The 14th Cavalry Association

Volume 18 Number 4 December 2018 Reunion, Gallery, Monument

Awaiting the ribbon-cutting to open the 14th Cavalry Regiment Gallery (at far right) at the Tom Cole (left with campaign hat) is about Armor School’s classroom building, to welcome 104 members and guests to our Patton Hall. 2018 reunion in Columbus, Ga., Oct. 16-18.

This uniform was worn by Pvt. Charles Fitzgibbon of E and H Troops, 14th Cavalry Regiment from 1912 to 1917. He was a far- rier and an Honor Graduate in 1913 of the School for Farriers and Horseshoers at Ft. Riley, Kans. The uniform was donated by Nola Crawford, his granddaughter, and Rich Eagan. The 1902-1912 Whitman saddle was Tom Cole, BG David Lesperance (center), donated by John Shriner (as were a 1904 Mc- Armor School Commandant, CSM Kevin Clelland saddle and several other items in the Muhlenbeck, School CSM (and former 1-14 gallery’s 10 display cases). CSM) and George DeSario, Director, Office of Chief of Armor cut the ribbon to open the Alan Thompson, former ACR Trooper, with 14th Cavalry Regiment Gallery on Oct. 18. Maj. Ian McGregor, XO, 1-14, 1SG Joe Daugherty, HHT, 2-14, and Maj. Pat Yun, XO, 2-14. The three Troopers gave briefings at the Members’ Meeting about the activities of their squadrons.

The Regiment’s landing at Normandy, fight through Bastogne, capture of the last bridge The five cases above hold items representative over the Rhine, discovery of the first of many of the ACR and Present-Day eras—the Cold concentration camps in Germany and of its War and the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan jungle combat in the Philippines (again), are and the peacetime missions of our heavy and told on a poster under the battle streamers light cavalry squadrons today. White “tent” awarded to formations of the Regiment. Four 1SG Daugherty takes a post-briefing question cards next to items give the name, date and other posters tell the stories of the other eras at the Members’ Meeting. history of the item plus the donor’s name. of the Regiment. continued on page 5 Commander’s Hatch, page 2 2-14 SITREP, page 4 CONTENTS 1-14 SITREP, page 3 Supply Room, page 6 Commander’s Hatch

Army News What a Reunion! The Army has adopted a new Our recent reunion was a dress uniform called “Army celebration of Cavalry history, of Greens.” It is nearly identical in esprit de corps enjoyed among 104 coloring and style to the WWII-era Association members and guests, “pinks and greens” uniform. And and of the completion of two because the force-protection gear missions we initiated in 2013. to be added to the M1A2 Abrams The passage of time since tank will bring it up to nearly 80 mid-October has not dimmed tons, the Army is considering in my minds-eye the signs of upgrades to the M88A2 Hercules delight--and pride--on everyone’s Ft. Reno was selected by a recovery vehicle. face at the dedications of our 14th vote of members, and won by an Cavalry Regiment Gallery and our overwhelming majority. Season’s Greetings to all Memorial Monument. The gallery To each and every one of you, is first-class; museum quality in Support Gallery, Monument I send warm personal wishes that every respect. The monument is To you who have supported you will enjoy good health, safety also first-class; stunning, unique the monument financially, bought and peace throughout the coming from all angles and perspectives. a “brick,” and/or donated to the year. I think all of us should be proud gallery I extend a sincere THANK of the fact that it was we who YOU. SUIVEZ MOI decided to honor our Regiment, We desire more support as well. pay our respects to comrades in For the gallery we seek items arms, and educate new officer representative of deployments to and enlisted Cav troopers and the Iraq and Afghanistan and home Tom Cole, MG, USA, Ret. public about the 14th Cavalry; we station training and family- President, 14th Cavalry Association who accomplished those missions. and oriented activities since those days. Honorary Colonel of the Regiment Similarly, we need to raise more 2019 Reunion Location Selected money for the monument fund for Our 2019 reunion will be Sept. liability insurance and upkeep of 25-27 in Ft. Reno, Okla., site of the grounds and trees adjacent to CHARGE! is published in March, the National Cavalry Competition the monument. June, September & December. (NCC). Mark your calendar. Plan to To contribute to the monument Next Deadline: 1 February 2019 attend. fund or to add to your earlier Editor: If you attended our 2012 reunion donation so your name will appear Gordy Bratz [email protected] at Ft. Riley you’ll no doubt recall in higher category on the donor (757) 564-1134 the excitement the various mounted plaque, contact Jim Vahle at 3009 Larkspur Run Williamsburg, VA 23185-3766 skills competitions generated, [email protected] To purchase especially those requiring use of the a personalized “brick” contact Secretary and Webmaster: Max Whipps saber. And you may recall that the Max Whipps at Secretary@14cav. [email protected] gathering was our largest until this org. To donate to the gallery first (503) 954-1864 year’s reunion. 3800 NE 72nd Ave contact Ray Egan at egan7@aol. Portland, OR 97213-5710 This year’s just-completed NCC com. drew over 75 individual and unit And by all means, visit our Send membership renewals and competitors from throughout the gallery and monument. I am changes to email and postal addresses to Secretary. U.S. and several Army posts. positive you will be proud.

Page 2 CHARGE! Volume 18 Number 4 1st Squadron “Warhorse” SITREP

We continue to be prepared for war. As this is being written we are conducting Stryker gunnery and scout section live fire exercises at the Yakima Training Center (YTC). Before coming here, as mentioned in the previous SITREP, the squadron was in the middle of its annual Spur Ride, stressing the Troopers’ mettle as well as testing their knowledge and skills in individual warrior tasks and battle During its recent OPFOR mission at the drills. Although 152 Troopers started the NTC, Bronco Troop conducted in-city LTC Frank A. Hooker hands the Regimental ride only 82 earned the right to wear the fighting simulating a real-world enemy. coveted silver spurs. colors to CSM John T. Enstrom who now Concurrently, we executed Excellence oversees the training, discipline, and welfare In Armor (EIA) training and testing of of our “Warhorse” Soldiers. MOS 19K and 19D Troopers to gauge At the Yakima Training Center their individual skills and knowledge our reconnaissance Troops conducted of their vehicle platforms. Thirty-five gunnery, followed by Section Training EIA Troopers were tested but only SPC Exercises, where the Troop Commanders Huerta of Crazyhorse Troop earned the certified their sections in maneuver and Live Fire Exercises. And Hellcat Troop prestigious EIA title. has shot Crew Gunnery for the Mobile From 06 to 14 August, SSG Shane Gun Systems (MGS) and Anti-Tank Almeida, our Squadron Master Raven Guided Missile Strykers (ATGM). The Trainer, held a Brigade-wide Raven Troop qualified all of its MGS crews and operations course. The Raven is an ATGM Strykers in October. unmanned aerial system operated at Several Crazyhorse Troopers earned 1-11 Troop level. Students learned basic Raven Armored Cavalry Regiment “Iron Horse” flight skills, night and low-level flying, coins for outstanding performance at the NTC. PVT Lorey (right), a gunner in the 2nd and stealthy insertion techniques. They Platoon, achieved 20 Tank/Bradley kills. then employed the Raven to acquire an objective’s bearing and ranges, as well as We have also experienced a high level capture useful images in order to expand of leadership transitions throughout all the commander’s situational awareness echelons. On 28 August 2018, I assumed and accurately report valuable enemy Command of the Squadron from LTC information. Five 1-14 Troopers and one Aaron Dixon at a Change of Command 2-3 IN Soldier graduated from the course. ceremony at Watkins Field here at Joint In August, our brigade (Ghost Brigade) Base Lewis-McChord (JBLM). On 2 A Hellcat Troop Mobile Gun System crew returned to the National Training Center October, CSM Tony Towns transferred re- engages targets at the Yakima Training Center. sponsibility of 1-14 to CSM John Enstrom. (NTC) in a showcase of the Army’s YTC is providing us opportunities to capability to integrate Strykers with forge a new team--from SCO-to staff-to Armor. This required a Stryker Infantry scout--that will take us into 2019 and the Battalion to conduct an Emergency unknown adventures that lie ahead. Deployment Readiness Exercise alongside a Brigade from the 1st Infantry Division. As we approach the coming holidays Because this was the largest rotation to and a new year, we thank you for your occur at Ft. Irwin, we were called upon continuing support to our Regiment, the to provide mission command of guest Association and to us, and we wish each Observer Coach-Trainers and provide of you Seasons Greetings and Happy New two Reconnaissance Troops to be the Year. Warhorse! Opposition Force (OPFOR). Our Bronco COL Leo J. Wyszynski, 1-2 SBCT and Crazyhorse Troops honed their skills SUIVEZ MOI in both long-range dismounted operations commander, hands LTC Frank A. Hooker the colors of the 14th Cavalry Regiment Frank A. Hooker and close quarters battle in NTC’s urban during the 1-14 CAV change of command LTC, AR centers. ceremony on 28 Aug 2018. Commanding

Volume 18 Number 4 CHARGE! Page 3 2nd Squadron “Rattlesnake” SITREP

Greetings from the Rattlesnake Squad- onward movement and integration opera- reconnaissance for the brigade. Once the ron! We’ve just returned from the Joint tions as the squadron’s main body began to enemy’s reconnaissance forces were iden- Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort deploy to JRTC. All equipment arrived by tified, the Troops entered into the counter- Polk, La., and are now setting the condi- Oct. 22. reconnaissance fight where they faced an tions for the next quarter of training. But The difference in this rotation, versus the enemy who employed hunter-killer teams first, here are the highlights of our activities last time the Squadron was at the JRTC, was with their T-80 tanks. since our last SITREP in which I reported that we and our Brigade went directly to the that we were moving toward wrapping up field vice first staging at a bivouac site to individual training and unit readiness tasks prepare for the about-to-come “war.” This in preparation for deployment to the JRTC. meant that we had the advantage of a three- We initiated our deployment opera- week versus 10 day rotation. tions on Sept. 4. Leaving the island for any training requires significant “muscle movement,” especially when the journey takes you across an expanse of the Pacific Ocean through the Panama Canal across the Gulf of Mexico to the port in Beaumont, Ace High Mortars Section Sergeant es- Texas. As a part of our preparations, Troops tablishes firing point as Troop maneuvers executed agriculture inspections, container towards reconnaissance objective. pack out, and vehicle maintenance and uploading. From Sept. 5 to 7 all vehicles Through perseverance, we established and equipment were taken to the harbor here Comanche Troop Soldiers maneuvered in new a screen, identified the enemy’s main in Oahu and loaded onto vessels bound for Razor vehicles during JRTC. body and provided early warning for our Texas. Overall, the JRTC experience was brigade. Throughout the remainder of the As the equipment moved toward that extraordinary. The Squadron was tested rotation, and during the brigade live fire destination, we executed individual and against a lethal enemy force known for its exercise, we were the eyes and ears for crew served weapons qualifications and capability to win the counter-reconnaissance the brigade, identifying enemy positions finalized personal readiness tasks to main- fight. During the training, we conducted and obstacles for its Infantry battalions. tain readiness throughout our rotation and both reconnaissance and security operations. to prepare for a Combined Arms Life Fire Exercise at Ft. Polk. The initial group of Soldiers departed here on Oct. 8 to set the conditions for the advanced party to receive our equipment at the Beaumont port. Rail was unavailable for forward movement of our equipment so Soldiers, who arrived on Oct.16, drove our vehicles Fort Polk. Bountyhunter Troops’ dismounted OP seizes That was also the date our Executive enemy BMP on key terrain and observes Officer, MAJ Pat Yun, and previous HHT water crossing. First Sergeant, 1SG Joe Daugherty, arrived in Columbus, Ga. to represent us at this Ace High Troop gunner scans his sector We stand ready to deploy, fight, and year’s Regimental Reunion. They presented while on a mounted observation point (OP) win in any theater of operations when a briefing at the Members’ Meeting and as part of the Troop screen. called. We will also take our lessons participated in the dedications of the 14th learned and re-train over the next couple Cavalry Regiment Gallery and the Memo- of months, following a dedicated month rial Monument. Both Soldiers had a great long maintenance stand-down of course. time and recommended that we continue Please enjoy a happy and healthy carrying on the great tradition of staying in holiday season and joyous New Year. Our contact with our association. Thank you all Soldiers will certainly appreciate the time for the hospitality! off to celebrate the Christmas season with What most members who met MAJ Yun their loved ones. When any of you come May not have appreciated was that he was to Oahu please drop in for a visit: we’d Dealer Troop LOGPAC initiates movement love to show you around. Rattlesnake! the lynchpin for the brigade’s port opera- from Field Trains Command Post to the tions and had just completed that phase of Squadron’s front line. SUIVEZ MOI! operations before attending the reunion. On Oct. 31, we crossed the line of Timothy N. Peterman After the reunion on Oct. 18 he returned departure moving stealthy along two LTC, IN to Fort Polk to direct reception, staging, separate avenues of approach performing Commanding

Page 4 CHARGE! Volume 18 Number 4 Reunion, Gallery, Monument continued from page 1

Members and guests hear martial music, including “Boots and Saddles,” the March of the 14th U.S. Cavalry, in Pattons’ Park before the dedication of our Regimental Memorial Monument on Oct. 18.

The 14th Cavalry Regiment Memorial Monument honors the heritage of our Regiment and the men and women who served, still serve, and will serve with it. (Note the personalized “bricks” in the lower left foreground. There is room for more. See www.14cav.org for the order form.)

After Frank Varljen briefly described the center panel and five surrounding guidons and pedestals, the yellow ribbons were cut and members rushed the monument. They admired the etched artwork, lingered as they read the inscribed and plaque-mounted his- tory of each era of the Regiment, remarked about the names and messages on the black granite “bricks,” and praised the donors whose names are on a bronze plaque.

At the Honors Banquet, BG Lesperance The Watering Hole was the place to be each talked about today’s Armor and Cavalry evening, especially after the banquet. Here forces. And he applauded our efforts to keep veterans Jim Pocock (left) and Rick Young, the Regiment’s past on the minds of today’s Executive Director of the National Armor Troopers and saluted the esprit de corps and Cavalry Heritage Foundation, share a among those in attendance. lesson-learned story with 1SG Daugherty. Bring on the chow.

Volume 18 Number 4 CHARGE! Page 5 The 14th Cavalry Association 3009 Larkspur Run Williamsburg, VA 23185-3766

www.14cav.org www.14thcavsupplyroom.com

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