Fort Irwin, Calif. -- Troopers of the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment participated in a Lucky 16 Gathering, following 3rd CR's training at the National Training Center, April 7, here.
The Lucky 16 is comprised of the three Cavalry Regiments in the active Army; the 2nd CR Dragoons, the 3rd CR Brave Rifles, and the 11th ACR Blackhorse. The number 16 is the sum of the identifying numbers of each unit. A Lucky 16 Gathering convenes each time at least two of the three units participate in corresponding missions while at the same location.
"The forming of the Lucky 16 was initially to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures because it was figured at that time that a young officer was likely to bounce between the different cavalry organizations during his career," said Col. John L. Ward, Commander of the 11th ACR. "They wanted to have some sort of standardization to reduce any overlap between the organizations. To me that's still very important. The basics of reconnaissance are still there. And an opportunity to get the people together, the organizations together, to share some of that background is a great thing."
At the event, leaders gathered to recount in the history of all three units and add to that history by signing a Charter that includes a proclamation that marked the commencement of the Lucky 16.
"I served as an enlisted Soldier during my time in the 2nd CR before becoming a commissioned officer," said 1st Lt. Walter Holmes, Executive Assistant for the 11th ACR. "Now that I am serving in the 11th ACR, it's good to see the Cavalry from the perspective of another unit to expand upon the heritage of it all."
Holmes said the April 7, Lucky 16 Gathering was a first for him and that what he enjoyed most about the event was the retelling of the history of all three units and the camaraderie and strengthening of bonds that comes with it.
To understand the significance of the Lucky 16, it is important to understand the history of how these units, particularly the 11th ACR, came to be.
In 1901, after congress moved to increase the size of the U.S. Cavalry, Col. Francis Moore, a seasoned combat veteran of the Civil and Spanish-American Wars, became responsible for activating the 11th Cavalry Regiment as the unit's first Commanding Officer. Moore started by bringing hardened non-commissioned Officers and Officers to the unit from other existing Cavalry Regiments such as the 2nd and 3rd Cavalry Regiment as well as the 11th Volunteer Cavalry.
"I have 400 men who have never seen a horse. I have 400 horses who have never seen a man. And I have 15 Officers who have never seen a man or a horse," said Moore, more than one-hundred years ago.
Over the next few decades, riding on horseback became a less viable means of war-fighting. Cavalry units were eventually deactivated, re-designated or outfitted with modernized equipment which dramatically changed their tactical nature. Despite modernizations, many traditions survived. Spurs, Stetson cowboy hats, sabers and the tactical terminology used in the old cavalry remain commonplace. For example, a Trooper would not simply ride in a tank rather; he would be mounted on his tank.
During the 1970s in Nuremberg Germany, the organization was ironically known as the Lucky 13; then only comprised of the 2nd and the 11th. By 1979, the 3rd joined the fold, evolving the organization into the Lucky 16. It became based more on tradition since by then, the missions of each Regiment, as well as their equipment, were different.
"I first came to know of the Lucky 16 while training at NTC while assigned to the 2nd ACR based out of Fort Polk, Louisiana," said Ward. "During that rotation we were able to combine the 11th, the 2nd; the 3rd ACR and interestingly enough, the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment from the Tennessee National Guard. So, at that time we had the four serving Cavalry Regiments within the United States Army. I was a young Major at that time and just in the gathering of those individuals left a lasting impression on me."
Today, the Dragoons, Brave Rifles, and the Blackhorse continue to play a vital role as some our Nation's deadliest modern war-fighters. The Dragoons and Brave Rifles are outfit with Stryker Armored Fighting Vehicles, designed for use in urban combat. The Blackhorse is outfit with a wide array of tracked vehicles, serving as the sparring partner for the rest of the Army. The 11th ACR also stand ready to deploy if called upon.
Social Sharing