From the 70th Colonel of the Regiment

Colonel Timothy J. Ferguson
3rd
Quarter, 2024

 

ALLONS! To the Blackhorse Troopers of the 11th ACVVC, I wanted to take this opportunity to say thank you for such an amazing two years as the Regimental Commander. You and all the veterans of the Blackhorse are the reason this unit is so very special. As I send this note, I have completed a change of command with the 71st Colonel of the Regiment, COL Kevin T. Black. COL Black is no stranger to our unit as he previously served in the ranks.

The last several months of command were very busy as the Regiment executed multiple rotations against units across the Army and as you would expect – the Regiment never failed in battle. Each of the Squadrons executed a variety of other training as well to continue preparing Troopers for war. Additionally, they executed Spur Rides, Squadron Balls, Expert Infantryman, Soldier, and Field Medical Badge training, and ranges of multiple types.

In May, the National Training Center executed Desert Warrior Week, which is several days of sports and other competitions, in which the Regiment did very well. 2/11 “Eaglehorse” brought home the Commanding General’s Trophy for a second consecutive year. Also, on the competition front, Blackhorse sent teams to a variety of Army competitions, from Best Ranger, International Sniper, Best Mortar, Lacerda Cup (Army Combatives), and the Sullivan Cup. Our Sullivan Cup crew, with only about 3 months of dedicated train-up, placed 4th overall in the Army, for top tank crew...quite the accomplishment and they definitely represented the Regiment and all of you exceptionally well at Fort Moore, GA.

The Horse Detachment continued its run of success at the Regional Competitions in Texas and prepares for the upcoming National Cavalry Competition in the Fall. They will be pursuing a sixth straight title and Pulaski Trophy as the top Cavalry unit.

This past 24 months has without a doubt been the most professionally and personally rewarding of my career. One of my fondest memories will be my wife, Alex, and I being able to attend the reunion in Grand Rapids and getting to interact with so many of you. The Regiment honored Glenn Snodgrass by dedicating the conference room in Starry Hall (the current Regimental HQ) to him and the RCSM, CSM Chris Shaiko, myself, and the NCO and Trooper of the Year, traveled to Bastrop, LA to honor the 49th RCO, John Sherman Crow, at his funeral service by presenting the Regimental colors there.

The Regiment is on a well-deserved and much needed block leave. As I mentioned earlier, we completed the changes of command of all three Squadrons and the Regiment, so the new team is ready to go with Rotation 24-09 in July against 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Your Regiment continues to serve as the measuring stick for the Army to assess formation’s combat readiness. It is a very exciting time here in ​the high desert of California. This will be another busy year of rotations and training and if you ever make it out to the desert – please come by and see the current Troopers in action. You will be proud. You are our legacy, we are the present, and we each look fondly toward the future of our Regiment and continuing to serve our nation.

This has been an amazing ride and I consider you my family now. I wish you good health and much luck moving forward and hope to see you again soon. I am proud and honored to be now and forever - a BLACKHORSE TROOPER!

FIND THE BASTARDS AND PILE ON!
DEATH RIDES A BLACKHORSE!

Allons!

Sincerely,

COL Timothy J. Ferguson, 70th RCO


 

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