We witnessed one of many closing joint coaching occasions as UH-60M Black Hawk flew during the last cavalry horse unit of the first Infantry Division.
It’s not each day that noise from a helicopter is taken into account a superb factor. Particularly army helicopters just like the AH-64 Apache Guardian and UH-60M Black Hawk. Nevertheless, the noise was a useful coaching factor not too long ago for the U.S. Military’s 1st Infantry Division Commanding Common’s Mounted Coloration Guard at Fort Riley, Kansas. The CGMCG is a detachment of extremely educated horses and riders who signify the U.S. Military at group occasions on the native and even nationwide stage.
The Aviationist was invited to see such coaching not too long ago and gives an inside search for readers that won’t be seen once more because the unit is being disbanded. The announcement got here by way of a information launch issued by the Fort Riley Public Affairs Workplace on the shut of enterprise July 8, 2025, noting the modifications had been happening as a cost-saving measure.
Ft. Riley is dwelling to the well-known 1st Infantry Division, often known as the Large Crimson One, and holds a historic place in Military historical past as the previous dwelling of Main Common George Custer, Union Common admired for main from the entrance who later led the growth West within the late-1800s, combating numerous Indian tribes whereas doing so. Ft. Riley’s CGMCG is a powerful reminder of the first IDs roots and lineage to fashionable warfare items of the Infantry, Armor and Air Cavalry.
The information launch signifies a necessity, “to align extra assets with our warfighting functionality and readiness. This transformation doesn’t influence the first Infantry Division’s core priorities: constructing warfighting readiness, caring for Troopers, civilians, and households, adapting our formations to win, and creating inspirational leaders. We stay dedicated to strengthening partnerships and fascinating with our surrounding communities.”
Lately, the CGMCG took their place in a nationwide highlight throughout ceremonies of the 151st Kentucky Derby on Might 3. Because of the giant crowds, extreme noise and motion related to these kind of giant group occasions, horses are desensitized as a part of their coaching. In mid-April a coaching occasion passed off utilizing AH-64 Apache Guardians. As soon as this proved to achieve success the subsequent iteration used the bigger and louder UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.
That is the occasion witnessed for this report with a UH-60M from third Battalion (Assault Helicopter), 1st Aviation Regiment ‘Nightmares,’ 1st Infantry Division working with the horses on the big Parade Subject at Fort Riley. The efficiency displayed the nice horsemanship of the riders together with the coaching and temperament of the horses themselves.
The disbanding of the CGMCG will happen over the subsequent fiscal yr with houses being discovered for the horses by means of an in depth vetting course of. The items’ disbanding will happen concurrently with ceremonial horse items at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Irwin, California, Fort Sill, Oklahoma with the Mounted Coloration Guard at Fort Carson, Colorado having already disbanded within the earlier yr.
The one ceremonial horse items remaining inside the U.S. Military would be the Outdated Guard caisson in Washington, D.C. and San Antonio that are used at army cemetery internment ceremonies.
