2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light)

2nd ARMORED CAVALRY REGT.

Back from Haiti, Then On to Bosnia, The Army's "Light ACR" Remains "Always Ready" 2nd ACR peacekeepers patrol the streets of Port au Prince during deployment that ended this year. The 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment (Light), the longest continually serving unit on active duty, has had a demanding and challenging year, with deployments to Bosnia, Hungary, the NTC, and reconstitution following its deployment to Haiti.

The regiment trained up for and executed a December '96 NTC Rotation, supported the Partnership for Peace exercise, COOPERATIVE NUGGET 97, in June, executed a Mission Rehearsal Exercise as part of a JRTC rotation in July for its Bosnia deployment. and deployed to Bosnia in support of Operation JOINT GUARD. In August, the Regimental Headquarters Troop deployed to Germany to participate in a CMTC Rotation with 1st Armored Division, making it the only unit in the United States Anny to go through all three Combat Training Centers in one year.

The 2nd ACR, a "light" armored cavalry regiment, is a unique unit. The "2d Dragoons" primary mission is to serve as the xvm Airborne Corps' armored cavalry regiment. In that role, the regiment is structured along the lines of a traditional "heavy" armored cavalry regiment, but is equipped with "light" combat systems that facilitate rapid strategic deployment.

The regiment is organized with three ground squadrons. an aviation squadron, and the regimental support squadron, along with separate engineer, military intelligence, chemical reconnaissance companies and an air defense artillery battery.

Each ground squadron is made up of three cavalry troops equipped with HMMWVs mounted with M2.50 caliber machine guns, MK-19s, two 120mm mortars, and TOWs. The squadron also has an antitank company equipped with HMMWV-mounted TOWs and an organic M198, 155mm towed artillery battery of eight guns. With a total of 72 ARMOR - Additionally, the Army is exanurung proposals for a future OPFOR main battle tank (MBT). Although only in the concept stage, the OPFOR MBT will add a more realistic enemy tank to the NTC battlefIeld that is also economical to operate.

The 11 th Armored Cavalry Regiment (Blackhorse) looks to the future with confIdence, knowing it will continue to set the standard as it did in VIrginia, the Philippines, Mexico, Monterey. France, VIetnam, Fulda, and now the Mojave Desert and the National Training Center. ALLONS!

TOW missile systems, the regiment is the most lethal antiarmor force in the corps.

The regimental aviation squadron, our 4th Squadron, is equipped with 36 OH-58D Kiowa Warriors and 16 UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters. The Kiowa Warriors provide the regiment not only a superior aerial reconnaissance capability, but also lethal strike power when loaded with Hellfire missiles and 2.75-inch rocket pods. The Kiowa Warrior is also a valuable observation platform for the regimental fIre support system as an executor of conventional artillery fIres and COPPERHEAD missions.

The highlight training event for 1996 was the regiment's National Training Center rotation. The entire regiment, minus its 2nd Squadron, deployed to the NTC. We also received several attachments from xvm Airborne Corps, including two artillery battalions, an engineer battalion, a signal company, and 23