About this Unit
**HWB 1/2 ACR** refers to the Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment (now known as the 2nd Cavalry Regiment). The 1/2 ACR has a storied lineage, tracing its roots back to the formation of the 2nd Dragoons in 1836. Throughout its history, HWB 1/2 ACR provided command and control for reconnaissance and security operations, seeing combat in major conflicts such as the Indian Wars, World War II, the Gulf War, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit is recognized for its adaptability, having transitioned from horse-mounted cavalry to armored vehicles and Strykers, playing a critical role in both European and Middle Eastern theaters. Today, its legacy continues as part of the U.S. Army’s premier cavalry regiment, maintaining readiness for rapid deployment and reconnaissance missions.
Historical Facts
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Origins of HWB 1/2 ACR: HWB stands for "Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment," a key command element within the storied 2nd ACR, originally established in 1836.
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Cold War Frontline Duty: During the Cold War, 1/2 ACR was stationed along the Iron Curtain in Germany, tasked with patrolling the border and monitoring Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces.
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"Dragoon" Heritage: The 2nd ACR is nicknamed "Dragoons," a reference to its origins as a mounted infantry regiment—soldiers who rode horses but fought on foot.
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Operation Desert Storm: In 1991, 1/2 ACR played a pivotal reconnaissance and screening role during the Gulf War, leading the VII Corps’ advance and engaging in the famous Battle of 73 Easting.
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Battle of 73 Easting: This is considered one of the last great tank battles of the 20th century. HWB 1/2 ACR supported the squadron as it destroyed Iraqi Republican Guard units in a fast-moving, sandstorm-shrouded fight.
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Multinational Peacekeeping: After the Cold War, elements of the 2nd ACR, including 1/2 ACR, were deployed as peacekeepers to Bosnia and Kosovo as part of NATO missions in the Balkans.
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Transformation to Strykers: In the 2000s, 2nd ACR transformed from a traditional armored cavalry regiment to a Stryker Brigade Combat Team, adopting the wheeled Stryker armored vehicle for greater mobility.
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Operation Iraqi Freedom: The regiment, including 1/2 ACR, deployed several times to Iraq, conducting reconnaissance, security, and counter-insurgency operations in challenging urban and rural environments.
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Distinctive Unit Insignia: The 2nd Cavalry Regiment’s insignia features a green and yellow shield with a sabre and dragoon’s head, symbolizing its cavalry lineage and fighting spirit.
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Modern Stationing: As of the 2020s, the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (now often referred to as 2CR) is based in Vilseck, Germany, supporting U.S. and NATO operations across Europe and maintaining readiness for rapid deployment.
