Doc -- Just a quick update from NTC on the Regiment's deployment.  All
units
have now deployed and are in various stages of integration in theater.
I've
had the opportunity to see every flight off and I can tell you we should
all
be proud of this tremendous outfit -- focused, professional, and ready --
they are truly inspirational.  I was impressed with strong sense of
purpose
and confidence in the eyes of even the youngest Cavalry trooper.
       The Regiment's leadership has done a remarkable job in the last
five
months transitioning the unit from a TDA-OPFOR organization to an MTOE
fighting unit.  Both squadron's underwent an intensive train-up
culminating
in an Iraq-focused NTC rotation here in the Mojave.  COL Peter Bayer has
drilled his leaders on historical case studies of insurgency as well as
innovatively using the internet to provide real-time intelligence feeds
from
units in theater to train his command posts prior to deployment.  The
Regiment is blessed with a remarkable group of imaginative and innovative
leaders totally focused on leading from the front and taking care of
their
troopers.
       11th ACR HQ has already executed its relief in place and ran the
show for elections this last weekend in their sector.  2/11 ACR is also
on
the ground and in the process of assuming responsibility for their area
of
operations.  1/11 ACR is now enroute and will close in the next several
days.  Despite a few close calls as they have moved into theater, all
units
are well on their way to reestablishing the Regiment's informal motto
from
Vietnam of "find the bastards, and pile on."  V/R Bob Cone