1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment
On 15 September, 2000, at 0930 hours, the 1st Battalion, 32d Armored Regiment was officially deactivated from military service during a ceremony on Watkins Field, Fort Lewis, WA. 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment was activated at Fort Lewis, Washington on Friday 15 September 2000. It is a reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition (RSTA) squadron composed of three reconnaissance troops and a surveillance troop. The reconnaissance troops have three recon platoons and a mortar section. The surveillance troop includes a UAV (drone) platoon, an NBC recon platoon and a number of other sensor systems. The new squadron is part of the Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) that has been formed at Fort Lewis in a move to produce a more deployable force.
The transformation calls for the trade-in of Bradley fighting vehicles and M-1A1 Abrams main battle tanks for a lighter, more mobile system capable of being loaded on a C-130 "Hercules" airplane. The Army plans to equip the BCTs include the Interim Armored Vehicle which will be comprised of two classes of vehicle - the Mobile Gun System and the Infantry Carrier Vehicle. The Infantry Carrier Vehicle will be the center of gravity for the Initial Brigade Combat Teams. The Infantry Carrier Vehicles will be able to carry a squad of nine soldiers and their gear. They will also be accompanied by another vehicle, the Mobile Gun System.
