[eureka!]

Again, God Bless our troops and may they be protected as they fight the good fight...

[Lady GOP]

U.S. troops are moving about on horseback with the Afghan fighters, and they describe how the poorly equipped fighters have been squaring off against Taliban tanks, mortars, artillery, personnel carriers and machine guns.

Cool!

[veracious]

Interesing but true, horse riding beats walking! Calvary is still the weapon of choice for some terrain and circumstances.

[samtheman]

US Calvary to the rescue!

[clamper1797]

Are they members of the 5th Calvary ????

[clamper1797]

Are they members of the 5th Cavalry ????

[Selara]

They do us so proud.

[TomGuy]

"While it looked like a rag-tag procession, the morale into Mazar-i-Sharif was a triumphal procession. All locals loudly greeted us and thanked all Americans. Much waving, cheering and clapping even from the women. ... (U.S. Navy/U.S. Air Force did a great job," states the message.

Hmmm, guess this good news arrived too late to make the NBC Nightly News.

[NoControllingLegalAuthority]

Words cannot describe my pride in these men. Who says the days of magnificent cavalry fighting are long gone? Draw sabers......CHARGE!!!!!!

[dr_who]

Rough riders.

[headsonpikes]

This is a stainless steel RIGHTEOUS post!!!

[McGavin999]

What unique men these are. It sounds like they're really impressed with the NA soldiers as well. They recognize the courage and determination. I can't wait to hear all these stories when this is all over. We might have to wait years to hear it, but I'll wait.

[Revolting cat!]

Wow, just like the Polish cavalry in September 1939 that we so like to ridicule and bring up as a quick example of idiocy, powerlessness and whatever sin we wish to exemplify at that particular moment! But this is different because hey, this is our cavalry! (Jes' jestin', of course!)

[115thINTC]

I am sure that they are using their mounted troops as maneuver elements and not in the role of Heavy Dragoons for shock value. I use shock in the sense of riding into massed shoulder to shoulder troops.

It would be interesting to work out tactical problems when you had a couple of hundred mounted troops to deploy.

[Cannoneer No. 4]

The Great Wheel of History Keeps Turning The branch insignia of US Army Special Forces is the crossed arrows of the Indian Scouts.

SCOUTS OUT

Fiddler's Green

Halfway down the trail to Hell,

In a shady meadow green,

Are the Souls of all dead troopers camped

Near a good old-time canteen,

And this eternal resting place

Is known as Fiddlers' Green.

Marching past, straight through to Hell,

The Infantry are seen,

Accompanied by the Engineers,

Artillery and Marine,

For none but shades of Cavalrymen

Dismount at Fiddlers' Green.

Though some go curving down the trail

To seek a warmer scene,

No trooper ever gets to Hell

Ere he's emptied his canteen,

And so rides back to drink again

With friends at Fiddlers' Green

And so when man and horse go down

Beneath a saber keen,

Or in a roaring charge or fierce mêlée

You stop a bullet clean,

And hostiles come to get your scalp,

Just empty your canteen,

And put your pistol to your head

And go to Fiddlers' Green

TOUJOURS PRET

[Theresa]

This war is gonna make a great movie!!! LOL!!!

[Cannoneer No. 4]

<img src="http://www.11thcavnam.com/calendar/The_Last_Charge1.jpg>=

[BansheeBill]

Of Interest from a US Cavalary website discussion board in answer to a question as to the last time horse mounted cavalry (which the questioner incorrectly spelled "calvary") were used in armed conflict.

Actually, the US Army never had Calvary units, but it did, and still has, Cavalry units. A minor point admittedly, but as a retired Cavalryman, one I am keenly aware of. The 26th Cavalry did see service in the Philippines in 1941/42, however, I seem to recall that General Patton mounted some units in France in late 1944 for use in rough terrain. Not sure if that really counts though. The 1st Cavalry Division was dismounted (1943) and fought as an Infantry Division during the recapture of the Philippines. The actual answer to your question is that last time the US Army used Cavalry in a war was 1991 during the Gulf War. The last time they fought with horses was likely 1942 (as an organized body). I do recall running a route reconnaissance mission alongside the 1st Cavalry Divisions Horse Cavalry platoon in 1979 when I was in the 1st Squadron 9th Cavalry. The Horse Cavalry platoon was a ceremonial unit, but someone got the bright idea of sending them to the field with us for a day. They actually had some advantages in the rough country, but they were very careful not to hurt their mounts. Regarding the earlier problem trying to locate the Cavalry schools former library, you might try checking the Cavalry Journal, there may have been an announcement or article regarding the disposal.

[BlackjackPershing]

Are there any photos or video of the Afghan horseback ‘charges’ by our troops. That is a picture worth framing.

[sleddogs]

U.S. special forces troops ride horseback as they work with members of the Northern Alliance in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom on Nov. 12, 2001

http://www.defenselink.mil/photos/newsphoto.aspx?newsphotoid=3741