4:11th Armored Cavalry

• Origins: The 4th Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (4/11th ACR) was activated in 1969 during the Vietnam War, as an expansion of the original 11th ACR "Blackhorse" Regiment. • Vietnam War Service: The 4/11th ACR operated primarily in the III Corps Tactical Zone, conducting reconnaissance, security, and offensive operations. • Nickname: Like the rest of the 11th ACR, the 4th Squadron shares the famous "Blackhorse" nickname, symbolized by the iconic black horse insignia. • Combined Arms: The squadron fielded a mix of M113 armored personnel carriers, M551 Sheridan light tanks, and later M48 Patton tanks, allowing for versatile mission capability. • Firebase and Firebase Thunder: 4/11th ACR was involved in significant actions around Firebase Thunder in 1970, defending against North Vietnamese Army assaults. • “Thunder Run” Missions: The squadron was known for aggressive "Thunder Run" armored sweeps through enemy territory, disrupting Viet Cong and NVA operations. • Decorations: Units of the 4/11th ACR earned multiple Presidential Unit Citations and Valorous Unit Awards for extraordinary heroism in combat. • Vietnamization and Drawdown: 4/11th ACR played a key role in the "Vietnamization" strategy, training South Vietnamese forces before the squadron was redeployed in early 1972. • Reactivation in Germany: After Vietnam, the 4th Squadron was reactivated in Germany during the Cold War, serving as part of NATO’s front line against Warsaw Pact forces. • Legacy: The traditions and lineage of 4/11th ACR are preserved within the modern 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, currently stationed at Fort Irwin, California, as the U.S. Army’s premier Opposing Force (OPFOR) training unit.