Soldiers assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (1-5 CAV) 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, conduct port operations in Constanta, Romania on July 10, 2020. The “Black Knights” loaded their military equipment aboard a vessel in preparation of their return to the United States. The battalion has served alongside their European allies for the past nine months in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Operation Atlantic Resolve, though not a “named” operation, is ongoing efforts in response to Russia’s actions in Ukraine, mainly the War in Donbass. It is funded under the European Deterrence Initiative.
In the wake of Russia’s 2014 intervention in Ukraine, the U.S. took several immediate steps to enhance the deterrence posture along NATO’s eastern flank, including augmenting the air, ground and naval presence in the region, and enhancing previously scheduled exercises. The U.S. is taking measures to enhance NATO military plans and defense capabilities and remains committed to maintaining a persistent presence in Central Europe and Eastern Europe. Atlantic Resolve rotations are overseen by a regionally aligned headquarters there. There are approximately 6,000 Soldiers participating in Atlantic Resolve at any given time, conducting operations and exercises across 17 countries.
The 5th Cavalry Regiment (“Black Knights”) is a historical unit of the United States Army that began its service on August 3, 1861. The 5th Cavalry Regiment today comprises two battalions, both part of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 1st Battalion is assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, while the 2nd Battalion is assigned to the 1st Brigade Combat Team. Both units are combined-arms units with two M1 Abrams tank companies, two M2 Bradley mechanized infantry companies and an engineer company. 1st Battalion is a combined arms battalion of the 2nd BCT, 1st Cavalry Division stationed at Fort Hood, Texas.
