3d Armored Cavalry Regiment

Reuters ^ | Wed March 26, 2003 11:40 AM ET | Charles Aldinger

[Calamari]

The mobile 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment, with 5,200 troops, announced at Fort Carson on Tuesday that it had received orders to go.

[TADSLOS]

LOL! That sounds like the Cav spirit to me.

[Greg_99]

Me too! 2/2 Zoo! Scouts Out!

[Calamari]

Maybe we aren't being told everything. We certainly have everybody focused on the thrust from the south. There is a lot of territoy west and north plus the captured air bases to the west that will probably be put to some useful purpose. Would not be surprised if while all eyes are focused to the south a nasty surprise pops up from behind!

[JayP56]

4/2 Redcatchers........

[ladtx]

If nothing else, in the 3 years I spent in the Fulda Gap, we had a lot of fun. Spent a lot of time in the field, and Graf and Hoenfehls tho'.

[buwaya]

I believe the current armored forces available amount to:

5 US Army tank battalions - @ 300 tanks at max. strength

Four of these were organic to the 3ID, and I think the other is a battalion from 1st Armored Div.

1 squadron (3/7th Cavalry) - somewhere between 9 and 20 tanks

3 US Marine tank battalions - @ 180 tanks at max strength

Between 2 and 3 British tank battalions - @ 120 Challengers

There are the following mechanized infantry units -

5 US Army battalions organic to 3ID. There is maybe one in theater from 1st Armored

From 14 to 18 US Marine infantry battalions, most of which have some LAV or LVT vehicles.

2-3 British mechanized infantry battalions

[Greg_99]

Actually caught a couple of rides around HOF from you guys.

[Calamari]

Impressive list!

[Greg_99]

TriZonal area was where the action was brother! Had an officer buddy named Ulmer who was in the Black Horse.

[JayP56]

Small world....I was a crewchief for one of Savage Troops blackhawks.....I remember doing alot of border flights, picking guys up....

[Greg_99]

They are sending a Regimental Cav unit to bring this thing to a close. Shoulda sent those heart breakers and life takers in the first place.

Probably didn't want to because once you have those Scouts out in front, there's not much left for regular units to fight when they finally get there.

[demlosers]

You'll also notice the 2nd ACR has been ordered to deploy.

[ladtx]

We bitched a lot about it at the time. But when I look back on it, most of the time it was fun. Have my 11th Cav hat and spurs over the mantel at home.

[Greg_99]

Looks like our boys have been ordered to deploy too. Makes me wish I was 20 yrs younger (and 30 lbs lighter).

Yes it is a small world. I live in Tampa. While at the movies a month ago, I bumped (literally) into my old roommate in the zoo. He is SF now and was deploying to Qatar. He's over there now bucking to get to the front.

[JayP56]

The 2nd ACR isn't what it used to be, my understanding is that the Army turned it into a Light Cavalry unit as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps and took away their M1's...still a force to be reckoned with though....

[ladtx]

Probably didn't want to because once you have those Scouts out in front, there's not much left for regular units to fight when they finally get there.

True. I was an OH-58 Scout IP in the 11th. Breaks my heart that the 11th is now the OPFOR unit at NTC.

[Greg_99]

We can thank Clinton for that. Oldest active army unit, proud heritage and all...........and now we have dune buggies.

[Greg_99]

it's funny.......the 3rd is the baby regiment. No history like the others. And yet they are the only ones left alone. Black Horse and the 2nd......others were jealous of us.

[TADSLOS]

Breaks my heart that the 11th is now the OPFOR unit at NTC.

Well, if it's any consolation they take their role there seriously and professionally. They make units like 3rd ID that train there stronger for the humbling experience they provide as the OPFOR.

[Calamari]

This is a unique cav unit with a lot of power. There must be a special purpose for these troopers. Probably the point of the spear. Which leads me to wonder where they will be employed.