61st Cavalry Regiment (United States)

The 61st Cavalry Regiment is a reconnaissance formation of the United States Army. It has a lineage dating back to the early 20th century, though its current structure and mission are relatively recent. The regiment is not a traditional cavalry regiment with horses, but rather a modern reconnaissance and surveillance unit utilizing advanced technology and vehicles.

Historically, the 61st Cavalry was constituted in the Regular Army as the 11th Cavalry on 2 February 1901. It was organized in the Philippine Islands. The regiment participated in various campaigns and operations throughout the early 20th century, often serving on the American frontier and overseas. The 11th Cavalry was inactivated in 1942.

The lineage was resurrected and re-designated in various forms over the subsequent decades. A significant restructuring occurred with the increasing emphasis on air cavalry and reconnaissance within the Army.

Currently, elements of the 61st Cavalry Regiment serve as the reconnaissance squadron for a Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT). Their mission is to conduct reconnaissance and surveillance operations, providing the brigade commander with timely and accurate information about the enemy and the operational environment. These operations include mounted and dismounted reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition, and security. The squadron employs a variety of assets, including Stryker reconnaissance vehicles and unmanned aerial systems, to accomplish its mission. The 61st Cavalry Regiment plays a crucial role in providing situational awareness and enabling the SBCT to make informed decisions on the battlefield.