During the year, Squadron strength fluctuated widely due to incoming RVN returnees and to ETS losses. Authorized strength was changed by General Order #315 effective 19 September 1968.

At the end of 1968, Squadron strength was as follows:

III.    OPERATIONAL ACTIVITIES

A.    Movement of A Troop to Vietnam

The training program of A Troop prior to shipment overseas is covered in detail in Section IV, Training Activities. The re-equipping of the Troop is explained in Section V, Logistic Activities.

The advance party of the 1st Brigade included most of A Troop, which consisted of 5 officers and 220 enlisted men. They departed from Peterson Field in C141 Aircraft on 1 July. The balance of the Troop departed during the period of 22-30 July.

The bulk of the equipment of A Troop was shipped by rail from Fort Carson to the Military Ocean Terminal, Bay Area (MOTBA), Oakland, California, then by ship to Da Nang, Vietnam.

B.    Activation of E Troop, 114th Cavalry, 69th Infantry Brigade

The Troop was ordered to active duty as of 13 May 1968 in a message received from DA dated 11 April 1968. The Troop remained at its home station for 10 days after its induction to accomplish administrative and logistic tasks. On 23 May the Troop arrived at Fort Carson. On 19 September 1968 the Troop was detached from the 69th Infantry Brigade and attached to 4th Squadron, 12th Cavalry, by General Order #274 dated 19 September 1968. The squadron had been involved in assisting the Troop in logistic preparations and training prior to this formal attachment.

C.    Operation GARDEN PLOT

The 4th Squadron, 12th Cavalry added as a filler unit to bring major GARDEN PLOT elements up to required strengths. In this capacity, Squadron elements participated in and conducted civil disturbance training, and were involved in the April deployment in connection with civil disturbances.


IV.    TRAINING ACTIVITIES

A.    Training Mission, Objectives, and Policies

The training mission of the 4th Squadron 12th Cavalry was to maintain a high level of combat readiness and to insure the successful accomplishment of assigned missions. Notable among assigned missions were individual and unit training, civil disturbance training, Troop A training, and Troop E, 114th Cavalry training.

In March, the 1st Brigade as given the commitment to train and prepare for deployment to Vietnam within 12 weeks, thus initiating the intensive training program for A Troop. The training commenced on 25 March 1968 and consisted of 8 weeks of Squadron training, followed by 4 weeks of Brigade level training.

Essentially, what was accomplished at the Squadron level was to take a 10 week Armored Cavalry Troop ATP, increase the RVN oriented areas, place considerable emphasis on live fire exercises, and complete the training in
an 8 week time period. Concurrently, the A Troop tankers were firing their annual Tank Gunner Qualification administered by the 4th Squadron, 12th Cavalry. The training an ability of A Troop proved so exceptional compared to the remainder of the Brigade, that he Brigade Commander chose them as the security force for his advance party. This can only be attributed to the aggressive spirit and cooperative effort of the men of A Troop, 4th Squadron, 12th Cavalry.

Training objectives were in line with accomplishment of assigned missions and in accordance with applicable training directives. These Squadron objectives included increasing individual and unit proficiency in all phases of combat operations to include CBR warfare and use of SOPIs. A continuing objective was that of proper presentation of mandatory subjects.

Training policies were based on a view toward the accomplishment of training objectives rather than the completion of a specified number of hours for each soldier. It was found that this approach greatly simplified structuring of training programs as well as providing adequate time for completion of mandatory training.

B.    Highlights of 1968's training were as follows:

V.    LOGISTICAL ACTIVITIES

A.    Equipping of A Troop, as far as the 4th Squadron, 12th Cavalry was concerned, simply involved a lateral transfer of property from the Squadron property book to A Troop, thus establishing a separate property book for them. From that point, (about 19 March 1968), until the Troop's deployment, A Troop re-equipped with the 1st Brigade. That r-equipping is covered in detail in the 5th Division Annual Historical Supplement for 1968.

B.    Upon notification of the arrival of E troop, 114th Cavalry, 69th Infantry Brigade, the Squadron began preparations for reception of the Troop. This preparation involved repairing barracks assigned to E Troop and drawing and setting up bunks, foot lockers, wall lockers and other fixtures. Several of the Squadron's Troops were required to move into smaller areas and into new barracks in order to accommodate E Troop. The remainder of the year was spent supporting E Troop as one of the Squadron's organic elements within limitations imposed by separate property books.

 

VI.    INSPECTIONS

The Annual General Inspection for 4th Squadron, 12th Cavalry was held during 5-10 February 1968. Results of the inspection were as follows:

Headquarters and Headquarters Troop - Excellent

A Troop - Excellent

B Troop - Satisfactory

C Troop - Satisfactory

D Troop - Excellent

Squadron overall rating - Excellent

The Squadron Command Maintenance Management Inspection was conducted on 6-10 September 1968. The Troop inspected was E, 114th Cavalry, and their rating was an overall SATISFACTORY.

One Troop underwent the Commanding Genera's Inspection on 19 October 1968. The Troop inspected was E Troop, 114th Cavalry, and their rating was an overall SATISFACTORY.

 
VII.    NON-TOE UNITS

A noteworthy element of the 4th Squadron, 12th Cavalry not shown on the TO&E is the Squadron Horse Platoon.

This ceremonial unit is composed of 21 enlisted men, a stable of 21 horses, and accompanying uniforms and equipment. The men wear blue Cavalry uniforms patterned after those worn during the first two years of the Squadron's history, at the turn of the Twentieth Century.

The following schedule shows selected activities in which the Horse Platoon participated during the last year:

January-June                Retirement Reviews at Fort Carson

March                          St. Patrick's Day Parade in Denver

June                           Ceremonial Parade in Pueblo

July                            Centennial Activities in Cheyenne, Wyoming

August                        Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo at Colorado Springs

August                        50th Anniversary of Fitzsimmons Hospital in Denver

October                       Mounted Aggressors on Field Training Exercise (FTX) at Fort Carson

December                    Christmas Youth Activities Program at Fort Carson

Source: Charles Cooper, A Troop, 4/12th Cavalry, 68-70

1976-1983

4th SQUADRON, 12th CAVALRY organization
(Armored Cavalry Squadron, TOE 17-105H)

Headquarters & Headquarters Troop (HHT)
"A" Armored Cavalry Troop
- Headquarters Section (1 M577A1, 1 M113A1)
- Maintenance Section (1 M113A1)
- 3 Mortar Squads (3 107mm mortars on M106A1)
- 3 Armored Cavalry Platoons
----- Platoon Headquarters (1 M113A1)
----- Tank Section (4 M60 tanks)
----- Scout Section (2 TOWs on M113A1)
"B" Armored Cavalry Troop
- (idem)
"C" Armored Cavalry Troop
- (idem)
"D" Air Cavalry Troop (TOE 17-58H)
- Troop Headquarters (1 OH-58A Kiowa)
- Mess Team
- Flight Operations Section
- Service Platoon (2 UH-1H)
- Aeroscout Platoon (9 OH-58A Kiowa)
- Reconnaissance Platoon (5 UH-1H)
- Aeroweapons Platoon (9 AH-1S Cobra attack Helicopters)
 

Source: Yves Bellanger