4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment completes Iraq tour

Photo By Spc. Jasmine Walthall | The color guard stands proudly at a transfer of responsibility ceremony at Baghdad...... read more read more

Photo By Spc. Jasmine Walthall | The color guard stands proudly at a transfer of responsibility ceremony at Baghdad International Airport Jan. 20.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

01.22.2009

Story by Capt. Katherine Zyla 

Multi-National Division-Central

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By Capt. Katherine Zyla
Multi-National Division – Center

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq – The 4th Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment relinquished command to 1st Battalion, 4th Attack Reconnaissance Bn. in a transfer of authority ceremony at Baghdad International Airport Jan. 20.

The regiment completed its 15 month deployment and will return home to Fort Hood, Texas, after flying more than 34,000 hours and supporting two divisions' operational environments.

"The exemplary air-ground integration within both divisional operational environments led to exceptional results," said Maj. Lance Van Zandt, 4-3 Armd. Cav. Regt. executive officer. "The squadron produced unmatched battle damage assessment, utility and Unmanned Aerial System support as well as provided a variety of logistics throughout its time in Iraq."

The Longknife Regiment has approximately 750 Soldiers and is the largest aviation battalion sized element in the Army and the only heavy air cavalry squadron. They supported both Multi-National Division – Baghdad and MND-Center during their deployment.

While serving in MND-B, Longknife played a significant role during the increase in extremist violence that plagued Sadr City from March to June 2008.

"Our most defining moment during the deployment was our Sadr City mission," said Capt. Matt Frombach, assistant operations officer and an Apache helicopter pilot.

The regiment conducted more than 150 successful engagements of insurgent forces and flew more than 3,800 hours, making Longknife the first battalion-sized Apache unit to fly more than 3,000 hours in a single month.

"This increase in mission support and flight hours during the 'Battle of Sadr City' was only possible because of the incredible efforts performed by the entire unit," said Van Zandt. "Meeting the demands of this extremely high operational tempo required every member of the Longknife team."

The unit is unique in that it has a UH-60 Black Hawk troop and the ability to support itself from an aircraft maintenance perspective. The unit is equipped with aviation intermediate maintenance capability, which includes extensive and time consuming maintenance, and an aviation unit maintenance capability, both allow 4-3 Armd. Cav. Regt. to be self-sufficient.

"Our maintainers provide combat power; they ensure we have safe, flyable aircraft," said Frombach. "We put a lot of faith in these young Soldiers, and they totally came through for us," he added.

"We have filled all mission requirements, normally performed by a combat aviation brigade, which is twice our size," said Frombach, a Bay Village, Ohio, native, "Our pilots fly more and aircraft maintainers work longer hours."

After eight months in theater, 4-3 began supporting MND-C operations. Longknife provided the same Aerial Weapons Team, Command Aviation Company and logistical support it did within MND-B. However, 4-3 Armd. Cav. Regt. also assumed operational control of MND-C's Unmanned Aerial System unit.

"The area is not as dense, being out of the urban environment allowed us to fly over different terrain," said Frombach. "It was a nice change of pace. We were able to see part of the countryside and develop relationships with our new brigade headquarters and [brigade combat teams]."

Completing three intra-theater moves and maintaining a high operational tempo throughout the entire deployment, 4-3 Armd. Cav. Regt. Soldiers' morale remained high.

"The Soldiers understand why we are here and working with people of such a high caliber, who are the epitome of excellence and duty, has made this a good deployment," said 1st Sgt. Richard M. Bonney, Quicksilver Troop senior enlisted advisor and a Ranger, Texas, native.

As Longknife redeploys, 1-4 Attack Recon. Bn. assumes the reins and is assigned to Task Force 449 Aviation Brigade.

"[They are] definitely prepared to take on the mission here; they are already doing it," said Frombach. "They have been here eight months and similar to us, they probably look forward to seeing something different."

"Many of our junior pilots have gained a tremendous amount of experience and will return home and become instructor and maintenance test pilots," he said.

He added they are ready to go and share their deployment experiences and help continue to further Army aviation.