Activated on Oct. 3, 1982, at Fort Irwin, the Operations Group mission is an integral part of the overall mission at the National Training Center.

Its mission is to train Army combat units to a demanding standard using realistic scenarios to provide training feedback to Soldiers, leaders, and staff sat every level, platoon to brigade, as well as a flow of information to units, agencies, and training institutions to improve the force.

Operations Group provides more than 600 After Action Reviews every rotation. These contain valuable information that provide battle planning, preparation, and execution feedback to the training units. The group is approximately 700 Soldiers strong and is broken down into several field observer and controller teams qualified in the doctrinal conduct of battalions and brigades in combat, combat support, and combat service support operations.

Operations Group has modified rotational scenarios to keep pace with the changing world environment. Training units are now challenged with a significantly more complex battlefield that includes civilians, media, United Nations officials, host country representatives, guerrilla forces, weapons of mass effects, and war crimes. The goal of these complexities is to replicate for training units the actual conditions they would experience if deployed.

Operations Group has also modified scenarios to challenge the new digital systems employed by the Army's modernized forces. These modifications include an increased presence of the opposing forces on the battlefield, larger space for battles, and a simulation of the activities of notional adjacent friendly and enemy units. This simulation helps train leaders and staffs by ensuring that units with increased battlefield awareness capabilities "see" a large, complex battlefield on their computerized systems.

Operations Group has been awarded seven Army Superior Unit Awards for distinguishing itself by providing a rigorous and challenging combat training environment for rotational forces whether heavy, light, aviation, or reserve component units.

Operations Group continues to provide extremely challenging and rigorous training for leaders and Soldiers to prepare them to win on the 21st Century battlefield.

The 11th Armored Cavalry "Blackhorse" Regiment is the National Training Center's world-class Opposing Force (OPFOR). To accomplish their crucial Army training mission, the Regiment is organized with one armor squadron, one mechanized infantry squadron, and a regimental support squadron. Supplementing the Regiment's warfighting capability are three habitually affiliated National Guard units that train with the Regiment throughout the year and fight as part of the OPFOR during annual training periods. They include the following: 1st Battalion, 221st Armor, Nevada ARNG; 1st Battalion, 180th Field Artillery, Arizona ARNG; and E Troop, 163rd Cavalry, Montana ARNG. Ten times a year, the Regiment's troopers provide units from all over the continental United States with a lethal and flexible OPFOR to help improve their combat efficiency. Between these rotations, the Regiment's troopers focus on individual and crewlevel combat proficiency skills to keep current on Army Soldier and qualification tasks.

Congress activated the 11th U.S. Cavalry on Feb. 2, 1901, at Fort Myer, Va. Since then the Regiment has gallantly served our nation in such places as: the Philippine jungles in 1901; Cuba as part of Teddy Roosevelt's army of pacification in 1905; Mexico with General John J. Pershing in 1916; California as a border regiment; World War II as part of the XIII Corps, during its sweep from the Roer to the Rhine; Vietnam and Cambodia from 1966 to 1971; Germany from 1972 to 1989; the Persian Gulf; and most recently, Iraq.

It was in Mexico on May 5, 1916, that the 11th U.S. Cavalry, commanded by Maj. Robert L. Howze, led the last mounted cavalry charge in U.S. history against a band of Pancho Villa's rebels. In the 1930's the Blackhorse again led the way by experimenting with the first mechanized cavalry vehicles—few cavalrymen welcomed this change.

On Sept. 7, 1966, the 11th ACR arrived in Vietnam. There the Regiment received its own distinctive patch; earned 14 battle streamers; and had three of its troopers awarded the Medal of Honor. In February 1971, the regiment was redeployed to the United States and deactivated; however, on May 7, 1972, the Regiment was again called upon to patrol the East-West German border along the Fulda Gap. On Nov. 9, 1989, without a shot fired, the regiment's 17-year vigil along the Iron Curtain was over.

Since Oct. 26, 1994, the Blackhorse has served our country proudly as the National Training Center's World Class OPFOR. The Blackhorse stands ready to respond to any mission— ALLONS-LET'S GO!