ABOUT 2nd:11th armored cav.hhc scout contact team
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- Unit Origins: The 2nd Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (2/11 ACR) is part of the legendary "Blackhorse Regiment," which was first activated in 1901 and has served in numerous conflicts worldwide.
- Vietnam War Service: During the Vietnam War, the 2nd Squadron conducted extensive reconnaissance, security, and combat operations, often serving as the spearhead for large-scale assaults.
- Scout Platoon Role: The Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) Scout Contact Team specialized in forward reconnaissance, gathering critical intelligence, and establishing first contact with enemy forces.
- Operation Junction City: In 1967, the 2/11 ACR participated in Operation Junction City, the largest airborne operation of the war, disrupting Viet Cong strongholds in War Zone C.
- Blackhorse Patch: The distinctive Blackhorse insignia symbolizes the unit’s mobility and fighting spirit, recognized across the U.S. Army and allied forces.
- Cold War Defender: After Vietnam, the 2/11 ACR was stationed in Germany, patrolling the Fulda Gap as NATO's first line of defense against potential Soviet invasion.
- Scout Vehicles: The Scout Contact Team operated iconic armored vehicles such as the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier and, later, the M3 Bradley Cavalry Fighting Vehicle.
- Desert Storm Deployment: Elements of the 2/11 ACR took part in Operation Desert Storm, performing reconnaissance and screening missions during the coalition’s rapid advance.
- Training at Fort Irwin: Today, the 2/11 ACR serves as the Opposing Force (OPFOR) at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, providing realistic training for U.S. Army units.
- Legendary Leadership: The unit has produced notable military leaders, including General Donn A. Starry, who later became Commander of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).