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Welcome to Marsmen.org
Welcome to the 124th Cavalry Association Website. This site is dedicated to the current and, especially, the past members of the 124th Cavalry Regiment. We have the distinction of being the last horse cavalry regiment in the United States Army and former members fought in the China-Burma-India Theater of Operations during World War II where they earned their moniker, Marsmen.
The newest chapter in our history is our recent completion of a year long deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Our troopers served with distinction and will wear their combat spurs with pride. Of course, it could not have been possible without the support of Family and Friends back home. They deserve a special recognition as well.
While the majority of the site content is available to the public, there is a significant amount of content that is only available to members. Please join the site, however, membership in the site does not make you a member of the association.
I have removed the requirement for membership to view pictures. Creating an account on the site is only necessary to upload pictures and send Private Messages. Click on the Photo Gallery link in the site menu under Home to access the photos.
The Cav Store is now open. Purchase online using PayPal and get your items delivered to your door, or choose to pick up your items at the Armory.
The Cav Store is temporarily closed due to the Squadron's deployment.
Link: http://store.marsmen.org
Neglectful
Given the steady state operations, there just isn't much to write about. I'll try to catch everyone up on the latest happenings in the Troop and the Squadron...though Squadron information is a little sketchy since we're all spread out on different missions and I don't get many opportunities to speak to the other Troops.
Troop A has now taken over all ECP operations in the VBC with much needed help from troopers in HHT. Though it doesn't seem as glamorous as running patrols outside the wire, it has it's moments. Take the recent surprise visit by President Obama. It's always amazing to see Air Force One land, especially against the dust filled skies over Baghdad. And to see his convoy pass by is a pretty interesting sight, especially with the helicopter gunship support flying overhead. We've come to see the local government officials (the Iraqi President, Prime Minister, and various Vice Presidents) as a boring daily occurrence, so a new foreign head of state is a pleasant change in pace.
I had an opportunity to speak with Troop B's First Sergeant last week and he says they're equally hard at work on ECPs in the International Zone. The IZ has been turned back over to the Iraqi government but there is still US oversight and Troop B still sends troopers out to the ECPs to make sure the Iraqi Army soldiers do their job right.
HHT has taken over the defensive operations centers for the entire VBC and has oversight of Troop A's ECP mission. I haven't really had any opportunity to follow-up with Troop C, but I'm told they're enjoying their Joint Visitor's Bureau mission...and who wouldn't, given the various celebrities and dignitaries they get to meet.
I have uploaded a few more pictures and am sorting through more that I've received from 1st Platoon, Troop A. I've spoken with the CSM about getting more pictures from him and will work to get those uploaded and posted as soon as possible. I apologize for the infrequent updates, but there's only so much to say about life in paradise and the running of ECPs.
On a more somber note, please keep Specialist Christopher Loza in your thoughts and prayers. He is a member of my platoon and has become seriously ill...enough to be sent to Walter Reed for treatment. I'm told his wife and mother are there with him and he's stable.
Posted by SFCWyatt Wednesday, April 08, 2009 (17:10:16)
To the Families and Friends of A Troop
Greetings from Iraq! I wanted to take a few moments to update you on your soldiers, as well as share some information with you.
We have been executing our mission for over two months now. For many of us, the time is flying by. As you may have heard, we have had some changes in our mission. Currently, A Troop is responsible for many of the Entry Control Points on the Victory Base Complex (VBC). Our role is that of a Force Protection unit, providing security to the VBC. While this mission isn't the most exciting, it's just as important to the safety and security of the Coalition Forces and the Iraqi people.
Many of your soldiers will have the opportunity to take leave while they are here and some of them have already been able to do so. My goal is to send as many of your soldiers home on leave as possible. Unfortunately, we are required to keep a certain percentage of the unit in Iraq at all times, and that, coupled with the short duration of the deployment, prevents us from sending everyone home. For those that are able to come home, I would ask that you be patient. We are only able to forecast leave about a month in advance. For example, I will get the leave allowance for March on or about the 15th of February. So the soldiers will know what day they will leave Iraq, however, they will not receive their final itinerary until they arrive in Kuwait. They will be able to call you from Kuwait to tell you when they will arrive in Texas. I will try to give you and your soldiers as much predictability as I can when it comes to leave.
I know there are some rumors out there concerning our return to Texas. However, they are only rumors at this point. The most common rumor is that we will redeploy to Fort Bliss in El Paso. There are many factors that will determine when and where we redeploy. Any changes in the timeline, will likely result in a change to the date and location of our redeployment. I expect that we won't know anything for sure for another month or two, at the earliest. As soon as I know the details of our redeployment, I will pass it on to the FRG.
CPT Shaw
Posted by SFCWyatt Wednesday, February 18, 2009 (14:30:00)
Pictures uploaded
I have finally gotten around to uploading a few pictures that I've taken here. I'm not as prolific with the camera this time around, but you can only take so many pictures of the same thing everyday. Being static here just isn't quite as exciting as last time I was here. I'm still working on gathering pictures from other people in the area.
In other news, the Squadron is spreading out here and taking over some pretty important force protection missions. It's not exactly what the guys want to do, but you follow the orders you've been given and make the most of it.
Posted by SFCWyatt Saturday, January 31, 2009 (16:47:44)
The long awaited update
So, what has been happening with the Squadron since my last update? I know I promised some articles about the history of this place, but that involves a little research and I haven't had much time to sit down and work on that, let alone an update for this site. I've been asking around for pictures and want to get some equal contributions for the other Troops, but given how spread out we are, it's been a little difficult to not be heavier on the Alpha Troop news. With regards to Alpha Troop, I'm still in the process of gathering photos so expect a pretty huge update when I finally get those uploaded.
We've had some exciting visitors to our basecamp over the holidays, culminating in a visit by Governor Rick Perry, who wanted to come to Iraq to see his Guardsmen at work. Kid Rock, Zac Brown, Kelly Pickler, Lewis Black and a few other comedians visited in mid December to put on a great comedy and music filled show. I have a few pictures from that and even some video that I need to shrink and convert for streaming. Expect to see those in the near future. Granger Smith spent Christmas Day in Baghdad and put on a great show as well. Governor Perry visited Camp Slayer and said hello to HHT and Troop A. Photo ops were abundant and the Governor spent time talking to the soldiers of 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, Troop A prior to their rolling out on a combat patrol. Six soldiers from HHT and Troop A were selected to be pinned with the Iraq Campaign Medal and all received a Governor of Texas coin. The Governor also posed with the Aggies in the Squadron for a photo that will be published in a future issue of Texas Aggie Magazine.
The Squadron continues to perform well on their various missions. 1st Platoon, Alpha Troop has become very familiar with their area of operation and have been working with the Sons of Iraq to current level of security remains in our area. Things have been relatively quiet and some of us that were here in 2004 have commented on a regular basis about how different it is around here. Know that your Troopers remain safe and life is pretty good here in "Paradise".
Posted by SFCWyatt Tuesday, January 06, 2009 (18:58:08)
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Old Articles | Thursday, December 11 |
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A letter from the SCO (0) | | Sunday, November 30 |
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The Squadron is on the ground (0) | | Monday, November 17 |
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Address update (0) | | Monday, November 17 |
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Are we there yet? (0) | | Monday, November 10 |
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Kuwait (0) | | Tuesday, October 14 |
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Mail Deadline (0) | | Sunday, October 12 |
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Finally done! (0) | | Sunday, September 21 |
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Approaching the halfway mark (0) | | Monday, September 01 |
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Mailing Address for Fort Stewart (0) | | Sunday, August 31 |
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We've arrived in Fort Stewart, Georgia (0) |
Older Articles
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