-
Difficulty:
-
-
Terrain:
-
Size: 
(regular)
Please note Use of geocaching.com services is subject to the terms and conditions
in our disclaimer.
A memorial cache for the Troopers of Troop E, 16rd CAV, Montana Army National Guard near a historical site tied to the history of the military in Montana.
This cache was placed on Memorial Day, 2008 for the troopers of Troop E 163d CAV, Montana Army National Guard.
Cache info first. It is placed near a historical site that was a training area for the Montana National Guard. There is no need to cross the fence, and parking is only a short distance away at a couple of turnouts to gates. This could be done as a "drive by caching", but please take the time to read the historical sign if you can.
The cache itself is a typical ammo can, camouflagued in "a typical military manner." There is a special FTF gift, along with some other goodies (11th ACR shoulder sleeve insignia that has been to Iraq and back, a small compass, some Parachute cord, a Write in the Rain notebook and a Grid Template for reading military maps.) There is also a photo album placed in the cache. If you have the time, please peruse the photos too.
A Quick History of Troop E 163D CAV - In 1999 Montana stood up Troop E, 163d Cavalry, as a integral part of the NTC Opposing Force (OPFOR) 11th Armored Cavalry "Black Horse" Regiment. At that time The 11th ACR was was serving as the (OPFOR) for the Army, Marine, and National Guard task forces, and foreign military forces that train at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin CA. The OPFOR trained America's armed forces in mechanized desert warfare, and following a Soviet Era style threat until June 2002, when the OPFOR and the 11th ACR changed to portraying a modern urban/ asymmetrical warfare style of combat the soldiers are currently being faced with in operations abroad.
Nicknamed “Crazyhorse”, Troop E was organized as a Heavy Cavalry Troop. The heavy cavalry troop consists of 6 officers and 126 enlisted soldiers. The troop is organized into a headquarters section, two scout platoons, two tank platoons, a mortar section, and a maintenance section Troop E was the only true heavy Troop the 11th ACR had – and in fact was one of only 5 Cavalry troops in the US army during the time they were in existence.
The Crazyhorse Troopers had a two-fold mission. The standard US Army mission and the OPFOR mission. The unit was highly trained at both, and received many awards for the abilities on both missions. Along with that, as National Guard soldiers, they also responded to State emergencies and were awarded state campaign ribbons for duties on Forest Fires in 2000 and 2003.
In July of 2004, the Troop was Federally Activated for Operation Iraqi Freedom III. The Solders of Troop E spent 6 months training at Ft.Bliss, Tx and Fort Polk, LA., then almost a year in Iraq. They were in Baqubah for the first free Iraqi elections, then were moved north to the city of Kirkuk.
As a unit, every soldier was awarded either the Combat Infantry Badge or the Combat Action Badge. 4 Bronze Stars, 3 Purple Hearts and 17 Army Achievement medals have been awarded so far, but some awards are still being processed.
I would love to say that we all made it home, but one Trooper, Sgt. Travis M. Arndt, made the ultimate sacrifice for his friends and fellow troopers. We honor his memory and sacrifice.
Shortly after returning home, we also lost another soldier to the trial of PTSD. Spc. Christopher Dana, in my opinion, was also a soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Shortly after retuning in October of 2005, Troop E was reorganized. The soldiers are now scattered among other units, or many have retired or moved on from military duty. I feel that this was one of the most professional and knowledgable units I was ever a part of.
To all the Crazyhorse troopers. – “ALLONS.”
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Ybatf fyrrirf naq tybirf znl or avpr sbe ergevrivat guvf bar.