Gotta love the yanks and our relationship with them. Mutual respect and appreciation really has grown. No other two countries understand each other and work as well jointly as the British and US Military. Facts
I spent 3 years in the 11th ACR 1987-1990 on Downs Barracks in Fulda, Germany. We patrolled the E/W German border and were the eyes and ears of the V US Corps. Blackhorse Regiment was highly feared then and glad to see nothing has changed! BLACKHORSE!!!
I was a dependent in Bamberg Germany in the late 70’s to early 80’s while my dad was stationed there as an artillery officer. We had the 2/2 Cav (Toujours Pret) who were assigned the Hof border patrol. Those dudes were insane and routinely got into brawls with the German cabbies who were outside their garrison.
@@jackwalker9492 would you believe we had a few 82nd guys who reclassed after Grenada and came to the 11th? Loved every one of EM. Their "grunt knowledge" was one of my favorite things they brought with them. Can't teach those Kilos much tho 😂
I was OPFOR 11ACR in the mid 90s. UK were by far the most professional and humble rotations: understanding of purpose for rotation is not to "win," but to learn lessons and grow. Canadians generally had the wrong idea upon arrival. Quick learners though. Japanese at NTC or up in Yakima had a very odd unprofessional attitude. Indian Army at Yakima were terrific. Very serious and professional. Excellent artillery. Taught us lessons.
I remember doing a training rotation there over 20 years ago (DCX 2001), and it was an experience like no other. Training at the NTC is definitely a rite of passage, and I have the utmost respect for the members of the 11th ACR (Blackhorse). Allons!
I was there when Ft. Irwin opened as the NTC. I still remember when the first rotational unit came through to fight us. That was such a huge deal. I was always proud to be part of the 1/73rd Armor and OPFOR. I'm glad to see our tradition is being carried on by the 11th ACR.
I was there from 86 to 89 .. 1/73 armor also . I was going through opfor school when the space shuttle blew up.. wasn't much to do on base except the bowling alley... Let's not forget the fun bus rides to Barstow
Years ago, I remember reading one of the OPFOR (now the Blackhorse) saying "we fight like the Soviets should fight with this equipment." They can really make your life a living hell but commanders who want their units in prime condition try to get a training run there as often as possible.
@@elnesti1890 The Blackhorse trains (trained) with Soviet tactics, wore Soviet-ish uniforms, and had their vehicles mocked-up (modified) to look like Soviet vehicles and tanks.
@@savagewrld236 There are books about it, pictures, that sort of thing. Tom Clancy's nonfiction Into The Storm covered the early years of NTC, because of his co-author, General McCaffery, was one of the guys who set it up. NTC's realistic training was one of the lesser known things that let the US Army win during the Gulf War so easily.
My late Dad was in the 1KDG-1QDG from 1949-63. He would have been very proud. Despite also serving int he RAF Regiment and the Australian Army, if asked he always said his regiment was the QDG!
What a great article @Forcesnews!! I first read about Fort Irwin in Tom Clancy's book "Armored Cav" like *gulp* 25 years ago? and even then OPFOR was feared and respected everywhere for their ability find the "cracks in the armor" (bad pun) of any units they came in contact with. I love the Welsh captain's comment: [my troops] are having fun, and if they're having fun, they're learning.. So true.
This is amazing! I watched the episode from Luisiana a few months back. Glad u guys are making this series. Next episodes should be in Germany! Thanks again for the episode!
Thank you guys for showing us what you go through. Thanks for the opportunity to learn. I pray that everyone can see what is done for us by those who can and will. I may have been harsh and not understanding of everything as I have past seen but with time I am getting better at it. Thank everyone for what you do and we will continue to stand and argue for you at home as you do for all of us all over the world. God bless everyone thank you.
I was stationed at Ft Irwin from 1989 to 1992 , Had a great time with the OPFOR . This Video brought back lots of memories……. Seems like yesterday but it was more than 30 years ago , love the British Accent by the way ✅👍
More than a decade ago, the 3rd UK Div did an exercise at the Mission Command Training Program, (MCTP) formerly the Battle Command Training Program, (BCTP). It is an electronic, computer version of the JRTC. The 3rd UK division did OK, but, the General Officer Command, (GOC) was personally embarrassed because of his general ineptness. He was livid with the AAR process where the Trainer/Coaches highlighted his indecisiveness, his lack of understanding of basic concepts of warfighting, and his lack of knowledge of his systems capabilities. But, that is what the CTCs are all about.
When NTC opened, they were relieving commanders who lost the mock-engagements. After a bit, they took a deep breath and realized the point was to learn from mistakes and stopped doing that.
@@ianwatson194 I don't think that was his point. NTC and other similar training areas exist because "command post" exercises using paper maps (or computers, now) do not replicate the realism or prepare troops to face enemy troops as well as the close-to-real thing that NTC does.
Sounds like what is currently CPXF - command post exercise, functional. I did that some time ago and it was mostly using systems like the CPCE, receiving canned scenarios over radio to test HHCs SOP, and running briefings and commander update briefs with the other units to simulate reporting to the next higher headquarters. It doesn’t count among the CTCs though.
Whats the point of this post? even just the statement here is incorrect, and not the way a military person would list his mil history.. " i was with the Blackhorse in the 90's".. lol
Hats off to all the participants. Keep in mind things are stacked in one direction, you don't learn much by winning, but over coming dilemmas you gain much.
I was attached to the 11th ACR during my time in the army (1980-1983). I got to Fulda in 1981 and spent two years with them. Awesome unit with an incredible history. Blackhorse! Allons, Allons!
spent 84-86 at NTC with the OPFOR driving M-551 Sheridans with Bravo 1/73. pretty rustic back then, I got there the week the new barracks opened, later called Hanby Barracks for our brigade commander who died in a jeep accident on rotation in 86. Steel on Steel.
Dragons at War by Dan Bolger is a great book if you are interested in how this was conducted back in the early days ( 1980's ). Some folks have left comments that the NTC turned too much to counter-insurgency style training (for units going to Iraq and the 'Stan) and perhaps needs to go back a little to its roots for the possible next war. Bolgers book is a nice illustration of how that training used to be. Another excellent book set in the NTC is The Defense of Hill 781by James McDonough.
I never had the chance to go to ft Irwin and go to NTC I was with the 10th mountain and we went to JRTC instead at the beautiful ft Polk 😅 . The terrain in Cali is definitely a good readinesses training center seeing the marines also are out there in 29 palms . Somedays you miss it but it’s nice to be out unfortunately my time was cut after 6years after being medically retired but the 100% is a blessing now my mission is finish my degree stay high speed
10th mountain seldom gets the recognition it deserves, and that's coming from an old school 11th acr guy... back when they had a mission other than training other units.
@@SGobuck dude we deployed so much as grunts at 10th mountain I would have gotten out even if I didn’t get hurt and get medically retired. I had 3 deployments in 8 years.
Just left 2/11 ACR in Wildflecken Germany in 93 when I was assigned to 1st I.D. and got sent to NTC that November. Arrived in the heat and left in the cold. Allons!
Seeing the Mojave of NTC is bittersweet. I love that soldiers are getting down & dirty while being pushed to their limits there but I get flashbacks. 😆 My unit, 4th ID always went during the summer usually in July when it was at least 100 & could easily hit 115. Our Abrams tanks have a lot of electronics inside & no AC so it’s even worse in the turret & driver’s hole. I don’t know if it was malfunctioning but when I read the ammo temperature gauge to enter it into the ballistic computer it read 120. You couldn’t even pick up tools you left on the hull without them burning you hand. You cannot really explain the heat, discomfort, sleep deprivation or the funk emanating off of you after like 18 days in the box training - you have to experience it. Still I love seeing that troops are training hard there & stories covering NTC & the soldiers there are being made. Love seeing our allies especially our closest friends like the UK, Australia & Canada have a go in the Mojave desert training. It won’t be a shock to a lot of Aussies & Kiwis who have some brutal landscapes of their own but UK soldiers & Canadians have no real analogous type of terrain in their countries. I remember seeing a bunch of Aussies in the “shade” which is where we all stay for a week to prep for training before we go out into the desert (“the box”) for 2.5 weeks. You are uncomfortable & miserable the whole time but you feel good training out there because units regularly get to train at such a large scale where its brigade vs brigade level fighting where thousands of troops are involved. One of my unit’s mechanics had a terrible injury out there. My Abrams tank engine blew so we had to split it & repair it. We worked like 18 straights hours on it & then had to immediately join the fray. Anyway when we were reinstalling the power•pack or engine the engine got snagged on the hull. My mechanic tried hitting it in with his arm which got crushed between the hull & 2 ton engine. I had to call in a MEDEVAC & a Blackhawk came because the training area is that large. That should give a clue about the scale of the place & training. Thanks for showing this & hope the Welsh troops had a great time training & learning out in the Mojave. JRTC in Louisiana is not joke & hardcore too but the Mojave is a whole other animal. 11th Cav are total professional try-hards who like to beat you down. They know the terrain like the back of their hand & know every tactic & trick in the book. It’s humbling out there too. It’s like no other experience. Good stuff.🙂👍
Canada, being the largest country in the world has more than enough different types of terrain and climate, take Suffield to name but one, but Americans seem to know very little about the world outside of there own borders, and we British train all over the world in differing climates and terrain, not just in some US desert. We wrote the book on jungle warfare, infact we had to sort the Vietnamese out, because the French couldn't. And all this while juggling the greatest empire known to man, not bad for a bunch of tiny islands. See all the countries Great Briton has invaded, here on RUclips, you might enjoy it.
I was with 2/11 ACR in 70s in Bad Kissingen we walk the border.we were in the field 8 to 10 months a year At Camp Lt. Lee I do miss the guys And the 11th Eaglehorse Sir!
Thx für den Beitrag , danke an die Soldatinnen und Soldaten für den Dienst , nebenbei angemerkt , ich war in meiner Zeit als Soldat beim PzGrenBtl32 4 Wochen in Hohenfels , mein bestes Erlebnis und das beste Übungsgelände was ich in 8 Jahren Bund erlebte . Übersetzung/Translation Thx for the contribution, thanks to the soldiers for their service, by the way, I was in Hohenfels for 4 weeks during my time as a soldier with the PzGrenBtl32, my best experience and the best training area I experienced in 8 years of association.
Between NTC and JRTC, I’d rather be at NTC most days of the year. The river crossing is new, or at least I don’t remember that last time. They did move big boulders across some of the crossing into Death Valley, but that was more to force a head to head than to simulate anything as specific as a water crossing. I’m interested to see if any new doctrine comes of it. Just like Geronimo,Black Horse is intentionally handicapped by the scenario and the rules. They will absolutely crush a BCT that isn’t up to par, but the point isn’t to smear RTUs. The point is to teach them, test their TTPs, and certify them as being capable of deployment. You aren’t actually training if you’re just constantly beating them to death, which Black Horse certainly could on a more “level” playing field. Next year I’ll be at JPMRC Alaska, and I think I’ll have done all the CONUS CTCs at that point. I’m anticipating JPMRC to be my new least favorite.
It's an M113 APC hull outfitted with a Bradley turret and visual modifications to represent BMP-esque visual signature. They're exclusively used by the 11th ACR at Ft. Irwin as a training aide.
Great video. I love to see our allies at NTC. I've done some work as a contractor there a while back. I am an old soldier who trained for NTC in the 80s. There is a problem with the current mindset. NTC had to be revitalized recently for peer-to-peer combat. The current OPFOR mindset is far removed from the glory days in the 80s and 90s. The "peer-to-peer" part still suffers from too much emphasis on Counterinsurgency OIF/OEF stuff. The current generation of COLs, LTCs, MAJs, SGMs, MSGTs and SFCs are all combat vets from the last war and have no idea how to fight a peer competitor. Few of the currently serving combat Veterans ever experienced an artillery barrage, an attack from the air by fast movers or attack helicopters, an enemy armor assault, or spending hours in a MOPP suit waiting for an enemy attack. NTC is now too much like a football game instead of preparation for World War III. Which is needs to be.
I was in the 11ACR, W Germany 87-89, the 1st Cavalry, FT Hood multiple times in the early 80s, (before and after Korea). The 2nd ID, South Korea, 82-83. I wouldn't call one "elite", one over another.
Her !!!!!! Offs whats happened to my regiment and then followed by Lenny Kravitz it gets worse , ok only joking, but what a massive change from the regiment i joined in 1984
I spent 3 years (80-83) with the 2/11 ACR, Bad Kissingen West Germany (Daly Barracks). Blackhorse Regiment, Eaglehorse Squadron! ALLONS!!! Best job I ever had. Before that, when stationed at Ft Carson, I did 2 training tours at Ft Irwin. One with CSC 1/77 armor, 45 days there when coincidentally, was when the Iranians took the hostages Nov 1979. Then I was reassigned briefly with 4/64 air defense and was back at Ft Irwin (Feb 1980) for 30 straight days in the desert (no barracks). Now that sucked. We believed we were getting ready to go to Iran. I still have the taped together military maps of Ft Irwin. BTW... my first trip we took off in C-130's from downrange Ft Carson and landed at Bicycle lake Mohave desert. Returned in a C-141 from Edwards AFB to Peterson AFB Colorado Springs where we got to see how the Air Force eats. It was like a restaurant. 2nd trip we convoyed. 3 days, 2 nights with stopovers at National Guard armory's. One in Albuquerque New Mexico, the other at Flagstaff Arizona. That sucked too.
Yep. This brought back memories for me lol. Black horse isn't elite btw, they're just a training regiment. They just get by with not playing by Big Army rules. All them nights in the turn in yard doiing the great cannibalization...
I, for one, believe that women should not be permitted in the infantry and the cavalry. All that extra strength men have helps in lugging around all the heavy battle gear, in running faster and in carrying wounded soldiers.
as awful and controversial the Afghan and Iraq wars were, the experiences both good and bad, all the years lessons learned the hard way, are now saving lives before a single fire is shot
Enjoy Ft. Irwin because the 11th ACR will give you training value and fast paced training. The Mojave desert is very unforgiving either hot or cold. The place is hated by the rest of the US Army to include the guys stationed there.
Went to NTC back in Oct 86 withD Co 2/34 Armor 3rd Bde 4thID out of Ft Carson CO M60A3 19E one night I was doing Radio watch and saw an OPFOR "BMP" in the TC's thermal sight popped off the laser emitter and saw his whoopie light start flashing indicating a kill. I got "credit" for the "kill" even tho I was tank driver
The best part of the training at NTC is the night training. As we see in Ukraine, night Ops were not a mainstay in the Russian military. NATO armies need to exploit that. So I hope the Brits have the same mentality as many US troops have "We rule the night".
i got the impression the welsh cavalry didn't do well and got a pasting. training needs to be looked at but also the equipment. operating with jackals. the welsh cavalry is a heavy cavalry regiment but they operate in jackal vehicles which i think says a lot about the funding, training and equipping of British military. the soldiers didn't sound welsh.
A few things you got wrong here. First, the Welsh Cavalry is a recon unit. They mount jackals and run light weapon systems only - they have very little anti-air/ anti-tank capability beyond MANPADS etc. Secondly that regiment recruits from both Wales and the border counties on the English side. Thirdly - if you’re a recon unit and you get discovered by a helicopter gunship - you can bet that you’re gonna have a bad time. All through Afghanistan the US and UK did the exact same to the insurgents, flying Apaches around all day blasting the enemy. In a real conflict you aren’t going to send a recon unit out without some kind of air cover, that’s just suicide. I don’t disagree with you on the kit front, there’s always more we can and should be doing to give our guys the best so they can perform the best.
Absolutely gutted i never got to do this. I will purely criticise because im jealous.. Sit and shout at my TV exactly what they should do haha.. Fair play, great watch.. 🏴
I was with the 11th during a joint MOUT training exercises with 3rd Para. We were originally slated to be the OPFOR, but decided to augment with those guys and they were some of the greatest bunch of people I've ever been around. They had more training on the subject than we did of course, but it was a learning experience for all of us. Upmost respect for the Para regiments, especially the 2nd! Their valor during the Falklands has never been forgotten.👍
![Noob To Max With DRAGON REWORK In Blox Fruits [FULL MOVIE]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/LnBMOinoOvA/mqdefault.jpg)
Gotta love the yanks and our relationship with them. Mutual respect and appreciation really has grown. No other two countries understand each other and work as well jointly as the British and US Military. Facts
We're two brothers who beat the tar out of each other when we were young, yet we're still family.
Plus you can't desert training areas in Canada! :)
@@MM22966So true.
Love back to the UK 🇬🇧 🤝🇺🇸
love from across the pond!
I spent 3 years in the 11th ACR 1987-1990 on Downs Barracks in Fulda, Germany. We patrolled the E/W German border and were the eyes and ears of the V US Corps. Blackhorse Regiment was highly feared then and glad to see nothing has changed! BLACKHORSE!!!
I was in the 58th combat engineers. Bad Hersfeld Germany. 11ACR. 89-93
Gelnhausen and before that, 82nd. SALUTE Orlando!
I was a dependent in Bamberg Germany in the late 70’s to early 80’s while my dad was stationed there as an artillery officer. We had the 2/2 Cav (Toujours Pret) who were assigned the Hof border patrol. Those dudes were insane and routinely got into brawls with the German cabbies who were outside their garrison.
@@patoshannessy37754 REPLIES
@@jackwalker9492 would you believe we had a few 82nd guys who reclassed after Grenada and came to the 11th? Loved every one of EM. Their "grunt knowledge" was one of my favorite things they brought with them. Can't teach those Kilos much tho 😂
I was OPFOR 11ACR in the mid 90s. UK were by far the most professional and humble rotations: understanding of purpose for rotation is not to "win," but to learn lessons and grow. Canadians generally had the wrong idea upon arrival. Quick learners though. Japanese at NTC or up in Yakima had a very odd unprofessional attitude. Indian Army at Yakima were terrific. Very serious and professional. Excellent artillery. Taught us lessons.
Are you British? Do you like the USA and Americans?
Did british ride m1 and m2 at ntc? Or they brought their own
@@TheIceman567 11ACR is the American 11th Armoured Cavalry Regiment.
@@crumpetcommandos779 I know but not what I asked
@@TheIceman567 you asked if he is british and he said he was in an American unit
I remember doing a training rotation there over 20 years ago (DCX 2001), and it was an experience like no other. Training at the NTC is definitely a rite of passage, and I have the utmost respect for the members of the 11th ACR (Blackhorse).
Allons!
What a cracking bunch of professionals! Great attitude, confidence, and characters. Well done 👍🏼 🏴🇬🇧
I love the Apache trooper singing corb lund's "I wanna be in the cavalry" at 19:05. Classic song, excellent setting
One of the best Forces News posts I've seen. Thank you.
I was there when Ft. Irwin opened as the NTC. I still remember when the first rotational unit came through to fight us. That was such a huge deal. I was always proud to be part of the 1/73rd Armor and OPFOR. I'm glad to see our tradition is being carried on by the 11th ACR.
I was there from 86 to 89 .. 1/73 armor also . I was going through opfor school when the space shuttle blew up.. wasn't much to do on base except the bowling alley... Let's not forget the fun bus rides to Barstow
This just makes everyone tougher, smarter and better. Love it.
11 ACR, Blackhorse! My old unit. Served in the Blackhorse in OCONUS and in CONUS. Loved every second of it.
Great piece of reporting, max respect to all. So positive in their attitude.
Years ago, I remember reading one of the OPFOR (now the Blackhorse) saying "we fight like the Soviets should fight with this equipment." They can really make your life a living hell but commanders who want their units in prime condition try to get a training run there as often as possible.
Why soviets how soviets do fight.. whith this equipment..?
Because soviet equipment was never even close to as good 😂
@@elnesti1890 The Blackhorse trains (trained) with Soviet tactics, wore Soviet-ish uniforms, and had their vehicles mocked-up (modified) to look like Soviet vehicles and tanks.
@@MM22966and how do you know that
@@savagewrld236 There are books about it, pictures, that sort of thing. Tom Clancy's nonfiction Into The Storm covered the early years of NTC, because of his co-author, General McCaffery, was one of the guys who set it up. NTC's realistic training was one of the lesser known things that let the US Army win during the Gulf War so easily.
My late Dad was in the 1KDG-1QDG from 1949-63. He would have been very proud. Despite also serving int he RAF Regiment and the Australian Army, if asked he always said his regiment was the QDG!
What a great article @Forcesnews!! I first read about Fort Irwin in Tom Clancy's book "Armored Cav" like *gulp* 25 years ago? and even then OPFOR was feared and respected everywhere for their ability find the "cracks in the armor" (bad pun) of any units they came in contact with. I love the Welsh captain's comment: [my troops] are having fun, and if they're having fun, they're learning.. So true.
Being there in the summer is hell.
Yes it is.
I've experienced it. 🔥
125 degrees last summer
👍👍❤❤ Welsh Cavalry
This is amazing! I watched the episode from Luisiana a few months back. Glad u guys are making this series. Next episodes should be in Germany! Thanks again for the episode!
Graf ain’t no joke. We went January through March and I’ve never been so cold in my life.
Well done Forces News on a very well done video. Thoroughly enjoyed that and could have watched another hour of it.
Are you British? Do you like the USA and Americans?
Thank you guys for showing us what you go through. Thanks for the opportunity to learn. I pray that everyone can see what is done for us by those who can and will. I may have been harsh and not understanding of everything as I have past seen but with time I am getting better at it. Thank everyone for what you do and we will continue to stand and argue for you at home as you do for all of us all over the world. God bless everyone thank you.
I was stationed at Ft Irwin from 1989 to 1992 , Had a great time with the OPFOR . This Video brought back lots of memories……. Seems like yesterday but it was more than 30 years ago , love the British Accent by the way ✅👍
Qudos to the channel team on the ground to bring this amazing content and high quality too.
Also, love the working with different countries.
USA to UK - Love you cousins.
Best allies we've ever had
💪🏻
Walk through like you own it respect
God bless the 11th a.c.r. I was in 2/11th 80's! was like the marines to me!!! "Allons"!!!
Where do you get the french "allons" from? Does it refer to any unit?
It refers to the 11th cav!
It the 11th ACR motto. Latin, they don't have a reason for a French reference.
HHT 2/11 ACR after they moved to Wildflecken.
Allons!
(Let's Go!)
@donavonrobbins1908 pretty sure that "Allons" is not Latin but definitely French, since I speak French
@@superwout
Modern-day French came from a mixture of Celtic, Latin and Germanic roots.
The History of the French Language | OptiLingo
Sian, Please come back to Louisiana. We enjoyed your visit.
More than a decade ago, the 3rd UK Div did an exercise at the Mission Command Training Program, (MCTP) formerly the Battle Command Training Program, (BCTP). It is an electronic, computer version of the JRTC. The 3rd UK division did OK, but, the General Officer Command, (GOC) was personally embarrassed because of his general ineptness. He was livid with the AAR process where the Trainer/Coaches highlighted his indecisiveness, his lack of understanding of basic concepts of warfighting, and his lack of knowledge of his systems capabilities. But, that is what the CTCs are all about.
When NTC opened, they were relieving commanders who lost the mock-engagements. After a bit, they took a deep breath and realized the point was to learn from mistakes and stopped doing that.
Better a computer program does it than a real enemy force does
@@ianwatson194 I don't think that was his point. NTC and other similar training areas exist because "command post" exercises using paper maps (or computers, now) do not replicate the realism or prepare troops to face enemy troops as well as the close-to-real thing that NTC does.
Sounds like what is currently CPXF - command post exercise, functional. I did that some time ago and it was mostly using systems like the CPCE, receiving canned scenarios over radio to test HHCs SOP, and running briefings and commander update briefs with the other units to simulate reporting to the next higher headquarters.
It doesn’t count among the CTCs though.
Glad to have you guys on our side
Nice! Glad to see motivated Cavalry Soldiers.
I was with the Blackhorse in the 90's. I was a memeber of the OPFOR, I lived that life for four years. Its definitely not for everyone.
Did you enjoy it or not?
@@becky2235 what's there to enjoy about it?
no you weren't
@davidarango4679 which Squadron were you in?
Whats the point of this post? even just the statement here is incorrect, and not the way a military person would list his mil history.. " i was with the Blackhorse in the 90's".. lol
How cool this was my last unit and duty station when I was active duty as a tanker
Hats off to all the participants. Keep in mind things are stacked in one direction, you don't learn much by winning, but over coming dilemmas you gain much.
I was attached to the 11th ACR during my time in the army (1980-1983). I got to Fulda in 1981 and spent two years with them. Awesome unit with an incredible history. Blackhorse! Allons, Allons!
spent 84-86 at NTC with the OPFOR driving M-551 Sheridans with Bravo 1/73. pretty rustic back then, I got there the week the new barracks opened, later called Hanby Barracks for our brigade commander who died in a jeep accident on rotation in 86. Steel on Steel.
86 - 89 for me 1/73 armor also..
👌👏... awesome job by both Force's!!👍....Great commentary, Sian!!...🇬🇧 🇺🇸
Are you British?
Dragons at War by Dan Bolger is a great book if you are interested in how this was conducted back in the early days ( 1980's ). Some folks have left comments that the NTC turned too much to counter-insurgency style training (for units going to Iraq and the 'Stan) and perhaps needs to go back a little to its roots for the possible next war. Bolgers book is a nice illustration of how that training used to be. Another excellent book set in the NTC is The Defense of Hill 781by James McDonough.
I never had the chance to go to ft Irwin and go to NTC I was with the 10th mountain and we went to JRTC instead at the beautiful ft Polk 😅 . The terrain in Cali is definitely a good readinesses training center seeing the marines also are out there in 29 palms . Somedays you miss it but it’s nice to be out unfortunately my time was cut after 6years after being medically retired but the 100% is a blessing now my mission is finish my degree stay high speed
10th mountain seldom gets the recognition it deserves, and that's coming from an old school 11th acr guy... back when they had a mission other than training other units.
@@SGobuck dude we deployed so much as grunts at 10th mountain I would have gotten out even if I didn’t get hurt and get medically retired. I had 3 deployments in 8 years.
I had a great few years with the QDG in Osnabrück. Clearly all new faces now but the legacy lives on
13:26 Ah yes, sounds like my unit when an OPFOR light armour rushed us. Good times. 🤣
Great reporting by Forces news!
My dad's regiment,, and he has such a supriseing link with the welsh cavalry
Hammer Slammers is based on the Blackhorse. So I'm not surprised they gave the welsh a good spanking.
I see you, too, are a man of culture!
Thank you for your service. God bless the USA, and God bless the UK.
Rule Britannia from Glasgow 😎🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧👍
Well done. Good reporting. Thank you. Strong democracy.
Proud to have served under him. He was promoted to Bridget General and went on to Granfenberg Germany, to comand, Then I ETS.
I have been to the Mojave Desert. "Venerability" gains a whole new meaning.
Just left 2/11 ACR in Wildflecken Germany in 93 when I was assigned to 1st I.D. and got sent to NTC that November. Arrived in the heat and left in the cold.
Allons!
I loved the video. I wish the Canadian Forces had the same sort of channel.
Interesting to note that the OPFOR exercises are named after rattlesnakes. The Diamondback is a rattlesnake indigenous to the Southwest of USA.
Britain thanks all American people for there sacrificees in all the wars especially ww2🇱🇷🇬🇧
1995 BATUS.....we were playing opfor against every battle group that came out.....using the new TES gear...upset alot of regiments...
Seeing the Mojave of NTC is bittersweet. I love that soldiers are getting down & dirty while being pushed to their limits there but I get flashbacks. 😆 My unit, 4th ID always went during the summer usually in July when it was at least 100 & could easily hit 115. Our Abrams tanks have a lot of electronics inside & no AC so it’s even worse in the turret & driver’s hole. I don’t know if it was malfunctioning but when I read the ammo temperature gauge to enter it into the ballistic computer it read 120. You couldn’t even pick up tools you left on the hull without them burning you hand. You cannot really explain the heat, discomfort, sleep deprivation or the funk emanating off of you after like 18 days in the box training - you have to experience it.
Still I love seeing that troops are training hard there & stories covering NTC & the soldiers there are being made. Love seeing our allies especially our closest friends like the UK, Australia & Canada have a go in the Mojave desert training. It won’t be a shock to a lot of Aussies & Kiwis who have some brutal landscapes of their own but UK soldiers & Canadians have no real analogous type of terrain in their countries. I remember seeing a bunch of Aussies in the “shade” which is where we all stay for a week to prep for training before we go out into the desert (“the box”) for 2.5 weeks. You are uncomfortable & miserable the whole time but you feel good training out there because units regularly get to train at such a large scale where its brigade vs brigade level fighting where thousands of troops are involved. One of my unit’s mechanics had a terrible injury out there. My Abrams tank engine blew so we had to split it & repair it. We worked like 18 straights hours on it & then had to immediately join the fray. Anyway when we were reinstalling the power•pack or engine the engine got snagged on the hull. My mechanic tried hitting it in with his arm which got crushed between the hull & 2 ton engine. I had to call in a MEDEVAC & a Blackhawk came because the training area is that large. That should give a clue about the scale of the place & training.
Thanks for showing this & hope the Welsh troops had a great time training & learning out in the Mojave. JRTC in Louisiana is not joke & hardcore too but the Mojave is a whole other animal. 11th Cav are total professional try-hards who like to beat you down. They know the terrain like the back of their hand & know every tactic & trick in the book. It’s humbling out there too. It’s like no other experience. Good stuff.🙂👍
Canada, being the largest country in the world has more than enough different types of terrain and climate, take Suffield to name but one, but Americans seem to know very little about the world outside of there own borders, and we British train all over the world in differing climates and terrain, not just in some US desert. We wrote the book on jungle warfare, infact we had to sort the Vietnamese out, because the French couldn't. And all this while juggling the greatest empire known to man, not bad for a bunch of tiny islands. See all the countries Great Briton has invaded, here on RUclips, you might enjoy it.
If you look in the correct direction while in the Valley of Death, you can see the Paradise Mountains, I always thought that quite poetic.
Salute the driver from Africa
- Richmond California 👏🏽🥷🏽🫡
Seeing a soldier in the British army with dreads is definitely different lol
@@TheCerebralDude & don’t speak woke & sounds dedicated!! 👌🏽
Looks like he gets special treatment. Not my cup of tea as the Brits say.
I was with 2/11 ACR in 70s in Bad Kissingen we walk the border.we were in the field 8 to 10 months a year At Camp Lt. Lee I do miss the guys And the 11th Eaglehorse Sir!
I followed you before and after we got the Brad's. Back then it was a serious pace for sure!
Solid!!!
Soldiers with dreadlocks is kind of funny to see
Thx für den Beitrag , danke an die Soldatinnen und Soldaten für den Dienst , nebenbei angemerkt , ich war in meiner Zeit als Soldat beim PzGrenBtl32 4 Wochen in Hohenfels , mein bestes Erlebnis und das beste Übungsgelände was ich in 8 Jahren Bund erlebte .
Übersetzung/Translation
Thx for the contribution, thanks to the soldiers for their service, by the way, I was in Hohenfels for 4 weeks during my time as a soldier with the PzGrenBtl32, my best experience and the best training area I experienced in 8 years of association.
I trained at Ft Irwin in July, 1975 as a UH1 crew chief in 1/18 Armored Cav of the California National Guard. It was hot!
Hella hotter now, chief.
10:05 a whisper carries farther in the night then a low voice tone. ( speaking quietly with your normal voice )
I'm beyond proud to have had the privilege to served as a BlackHorse Mco 3/11 ACR .
ALLONS
M21 WORKHORSE ...
Brilliant watch. 👍
Their in the 80's , black horse when col Franks was in charge .
Later General Franks , 1st Armor Divisions during the Gulf War.
Loved JRTC and NTC
Between NTC and JRTC, I’d rather be at NTC most days of the year. The river crossing is new, or at least I don’t remember that last time. They did move big boulders across some of the crossing into Death Valley, but that was more to force a head to head than to simulate anything as specific as a water crossing. I’m interested to see if any new doctrine comes of it.
Just like Geronimo,Black Horse is intentionally handicapped by the scenario and the rules. They will absolutely crush a BCT that isn’t up to par, but the point isn’t to smear RTUs. The point is to teach them, test their TTPs, and certify them as being capable of deployment. You aren’t actually training if you’re just constantly beating them to death, which Black Horse certainly could on a more “level” playing field.
Next year I’ll be at JPMRC Alaska, and I think I’ll have done all the CONUS CTCs at that point. I’m anticipating JPMRC to be my new least favorite.
16:48 this guy looks like the bad guy from Reacher (if he was 7 feet tall at least 😂)
ALLONS!
What vehicle is on screen at 2:31?
It's an M113 APC hull outfitted with a Bradley turret and visual modifications to represent BMP-esque visual signature. They're exclusively used by the 11th ACR at Ft. Irwin as a training aide.
Great video. I love to see our allies at NTC. I've done some work as a contractor there a while back. I am an old soldier who trained for NTC in the 80s. There is a problem with the current mindset. NTC had to be revitalized recently for peer-to-peer combat. The current OPFOR mindset is far removed from the glory days in the 80s and 90s. The "peer-to-peer" part still suffers from too much emphasis on Counterinsurgency OIF/OEF stuff. The current generation of COLs, LTCs, MAJs, SGMs, MSGTs and SFCs are all combat vets from the last war and have no idea how to fight a peer competitor. Few of the currently serving combat Veterans ever experienced an artillery barrage, an attack from the air by fast movers or attack helicopters, an enemy armor assault, or spending hours in a MOPP suit waiting for an enemy attack. NTC is now too much like a football game instead of preparation for World War III. Which is needs to be.
Are you British? Do you like the USA and Americans?
I was in the 11ACR, W Germany 87-89, the 1st Cavalry, FT Hood multiple times in the early 80s, (before and after Korea).
The 2nd ID, South Korea, 82-83. I wouldn't call one "elite", one over another.
Do they have the same function and mission as the 509th regiment of JRTC?
11th ACR is a very capable unit. Anyone who rotates through NTC will come out the other end a much better soldier.
Been there twice, it’s definitely no joke
11 ACR AKA The Black Horse Regiment commanded by George Patton’s son George the 4th in Vietnam
2/11th a.c.r. europe 80's the tip of the spear!!!
Her !!!!!! Offs whats happened to my regiment and then followed by Lenny Kravitz it gets worse , ok only joking, but what a massive change from the regiment i joined in 1984
Sorry
All of America’s allies to keep some of their own equipment at NTC so they can use and train on what they would use in an actual war situation
also " if u a'int 11th cav u a'int!!!!
"Allons" - Yoda
I spent 3 years (80-83) with the 2/11 ACR, Bad Kissingen West Germany (Daly Barracks). Blackhorse Regiment, Eaglehorse Squadron! ALLONS!!! Best job I ever had.
Before that, when stationed at Ft Carson, I did 2 training tours at Ft Irwin. One with CSC 1/77 armor, 45 days there when coincidentally, was when the Iranians took the hostages Nov 1979. Then I was reassigned briefly with 4/64 air defense and was back at Ft Irwin (Feb 1980) for 30 straight days in the desert (no barracks). Now that sucked. We believed we were getting ready to go to Iran. I still have the taped together military maps of Ft Irwin. BTW... my first trip we took off in C-130's from downrange Ft Carson and landed at Bicycle lake Mohave desert. Returned in a C-141 from Edwards AFB to Peterson AFB Colorado Springs where we got to see how the Air Force eats. It was like a restaurant. 2nd trip we convoyed. 3 days, 2 nights with stopovers at National Guard armory's. One in Albuquerque New Mexico, the other at Flagstaff Arizona. That sucked too.
In my experience they generally don't utilise the chemical warfare due to the safety hassles and huge time constraint.
Yep. This brought back memories for me lol. Black horse isn't elite btw, they're just a training regiment. They just get by with not playing by Big Army rules. All them nights in the turn in yard doiing the great cannibalization...
I, for one, believe that women should not be permitted in the infantry and the cavalry. All that extra strength men have helps in lugging around all the heavy battle gear, in running faster and in carrying wounded soldiers.
as awful and controversial the Afghan and Iraq wars were, the experiences both good and bad, all the years lessons learned the hard way, are now saving lives before a single fire is shot
The Mojave is brutal
They went during the winter, which is actually nice weather.
@@willw8011 it gets cool as balls and the Winter.. the wind gets brutal..
"Patrolling the mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter".
Are you British? Do you like the USA and Americans?
@TheIceman567 yes, I'm british and yeah americans are fine, but I was quoting. fallout: new vegas
@@Jack-lk7wk cool I’m American and I love the IJK my fiancé and twin daughters are British 🇬🇧🤝🇺🇸
"I've never seen anything like this before" ... I mean, it maybe more detailed, but that's literally what we did back in 1944 before D-Day, lol.
Hope they brought them in during the winter. During the summer every one of them would have gone down as a heat casualty.
Enjoy Ft. Irwin because the 11th ACR will give you training value and fast paced training. The Mojave desert is very unforgiving either hot or cold. The place is hated by the rest of the US Army to include the guys stationed there.
1:14 1,200 square miles (310,798 ha) pffh. Come to Bradshaw (870,000 ha).
Went to NTC back in Oct 86 withD Co 2/34 Armor 3rd Bde 4thID out of Ft Carson CO M60A3 19E one night I was doing Radio watch and saw an OPFOR "BMP" in the TC's thermal sight popped off the laser emitter and saw his whoopie light start flashing indicating a kill. I got "credit" for the "kill" even tho I was tank driver
"We are the finest troopers," Proceeds to improperly load a .249.
A gun they have never used and have no training on, what is your point?
I’m confused, it says QDG but some have royal lancers cap badges ?
loling at the Vis-Mod T-90 at 16:24 named "Cerebral Palsy"
The best part of the training at NTC is the night training. As we see in Ukraine, night Ops were not a mainstay in the Russian military. NATO armies need to exploit that. So I hope the Brits have the same mentality as many US troops have "We rule the night".
Black Horse is not an elite unit. It’s just a hodgepodge of soldiers
Don't know about today, but a while back, we got a helluva lot more training than most...on top of having a mission.
Wait… the a/c actually worked in the humvees? 😂
Doubtful
18:20 Know 'and' should Know.
i got the impression the welsh cavalry didn't do well and got a pasting. training needs to be looked at but also the equipment. operating with jackals. the welsh cavalry is a heavy cavalry regiment but they operate in jackal vehicles which i think says a lot about the funding, training and equipping of British military. the soldiers didn't sound welsh.
@Silurist historically they are heavy Calvary, reduced to light reconnaissance cos of gov cuts.
No one wipes out black horse at NTC. The black horse soldiers live at FT Irwin and do these training exercises all year .
A few things you got wrong here. First, the Welsh Cavalry is a recon unit. They mount jackals and run light weapon systems only - they have very little anti-air/ anti-tank capability beyond MANPADS etc.
Secondly that regiment recruits from both Wales and the border counties on the English side.
Thirdly - if you’re a recon unit and you get discovered by a helicopter gunship - you can bet that you’re gonna have a bad time. All through Afghanistan the US and UK did the exact same to the insurgents, flying Apaches around all day blasting the enemy.
In a real conflict you aren’t going to send a recon unit out without some kind of air cover, that’s just suicide.
I don’t disagree with you on the kit front, there’s always more we can and should be doing to give our guys the best so they can perform the best.
Absolutely gutted i never got to do this. I will purely criticise because im jealous..
Sit and shout at my TV exactly what they should do haha..
Fair play, great watch.. 🏴
I was with the 11th during a joint MOUT training exercises with 3rd Para. We were originally slated to be the OPFOR, but decided to augment with those guys and they were some of the greatest bunch of people I've ever been around. They had more training on the subject than we did of course, but it was a learning experience for all of us. Upmost respect for the Para regiments, especially the 2nd! Their valor during the Falklands has never been forgotten.👍
🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲🇨🇲 we Cameroon