21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) Farewell Ball
Fort Hood, Texas
COL John White Commander of the 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) hosted a formal Farewell Ball on Friday, 14 November 2014. It was held at Club Hood (formerly the Fort Hood Officers’ Club). The Army plan is for the 21st Cavalry Brigade (Air Combat) to close its doors on March 25th, 2015. All the old and current members and friends of the Brigade were invited to the ball, and many came. It was a resounding success from the receiving line, anchored by General (retired) James D. Thurman and his wife Dee, to the retiring of the colors. It was a true Cavalryman’s bittersweet goodbye to a beloved friend. General Thurman was the guest speaker. He is a former member of the Apache Training Brigade. He acknowledged all the original members of the ATB who were present: LTCs (ret) Bob Karney, Joe Owen, Greg Cook, and MAJ (ret) George Van Riper. All the brigade commanders he worked with: MG (ret) then COL Walt Yates, COLs (ret) Lynn Handy, Bob Hurley, Bill Reeder, Jerry Saltness, Craig Pearson, Greg Walker, Doug Eller, Greg Brockman, and the late COL (ret) Winn Noyes All the Chief Warrant Officers Emeritus like Lance McElhiney, Jimmy Greene, Jim Carpenter, Lee Lemay, Ken Donahue, Denny Dvorchak, John Roden, Troy Degoyler, Tom Frierson, and Mike Champion who contributed so much to training. He also thanked all the various friends, landowners, and local dignitaries by name for supporting Apache training. He honored the late General (ret) Max Thurman for keeping the training brigade in the forefront of planning and funding, General (ret) Carl Vuono, CSA “who brought us standardized training, and General (ret) Butch Saint, former III Corps Commander “who had a clear vision of how the introduction of the Apache Helicopter would change the dynamics of the battlefield and remains a true champion of Army Aviation and Attack Helicopters.” He talked about Mr. Joe Cribbins “who was responsible for Aviation Logistics in the Army and the successful fielding of all the equipment for every Battalion.” Thurman said, “These gentlemen had a vision and foresight to make sure the fielding of the AH-64 was the most successful Army program we have ever had. They must never be forgotten and their legacy will live on.” The 21st Cavalry Brigade is an outgrowth of the Apache Training
Old friends CSM Todd, the current 21st Cavalry Command Sergeant Major y share some time with COL (ret.) Malvin Handy and his wife Mies Handy. COL (Ret.) Handy was the second Commander of the Apache Training Brigade, the origin of today’s 21st Cavalry Brigade.
Ph o to t a k e n b y B r i a n K . B u r t .
Brigade (ATB) formed at Fort Hood in the summer of 1984. Its mission was to receive, equip, train, evaluate, and deploy all AH-64 Apache Helicopter battalions in the Army. In 1992 the ATB was renamed the Combat Aviation Training Brigade (CATB) adding OH-58D Kiowa Warrior equipped units and sustainment training of currently fielded Apache Battalions. In 1996 the CATB was renamed the 21st Cavalry Brigade this time to field and train units upgrading to the Army’s newest attack helicopter the AH64D Apache Longbow. The Brigade also supported our Allies with training and fielding expertise, including The Netherlands, Singapore, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Israel. In 2012 the Brigade was tasked to support collective training to the MQ-13 (Unmanned Air Vehicle) Gray Eagle Company assigned to 1st Air Combat Brigade at Fort Hood. General Thurman also mentioned that the foreign military sales training program is another success story. “21st Cavalry Brigade successfully trained over 120 classes from seven countries, including 1,100 aviators and 2,300 infantry soldiers, amassing over 21,000 flying hours and over 2,000 Longbow Crew Trainer hours.” Locally, the 21st Cavalry Brigade is often referred to as “The Little Brigade That Could.” I think this title is a fitting tribute to the tenacity of the 21st Cavalry and the contribution it has made to the U.S. Army and its Allies. Under its several designations since 1985 the 21st Cavalry Brigade fielded, trained, and certified 74 combat-ready AH-64A/D or OH58D units, most of which deployed to either or both Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. In late 2013 the Department of the Army made the decision to end the Unit Fielding and Training Plan and discontinue the Brigade. COL John White, the fifteenth commander of the Brigade is tasked with transitioning personnel, equipment, and the current mission of the Brigade to other units. The final closing ceremonies will bring an end to arguably the Army’s most dynamic aviation brigade and the only attack helicopter collective training unit in the world. It is difficult for many of us to understand why. George Van Riper MAJ, USA (Retired), E-Mail: gvanriper@hot.rr.com
Mixing the Punch - A time honored tradition at every Cavalry Dining Out played a big part this gathering. Please note the gallon can of gasoline, I wonder which conflict this applies to? (Editor) P h ot o t a ken b y B ri an K. B urt .
General (retired) James D. Thurman and his wife Dee taken at their home in Salado, Texas.
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