1st Cavalry Division (United States)
The division as a whole did not participate in the 2003 invasion of Iraq, but some units were active in the initial invasion [1]. The division in its entirety deployed to Iraq in January 2004, sending an initial detatchement of the 9th Cavalry Regiment in September 2003. The 1st Cavalry relieved the 1st Armored Division in Baghdad. Among its subordinate formations, it included Louisiana's 256th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas' 39th Infantry Brigade, and elements of Washington's 81st Armored Brigade during that rotation. After spending more than a year in Iraq, it redeployed back to the U.S. by April, 2005. It was relieved by the 3rd Infantry Division. During its deployment the division lost 168 soldiers in combat, while about 1,500 were wounded (out of a wartime complement of over 40,000 assigned & attached). While deployed the Division Artillery (DIVARTY) was organized as the 5th BCT. It contained HHB, DIVARTY; 1-7 CAV; 1-8 CAV; 1-21 FA; and the 515th FSB (Provisional).
Currently the division is organized with 4 ground maneuver brigade combat teams (BCTs), 1 Aviation Brigade, and the 15th Sustainment Brigade.
The Division assumed duties as the Headquarters, Multi-National Division - Baghdad on 15 November, 2006 and redeployed to Fort Hood in December 2007.
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Current organization
On 15 July, 2005 the 1st Cavalry Division transitioned to the Unit of Action modified table of organization and equipment (MTOE). No longer are brigade sized elements made up purely of armor and/or infantry battalions. Brigades are now composed of Combined Arms Teams (CAB), meaning that every maneuver battalion is identical in organization and makeup to any other maneuver battalion, excluding the brigade reconnaissance squadrons. Each maneuver battalion is now a mixture of infantry, armor, engineer, and miscellaneous support personnel. The U.S. Army maintains only one company-sized element of horse troops (the 1st Cavalry Division Horse Detachment, see below), although the U.S. Special Operations Command includes horseback riding soldiers in its operations.
U.S. 1st Cavalry Division consists of the following elements:
- Division Special Troops Battalion
- Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Cavalry Division
- Headquarters Service Company (Battalion HQ, maintenance, & support)
- Charlie Company (Signal)
- 1st Cavalry Division Band
- Horse Cavalry Detachment, 1st Cavalry Division
- 1st Brigade, "IRONHORSE"
- 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry (Recon), "Garryowen!"
- 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry, "Lancers"
- 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, "Stallions"
- 1st Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery, "Dragons"
- 115th Brigade Support Battalion, "Muleskinners"
- 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion "Centurions"
- 2nd Brigade, "Black Jack"
- 4th Squadron, 9th Cavalry (Recon) "Darkhorse"
- 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry, "Black Knights"
- 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry, "Mustangs"
- 3rd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillety, "Red Dragons"
- 15th Brigade Support Battalion "Gambler"
- 2nd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, "Spartans"
- 3rd Brigade, "Grey Wolf"
- 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry (Recon)
- 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, "Warhorse"
- 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry, "Chargers"
- 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillety, "Steel Dragons"
- 215th Brigade Support Battalion
- 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, "Gladiators"
- 4th Brigade, "Long Knife", reflagged from 4th Brigade, 4th Infantry Division on 7 March, 2008.
- 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry (Recon) "Head Hunters"
- 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry, "Ghost"
- 2nd Battalion, 12th Cavalry, "Thunderhorse"
- 5th Battalion, 82nd Field Artillety, "Black Dragons"
- 27th Brigade Support Battalion, "Rough Riders"
- 4th Brigade Special Troops Battalion, "Vigilant"
- 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, "Warrior"[2]
- 1st Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment, "First Attack"
- 2nd Battalion, 227th Aviation Regiment
- 3rd Battalion, 227th Aviation
- 4th Battalion, 227th Aviation
- 615th Aviation Support Battalion, "Cold Steel"
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Aviation Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division Brigade
[3] Reorganized and Redesignated on 16 April 1984 as the Aviation Brigade, 1st Cavalry became provisional 16 April 1984, with the first commander being Colonel Robert. A. Goodbary. The Aviation Brigade was born out of the Division 86 concept of a Combat Aviation Brigade, Air Attack (CBAA), activated 1 September 1984, a unit designed with the expressed task of exploiting the speed, mobility, and lethality of the helicopter, which Army Aviation offers the newest member of the Combined Arms Team. Note: Although the brigade has been referred to as the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade, the U.S. Army Center of Military History states that divisional aviation brigades are not numbered. The only exception is in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), a helicopter-landed unit with two aviation brigades (101st and 159th).
The Aviation Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division was the first CAB in a heavy division. The brigade was formed from the remnants of the 1st Cavalry Division’s former 11th Aviation Group — specifically the 227th Aviation Battalion, the 228th Attack Helicopter Battalion, and the Division’s reconnaissance squadron, the 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry. These two aviation battalions combined with 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry to give the CAB support, attack, scout, and observation capabilities. Having such versatile units provides the Brigade with a unique, potent fighting capability.
The unique mission of this brigade has made it a principal member of the Combined Arms Team, adding new dimensions for dramatic enhancement of the fighting power of the division. Added mobility enables the Combat Aviation Brigade to fight in more than one direction, at the same time performing multiple missions such as screening, rear area combat operations, and in support of other brigades. While the brigade has the ability to perform as a maneuver unit, it is also well suited to provide direct support to engaged units.
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Commanders[5]
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References
- ^ The Horse Cavalry Detachment
- ^ The Bug-Out Ballad
- ^ "Loss" of Colors
- ^ Loss of Colors
- ^ Former Commanders
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External links
- 1st Cavalry Division Home Page - official site.
- GlobalSecurity.org: 1st Cavalry Division
- 1st Cavalry Division Association
- 1st Cavalry Division at the Institute of Heraldry
- 1st Cavalry Division Lineage & Honors at the US Center of Military History
- An Khe, Vietnam - Films of the 1st Cavalry (Air Mobile) at An Khe, Vietnam, filmed between December 1965 and January 1966. Films were done as part of a briefing for the Army leadership.
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