1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment
Encyclopedia
The 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment
is a Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition squadron of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
(IBCT), Georgia Army National Guard
. 1st Squadron provides the 48th IBCT both mounted and dismounted reconnaissance capabilities. Prior to 2007, the unit was designated as the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment.
The 1st Battalion, 108th Armor deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina for Stabilization Force (SFOR) Rotation 9 to provide support operations for Task Force Eagle (United States contingent to United Nations Operations in support of Dayton Peace Accord). The SFOR9 rotation was scheduled from April to October 2001.
TF Roughrider suffered seven fatalities while deployed to Iraq:
As a part of the United States Army's ongoing transformation
to a lighter, more modular force the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor was re-designated as the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry (RSTA) in 2007. The unit traded in its M1 Abrams tanks and its M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles for up-armored HMMWVs. Most of the squadron's tank crewmen have reclassified to 19D cavalry scouts
or 11B infantrymen
.
In December 2007, the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
(IBCT) was alerted that it will be deployed to Afghanistan
in the summer of 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). In January 2009, the 1-108th began training for the expected year-long deployment. The unit was subsequently deployed to Afghanistan in April as Task Force Roughrider.
While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the 1-108th participated in training the Afghan Security Forces while conducting Counter Insurgency Operations throughout the country. In March 2010 the unit redeployed from Afghanistan and demobilized at Fort Stewart, GA. TF Roughrider suffered six fatalities while deployed to Afghanistan:
Organized 1 July 1959 from the following units to consist of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron and the 2d, 3d, and 4th Medium Tank Battalions, elements of the 48th Armored Division:
48th Reconnaissance Battalion (organized in 1902 at Jackson) as the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron
163d Tank Battalion (organized in 1924 at Calhoun) as the 2d Medium Tank Battalion
162d Tank Battalion (organized in 1882 at Macon) as the 3d Medium Tank Battalion
190th Tank Battalion (organized in 1889 at Macon) as the 4th Medium Tank Battalion
Reorganized 1 May 1962 to consist of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron and the 2d, 3d, and 4th Medium Tank Battalions, elements of the 48th Armored Division, and the 5th Medium Tank Battalion
Reorganized 16 April 1963 to consist of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th Battalions, elements of the 48th Armored Division
Reorganized 1 January 1968 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 30th Infantry Division
Reorganized 1 December 1973 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade
Withdrawn 1 June 1989 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System with Headquarters at Calhoun
Ordered into active Federal service 30 November 1990 at home stations; released
from active Federal service 27 March 1991 and reverted to state control
Ordered into active Federal service 6 December 2004 – 3 January 2005 at home stations; released from active Federal service 1 September – 1 October 2006 and reverted to state control
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 108th Armored Regiment
Consolidated 1 September 2007 with the 108th Cavalry Regiment (see ANNEX) and consolidated unit designated as the 108th Cavalry Regiment, to consist of the 1st Squadron, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 2d Squadron, an element of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Reorganized 1 September 2008 in the Georgia and Louisiana Army National Guard to consist of the 1st Squadron, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 2d Squadron, an element of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 3d Squadron
ANNEX
Constituted 2 September 1995 in the Georgia and Louisiana Army National Guard as the 108th Cavalry, a parent regiment under the United States Army Regimental System; concurrently organized from existing elements to consist of Troop A, an element of the 256th Infantry Brigade, and Troop E, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade
(Troop E ordered into active Federal service 6 December 2004 – 3 January 2005 at Griffin, Georgia)
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 108th Cavalry Regiment
Reorganized 1 September 2006 to consist of the 2d Squadron, an element of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Troop E, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade
(Troop E released from active Federal service 1 September – 1 October 2006 and reverted to state control)
108th Cavalry Regiment (United States)
The 108th Cavalry Regiment is a Regiment of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Louisiana Army National Guard respectively-Lineage:The 108th Cavalry was constituted June 1, 1921, assigned to the 23rd Cavalry Division, allotted to the National Guard of the States of Georgia and Louisiana, and...
is a Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition squadron of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)
The 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is a modular infantry brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard.One of the oldest units in US Army history, the lineage of the 48th Infantry Brigade can be traced back to 1825...
(IBCT), Georgia Army National Guard
Georgia Army National Guard
The Georgia Army National Guard is the Army National Guard component of the Georgia National Guard, administratively part of the Georgia Department of Defense. It consists of more than 11,100 Citizen-Soldiers training in more than 79 hometown armories and regional facilities across the state...
. 1st Squadron provides the 48th IBCT both mounted and dismounted reconnaissance capabilities. Prior to 2007, the unit was designated as the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor Regiment.
History
Desert Storm & Bosnia and Herzegovina
The 1st Battalion, 108th Armor mobilized for Desert Storm, but were not deployed in time to be able to participate in the war. After certifying at the National Training Center as combat-ready, they demobilized.The 1st Battalion, 108th Armor deployed to Bosnia and Herzegovina for Stabilization Force (SFOR) Rotation 9 to provide support operations for Task Force Eagle (United States contingent to United Nations Operations in support of Dayton Peace Accord). The SFOR9 rotation was scheduled from April to October 2001.
War on Terrorism
The 1st Battalion, 108th Armor mobilized as a component of the 48th Brigade Combat Team in 2004 for combat operations in support of the Global War on Terrorism. It was augmented with an additional Infantry company from Alabama and organized as Task Force (TF) Roughrider. In May 2005 the unit began deploying to Iraq as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and experienced some of the fiercest combat actions in the campaign. During the first half of the brigade's deployment (Spring 2005 through Spring 2006) to Iraq, the 1-108th spent much of its time conducting cordon and search operations, reconnaissance missions, and raids in Iraq's Triangle of Death region southwest of Baghdad. The unit's focus shifted during the second half of the deployment to a theater security mission primarily consisting of convoy escort and civilian military operations. On April 20, 2006, at Ft. Stewart, members of the 1-108th returned home after a year of combat operations in Iraq.TF Roughrider suffered seven fatalities while deployed to Iraq:
- SGT Paul A. Saylor (15 August 2005)
- SPC Joshua P. Dingler (15 August 2005)
- SGT Thomas J. Strickland (15 August 2005)
- SGT Michael J. Stokely (16 August 2005)
- SSG George R. Draughn, Jr. (01 September 2005)
- SFC Robert Hollar, Jr. (01 September 2005)
- 1SG Aaron D. Jagger (09 August 2006)
As a part of the United States Army's ongoing transformation
Transformation of the United States Army
Army Transformation describes the future-concept of the United States Army's plan of modernization. Transformation is a generalized term for the integration of new concepts, organizations, and technology within the armed forces of the United States....
to a lighter, more modular force the 1st Battalion, 108th Armor was re-designated as the 1st Squadron, 108th Cavalry (RSTA) in 2007. The unit traded in its M1 Abrams tanks and its M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles for up-armored HMMWVs. Most of the squadron's tank crewmen have reclassified to 19D cavalry scouts
Cavalry Scout
The Cavalry Scout is a job title and a reconnaissance specialist in the United States Army. Cavalry Scouts work to obtain, distribute and share vital combat and battlefield information on the enemy and on combat circumstances and environmental conditions. The role originated with the United States...
or 11B infantrymen
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
.
In December 2007, the Georgia National Guard's 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (United States)
The 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is a modular infantry brigade of the Georgia Army National Guard.One of the oldest units in US Army history, the lineage of the 48th Infantry Brigade can be traced back to 1825...
(IBCT) was alerted that it will be deployed to Afghanistan
Afghanistan
Afghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
in the summer of 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). In January 2009, the 1-108th began training for the expected year-long deployment. The unit was subsequently deployed to Afghanistan in April as Task Force Roughrider.
While deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, the 1-108th participated in training the Afghan Security Forces while conducting Counter Insurgency Operations throughout the country. In March 2010 the unit redeployed from Afghanistan and demobilized at Fort Stewart, GA. TF Roughrider suffered six fatalities while deployed to Afghanistan:
- MAJ Kevin M. Jenrette (04 June 2009)
- SGT Jeffrey W. Jordan (04 June 2009)
- SFC John C. Beale (04 June 2009)
- 1SG John D. Blair (20 June 2009)
- SGT Isaac L. Johnson, Jr. (06 July 2009)
- SGT Raymundo P. Morales (21 July 2009)
Leadership & Organization
| Commander | Years | Command Sergeant Major | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| LTC Horace Cleary | |||
| LTC Forrest McKelvey | |||
| LTC James P. Stephens | |||
| LTC Harold W. Carlisle | 1974 - 1977 | ||
| LTC William V. Wigley | 1977 - 1980 | ||
| LTC William A. Holland | 1980 - 1984 | CSM John T. Woods | |
| LTC Tommy Lewis | 1984 - 1986 | CSM Carl Shugart | |
| LTC William T. Thielemann | 1986 - 1988 | CSM John T. Woods | |
| LTC William D. Evans | 1988 - 1990 | CSM Roy Anderson | |
| LTC Allen D. O'Rouke | 1990 - 1993 | CSM Bernard Kenemer | |
| LTC C. Stewart Rodeheaver | 1993 - 1996 | CSM Billy Duncan | |
| LTC Donald W. Venn | 1996 - 1998 | CSM Marvin Thomas | 1995 - 2002 |
| LTC Kenneth C. Roberts | 1998 - 2002 | CSM David A. Knowles | 2002 - 2005 |
| LTC John F. King | 2002 - 2006 | CSM Grady A. Gayton | 2005 - 2006 |
| LTC Christopher Voso | 2006 - 2007 | CSM Joe M. Shubert | 2006 - 2008 |
| LTC Randall V. Simmons, Jr. | 2007 - 2010 | CSM Joseph E. Recker Jr. | 2008 - 2010 |
| LTC Matthew Saxton | 2010- Present | CSM John Scott Rainwater | 2010 - Present |
Organization
- Headquarters and Headquarters Troop (HHT), located in Calhoun, GA
- A Troop (Cavalry), located in Cedartown, GA
- B Troop (Cavalry), located in Canton, GA
- C Troop (Infantry), located in Dalton, GA
- D Company (FSC), 148th Brigade Support Battalion, located in Calhoun, GA (attached)
Lineage and Honors
Constituted 19 June 1959 in the Georgia Army National Guard as the 108th Armor, a parent regiment under the Combat Arms Regimental SystemOrganized 1 July 1959 from the following units to consist of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron and the 2d, 3d, and 4th Medium Tank Battalions, elements of the 48th Armored Division:
48th Reconnaissance Battalion (organized in 1902 at Jackson) as the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron
163d Tank Battalion (organized in 1924 at Calhoun) as the 2d Medium Tank Battalion
162d Tank Battalion (organized in 1882 at Macon) as the 3d Medium Tank Battalion
190th Tank Battalion (organized in 1889 at Macon) as the 4th Medium Tank Battalion
Reorganized 1 May 1962 to consist of the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron and the 2d, 3d, and 4th Medium Tank Battalions, elements of the 48th Armored Division, and the 5th Medium Tank Battalion
Reorganized 16 April 1963 to consist of the 1st, 2d, 3d, 4th, and 5th Battalions, elements of the 48th Armored Division
Reorganized 1 January 1968 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 30th Infantry Division
Reorganized 1 December 1973 to consist of the 1st Battalion, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade
Withdrawn 1 June 1989 from the Combat Arms Regimental System and reorganized under the United States Army Regimental System with Headquarters at Calhoun
Ordered into active Federal service 30 November 1990 at home stations; released
from active Federal service 27 March 1991 and reverted to state control
Ordered into active Federal service 6 December 2004 – 3 January 2005 at home stations; released from active Federal service 1 September – 1 October 2006 and reverted to state control
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 108th Armored Regiment
Consolidated 1 September 2007 with the 108th Cavalry Regiment (see ANNEX) and consolidated unit designated as the 108th Cavalry Regiment, to consist of the 1st Squadron, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team and the 2d Squadron, an element of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
Reorganized 1 September 2008 in the Georgia and Louisiana Army National Guard to consist of the 1st Squadron, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, the 2d Squadron, an element of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and the 3d Squadron
ANNEX
Constituted 2 September 1995 in the Georgia and Louisiana Army National Guard as the 108th Cavalry, a parent regiment under the United States Army Regimental System; concurrently organized from existing elements to consist of Troop A, an element of the 256th Infantry Brigade, and Troop E, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade
(Troop E ordered into active Federal service 6 December 2004 – 3 January 2005 at Griffin, Georgia)
Redesignated 1 October 2005 as the 108th Cavalry Regiment
Reorganized 1 September 2006 to consist of the 2d Squadron, an element of the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, and Troop E, an element of the 48th Infantry Brigade
(Troop E released from active Federal service 1 September – 1 October 2006 and reverted to state control)
Campaign Participation Credit
- World War IIWorld War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
- Guadalcanal
- New GuineaNew Guinea campaignThe New Guinea campaign was one of the major military campaigns of World War II.Before the war, the island of New Guinea was split between:...
- LeyteBattle of LeyteThe Battle of Leyte in the Pacific campaign of World War II was the invasion and conquest of the island of Leyte in the Philippines by American and Filipino guerrilla forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur, who fought against the Imperial Japanese Army in the Philippines led by...
- LuzonBattle of LuzonThe Battle of Luzon was a land battle fought as part of the Pacific Theater of Operations of World War II by the Allied forces of the U.S., its colony The Philippines, and Mexico against forces of the Empire of Japan. The battle resulted in a U.S. and Filipino victory...
- War on TerrorismWar on TerrorismThe War on Terror is a term commonly applied to an international military campaign led by the United States and the United Kingdom with the support of other North Atlantic Treaty Organisation as well as non-NATO countries...
- Campaigns to be determined
Awards & Decorations
| Ribbon | Award | Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
Meritorious Unit Commendation Meritorious Unit Commendation The Meritorious Unit Commendation is a mid-level unit award of the United States military which is awarded to any military command which displays exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, heroic deeds, or valorous actions.... |
2009–2010 | |
 |
Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines) Presidential Unit Citation (Philippines) The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is a decoration of the Republic of the Philippines which has been awarded to certain units of the United States military for actions both during and subsequent to the Second World War.... |
1944-1945 | Headquarters Company, streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945 |
See also
- 108th Cavalry Regiment108th Cavalry Regiment (United States)The 108th Cavalry Regiment is a Regiment of the Georgia Army National Guard and the Louisiana Army National Guard respectively-Lineage:The 108th Cavalry was constituted June 1, 1921, assigned to the 23rd Cavalry Division, allotted to the National Guard of the States of Georgia and Louisiana, and...
- Order of the SpurOrder of the SpurThe Order of the Spur is a Cavalry tradition within the United States Army. Soldiers serving with Cavalry units are inducted into the Order of the Spur after successfully completing a "Spur Ride" or for having served during combat as a member of a Cavalry unit...