5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment News

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christopher S. Mahaffey, commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Tim Bolyard, senior enlisted advisor, of 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, stationed at Fort Stewart case their squadron colors Sep. 9 at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany, signifying the completion of a six month deployment in support of Atlantic Resolve. Operation Atlantic Resolve is a U.S. led effort in Eastern Europe that demonstrates U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and enduring peace and stability in the region.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke, 24 PCH

5-7 CAV, 1 ABCT, 3rd ID cases colors concluding Atlantic Resolve 2016
Staff Sgt. Micah VanDyke, 24 PCH
Friday, September 16, 2016

MANNHEIM, GERMANY – The second unit from 3rd Infantry Division’s 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team cased their colors signifying the end of their six-month deployment in Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve, a U.S. led effort in Eastern Europe that demonstrates the U.S. commitment to the collective security of NATO and enduring peace and stability in the region.

5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st ABCT, performed the ceremony at Coleman Barracks, Mannheim, Germany Sept. 9, 2016. Lieutenant General Ben Hodges, Commander of United States Army Europe, oversaw the ceremony.

The unit spent their deployment in Hungary, Poland and Germany. While there they executed a cavalry scout led combined training center rotation in Germany with minimal support from their parent BCT. During exercise Anakonda 16, 5-7 Cav. was able to improve their interoperability skills by leading Lithuanian and Croatian companies and working with a Polish brigade.

They continued working side-by-side with NATO allies while in Hungary.

“Hungarian infantry soldiers dismounted out of the back of our Bradley’s during a live fire exercise, while our squadron was fighting simultaneously; great to watch,” said Lt. Col. Christopher S. Mahaffey, commander of 5-7 Cav. “It was also great to watch the junior leaders interact.”

“I’ve got almost 20 years in, but these young lieutenants have 20 years left in them. So to have them make a relationship with a Croatian, Hungarian, Lithuanian, a Kosovar, and a Polish soldier and to have that carry on 10-15 years down the road when they’re Majors and Lieutenant Colonels – priceless,” he added.

The USAREUR commanding general congratulated the squadron and shared some insight on the importance of the deployment.

“If there ever is a crisis here in Europe, we won’t have five or six months to get ready for it, we’ll have 5 or 6 days,” said Lieutenant General Ben Hodges. “It’s not likely, but the best way to keep it unlikely is us always showing that we are ready and we can move fast from port to equipment to the field and getting into a crouched posture. That’s how we deter a crisis from ever happening.”

“I’m sure that the possible enemies of our country, they look at and see units like this squadron,” he said. “They say to themselves – it’s not worth it.”

The Warpaint cavalry scouts stood proud with their colors cased knowing that they and their allied partners became better trained and better able to be operate with NATO forces, allies and partners.

“We accomplished all of this with our partners and have made friends and built relationships with Kosovar, Polish, Lithuanian, Croatian, and Hungarian troopers that will last a lifetime,” concluded Mahaffey.

A U.S. Soldier of Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment provides security with a M240B machine gun while conducting a cordon and search scenario during exercise Combined Resolve VI at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, May 23, 2016.

Photo by Pfc. Malik Gibson, 5-7 Cav

5/7 Cav displays COMBINED RESOLVE
Pfc. Malik Gibson, 5-7 Cav
Tuesday, May 24, 2016

A U.S. Soldier of Alpha Company, 5th Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment provides security with a M240B machine gun while conducting a cordon and search scenario during exercise Combined Resolve VI at the U.S. Army’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, May 23, 2016. Exercise Combined Resolve VI is designed to exercise the U.S. Army’s regionally allocated force to the U.S. European Command area of responsibility with multinational training at all echelons. Approximately 570 participants from 5 NATO and European partner nations will participate. The exercise involves around 500 U.S. troops and 70 NATO and European partner nations. Combined Resolve VI is a preplanned exercise that does not fall under Operation Atlantic Resolve. This exercise will train participants to function together in a joint, multinational and integrated environment and train U.S. rotational forces to be more flexible, agile and to better operate alongside our NATO Allies.

Pvt. Artis Dudley, an M1064A3 ammo bearer of Apache Troop 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga., originally from Jackson Miss., “hangs” a 120mm round at the command of Spc. Rayce Blackford, an M1064A3 gunner, also of Apache Troop 5/7 Cav., originally from Bentonville, Ark., during a field training exercise in Bulgaria, Nov. 11, 2015.

Photo by Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin, 10th Press Camp

5/7 Cav presence heard in Bulgaria
Staff Sgt. Steven Colvin, 10th Press Camp

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Pvt. Artis Dudley, an M1064A3 ammo bearer of Apache Troop 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, stationed at Fort Stewart, Ga., originally from Jackson Miss., “hangs” a 120mm round at the command of Spc. Rayce Blackford, an M1064A3 gunner, also of Apache Troop 5/7 Cav., originally from Bentonville, Ark., during a field training exercise in Bulgaria, Nov. 11, 2015.

Garryowen leads the way during a recent football game. The Soldiers of 5th Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, play hard as they fight to continue their winning streak. The team plays at least one game a week across Ft. Stewarts fields.

Courtesy Photo

5/7 Cav catch last ball of season

Thursday, October 16, 2014

A Soldier assigned to Trp. A, 5/7 Cav. Regt., launches an AeroVironment RQ-11 Raven during decisive action at the NTC in Fort Irwin, Calif., Aug. 14

Photo by Sgt. Richard W. Jones Jr.

In the Box, 'Raiders' exercise scenarios at NTC
Sgt. Alexandra Shea
1st ABCT Public Affairs
Thursday, September 11, 2014

Fort Irwin, CA-Soldiers greeted a dry 95-degree morning at the National Training Center, better known as NTC. The Soldiers of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, had just completed 10 days of drawing vehicles, miles gear and additional equipment. They now make final adjustments as they prepared to embark on 14 days of intense training in "the box." For quite a few Soldiers, this would be their first experience at NTC and the Mohave Dessert.

"Drink water and lots of cardio before you go! The better in shape you are, the better you can handle it out there," said Sgt. Lenny Rickard of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 5th Squadron, 7th Calvary Regiment. "It's two of the best ways to prepare yourself for the heat."

The rotation's force-on-force scenario reads much like an action movie. The Soldiers of 1st ABCT deploy to a once whole country now divided into two factions: the Atropians and Denovians. The ABCT would support the Atropians and secure the boundaries of the boarder against the Denovians. The scenario is a true test of the Brigade's abilities and resources.

Prior to the culminating exercise scenario, the first six days of the rotation were dedicated to establishing tactical operation centers, situational training exercises, or STX lanes, and conducting live-fire ranges. The following eight days consisted of force-on-force action, in which the opposing forces, representing the Denovian forces, crossed the Atropian boarder. The 1st ABCT's mission is to assist the Atropian government to regain its national borders. The opposing forces simulated mortars, small arms fire and chemical warfare against the 1st ABCT Soldiers, who, in return, fought back with vigor and precision.

"I would say we were really successful; we really assisted the Brigade in winning the fight. We provided [more than] 1,300 rounds of 155mm artillery rounds. The performance of the Glory's Guns' Soldiers was outstanding," said Command Sgt. Maj. Bret A. Mellott of 1st Battalion, 41st Field Artillery, 1st ABCT.

The intense force-on-force action kept Soldiers focused and busy on their individual tasks and mission, despite the frequent 115 degree heat. The 1st ABCT emerged from the dessert successful and ready to return to loved ones at home station.

"The conditions are indeed tough but the reward is high. There is no place in the world that replicates what occurs at the National Training Center," said Col. Robert P. Ashe, brigade commander. "We are better as individuals and we are definitely better as an organization because of our time spent here."