exercises (STX) challenged junior leaders to assess their surrounding and decide on a course of action when faced with various tactical scenarios. These exercises also offered the first opportunity to test the new company intelligence support teams (COISTs) that had been selected and trained throughout the summer. The COISTs emphasized the bottom-up development and refinement of intelligence that is fundamental part of counterinsurgency operations in the contemporary operating environment. COIST members practiced debriefing patrols after simulated combat missions and developing an intelligence pictures for the company-level commander to drive future operations. This new capability will provide units with an increased understanding of the environment in their areas of responsibility in their next deployment.

On 5 November 2009, the regiment was called upon again, not to face an overseas threat, but to help protect the members of its own community when a lone attacker opened fire on Soldiers and civilians at Fort Hood's Soldier Readiness Center. Sabre Squadron, the installation's designated crisis reaction battalion at the time of the incident, was alerted to deploy back from training in the field and assist Fort Hood Emergency Services with cordoning the crime scene while the police searched for additional suspects. Joined by Soldiers from Tiger, Thunder, and Muleskinner, Sabre Squadron manned entry control points around the post to systematically search vehicles leaving the installation later that evening and the continued to secure the gates for several days after the attack. When President Obama visited Fort Hood on 10 November to help memorialize the twelve soldiers and one civilian who died in the attack, the regiment teamed with the Directorate of Emergency Services again to secure the route for the official convoy from the airfield to the III Corps headquarters.

In December, the squadrons took to the field for two more weeks of collective training to prepare for the National Training Center rotation scheduled for the following spring. Troops occupied patrol bases outside simulated Iraqi villages across Fort Hood and spent several days developing intelligence, training Iraqi security forces, and conducting reconnaissance operations. These Squadron-level exercises tested the units on the techniques and procedures they had developed throughout the fall and simulated the types of operations they would conduct at the National Training Center the following spring. After a short block leave for the winter holidays, the regiment's troopers began to prepare in earnest for what would likely be the 3rd ACR's last heavy stabilized gunnery beginning at the end of January. The Chief of Staff of the Army directed the regiment to convert to a Stryker regiment after the next deployment to Iraq. The announcement came out in the fall but the decision was not final until early 2010. This last stabilized gunnery helped train a new generation of tankers and scouts, many of whom had never fired a formal gunnery due to the high tempo of operational deployments.

As part of the planned Stryker transformation, the regiment also received word that Longknife Squadron would be deactivated in 2010 and reflagged as part of a new combat aviation brigade (CAB) that would be formed at Fort Lewis, but the squadron would remain at Fort Hood until 2012 as part of the new split-based CAB. The aviation squadron continued its training and crew certification program throughout this time period, including two deployments to the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk supporting other deploying brigades and then supporting the regiment with attack and lift capabilities at a mission readiness exercise at the NTC in May/June 2010.

The regiment's NTC rotation 10–07 at Fort Irwin set the conditions for the regiment's pending deployment. Because of the extensive training and extended dwell, the regiment entered the rotation at higher training level than most units and as such was able to ramp up the training faster using less situational training exercise (STX) days and spending more days fully exercising all systems in the regiment.

Operation New Dawn: 2010–2011[edit]

The regiment's fourth deployment in seven years would be very different from the previous three but no less challenging or dangerous as an advise and assist regiment/brigade (AAB) in support of Operation New Dawn. On 30 Sep 2010 the regiment conducted a transition of authority with 3rd BDE, 3rd ID and assumed responsibility for the five northern provinces of United States Division-South under MG Vincent Brooks and the 1st Infantry Division. Later in the deployment the regiment was under the operational control of the Texas Army National Guard's 36th Infantry Division.

The regiment's area of operations included the Iraqi provinces of Babil, Karbala, Najaf, Diwaniyah (Qadisiyah), and Wasit; an area roughly the size of South Carolina. After assuming operational authority as the first AAB deployed during Operation New Dawn, 3rd ACR's mission was to conduct stability operations in support of the United States Department of State provincial reconstruction teams (PRTs) and to advise, train, and assist Iraqi security forces (ISF) of the 8th Iraqi Army (IA) Division and the 3rd and 5th Directorates of Border Enforcement (DBE) Regions. 3rd ACR's geographical terrain was the largest operational environment (OE) in the United States Forces-Iraq OE, encompassing approximately 64,700 square kilometers of desert, agricultural fields and urban terrain. Within this diverse area, the human terrain of OE Rifles included the cultural fault line between the Shi'a population in southern Iraq and the Sunni population in central Iraq.

Executing more than 12,000 dismounted and mounted patrols, 76 named operations, 3,500 operations in partnership with various Iraqi security force counterparts, more than 1300 key leader engagements (KLEs), and training more than 14,000 ISF personnel, 3rd ACR Troopers maintained a consistently high tempo of operations, intelligence gathering and analysis, and stability support and development during the year long deployment. In conjunction with Department of State personnel, the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment also completed more than 200 civil projects with a value of $49.7M.

Change of Mission[edit]

On 16 November 2011, COL Reginald Allen, 73rd Colonel of the Regiment, cased the colors of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, and uncased the colors of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment while handing over command to COL John B. Richardson IV, 74th Colonel of the Regiment. This transition marked a change of mission from conducting Corps-level reconnaissance and security, to a combined arms Stryker regiment able to conduct decisive action missions in support of unified land operations anywhere in the world. The regiment's size expanded as well, and a Fires Squadron was added, and 4th Squadron (Longknife) was made a ground reconnaissance unit. 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Squadrons were reorganized as Stryker infantry formations, and a Signal and Anti-Armor Troop were added as well. The attached 89th Chemical Company was inactivated however. In effect, the 3rd Cavalry Regiment had returned to its roots as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen.^[18] Despite concerns from the ranks, COL Richardson assured that the 3rd Cavalry would always keep its history, lineage, and traditions despite changes in organizational structure.

War in Afghanistan[edit]

Members of the 3rd Cavalry state that between 2014 and 2015, the sun never set on the regiment. It had subordinate units all across the globe and was engaged in training, combat deployments, and stability missions worldwide.^[18]

Operation Enduring Freedom; June–October 2014[edit]

In 2014, the regiment received its first orders to Afghanistan. While the 3rd Cavalry had been engaged in the Iraq War from 2004–2011, this was the first time the regiment would be deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. At the same time as the main body of the 3rd Cavalry would deploy to Afghanistan, 4th Squadron was tasked with assisting peacekeepers in the Sinai Peninsula alongside 13 other nations in the Multinational Force and Observers security mission. Here, the globally important Suez Canal is safeguarded by potential hostile action between Egypt and Israel.^[18]

Meanwhile, C (Crazy Horse) Troop would deploy to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to assist the Joint Detention Group in securing the strategic site. This would be the second time that 3rd Cavalry troopers deployed to Guantanamo Bay; the first time was in 1898 during the Spanish–American War. While serving simultaneously in Afghanistan, the Sinai Peninsula, Guantanamo Bay, and Fort Hood, the sun never set on the 3rd Cavalry Regiment.^[18]

In Afghanistan, the Brave Rifles' first priority was to prepare for the US withdrawal of the country, and shrink the US footprint in Regional Command East (RC East). They partnered with Afghan National Army, Afghan Border Police, and Afghan National Police units on nearly all their missions and helped transition security operation fully to the Afghan security forces. The regiment started its deployment working with the ANA's 203rd Corps, which was responsible for security in Logar Province, Khost Province, Paktia Province, Maidan Wardak Province, Ghazni Province, Bamyan Province, and Paktika Province. The regimental HQ and 1st Squadron (Tiger) occupied FOB Lightning near Gardez in Paktya Province, and worked with Afghan troops from 203rd Corps out of FOB Thunder nearby. Here, the troopers assisted and advised the Afghan troops from the individual to Corps level and mentored the Afghan National Police Paktya Regional HQ, Afghan Border Police Zone 402, and the Afghan National Civil Order Police 5th Brigade operating in the 203rd Corps AOR. FOB Lightning was signed over to Afghan troops on 1 October 2014.^[18]

The regiment then assumed another important duty; escorting ballot boxes from across their seven provinces and ensuring they return safely to Kabul. 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and Fires Squadron all contributed to escorting the ballots safely, and helped shape the future of Afghanistan as President Ashraf Ghani emerged as the victor. 2nd Squadron (Sabre) and the Regimental Support Squadron (Muleskinner) occupied FOB Shank in Logar Province. Muleskinner ran a Level II treatment facility there and conducted critical logistics operations. 2nd Squadron worked closely with the 4th Brigade of the 203rd Corps to conduct security operations until FOB SHank was goven to the Afghans on 23 October 2014.^[18]

3rd Squadron (Thunder) also advised the Afghan 4th Brigade of the 203rd Corps out of FOB Airborne in Wardak Province. Thunder turned over the FOB to the ANA on 5 September 2014 and was subsequently sent to FOB Dwyer in RC South to assist the 1st Cavalry Division in stability and security operations. During this time, the 1st Battalion, 504th Infantry Regiment, "Red Devils," of the 82nd Airborne Division was attached to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and conducted security operation in Ghazni Province until September 2014.^[18]

Operation Resolute Support; October 2014 – March 2015[edit]

After the Brave Rifles had completed their operations in southeast Afghanistan, they moved northeast to Laghman Province and Nangahar Province. Replacing the 2nd Brigade (Strike) of the 101st Airborne Division at Tactical Base Gamberi and nearby Operational Base Fenty, they took over security for the region, including Jalalabad Airfield, the last US operated airfield in eastern Afghanistan. During this time, 2nd Squadron was sent to Bagram Airfield in central Afghanistan and took over security there, and 3rd Squadron (as stated previously) was sent to join units of the 1st Cavalry Division. Operation Resolute Support began on 1 January 2015, and signified the end of Operation Enduring Freedom, and the change of responsibility from Coalition to Afghan Forces. Regional Commands North, South, East, and West were renamed Train, Advise, and Assist Commands North, South, East, and West.^[18]

The Afghan security forces were now fully responsible for their country's security, and only 9,800 US troops remained in country to act as advisers. Around 1,000 of these belonged to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment, now present in TAAC-East, TAAC-South, and Bagram Airfield. Brave Rifles HQ coordinated with the Afghan 201st Corps to secure the Afghanistan-Pakistan border out of TB Gamberi. The Brave Rifles completed their mission of training and advising on 15 February 2015, and turned over responsibility to the 3rd Brigade (Rakassans), 101st Airborne Division. The 3rd Cavalry arrived safely back in Texas by the end of March 2015.^[18] The Regiment suffered the last two casualties of OEF, with the death of a platoon sergeant and his gunner, both members of Sapper company.(43d Combat Engineer Company)

Killing of Vanessa Guillen[edit]

Vanessa Guillén was a 20-year-old U.S. Army soldier who was assigned to the 3rd Cavalry Regiment's engineer squadron, as a 91F, Small Arms and Artillery Repairer. Guillen was murdered on April 22, 2020, by another enlisted soldier assigned to the regiment's engineer squadron, Aaron David Robinson, age 20. Initially, Guillen was declared missing on April 23, 2020. Her disappearance quickly made national news as foul play was suspected. Guillen's remains were discovered on June 30, 2020 by contractors working on a construction project near Leon River several miles from Fort Hood. Aaron Robinson fatally shot himself on July 1, 2020 when law enforcement attempted to apprehend him in Killeen, Texas.^[33][34][35] Cecily Anne Aguilar, whom authorities said was Robinson's girlfriend, was alleged to have assisted Robinson in disposing of Guillén's body. On July 2, she was charged with one federal count of conspiracy to tamper with evidence.^[33]

On July 10, 2020, Secretary of the Army Ryan D. McCarthy announced that he would order a "full independent review" of the case.^[36] Results of that review were addressed by Secretary McCarthy on December 8, 2020, during a Pentagon press conference. During the conference, McCarthy announced that disciplinary action would be taken against 14 leaders and Soldiers assigned to Fort Hood. Among those affected were the 3rd Cavalry Regiment's commander Colonel Ralph Overland and Command Sergeant Major Bradley Knapp, both of whom were relieved of their duties. Other Fort Hood senior leaders impacted by the review included Major General Scott Efflandt, III Corps deputy commander, who was also relieved of his duties and 1st Cavalry Division commander Major General Jeffrey Broadwater and Command Sergeant Major Thomas C. Kenny. Both Broadwater and Kenny were suspended from their duties, pending a final investigation of the 1st Cavalry Division's command climate and program for preventing and responding to sexual harassment and assault.^[37][38][39]

Honors[edit]

Unit decorations[edit]

Heraldry[edit]

Motto: "Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel."^[40]

The Regiment's original green facings on the uniform is shown by the color of the shield. The unit's first engagement was the capture of Vera Cruz, and it continued with especially distinguished service throughout the campaign of 1847 to the capture of Mexico City. Upon entering the city, it hoisted the Stars and Stripes over the national palace and displayed the regimental standard from the palace balcony, which drew from General Scott the statement, "Brave Rifles! Veterans! You have been baptized in fire and blood and have come out steel." The campaign is shown by the cross for Vera Cruz and the tower in green (the Mexican color) for fortified Mexico City, the first and last engagements thereof. The chief, taken from the arms of Lorraine, commemorates the regiment's World War I service.^[40]

The Regiment's original gold trumpet insignia is shown on the crest of the coat of arms.^[40]

The coat of arms was originally approved for the 3d Cavalry Regiment on 7 May 1921. It was redesignated for the 3d Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized on 28 February 1945. The insignia was redesignated for the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment on 18 December 1951. It was amended to revise the symbolism on 27 June 1960. It was redesignated effective 16 November 2011, for the 3d Cavalry Regiment.^[40]

Lineage[edit]

The United States Army Center of Military History summarizes the regiment's lineage as follows:

• Constituted 19 May 1846 in the Regular Army as the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen.
• Organized 12 October 1846 at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Redesignated 3 August 1861 as 3rd United States Cavalry.
• Inactivated 15 July 1942 at Fort Benning, Georgia; personnel and equipment transferred to 3rd Armored Regiment.
• Redesignated 18 January 1943 as 3rd Cavalry, Mechanized.
• Activated 15 March 1943 at Camp Gordon, Georgia.
• Regiment broken up 3 November 1943 and its elements reorganized and redesignated as Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Cavalry Group, Mechanized and the 3rd and 43rd Reconnaissance Squadrons, Mechanized.
• Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Cavalry Group, Mechanized, inactivated 22 December 1945 at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey.
• Activated 26 February 1946 at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland.
• Redesignated 5 November 1948 as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment; organization of the remainder of 3rd Armored Cavalry completed 3 November 1948 by redefinition of elements of 3rd and 43rd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons, Mechanized and by reconstruction, redefinition, and activation of certain other elements of the 3rd Cavalry which had been inactivated or demobilized 1921–1928.
• 3rd, 777th, and 21st Tank Battalions consolidated with 3rd Armored Cavalry 8 January 1951. (Battalions and Companies redesignated Squadrons and Troops, 1 June 1960).

More on the regiment's lineage as follows:

• Relocated in 1972^[41] from Ft. Lewis, Washington to Ft. Bliss, Texas
• Relocated to Ft. Carson, Colorado in 1996^[42]
• Relocated to Ft. Hood, Texas on 13 July 2006^[43]
• Redesignated 16 November 2011 as 3rd Cavalry Regiment and reorganized as a Stryker Brigade Combat Team.^[44]

See also[edit]

• List of United States Regular Army Civil War units

Notes[edit]

Constructs such as ibid., loc. cit. and idem are discouraged by Wikipedia's style guide for footnotes, as they are easily broken. Please improve this article by replacing them with named references (quick guide), or an abbreviated title. (August 2018) (Learn how and when to remove this template message)

References[edit]

• Blood and Steel! The History, Customs, and Traditions of The 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment (PDF) (2010–2011 ed.), Fort Hood, Texas: Third Cavalry Museum
• Back to the Front Lines:Amputees keep fighting, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
• Global Security.org: 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment

External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to 3rd Cavalry Regiment (United States).

• Official website, including regimental history
• The Mounted Rifleman, an official publication of the 3rd ACR
• From Iraq, troops see parallels in Katrina, a September 2005 Associated Press article about 3rd ACR activities in Ninawa