3rd Squadron - 17th Cavalry Regiment
"Light Horse"
On order, the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry will deploy worldwide and provide security and reconnaissance operations in support of the 10th Mountain Division (LI).
The 17th Cavalry Regiment was constituted on July 1, 1916 at Fort Bliss, Texas. The Regiment remained in the United States during World War I and was inactivated in 1921.
The Regiment was reactivated and redesignated as the 7th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) and participated in the breakout from Normandy in 1944. After World War II, the Squadron was redesignated as the 17th Armored Cavalry Group and inactivated in 1959.
The 3rd Squadron 17th Cavalry was activated on 15 February, 1963 as part of the 11th Air Assault Division (Test) and took part in the initial training of air assault/ air mobility tactics and operations.
The Squadron deployed to Vietnam in 1967 and was assigned to the 12th Aviation Group. It was cited for action during the initial stages of the Tet Offensive. In 1970 the Squadron was cited for its performance during the invasion of Cambodia. The Squadron redeployed to the United States in April 1972 and was inactivated.
The squadron was reactivated in June 1988 as the Cavalry Squadron of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Griffis AFB. Following a move to Fort Drum's Wheeler Sack Army Airfield, the Squadron deployed to Florida as part of the relief efforts following the disastrous Hurricane Andrew in 1992. A few months later, the Squadron deployed to Eastern Africa as part of Operation "Restore Hope". There, the Squadron conducted reconnaissance and security operations to assist in restoring order to famine stricken Somalia.
The Squadron supported Operation "Uphold Democracy" in Haiti by deploying Alpha Troop to perform security operations for the Brigade Headquarters and performing duties as the Brigade Rear Headquarters during the deployment.
The 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment is comprised of 5 Troops: one headquarters troop, one ground reconnaissance troop, two air reconnaissance troops, and one aircraft maintenance troop.
- Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (Redhorse) provides communication, medical, ground maintenance, logistical support and command and control for A, B, C and D Troops.
- A Troop (Silver Spurs) operates highly mobile military wheeled vehicle (HMMWV) equipped with anti-tank / anti-personnel weapons systems to provide ground security and reconnaissance for the Squadron and Division.
- B (Blackjack) and C (Crazyhorse) Troops operates OH-58D Kiowa Warriors equipped with a variety of weapons and surveillance systems to provide air security and reconnaissance for the Squadron and Division.
- D Troop (Blue Tigers) provides safe, fully-mission capable maintenance operations on OH-58D Kiowa Warrior aircrafts; to include airframe, armament, avionics, and electrical systems; downed aircraft recovery and repair; and technical supply operations.
- E Troop (Sabre) deploys worldwide to conduct ground sustainment operations in support the squadron or Task Force during combat operations.
Fort Drum bid farewell in November 2003 to 3rd Squadron, 17th Calvary Regiment Soldiers who deployed to Iraq for a one-year rotation.
In early 2004 the newly formed Task Force Olympia (TFO) Scout Platoon of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 10th Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, played a critical role in providing reconnaissance for TFO. The scouts provide route reconnaissance and ground support for air reconnaissance. They also conduct counter-mortar missions and function as an early warning security system for the ground infantry. The Army's "trained and ready" motto is exemplified by the Task Force Scout Platoon. Nightly, these Soldiers rehearse battle drills.
They understand these drills will increase their ability to save each other's lives. The squad leaders teach the classes, ranging from weapon skills to land navigation, under the careful supervision of the platoon sergeant. The platoon's first exercise as a Task Force Scout Platoon was to reconnoiter a route and set up site security for an Iraqi detainment camp. The site selected for the camp was in an area that had been harboring Iraqi fugitives, and coalition forces were developing a plan to detain them. The Scout Platoon conducted route reconnaissance with tactical vehicles and night vision goggles to survey the area and identify a route that could be easily navigated by larger vehicles.
