March – April 2026
Good day Blackhorse Troopers! March and April have been no where shy of busy. The Regiment send their best regards with these two months updates where the Regiment stands. As we prepare for Capstone, our Troopers prepare to tackle it to their best of their abilities the Blackhorse way, providing lethal, agile, and accurate effects to show how we have improved and continue to do so with upcoming technology and current lethal firepower. ALLONS!
Congratulations to PFC Aaron Sims on being selected as the 11th ACR Trooper of the Week. He has rapidly distinguished himself through exceptional performance, superior physical fitness, and strong technical and tactical proficiency, earning early selection as an MBT Gunner and completing a successful rotation. His skill as both a driver and gunner directly contributed to his crew earning a rotational “Top Tank” award. He further demonstrated reliability by maintaining accountability of critical Platoon equipment and by serving as the Squadron Commander’s Abrams Tank Loader, enabling the Commander to qualify as one of only three in the regiment. PFC Sims’ consistent excellence and significant contributions make him an outstanding Trooper fully deserving of this honor.
On March 6th, The Blackhorse Regiment was pleased to announce the grand opening of the Holistic Health and Fitness facility and program!
The H2F program is a comprehensive, Trooper health and performance focused system, designed to improve performance in several areas aiming to reduce injuries and increase combat effectiveness. Here at the H2F facility, we have a dedicated and certified staff that oversee various sections, including Nutrition, Mental Readiness, Strength, Cognitive performance, and injury control.
By bringing Trooper’s health and wellness to the forefront, H2F transforms how they perform in and out of uniform.
Rotation 26-05 concluded with the successful completion of training alongside the Soldiers of the 3d Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, who demonstrated exceptional professionalism, adaptability, and combat readiness throughout the rotation. Over the course of the training, troopers faced complex and demanding scenarios designed to replicate force on force modern battlefield conditions, testing their ability to plan, maneuver, and fight as a cohesive force. Their performance highlighted disciplined leadership, effective teamwork, and a commitment to mastering their craft. As the rotation comes to a close, the regiment departs better prepared to meet future operational challenges, having sharpened their warfighting skills and strengthened their ability to operate decisively in a contested environment.
The Blackhorse Regiment marked the conclusion of a demanding training rotation, 26-05, by recognizing the resilience, adaptability, and coordination demonstrated across all formations. We highlight the strength of interoperability and the shared commitment to readiness built through operating against a capable and thinking opposing force.
Blackhorse, along with 2CR Dragoons and 3CR Brave Rifles, close the week with the Lucky 16 gathering.
The Lucky 16 was initially formed to exchange tactics, techniques, and procedures to create a standardization between the organizations. Now, leaders gather to recount the history and the signing of the official charter that proclaims the commencement of the Lucky 16. Allons!
Fort Irwin Fight Nights hosted by NTC, brought together weight classes on all fronts for a night of competition and a show of skill and combative expertise. Fight Nights consisted of Troopers from all units, all fighting for a common goal, to be the victor in their weight class in front of all NTC. We applaud all those that participated and the winners that took home the title.
Congratulations to SPC Cyr, our Trooper of the Week!
Throughout the week, SPC Cyr dedicated his personal time to coaching a soldier working to improve his ACFT run. Through consistent mentorship and encouragement, the soldier successfully completed every platoon run for the first time without falling out. This progress strengthened the soldier’s confidence, discipline, and overall readiness. Additionally, SPC Cyr proactively prepared his team for upcoming team live-fire exercises, emphasizing safety and proper execution. His initiative and commitment directly contributed to a safer and more effective training environment.
Headquarters and Headquarters Troop of RSS conducted a Change of Responsibility ceremony bidding farewell to 1SG Laquita Bryant and welcoming 1SG Crystal Eve Edralin. The Regiment extends its sincerest gratitude to 1SG Bryant for the dedication, leadership, and long lasting impact she leaves on the Troop. Her commitment to the mission and troopers helped shape the strength and professionalism of the Squadron.
At the same time, we welcome 1SG Edralin as she assumes responsibility of HHT. We look forward to the energy, experience, and leadership she brings to the team as the Squadron continues to support the mission of the Regiment.
Recently, Eaglehorse Squadron held a change of Responsibility, saying farewell to 1SG Luis Amezcua and welcoming 1SG Jesse Harrel as the new First Sergeant of Headquarters and Headquarters Troop.
As 1SG Harrel steps into the role, we look forward to the guidance, commitment and dedication to keeping 2nd Squadron strong. 1SG Amezcua’s leadership leaves a lasting mark on the Squadron, shaping soldiers, building cohesion, and strengthening Eaglehorse from the ground up. For this, we thank 1SG Amezcua and honor his time with Eaglehorse.
SPC Smith is this week’s Trooper of the Week for their outstanding contributions to the Squadron’s maintenance and logistical operations. SPC Smith managed all equipment turn ins and recently processed more than 20 items, returning a large amount of credit to the unit. He also created a system to track weekly hours ensuring the team’s efforts are accurately recorded. In addition, SPC Smith has excelled at receiving and issuing repair parts, helping reduce the time it takes to fix broken vehicle items and keep the unit ready to accomplish its mission.
Rotation 26-06 has concluded at the National Training Center. 2nd Armored Brigade Combat team, 1st Infantry Division has exemplified and demonstrated operational, strategic, and tactical prowess throughout the duration in the force on force excercise. Through executing large scale vehicular maneuvers to personal face-to-face interactions on the ground, troopers have shown they are prepared to adapt, initiate and exploit opportunities on the ever-evolving modern battlefield.
The regiment has emerged with newfound experience and proficiency, and positioned itself to better acclimate itself to upcoming challenges on the horizon. Remaining lethal as always. Black Horse!
During rotation 26-06, Tough Stump Technologies visited the Regiment at NTC to demonstrate two advanced tracking tags capable of mounting to nearly any Small Unmanned Aircraft System (SUAS) or unmanned system. These tags provide near real time visibility of friendly assets, enhancing battlefield transparency down to the Troop level. Their precision tracking supports internal airspace deconfliction as SUAS employment expands across the formation. The system also strengthens strike adjudication and delivers validated, trackable Battle Damage Assessment
(BDA) during rotations. Accurate location data improves recovery efforts, extending the lifespan of 11th ACR’s SUAS through better retrieval and salvage. The technology integrates with the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK) via the Android Tactical Object Surveillance (ATOS) plugin, giving the Regiment an organic method to track its own assets independent of Combat Training Center Instrumentation System (CTCIS). This capability offers significant potential for
both operational effectiveness and future training realism across the Blackhorse. We thank Tough Stump Technologies our leaders that make these developments possible.
The Regiment recognizes PV2 Hayden Lantz, an 11B Gunner from Bandit Troop, 1/11th, as this week’s Trooper of the Week, for his outstanding performance during Rotation 26-06. Serving as a Javelin gunner in dismounted operations, PV2 Lantz demonstrated exceptional professionalism and tactical skill by successfully engaging and destroying eight Bradley Fighting Vehicles, two Abrams tanks, one LMTV, and one HMMWV carrying high-value targets, including a First Sergeant and an Executive Officer. His performance highlights a strong grasp of battlefield tactics, weapons systems, target acquisition, and his dedication to mastering his craft by contributing to mission success, sets a powerful example for his peers while reinforcing the high standards of excellence within the unit. Blackhorse!
The Blackhorse Holistic Health and Fitness facility is now officially open! H2F provides Troopers a change in health and fitness to help meet the demands of modern-day combat. The program empowers Troopers to take control of their health to optimize their wellbeing and performance while preventing injury and disease. H2F offers classes and training in 5 domains: physical, mental, sleep, nutritional, and spiritual. Troopers commit to the process, earning the results. Allons!
After several days of rigorous testing, demanding training lanes, and intense competition, a four-Soldier team from the 11th ACR has been selected to represent the Regiment and the National Training Center at the upcoming 2026 Best Squad Competition. Congratulations to SGT Kitchen, SPC Ramsarupe, SPC Hopkins, and PFC Wilson for earning the honor through their hard work, resilience, and teamwork.
The Army Best Squad Competition is a premier event that brings together top squads from across the force to test their physical fitness, tactical skills, marksmanship, land navigation, and teamwork under challenging conditions. The competition highlights the professionalism and readiness of the Army’s small-unit leaders and Soldiers while showcasing the importance of cohesive, disciplined squads on today’s battlefield.
We’re proud to have these Troopers represent and wish them the best as they prepare to compete against the Army’s best. Good luck, team! Blackhorse!
Recently the Blackhorse family hosted the Children’s Spur Ride, giving the next generation a chance to take on challenges, work as a team, and experience a piece of cavalry tradition. The Spur Ride is a long-standing tradition of the Cavalry that represents toughness, perseverance, and the esprit de corps of Troopers. The children’s event keeps that tradition going by bringing families into the experience in a way that’s fun, challenging, and memorable. Blackhorse!
Recently the Blackhorse family hosted the Children’s Spur Ride, giving the next generation a chance to take on challenges, work as a team, and experience a piece of cavalry tradition. The Spur Ride is a long-standing tradition of the Cavalry that represents toughness, perseverance, and the esprit de corps of Troopers. The children’s event keeps that tradition going by bringing families into the experience in a way that’s fun, challenging, and memorable. Blackhorse!
Click this link to view more Kids spur ride photos.
