DECORATIONS:

Presidential Unit Citation (Army), Streamer embroidered BOGHEM, GERMANY

French Croix de Guerre with Silver Star, Streamer embroidered NORMANDY

Cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgian Army for

action in the ARDENNES

Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1972

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THE STABLE CALL WAS USED TO SIGNAL CAVALRY SOLDIERS TO RETURN TO THEIR STABLES TO FEED AND GROOM THEIR MOUNTS.

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Current History:    

            October 1998:  The troop's commander, first sergeant, 2d platoon leader, 1^st platoon sergeant, supply sergeant, and communications NCO were identified and initiated development of the troop's training plan, METL, and reception of equipment plan.  The troop received the first of its equipment from 1 ID and USAREUR based units.

            November 1998:  The troop's XO and 1^st platoon leader were assigned to the troop.  The first 19D10s, cavalry scouts, began arriving from Ft. Knox, KY.  More equipment was received from units in USAREUR.

            December 1998:  The troop received 100% of its authorized skill level 10 troopers by the close of the month.  The troop had its first Family Support Group Meeting and made plans for the Christmas Party.  The troop held its own Christmas Party with donations given by family members.

            January 1999:  The troop received the final soldiers at the beginning of the month.  These were all NCOs, and the list included the 2d platoon sergeant.  The platoon leaders and four NCOs attended the Scout Platoon Leaders course at Ft. Knox, KY.  On 17 January 1999, the troop was officially activated in a ceremony where each of the battalion's Delta companies were deactivated.  The troop performed in first week long field problem at Grafenwoehr to teach 19D10s the basics of patrolling.  The troop executed its first small arms range to qualify all soldiers on the M16 and M9.  The troop also executed demolitions training.

            February 1999:  On 4 February 1999, the troop was notified to accelerate training for possible deployment to conduct peace operations in KOSOVO.  The troop conducted a week long training exercise in a local maneuver rights area to train section level dismounted patrolling and reconnaissance skills.  The troop executed light cavalry gunnery tables VI-X to qualify all crews with their MK 19s and M2s.  During the entire month, the troop worked extra hours to receive all necessary equipment to perform operations and train the individual CTT tasks required for deployment.  At the end of the month, the troop deployed to the Combat Maneuver Training Center in Hohenfels to train its METL.

            March 1999:  The troop completed training at CMTC during the second week of March.  The troop trained all platoon collective tasks and troop METL during the rotation, as well as took part in the Mission Rehearsal Exercise to prepare for the operations that would be executed if deployed to Kosovo.  One week after redeploying from CMTC, the troop executed and air EDRE.  The troop received 14 x M114 up armored HMMWVs to replace its M1025/1026s.  All equipment was packed in ISUs and the troop performed a seven hour roadmarch to the Deployment Processing Center (DPC) in Kaiserslaughtern, GE.  The troop was run through the entire process to ship all vehicles, personnel, and equipment by air over a three day period.  The equipment and vehicles remained at the DPC in case we had to rapidly deploy to KOSOVO.  On 21 March 1999, a NATO air campaign broke out to end Serb hostilities in the KOSOVO province.  On 27 March 1999 at 1630 hrs., the troop was alerted to deploy to Macedonia to provide force protection augmentation to 1-4 Cavalry at Camp Able Sentry in SKOPJE, MACEDONIA.  The troop loaded all equipment and vehicles on C17s for deployment but was diverted due to humanitarian assistance and another TF being deployed to Albania in support of the air campaign.

            APRIL 1999:  On 1 April 1999, the troop redeployed back to Vilseck without its equipment from the DPC.  During the second week of April, the brigade was notified to train for possible combat operations in KOSOVO.  The troop received all equipment back from the DPC and once again trained individual tasks and crew collective tasks to prepare for deployment.  The troop's XO, LT Dan Hubbard, was replaced by LT Bill White during this month.

            MAY 1999:  The troop executed another light cavalry gunnery, shooting tables VI-IX.  At the end of May, the troop deployed back to CMTC to conduct high intensity conflict training.

            JUNE 1999:  The troop completed its training at CMTC.  All mission essential tasks were trained during the rotation.  This was the first time in Germany, a Brigade Cavalry Troop performed HIC operations with a brigade.  The air war in KOSOVO ceased and Serbia pulled out of KOSOVO.  NATO forces moved into KOSOVO within 24 hours of the cease fire.  2d Brigade, 1^st ID was identified to deploy to KOSOVO as TF Falcon because their equipment was already loaded on trains to deploy to CMTC for their upcoming mission.  The troop stood down for recovery and refit for the rest of June.  At the end of June, the troop saw its first block leave time period.

            JULY 1999:  The troop completed block leave.  The troop was notified that we would replace E-4 CAV in KOSOVO as TF Falcon 1B in November or December 1999.  The troop immediately began training to sharpen its individual and crew level skills.  The troop executed a scout stakes training event that tested the enlisted soldiers knowledge of their 10 level skills.  The troop also executed gunnery skills testing in preparation for our gunnery in August.

Belgium Commando Course

     In July  1999, Troop F sent SSG Sean Krupsky, PFC Daniel Lebron, PV2 Richard Sutherland, and PV2 Brian Mcilvain to the Belgium Commando course. The course was held in Namar, Belgium and was designed to develop special skills such as rock climbing, river operations, and patrolling.  The first week started with rock climbing and rappelling. The average height of the climbing and rappelling was around 375 feet. 

     The  second week began with some rappelling but was mostly orientated toward escape and evasion (E & E) techniques.  The scouts led the way during the E & E part by beating all other soldiers on a 400 meter tunnel crawl, a 10 k  cross country run and river crossing.  After the E & E course, students set out on a 2 day land navigation course.  The week ended with soldiers enduring a 38kilometer (25 mile) ruck  march.  The last 2 days of the week were held at a national park where the soldiers began their night rappelling and climbing. 

     The 3^rd week saw Troop F soldiers conduct river crossing and boating operations.   Mid week,  the soldiers packed  their bags and moved to the area where the 1st  Infantry Division saw action during World War II's Battle of the Bulge.   For the next 4 days our Troopers completed an 86 kilometer (about 56 mile) ruck march and patroled through the night in some of the toughest terrain in Europe. While some of the soldiers slept during the day, others patroled to a link up point where they resupply.  On the final day, the scouts patroled until graduation the next morning.  Finally, upon the conclusion of the partol, the students carried 2 of their team mates  for 2 kilometers and completed the course.   

            AUGUST 1999:  The troop's XO, LT Bill White, was replaced during this month and LT Charles Nifong, 1^st Platoon Leader, assumed his position.   LT Andy Lanier was assigned as the 1^st Platoon Leader, and LT Doug McPheron was assigned to the troop to conduct training in preparation to relieve the 2d platoon leader, LT Edward Thompson, in February in KOSOVO.  The troop executed light cavalry gunnery, shooting tables I-X.  The troop also qualified all personnel on their personal weapons and conducted demolitions training.

            SEPTEMBER 1999:  The troop deployed to CMTC in late September to train both its reconnaissance tasks for combat operations and its peace support tasks that would be executed during the upcoming deployment to Kosovo. 

            OCTOBER 1999:  The troop redeployed from CMTC in early October and began preparations for the deployment of its equipment and personnel.  The majority of the month was spent packing equipment and spending time with families before the deployment.  The troop received 7 days leave prior to the deployment.

            NOVEMBER 1999:  The troop deployed from Germany on 16 November 1999 enroute to Kosovo.  The trip took the troop through the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Greece, and then into Kosovo.  The troop performed a relief in place with the 2d Brigade's Cavalry Troop (E-4 CAV).   F-4 CAV assumed responsibility on 26 November 1999 to conduct its assigned missions as part of KFOR 1B in the province of Kosovo.