FORT HOOD, Texas, March 9, 2005 – The transformation into a modular brigade unit of action became effective Dec. 16 for the soldiers of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

One of the units undergoing a dramatic restructuring as a result of the transformation is 3rd Battalion, 66th Armor who became 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment.

The soldiers of 3-66 AR spearheaded the transition from three line tank companies into three line ground companies, said Lt. Col. David Thompson, battalion commander, 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment.

The companies comprising 7-10 Cav. are Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Troop A, Troop B and Troop C. Also attached to 7-10 Cav. is Troop D, 4th Support Battalion, 4th Inf. Div., Thompson said.

“The mission for the soldiers has changed, but the soldiers are really taking on the challenge and moving out,” said Thompson.

The unit’s mission changed dramatically in the transition from a tank battalion, where its mission was to close in and destroy the enemy, into an armored cavalry regiment, where the mission is to find and maintain contact with the enemy, said Thompson.

The unit will have new equipment, which includes 30 M1114 up-armored Humvees and 23 M3A3 cavalry fighting vehicles, said Thompson.

Company B, 3-66 AR will move to 1st Battalion 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 4th Inf. Div., said Capt. Paul Wilcox, commander, Company B, 3-66 AR.

The soldiers have spent numerous days out in the field doing maneuvering exercises with the M1A2 Abrams tanks as well as live fire exercises engaging targets.

In January, the soldiers of 1-12 Inf. Reg., 4th BCT, went back to the field for three days to do more maneuvering exercises and live fire exercises with the M1A2 Abrams tanks, said Wilcox.

In January, the soldiers have participated in multiple field training exercises with the cavalry fighting vehicles and Humvees for the soldiers of 7-10 Cav.

The important thing to remember, with any change, is to maintain combat readiness, and continue to train, Thompson said.