Regimental Support Squadron
"Packhorse"

The "Packhorse" Support Squadron is made up of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, S&T Troop, Maintenance Troop, the 511th Military Intelligence Company "Guardians of the Blackhorse", and the 58th Engineer Company "Red Devils". The HQ and HQ Troop provides command and control administration, billeting, supply functions and maintenance support to the squadron headquarters. Additionally, the troop is responsible for the management, administration and operation of two garrison dining facilites and one field dining facility. The Supply and Transportation Troop provides bulk fuel, water, construction supplies, ice, rations and transportation to regimental units. Additionally, the S&T Troop supports rotations with augmentee vehicles and construction materiel. The Maintenance Troop provides direct support maintenance in both the field and garrison. The troop maintains a Class IX, repair parts/supply warehouse for the regiment and also supports the combat squadrons with maintenance support teams for gunnery ranges.

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regimental Support Squadron facilitates training the force on the NTC battlefield by, (1) providing world class combat and combat service support to the 11th ACR combined arms opposing force, (2) conducting deployment, survivability and MOS sustainment training, and (3) providing for the spiritual, mental, and physical health of all Packhorse Troopers and their families.

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regimental Support Squadron, " Packhorse", was activated in Germany on 17 September 1985 to support the Blackhorse as it patrolled the East-West German border along the Fulda Gap. The nickname "Packhorse" is derived from the early days of the U.S. Cavalry, when soldiers went on campaigns accompanied by additional horses or mules, which carried all their essential supplies. Everything from food to gunpowder to horseshoes were transported in this manner.

On 9 November 1989, the East-West German border fell. By December 1991 the Soviet Union dissolved. The Squadron's six-year presence as the supporters of the "Eyes and Ears" of the U.S. Army along the Iron Curtain was over. In August 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, prompting the United States to respond.

On 16 May 1991, the Packhorse received orders to deploy to Kuwait to support the Regiment as it secured the country while it struggled to rebuild after the war. By October the Regiment had completed its mission and the Packhorse returned to Fulda. As the need for U.S. forces in Europe decreased the Packhorse was inactivated on 15 February 1994, followed by the Blackhorse on 15 March 1994.

Reactivated on 15 October 1994, the Packhorse once again has postured itself to provide world class logistical support to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment as it defends the sovereign land of Mother Krasnovia as the U.S. Army's Opposing Forces at the National Training Center.

Since its reactivation the Support Squadron's accomplishments are many. The Support Squadron has been the Forces Command (FORSCOM) winner of the Philip A. Connelly award for food service excellence. The Squadron placed 3rd in FORSCOM in the Department of the Army Supply Excellence competition and also was a major player in the Regiment's selection as the only Army unit in the Department of Defense Phoenix award for Maintenance Excellence for FY 1995, FY 1999 and FY 2000. Headquarters and Headquarters Troop was the winner of the Department of the Army Maintenance award for FY 1995 and FY 1996 in the intermediate Equipment Density Category, the only unit to do so in the 16-year history of the program. Maintenance Troop was recognized as the Salute Magazine Unit of the Year for 1995; this competition included units from all branches of the service. The 58th Engineer Company placed 4th in FORSCOM in the Department of the Army Maintenance Excellence Competition in Heavy Equipment Density Category in FY 1995, and were 3rd place winners in 1996 and 1997. The 511th Military Intelligence Company placed 3rd in FORSCOM in the separate Company category of the Army Supply Excellence Competition and was the Starry Award winner for being the best company in the Regiment during 2000.