Blackhorse Regiment: Meet the US Army's most feared unit
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- čas přidán 23. 12. 2023
- Forces News joined British troops as they were put to the test by the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment - the "Blackhorse Regiment" - whose job is to wreak havoc on visiting forces and help turn them into better soldiers.
The gruelling training, named Exercise Diamondback, took place at the US Army's giant National Training Center at Fort Irwin in the Mojave Desert.
Soldiers from 1st The Queen's Dragoon Guards, also known as the Welsh Cavalry, were pushed to their limit in a brutal game of cat and mouse by their US opponents in California's unforgiving Valley of Death.
The Blackhorse Regiment is the resident OpFor - Opposing Force - that is tasked with training units that visit the massive Fort Irwin National Training Center.
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Watch full version of this report here: • Exclusive: Welsh Caval...
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One of the best training environments I've ever been in... As a young soldier I rotated through as part of a cavalry unit. Black Horse tested us hard. Fortunately we held our own. But the learning curve was pretty steep. Thank you, Black Horse, for making us better.
Soft n' woke. 😂
@@chriscoll6493
Fabulous drag shows!@@chriscoll6493
@@chriscoll6493u wouldn't last a day even if you where a laundry specialist in the army 🤣
Any tips for NTC? Thank you for your service.
Proudly served at the NTC from 1993-1996. Helped transition from the 177th Support Batallion to 11TH ACR. There is no better training unit in the US Army.
Allons!!! Packhorse lead the way, whoa!!!
I was stationed there as a sidewinder a decade ago, I'm shocked they still use the same gear... but also not.. god that stuff must smell terrible by now it was OLD THEN.
I was there from 1990-94. It was one of the best places to train. I was also there when they transitioned from 177th Armored to the 11th ACR.
Had our asses kicked six different times out there and am a card carrying member of the Bicycle Lake Yacht Club. Its not designed for you to go out there and win anything other than some of the best training on earth against an outstanding Oppfor
My dad served in the 11th ACR back in the 90s. I went to the elementary and middle school there at Irwin. My mom also worked at The Commissary on Post, as a cashier. Best childhood memories growing up there!! I remember all of us kids would walk over to the YS (Youth Services), right after school. Chill over there until our parents got off work.
Was u there when Popeyes was selling $.50 dark meat lol
Went to war with 2/11 ACR. Kalsu Iraq lost my incoming and out going commander. One of many rough infantry tours in my almost 24 years in. Our fallen stand tall in the afterlife...
I was stationed at NTC apart of 2/11 ACR "Black Horse" back in 2013-2014. I loved every moment of being in "the box"
Have a fantastic year Cav! Thanks to everyone for serving and for All of the sacrifices that you and your family have given and continue to make. We stand stronger, together. HUA
Definitely respected. Did a great job as OpFor during our Summer 2007 NTC rotation prepping 3ACR for our Mosul 2007-2009 deployment.
I never went to NTC to experience this. I did get to work with Delta as a tanker. That was the most impressive experience of my life.
My old duty station back in '97-'99 when it was tank on tank,F-Troop 2/ll ACR.They're still wearing DCU's,pretty kewl.
Blackhorse replaced my unit in Afghanistan 2009 as our rotation was ending, they are good soldiers. I spent my share of time in the Mojave Desert as well back in 1985 after spending two months in Egypt.
blackhorse is a fictional unit, an OPFOR. stop making things up.
@@robcaya3716tanks in Afghanistan? Russians learned the hard way the mountains are not their friends
The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment ("Blackhorse Regiment") is a unit of the United States Army garrisoned at the Fort Irwin National Training Center in California.
Although termed an armored cavalry regiment, it is being re-organized as a multi-component heavy brigade combat team.
The regiment has served in the Philippine-American War, the Pancho Villa Expedition, World War II, the Vietnam War, Gulf War and Iraq War.
The 11th ACR serves as the opposing force (OPFOR) for the Army and Marine task forces, and foreign military forces that train at Fort Irwin.
The 75th Ranger Regiment has entered the chat.
That's not an armored unit.
@@EllRiver The video is titled “the US Army’s most feared unit” not “The US Army’s most feared armored unit”
@@Lycurgus47 it's classic click bait. The video title is techincaly true. But just removed the spefic's the make you think it's grander then it really is.
The most feared armored unit has less of a hook to it. That's just youtube's algorithm.
@@Lycurgus47 They're the most feared unit within the US Army. It's their fellow soldiers that hate fighting against them, not the enemy.
@TheCoolCucumber as someone who faced this unit while in the US Army, I can assure you that no one fears them
Irwin was a blast. I had so much fun being OPFOR. We definitely knew some cheeky ways to "kill" the enemy, and we were good at it! I still remember the box like the back of my hand.. From Ujen, Razish, Whales Gap, Bike Lake Pass, Siberia, Strawberry Fields, and John Wayne Pass.. Every encounter was unique and tested your skill in mounted/dismounted combat as an infantryman. Don't let the desert or lack of a cantonment area fool you, it's a great unit. As I was always told: You are in the middle of nowhere, but in the middle of everywhere. Being native to California, I had that advantage, but it is what you make of it. I moved from there to Fort Drum after 4 years and I definitely miss it. I plan on retiring there at the end of my career.
Irwin was a blast ?
Dude, I was there 18 months in the 80s - not a blast !
I was OPFOR ‘95-‘96, drove a Sheridan and pretended to be a Russian soldier. It was not a blast at all. Worked all the time except for the 4 days off after recovery at the end of each rotation. @@vcbuilder5541
@@vcbuilder5541 I'd like to know what happened back in the 80's at Irwin, would be pretty cool to learn.
I was stationed at Iwin in early 90's it was fun
@@Chosinn , we’d be out on a rotation for 3 weeks straight , all in the field , come back , clean up , be off for 3 days and do it again … 1st couple of times it’s cool , after that , not so much .
When I was a young officer, I was taught by older guys to fear and hate NTC. We complained and complained both times we went there.... Then, when I got out, joined the Reserves and got to go back for a whole month. And I realized that it slightly sucks, but you learn so much. It made it worth it. I would not go into NTC with a negative attitutude again. Go in leaning forward.
after being stationed there as an OC I developed both a love and hatred of armored vehicles and the heat. it wasn't all bad, it's probably the only place in the army you can be assigned a hmmwv softskin open back as an nco by yourself and have open reign of the mojave sandbox. Yeah there's plenty of spare time for joy riding xD. unfortunately when you leave you end up buying a Jeep.
@@TheCollector1987 ,buying a Jeep. You too😂?
Just got back from NTC, it’s not that bad you just have to learn to be a little uncomfortable…
The way he was smiling about chemical gas being used 😂😂 savage 😂😂😂
Everyone thinks they are good until CS gas is used, everyone runs or goes crazy from it lol.
I was in the ACU and we helped a young lieutenant as he went up river to find a Colonel that went rogue. The operation was named Apocalypse Now.
It's interesting seeing other units and countries operations. In Australia our OPFOR (10 IRC) were basically the rejects that couldn't handle regular unit life. It wasn't something to be proud of that is for sure.
Oh no. It's a rotation. Soldiers fall in on them. It's a blessing to be there because you learn so much and than take that knowledge into regular units
I have an old army photo above my bed and it was taken in 1953. It's my Grandfather's company photo for Company G, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment. Taken at what is now FORT Carson, but back then was Camp Carson. I even have my Grandfather's old Garrison Uniforms, and one of them has the 11th ACR Allons pins on the shoulders and the US Cav pins on the collar.
Thanks. ✌🏻👊🏼
Was at NTC in 82, when close to nothing existed in that AO with the 7th ID. Was with Blackhorse along the Fulda Gap in the mid 80s. Scouts Out ! 🇺🇸
coldsteel! Blackhorse 83-86 (and 2/10 ACS 80-81 7th)
1/11 ACR Fulda gap 75 77 .@@schlirf
C Troop 1/11 83-85 ColdSteel 3
@@bruss529 83-86 C-6 Driver, and Bradley Gunner (as well as CC Brown's least favorite Scout...😁)
Went up against these boys in 89 NTC rotation with 2/5 Cav 1st Calvary Division from Ft.Hood. We held our own. It was Aug-Sept and 123 degrees the first day! Sadly after almost 40 days on the last day a night op got halted for injuries in a track, I think a M113, a medivac chopper had flare go off in front pulling out and flew right in the side of a mountain killing all six on board. Bummer for sure. Other than that was glad to get the heck out Bradley. It was beautiful at night out there. Keep up the great work out there OPFOR!
My grandfather was in blackhorse during the Vietnam War, he's still alive. He coordinated artillery strikes
Amazing. Always stay strong bro. 💪💪🙏
Went there as a participant and and as an Observer, Coach & Trainer. Every unit has to go to either NTC or JRTC prior to deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan in later years of the war.
Best training and testing of your leader you will get. Seen a lot get relieved there simply because that time there show their true colors.
Not every unit
No you weren’t, don’t lie.
@@Ostin.Garba. Went to JRTC quite a few times as a Rigger stationed at Ft Richardson AK, so at least in the 90's pretty much everyone went
@@Ostin.Garba.yes every unit.
I saw the 19 kilo's at Ft. STEWART Army's 3rd infantry division and the tankers were National Guard . The 11 Bravos took them to school.
3rd ACR first NTC Unit in after the Storm and we smoked NTC OPFOR! Brave Rifles
I was there on that rotation too! It made up for that long bus ride from Fort Bliss.
The very first time i would´t mind been in can. Love it!
My unit did NTC back in 02, before the initial invasion. I got attached to opfor to test the new 113 A3s. Man that was fun. At that time, they had these weird Russian type humvee things. I got to drive one. I miss that training.
I was with HHC 1-52nd Infantry Battalion (OPFOR) back in the day from 89 to 92 , after 21 Days Rotation we would have 4 Days Off , and Vegas was only 2 Hours Away Folks , Great times and Great Memories at Ft. Irwin (Always First was our OPFOR Motto ) ✅👍
I was in the Black Horse regiment when it was based in Fulda, Germany back in the mid 80's.
This unit is the best trained OPFOR unit in the world. Conventional units in the US Army will come in every cycle to test themselves against the 11th ACR. Back in 2000 the 4th ID which at that time were the most technologically enhanced unit in the entire US Army which brought in their First Brigade with infantry, armor, artillery, and everything. Backed up by a Paratrooper brigade from the 82nd Airborne and a light infantry brigade from 10th Mountain. All 3 units got wiped out just using how Cold War Soviet Doctrine was supposed to be used against NATO Forces. I was a tank commander on the OPFOR side. We only used only a regiment or brigade sized unit to defeat almost an entire division of an American or NATO.
Dont forget about 1-509 at polk
😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊😊
GOLF TROOP
😂 😂 🤣
177th FSB
I trained troops there from 1983-1985.
No one cares
I can name a much more feared unit(s) in the U.S. Army (all of the ODA’s, Ranger regiment, delta)
Nobody is scared of Blackhorse.
The VC were
One of the rules of NTC, Blackhorse always wins.
Was there from 06-'10 as 1/11. Video makes it much cooler... Than it is.
Spent 3 years in the OPFOR in the mid 80,s
Yes they do!
Very interesting.
I was in 3/11th ACR when they were based out of Bad Hersfeld FRG, from 78 - 82
The most feared unit in the US Army? Hardly 😅
They are good soldiers, but I agree not the most feared.
Hahaha definitely not, there’s wayyy lethal units in the us army…
If you were on the receiving end of their tank fire you may think differently.
@@tonymontanamalverde
Tanks are pretty damn lethal!
I know I read this I was like the NTC jabronis??! 😂😂
As to the Deception equipment, weren't they doing the same thing back in WW2? Inflatable tanks, lorries, etc was done in the UK to deceive the Germans in the war. Looks like they just updated the equipment.
Yup the Ghost army. 23rd headquarters special unit.
They even publicly put General Patton in charge of the fake army for extra credibility.
True!
Yes the reporter has a issue of typical British Copium!
Yes it was effective then and likely will be in future though photo-recon was all the Luftwaffe had then and now there is so much more; low and high level drones/UAV to Satellite, visual, infrared to Doppler radar.
So it's hard to impersonate an S-400 across all spectra and with the detailed behaviour that our ISTAR equipment has captured.
You've got to look like a duck, sound like a duck, smell like a duck and behave like a duck to have any chance of fooling a duck hunter...
O rly? 3rd ID 3rd Bde Scout here. Early 00's NTC rotation we stayed in bags of ice, water, batteries and outstanding hot chow by setting up an OP at the base of the bluff where they were staging their missions. The worst part was the heat of the day, but we made it through. At midnight we raided. We turned in more MILES gear than we drew out, and we ended up with 2 extra NODs, a brand new PLUGR and 3 new camo nets. We even rotated in fresh Scouts when section evaluations took place. Rule of thumb is the OPFOR is there to take you out, but no reason you can't make it fun. We had a great time! Scouts Out!
that Oak Leaf looks mad comfortable! lol
Best training in the Army was squaring up with Black Horse.
Been there, done that. I Batt, 1/11 ACR, 2012-2016
What a tease ! How did the Welsh cav do ?
I believe they may have lost?
@@EwieeeeeI don’t think they actually did they caused mayhem, Blackhorse outnumbered them and they did so well, Blackhorse did pull a cheap move at night tho using a helicopter haha tbh it’s not a exercise you are going to 100% win on when the enemy know the terrain inside out with bigger numbers
@gootusfootus3229 how is it a cheap move? It's part of the exercise, and it caused the Welsh Cav to lose nearly half their force in a single pass-over. This isn't a competition, and it's not designed to completely crush the visiting force. It's designed to throw realistic scenarios at commanders and soldiers in order to better prepare them. The winner is he/she who walks away with it better than they arrived.
Also, the adversary force isn't actually bigger by any means. That's part of the deception the speaker talks about. They literally placed obstacles in the open for the Welsh to "destroy." It's all a big game that these guys have been doing for years. If they wanted to crush the Welsh, it would have happened on day 1. With the amount of sensors and firepower these guys have, it wouldn't even be a match.
@@Ewieeeeethere is no losers in these exercises. This exercise is designed to leave you better than when you arrived. Black Horse wins because they continue to hone their skills, and the Welsh Cav wins because they get to hone theirs. It's about building forces up, not tearing them down. We do things differently over here in the United States.
@@DirtyMikeandTheBoys69 Why is it different
Damn. Curious how it turned out. Our elite Army unit V our greatest allys premier unit.
Been to NTC 3 times. Mid 90s. My last time. Took fresh uniforms. Took a 5T on post. Class 6 baby. Changed into fresh uniforms . Picked up 4 cases of beer. Pretty sure I have been the only Joe to have the balls to drive into post to get beer 😂
Grew up on fort Irwin 80’s and 90’s. Grandpa would pick me up from school in his hummer with a 50 on top.
How are they against drones, artillery, and trench warfare?
The finest in the land hooah!
Ride the lightning. ⚡️ bring it home boys.
That Tri-color desert BDU is hot.
So essentially mechanized Geronimo/OPFOR?
My son was in the Dark horse outfit in the usmc and I don't mind telling you so. K 3/5 kilo co.
Taking Ft Irwin Rd from Barstow is by far the most dangerous part of deployment ou there.
That's a generous title. That being said I was at Ft. Irwin when we deployed to Iraq in 2005, had alot of good soldiers there.
Patrolling the Mojave almost makes you wish for a nuclear winter 😂
BEEN TO THE NTC, 1983 * 4 TH DIVISION ****
So this is delta? I mean those are the guys,and special forces that are the most tallest about
What is the machine gun at 0:23? Looks like something out of aliens.
All so full of themselves and being better then the next, good on them
In about 1984 we handed them their ass at Erwin. But we were a light infantry Battalion that specialized in killing armor! They also didn't have all the advantages back then either.
When was that in 1984 I first got there in September of 84 and was there until April of 87 the only ones that ever kicked our ass what's the National Guard unit from Louisiana but that was our job to teach you guys how to kick our asses so if we ever went to war with the Soviets you would know how to fight them
Look up the autobiography Within Heaven's Gates by Rebecca Springer. This book is healing alot of ptsd right now.😇
Nobody fears the NTC OPFOR, it was the experience of of the deployment to the desert. What was important was getting a good rating from the OC's.
ALLONS!
ALLONS! 3/11 Workhorse. 1973 Border Ops! If you ain't CAV, YOU AIN'T! 😅
@@halbos7637 COLDSTEEL 83-86!
During the GWOT, many US Army units were sent to Fort Irwin NTC to train with the Blackhorse to get them tested and evaluated in a realistic combat scenario before heading to Afghanistan or Iraq.
🥱Ive been to NTC 4x...Its about mental fortitude and preparation. The worst part is the sucky nature of the box itself. 1st Cav leads the way.
ALLONS!!!
We lost alot of good guys in Atropia. Found em shaming behind a rock after a few hours of lookin but we had no idea where they were.
Question: Have any of you seen a UFO/UAP during exercises at the NTC?
Sure
I would also be the best if i could play the same map over and over again...
All my fellas
How do they do war games with tanks and arty without hurting each other?
@YetiTurmoil, MILES gear.
As stated by @J.R.100x35, MILES gear...essentially lasers and sensors. Vehicles have sensors, soldiers wear harnesses with sensors and their weapons have lasers. The sensors will detect laser hits. I'm not sure how they do it these days, but back in the 90's, each soldier was given a random "casualty card". If you're hit, you pull out your card to find out what type of casualty you are. Depending on the type of casualty you are, your surviving buddies have to take appropriate action to stabilize the wounded and evacuate them. So all the soldiers and units get tested, not just the trigger pullers.
@@vectors2final36Good reply and thanks but what about artillery and mortars ? Do they use like blanks or smoke or something to stimulate say ripple fire or indirect ? Having never used that gear, how would it work visually if, say one side fires off an artillery round ? Who selects where it lands and who selects who gets killed ? Do they have like did rounds with lasers going off in all directions or something ? Thanks again
@@jimreily7538 again, I don't know what they use these days, but in my day, artillery/mortars were simulated with flashbang type pyro. Observer/Controllers who acted as referees would travel with units and randomly select victims, which he then sets off their sensors with his "god gun".
What happend to Geronimo training unit?
that was in Louisiana this training center is in California best for urban and open vastness
2:31 Yes the inflatable is impressive but not quite as impressive as Sammy The Snake from Phoenix Nights =)
And then there's my unit, we were set to deploy, but was held at Forth Cavazos because most ( our whole brigade ) failed the PT test or are too fat.
Open NTC, Brave Rifles, '73
Geronimo punching the air right now 😂
Faced them at NTC numerous times. They are not all that. And most feared? Please. This is a joke, right? They are a bunch of tanker POGs. Most of them are fat and slow. They ride out and engage the units in simulated combat scenarios for a couple of days and get trucked back to their barracks and consolidated DFAC to get more fat.
Be more interesting if more like football - with home & away games for an annual international league
I’m 100 percent positive if they are on CZcams they are not the 100 percent the most feared person or unit in the US military or contractors
Most feared unit. Feared by the chowhall cooks.
Black Horse commanded by George Patton’s son in Vietnam
Was with 11th ACR in Vietnam 69 to 70
3rd squadron 11th ACR
Aviation Section Bandits ,. Nam 68-69
we still have the bounty on us no one collected
So who won??
Oh yeah, the famous NTC….Did a rotation there, I swear I was back in Iraq and Afghanistan
One of few infantry battalions where your only job in the whole US Army is playing Opposition Force
All American heroes
Served from 1980 to 82 echo troop 2/11 th
I heard Blackhorse Regiment has the best Navy Seals in the Army.
Hey…these guys stole the US Navy VAL-4 squadron mascot! Once again Army homage to Navy…thanks guys…you’re swell!
The fact she said the ‘next war’ 😂
Odd title?
I thought they stopped using desert camouflage a long time ago?
its just being used as an opfor uniform. Brits did the same craic with opfor dpm
OPFOR in the United States (And really, most NATO countries) tend to use older issued uniforms because they're cheap and readily available, and you can get matching gear pretty easily. It's a cost saving method that works well.
Black Horse best mechanized unit in the Army ha!ha! We kicked their asses when we came out west from Ft Stewart 1st BDE ( Raider ) 3RD Infantry Division ( Mech ) Rock of the Marne! 🤘🏼
Blackhorse, HHT the lieutenants.
..Best field OPFOR...where is the water buffalo?
if u a'int cav u aint !!!! europe 80's!!!