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.