The Thoroughbred

September 2023

GET READY FOR A RE-LAUNCH OF DRAGOON BASE!!

The Association, with grateful appreciation for the heroic work that Tacoma Dave Gettman has done with the site for many years, has acquired the rights to the Dragoon Base social media platform. We anticipate that dragoon related traffic will migrate to the revamped site, weaning you from Facebook, Instagram and whatever else you are using to send smoke signals. The Association hopes to capture the first draft of history, encouraging members to tell your Dragoon story. Let’s get this stuff down before all the Apfelkorn we drank erodes our memories.

Additionally we have an increasing need for researchers and archivists —

Contact me at [email protected]

Colonel Tony Allen Isaacs USA Retired, 74, a devoted Christian and proud veteran, husband, father and grandfather passed away on the evening of Monday, May 29, 2023 at Tacoma General Hospital, surrounded by his loving family. He fought a long and courageous battle with cancer for the past 6 years. Tony exemplified strength, dignity and humor as he faced the many challenges and difficulties of this brutal disease.

Tony was born on February 18, 1949 in Johnson City, TN to Earlene (Jones) and Glen Isaacs, the oldest of their three children. He graduated from East Tennessee State University, Cum Laude, with a BS in Industrial Engineering in 1971. Tony was active in the ROTC program while attending ETSU and was the student Commander his senior year. Tony was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the US Army upon his graduation. He had his first assignment with the 1st Squadron, 2d Armored Calvary Regiment (2ACR), where he spent 5 years patrolling the Czech and E. German borders during the Cold War.

Tony received a Master of Industrial Engineering and Management from Western Carolina University in 1983 while working full time as an Assistant Professor of Military Science with the ROTC program. He influenced many students under his tutelage who went on to become senior officers themselves, crediting Colonel Isaacs with their successes.

While assigned to Rose Barracks, Vilseck Germany, he was Chief of M1 DTT, responsible for distribution and transitional training for the new M1A1 tank into Germany. Colonel Isaacs went on to serve two more assignments with the 2d Armored Calvary Regiment, serving as the Executive Officer of the Command and Control Squadron and finally as the Battalion Commander of the 1st Squadron, where he had begun his career. Colonel Isaacs took his Squadron to Gulf War in Operation Desert Storm where they actively fought, contributing to the liberation of Kuwait. His Squadron was a participant in the Battle of 73 Easting, “the last great tank battle of the 20th Century”. Among his many awards, he received a Bronze Star with “V” device for heroism (4th award) for his service in the Gulf War. Colonel Isaacs was very proud of the time spent in the 2ACR and its motto “Toujours Pret” (Always Ready) became a theme for him. He held numerous other Command and Staff positions throughout his career and attended Joint Service Staff College as well as the Army War College. Colonel Isaacs’ final military assignment was back to Ft Lewis where he became the Brigade Commander of the 191st Infantry Brigade, overseeing the preparedness testing of National Guard units throughout the US and territories. Colonel Isaacs retired from Active Duty in 1999.

Upon retirement from the Army, Colonel Isaacs worked his second career for several defense contractors as a Vice President, Senior Operations Director, Deputy Program Manager in Support Mission, CONUS developing training programs for National Guard and Reserve Units for all branches of the military. He worked in these positions from 1999 until his final retirement in 2020.

Tony married the love of his life, Lisa Beth Varner, while assigned to Ft. Lewis in 1980. They were married 43 years. They welcomed Tony’s son Jason in 1981 and their daughter Emily in 1983 to their family while living in NC. During Tony’s 28 year career, the Army would take them around the United States and Europe. Together they had 14 moves while on active duty, living in NC, FL, PA, IL, KS, WA and two additional tours in Germany, making several moves within a few of these locations.

Tony was a dedicated and hardworking employee and volunteer throughout his life. His desire to make whatever community he lived in better was evident in his willingness to step up and help. He volunteered for his children’s schools, churches he attended and most recently for the Fox Island Yacht Club serving in a variety of positions from Boating Safety Education and working through the Bridge Chairs serving as Rear, Vice and Commodore as well as Immediate Past Commodore.

Tony was an avid fisherman and enjoyed spending time at the family cabin in Hoodsport. He loved hosting family and friends to fun times around the fire pit with lots of laughter and storytelling. He loved boating and relished in the many fishing trips on the Salty Stew and cruises on his dreamboat, the Island Girl, with his wife Lisa and the FIYC. He was so very happy to have granddaughter Elliott as his Jr. Captain and “Navigator”.

Tony was a true gentleman, a great friend, a loving family man, and a wonderful role model for many who came in contact with him. He had a very quick wit and a wicked sense of humor. He had a great repertoire of “Tony-isms” and stories that kept his family and friends entertained with lots of laughter. He was loved beyond measure and will be cherished forever.

Tony is preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Steven. He is survived by his loving wife Lisa, son Jason, daughter Emily and her husband Danny, granddaughter Elliott, sister Glenda and the many members of his extended family.

A special thanks to the Doctors and staff of Madigan Army Hospital ENT Clinic, Multi-Care Oncology Clinic in Gig Harbor and the staff of Tacoma General ER, Vascular ICU and Vascular Surgery Recovery Units as well as the Chaplains at TG. Your amazing care gave Tony six more years of life and happiness to spend with his loving family and friends.

The first draft of History

The 502d MI Company was task organized with a Headquarters Section, an Operations Support

Platoon that comprised the HQ’s section and the Company’s HUMINT Sections of Counterintelligence

and Interrogation Teams, 3 x Electronic Warfare Collection & Jamming Platoons, that each possessed a TRQ-32 Signals Intelligence Collection System and a TLQ-17 EW Jamming System, and a Platoon

Operations Center (POC), an Analytical Control Element (ACE), that was OPCON to the Regimental S2, and a Service Support Platoon. Each Platoon was led by a Lieutenant and Platoon Sergeant. The

Company shared its motor pool area with the ADA Battery and the 87th Chemical Company and operated and maintained the Fort Polk SCIF (Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility), which was managed by CW2 Dawson, the Company SIGINT Technician. The Company also formulated and established a new Language Training Facility for Fort Polk, where its linguists trained on their Persian Farsi language skills, which was managed by a company CW3 Warrant Officer. The newly configured 502d MI Company was different from the other ACR MI Companies, in that it was commanded by a Captain vice a Major, and it did not possess an OPCON EH-60 Quickfix Platoon from the Regiment’s Aviation Squadron, to supplement its EW mission set. The Company was a lighter version of its peers, since it supported a Light Cavalry Regiment vice a Heavy Armored Cavalry Regiment; plus, its equipment came from the former 199th Infantry Brigade at Fort Lewis, that was converted into the 2d ACR(LT). CPT Cojocar requested a name and call sign change to the Regimental TACSOP for the 502d MI to be dubbed “Shadow Troop” utilizing the movie theme from “The Shadow”.

Shadow Troop EW Platoon conducting training

Regimental & Company Missions. The newly formed 2d ACR (LT) was assigned the mission of serving as the new Light Cavalry Regiment for the XVIII Airborne Corps, at Fort Bragg, NC. The Regiment’s Aviation Squadron (OH-58D Kiowa Warrior) was also stationed at Fort Bragg. The Regiment’s first exercised mission as such occurred in the Spring of 1994, where the 3d Squadron was airlifted into Fort Chaffee, Arkansas to secure the airfield and expand the lodgment, providing a screen around the airfield to secure the arrival of the 3d IBCT/101st Assault, where each trained with each other to exercise this newly formed concept. The 502d MI Company’s mission was to provide Intelligence, HUMINT, and Electronic Warfare support to the 2d ACR(LT) in support of all Regimental missions. Much of the training that had been conducted prior to June 1994, at Fort Polk, had been at the individual soldier level, with not much collective training being conducted. The newly assumed command team formulated a collective training program that incorporated individual/soldier task training and weapons qualification, physical training, that led up to Platoon and Company collective training at the Company levels. During the second half of 1994, the 502d was also tasked to provide both HUMINT and EW support for both the JRTC OPFOR 1st Battalion/509th Geronimo Regiment, and Bluefor units rotating through the JRTC. These training opportunities assisted the building of proficient MI teams.

Shadow Troop Training Program & Regimen. A daily week in Shadow Troop’s garrison regimen started off with Command Maintenance on Monday’s, followed by Platoon and below level training on Tuesday and Wednesday’s, Sergeant’s Time on Thursday mornings, with OPD/NCOPD on Thursday afternoons, and scheduled training on Friday’s. Training meetings were held on Thursday afternoons. Shadow Troop’s Command Maintenance Program consisted of command maintenance 10 level PMCS checks on Monday morning’s, followed by PMCS maintenance on weapons, NBC equipment, and other Troop EW and generator equipment in the afternoons. The Troop held a Maintenance Certification Program Training session on Monday afternoons that was run by the Maintenance Technician. All Corporal’s and Sergeants were required to complete the Maintenance Certification Program to become maintenance supervisors for 20 level maintenance. Linguists conducted scheduled language training once a week to sustain and improve their language proficiency skills in Russian, Serbian, and Persian Farsi. Language Training was conducted in the newly established Language Training Facility that was run and managed by a 502d MI HUMINT Warrant Officer. This facility became the Fort Polk LTF for the entire installation. Language Training was supplemented by a quarterly language immersion week of training, that was usually conducted by a visiting language instructor, right before a proficiency test was conducted. Linguists also traveled to Houston to conduct language immersion trips to the Persian Farsi district, to enhance their language skills. The 502d MI maintained and operated the Fort Polk Sensitive Compartmentalized Information Facility (SCIF), that was located near the motor pool, and was managed by the Troop SIGINT Warrant Officer. Most of the ACE soldiers worked in and out of the SCIF facility, to facilitate their analysis training and taskings that were assigned by the 2nd ACR(LT) G2. The Analytical Control Element (ACE) was tactically OPCON to the RS2 Senior Intelligence Officer. During garrison operations, the ACE soldiers and

analysts worked in the RS2 office area in the Regimental headquarters building. Physical Training was conducted 4 days a week M, T, W, F, that focused on Squad/Crew level PT, Section level PT, Platoon level PT, and each PLT conducted a sports-oriented PT session once a week. Company level runs were conducted once a month. 1SG Falcon was instrumental in getting Shadow Troop ready to compete for the Fort Polk Silver PT streamer, which was tested in the Spring of 1995. Shadow Troop attained the Silver Streamer standards and was awarded the streamer for PT excellence, to add to their guidon.

Upon assumption of command, the 502d MI leadership formulated a collective training program

and strategy to focus on building collective MI Teams to attain METL proficiency. The Company METL

included the following METL tasks:

• •Deploy
• • Conduct Intelligence & Electronic Warfare Operations
• • Conduct Human Intelligence (HUMINT) Operations
• • Protect the Force
• • Sustain the Force

Each Platoon, to include the Operations Support Platoon and Service Support Platoon, were

provided the opportunity to conduct a three-day PLT FTX to build collective training proficiency, which

was supported by the rest of the Troop with opposing forces, rabbit support, and maintenance contact

team support. Platoon leaders planned their FTX’s and conducted written after action reviews at their

conclusion, assessing Platoon Battle Task performance. The Company usually conducted a collective

company FTX at the end of each quarter employing all Platoon’s in the Company collectively, that

incorporated the ACE setting up and conducting tactical IEW analysis either from tactical field location, or from the garrison SCIF. These FTX’s were designed to conduct IEW support operations in support of 2d ACR(LT) Cavalry missions of Zone Reconnaissance, Security Operations, and Flank Moving Screen operations.

The Company was also afforded opportunities to conduct live IEW training in support of JRTC

Bluefor units rotating through JRTC, while also being tasked to support OPFOR operations in support of the 1-509th Parachute Infantry Regiment “Geronimo’s”. These opportunities were instrumental in

validating the Company training strategy and greatly assisted in building collective MI Teams.

In December 1994, Shadow Troop designed and executed an internal MI CPX at the Fort Polk

Simulation Center on North Fort Polk. This simulation exercise employed the Troop using a Regimental scenario, in simulation, in which Platoon Leader’s were able to C2 their IEW and HUMINT assets within simulation, exercising communications and reporting to the Company TOC. A white cell formulated exercise traffic which was provided to Platoon Operation Center’s (POC’s) to report to the ACE for analysis. This first of its kind MI Company simulation exercise facilitated collective proficiency at all levels.

502d MI EW Platoon conducting training.

Weapons qualification and proficiency was another paramount part of Shadow Troop’s training

regimen. Individual and crew served weapons qualification was conducted on a quarterly basis for all

soldiers and MI team crews. The Company also conducted periodic call for fire training using the call for fire simulator.

MI Gunnery. The 502d MI designed and executed a collective MI Gunnery Training Program, that

trained IEW target acquisition, reporting, language deciphering and reporting, SIGINT analysis, SIGINT Collection, and Electronic Warfare Jamming. MI Gunnery training was conducted on a bi-annual basis and usually supplemented the Company FTX training event at South Fort Polk, and the Kisatchie Training Area. Threat scenarios and traffic were pre-developed, scripted, and submitted to NSA for approval, in order to meet USSID requirements. Linguists were employed out with rabbits at selected target locations of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 kilometers. Each EW crew was required to obtain a LOB, two crews a CUT, three crews, a FIX, within 50 meters of the target location, and each was also required to decipher 90% of the foreign language traffic transmitted at each location. EW TLQ-17 crews were required to adhere to the same collection and reporting standards (non-DF) and were required to successfully perform jamming missions on each target. Rabbits were then directed to return on a selected route communicating with each other; while EW teams tracked, fixed, and jammed their locations in pre-designed Electronic Engagement Areas. The MI Gunnery Program cemented the entire IEW process for the company that fused the IEW Team with the ACE, and Service Support Maintenance Contact Teams. The 2d ACR(LT) Regimental Commander and 67th COL of the Regiment, Colonel Walter “Skip” Sharp, visited the 502d MI EW Gunnery exercises frequently, to receive personal orientations on the IEW equipment and view Shadow Troop soldiers conducting their collective training.

Operation Uphold Democracy (HAITI). In the Spring of the 2d ACR(LT) was tasked to provide

Peacekeeping support in Haiti, as part of the XVIII Airborne Corps support mission Operation Uphold

Democracy. The military mission changed from a combat operation to a peacekeeping and nation-

building operation with the deployment of the US-led multinational force in Haiti. This force was made

up primarily of members of the 3rd Special Forces Group, but also included members of the 16th Military Police Brigade, 118th Military Police Company (Fort Bragg, NC), the 101st Military Police

Company, the 988th Military Police Company (Fort Benning, Georgia) and 101st Aviation Brigade (Ft.

Campbell, Kentucky), 3/2 ACR from Ft. Polk, Louisiana, and Marine Forces Caribbean. Teams were

deployed throughout the country to establish order and humanitarian services. The 502d MI Company

did not deploy to support OUD but did send the HUMINT Section as part of TF Wolfpack, 3/2 ACR(LT), personally requested by Wolfpack 6, LTC Michael W. Trahan. Upon mission notification, CPT Cojocar coordinated for the HUMINT Section to provide support for the JRTC Bluefor rotations with the 82d Airborne Brigades and 75th Ranger Regiment, that were rotating through JRTC, prior to the deployment. This collective training integration trained the HUMINT section to a T level of METL proficiency, very quickly and readied them for deployment. During Wolfpack’s support mission in Haiti, the Shadow Troop HUMINT section became the SCO’s favorite scouts. Upon return, they were submitted and awarded the Department of the Army award for the Army’s best HUMINT Team. The 2d ACR (LT) Regimental Headquarters followed 3/2 ACR’s deployment, with 1st War Eagle Squadron, as part of the United National support mission to Haiti, led by Colonel Sharp. Selected members of the 502d MI Company’s ACE deployed in support of the G2 section to perform their mission.

Fort Chafee with the Wolfpack. In September 1995, the 502d MI Company “Shadow Troop” deployed

with the 3rd Wolfpack Squadron to Fort Chaffee, Arkansas, to conduct collective training, MI Gunnery,

and IEW Support to Light Cavalry Operations in support of the Wolfpack Squadron’s missions. Shadow Troop deployed with the Wolfpack Squadron, road marching 400 miles, from Fort Polk to Fort Chaffee, conducting an overnight ROM at Redstone Arsenal. Shadow Troop commenced training conducting an MI Gunnery exercise, and then provided collective IEW support to 3rd Squadron Zone Reconnaissance and Security Operations. The entire exercise lasted most of the month of September 1995. The Troop and Squadron redeployed in late September. This exercise solidified Shadow Troop’s METL training assessment to a T level in all METL tasks and served as the best training event the Company had conducted in 15 months.

502d MI Company “Shadow Troop” Photo

National Training Center. After redeployment from Fort Chaffee, CPT Cojocar successfully coordinated for the Company to send one Electronic Warfare Platoon to support the 511th MI Company, 11th ACR OPFOR Regiment, at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin. The Company prepared, PCI’d, and readied the EW Platoon for deployment. The EW2 Platoon deployed in late October to November 1995 to support the OPFOR MI Company, conducting IEW support for the 11th ACR, during NTC Rotation 96-01. This deployment of the EW2 Platoon, became the first unit from the 2d ACR to ever deploy to the National Training Center, since the formulation of the 2d ACR(LT) in CONUS. Upon redeployment, the Company prepared for 100% inventories and change of command. CPT(P) Bill Cojocar relinquished command of the 502d MI Company in December 1995, to CPT Thomas Evans, and was subsequently assigned to become the Regimental S2 “Rifles 2”, and subsequently as Field Grade Commander, 66th Military Intelligence Company, 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, at Fort Carson, Colorado. 1SG Falcon, also departed Shadow Troop, to continue his service with the Regiment as the 1SG of Killer Troop, 3/2 ACR(LT). This transition ended this chapter of the unit’s history and started the next with a new Command Team.

502d MI Company Change of Command Ceremony at FT Polk Honor Field (Dec 1995)

Within 18 months, the 502d MI Company had become one of the best trained MI Companies in

the Army. 3rd Squadron Commander LTC Michael Trahan cited Shadow Troop as being one of the premier, company level tactical and mobile MI units in the Army. The 67th COL of the Regiment, Colonel Walter Sharp, cited the 502d MI as being so deployable and trained better than any other MI unit in our Army. The 502d MI went on to perform admirably at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, to continue its tradition of remaining “Always Out Front” for the 2d Cavalry Regiment. “Toujours Pret!”

From shirts, to fleeces, stadium blankets and much more, what the well dressed Dragoon will be sporting this fall!

Help Wanted:

Project manager for 2d Cavalry Association entry into the Combined Federal Campaign.

We are looking for an organized individual who can seek out requirements, positioning, and promotion necessary to have the Association listed as an authorized charity for the Combined Federal Campaign (“CFC”). This individual will work closely with the branding committee of the Board to craft verbiage, imagery, and a compelling argument for contributions.

If interested, contact me ASAP at [email protected]

Very respectfully,

John MacEnroe

Adjutant