1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment
Denali Squadron · Fort Richardson, Alaska · By Force and Valor
The official unit name is 1st Squadron (Airborne), 40th Cavalry Regiment, commonly written 1-40 CAV and known as Denali Squadron. The modern airborne cavalry squadron was activated at Fort Richardson, Alaska, on October 16, 2005. Fort Richardson later became part of Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
Armored roots beginning in 1941
The official lineage carries World War II campaign honors through numerous activations, inactivations, redesignations, and assignments.
Denali organized in Alaska in 2005
The airborne cavalry squadron served in combat, peace support, international partnership, Arctic operations, and large-scale joint training.
The squadron was not continuously active under the same name and organization from 1941 onward. The inherited lineage and the modern Denali Squadron are connected, but historically distinct.
From armored beginnings to Alaska
1941–1943: Armored beginnings
The lineage began on January 13, 1941, when the Army constituted Company A, 4th Armored Regiment, as an element of the 3rd Armored Division. It activated at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, on April 15, 1941, and was redesignated Company A, 40th Armored Regiment on May 8, 1941. Following a brief inactivation, it activated at Camp Polk, Louisiana, on March 2, 1942, as part of the 7th Armored Division. On September 20, 1943, it was reorganized and redesignated Company A, 40th Tank Battalion.
World War II
The 40th Tank Battalion entered combat in Europe in 1944. Its official lineage carries campaign participation credit for Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Central Europe. Its colors also carry a Presidential Unit Citation for the Hürtgen Forest, the Belgian Fourragère 1940, and Belgian Army Order of the Day citations for action in Belgium and the Ardennes.
Postwar transformations
On July 25, 1945, the unit became Company A, 40th Amphibian Tractor Battalion. It inactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on February 22, 1946. The lineage later passed through Company A, 40th Heavy Tank Battalion; Company A, 40th Tank Battalion; Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 40th Armor; Company A, 40th Armor; and Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 40th Armor.
First Alaska period: 1957–1969
Company A, 40th Armor activated at Ladd Air Force Base, Alaska, on December 16, 1957. It was assigned to the 171st Infantry Brigade in 1963 and remained in Alaska until inactivation at Fort Wainwright on September 21, 1969. The 40th lineage therefore had an Alaska connection nearly five decades before the modern Denali Squadron activated at Fort Richardson.
Fort Polk and Army testing
The unit returned as 1st Battalion, 40th Armor, at Fort Polk, Louisiana, in 1975 and inactivated in 1987. Its headquarters later transferred to the U.S. Army Operational Test and Evaluation Command, operated from Fort Hunter Liggett, California, and was discontinued in September 1997.
Primary record: U.S. Army Center of Military History, Lineage and Honors.
Denali takes formation
On October 1, 2005, the lineage was redesignated 1st Battalion, 40th Armored Regiment. Fifteen days later, it was redesignated and activated as 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Richardson. The squadron was assigned to the newly organized 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division—the Spartan Brigade—to conduct reconnaissance and security operations for the airborne brigade.
Reconnaissance
Mounted and dismounted route, area, and zone reconnaissance; surveillance and observation.
Security
Screen, guard, direct-action, and security operations across distributed terrain.
Airborne Integration
Airborne and air-assault operations integrating scouts, fires, intelligence, mortars, and unmanned aircraft.
Service across changing missions
Iraq — Operation Iraqi Freedom
During the Spartan Brigade deployment, 1-40 CAV operated south of Baghdad and was placed under the operational control of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. Task Force 1-40 operated in the southern Baghdad belts, including Arab Jabour, Hawr Rajab, Al Busayifi, and Al Jabour, from patrol bases and combat outposts.
Documented missions included mounted and dismounted patrols, route security, searches for weapons caches, counter-IED operations, patrol-base defense, partnership with Iraqi security forces, and engagement with local leaders. On April 12, 2007, an explosives-laden vehicle attacked Patrol Base Dog. The squadron later received the Valorous Unit Award for Baghdad, 2006–2007.
Afghanistan — Operation Enduring Freedom
Denali deployed in February 2009 with Task Force Yukon, operating primarily in Paktya Province and later western Khost Province. Soldiers conducted combat patrols and worked with Afghan army, police, and local forces. In April 2009, 1-40 CAV and Afghan forces established a combat outpost at Kalagu in the Zormat area. The squadron received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for this deployment.
Afghanistan — Return to Regional Command-East
The squadron returned in December 2011 and again served in the Khost and Paktya area. Official records place subordinate elements at Camp Parsa, FOB Salerno, Combat Outpost Wilderness, Combat Outpost Deysie, Nadir Shah Kot District, and Shewak District. The squadron received a second modern Meritorious Unit Commendation for Afghanistan, 2011–2012.
Kosovo — Kosovo Force 19
Denali helped form the nucleus of Multinational Battle Group-East. Its peace-support mission included liaison-monitoring teams, freedom-of-movement patrols, observation posts, multinational cooperation, community engagement, crowd-and-riot-control preparation, and response-force readiness. The unit received the Army Superior Unit Award for 2014–2015.
Afghanistan — Task Force Denali
Under Operation Freedom's Sentinel and the Resolute Support mission, Task Force Denali expanded Advisory Platform Lightning at Gardez, re-established Forward Operating Base Shank in Logar Province, supported train-advise-assist operations, and enabled the introduction of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade. The squadron received a Meritorious Unit Commendation for Afghanistan, 2017–2018.
Operational detail is supported by the official Surging South of Baghdad study, Kalagu report, 2011 transfer report, Kosovo record, and the Army's Spartan Brigade history.
Two decades of adaptation
| Period | Mission or event | Historical significance |
|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Activation at Fort Richardson | Creation of the modern Denali Squadron in the Spartan Brigade. |
| 2006–2008 | Iraq | Southern Baghdad combat operations; Valorous Unit Award credited for Baghdad, 2006–2007. |
| 2009–2010 | Afghanistan | Paktya and Khost combat operations and Afghan-force development. |
| 2010 | Yudh Abhyas, Alaska | U.S.–India airborne and field-training partnership. |
| 2011–2012 | Afghanistan | Return to eastern Afghanistan and remote combat-outpost operations. |
| 2013 | Gainey Cup | Won the inaugural Army-wide cavalry scout competition. |
| 2014 | Deadhorse Arctic operation | Spartan Brigade's first reported operation north of the Arctic Circle. |
| 2014–2015 | Kosovo | KFOR 19 and Multinational Battle Group-East. |
| 2017–2018 | Afghanistan | Task Force Denali; AP Lightning, FOB Shank, and 1st SFAB integration. |
| 2021–2022 | Yudh Abhyas | Cold-weather training at JBER followed by high-altitude operations in India. |
| 2022 | 11th Airborne Division | Assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. |
| 2023–2024 | JPMRC and Super Garuda Shield | Arctic tactical movement and multinational Indo-Pacific operations. |
| March 2026 | Korea CALFEX | Combined U.S.–ROK live fire before planned transformation. |
| June 2026 | Red Flag-Alaska 26-2 | Final major training event officially reported under the 1-40 CAV designation. |
Command chronology
This chronology includes command teams documented in official public records. “Not identified in reviewed public sources” means the source used for that entry did not name the senior enlisted leader.
| Period or event | Commander | Senior enlisted leader |
|---|---|---|
| Iraq, 2006–2008 | LTC Mark W. Odom | Not identified in reviewed public sources |
| Afghanistan, 2009 | LTC Robert Campbell | Not identified in reviewed public sources |
| 2010–2012 | LTC Christopher J. Cassibry | CSM Kalen Dringman documented at 2012 redeployment |
| 2013–early 2014 | LTC Richard M. Scott | CSM Shane Pospisil |
| June 13, 2014 | Outgoing LTC Clinton J. Baker; incoming LTC Mark D. Federovich | Not identified in reviewed public sources |
| 2016 Army roster | LTC Mark D. Federovich | CSM Jan C. Araneta |
| Afghanistan, 2017–2018 | LTC Ethan J. Diven | CSM Evan Lewandowski |
| August 2018 | LTC Joshua Gaspard | Not identified in reviewed public sources |
| October 2021 | LTC John Campbell | Not identified in reviewed public sources |
| Yudh Abhyas 2022 | LTC Jake A. Hughes | Not identified in reviewed public sources |
| March 2026 Korea | LTC Craig Nelson | Not identified in reviewed public sources |
| June 2026 Red Flag-Alaska | LTC Bryson Shipman | Not identified in reviewed public sources |
View the complete publicly documented 2016 troop roster
| Element | Commander | First sergeant |
|---|---|---|
| Squadron | LTC Mark D. Federovich | CSM Jan C. Araneta |
| Headquarters and Headquarters Troop | CPT Robert Smith | 1SG Eric W. Linn |
| Apache Troop | CPT Ross Low | 1SG Erik Carlson |
| Blackjack Troop | CPT Matthew J. Cauda | 1SG Eddie Reyes |
| Chaos Troop | CPT Linwood Bubar | 1SG Robert Gaumond |
| Devil Company | CPT Ronald C. Taylor | 1SG Jose L. Concepcion |
Roster and command references include the Army's 2016 unit history and DVIDS 2014 change-of-command record.
Inherited honors and modern recognition
| Decoration | Credited action or period |
|---|---|
| Presidential Unit Citation, Army | Hürtgen Forest |
| Belgian Fourragère 1940 | World War II service |
| Belgian Army Order of the Day citations | Action in Belgium and the Ardennes |
| Valorous Unit Award | Baghdad, 2006–2007 |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation | Afghanistan, 2009–2010 |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation | Afghanistan, 2011–2012 |
| Army Superior Unit Award | 2014–2015 |
| Meritorious Unit Commendation | Afghanistan, 2017–2018 |
Publicly documented valor awards
The awards below are documented in available public records. Additional award information will be added as it is confirmed.
PFC John G. Borbonus
Silver Star, posthumous. Recognized for his actions against the suicide vehicle during the April 12, 2007 attack on Patrol Base Dog.
SSG Shane R. Becker
Silver Star, posthumous. Recognized for combat action near Baghdad on April 3, 2007.
Ryan S. Chester
Silver Star. Recognized for action during a major ambush in Afghanistan on July 6, 2009.
On September 28, 2007, eleven 1-40 CAV Soldiers were publicly recognized with Bronze Star Medals with Valor Devices: CPT Donald Braman, SSG Elias Cowell, SGT Eric Harrington, SPC Manuel Miranda, PFC Jose Rodriguez, PFC Mike Scanzuso, SPC John Schumacher, SPC Mark Lelend (spelling as presented in the source), SPC Matthew Loshaw, SPC Kaylon Ross, and 1LT Eric Rudberg.
The Roll of Honor remains the governing source.
The separate, chain-of-command-provided Roll of Honor controls memorial names, ranks, biographies, photographs, and presentation. This research report does not replace or reduce that final record.
Visit the Roll of HonorSee the official DVIDS report, “Paratroopers Acknowledged for Acts of Valor”, and the Department of Defense Army Silver Star recipient list.
A scout identity tested around the world
Inaugural Gainey Cup Champions
In March 2013, a 1-40 CAV team won the first Army-wide cavalry scout competition against 18 other teams. The winning Denali team was SSG Justin Miller, SGT Zachary Adkins, SPC Alexander Berlin, SPC Mitchell Sanderson, and PFC Joseph Calderon.
Read the official Army reportSpur Ride, 2014
Nearly 100 Denali paratroopers completed long movements, boat and airmobile operations, weapons and communication tasks, calls for fire, casualty care, and cavalry-history testing before earning silver spurs.
Read the official Army reportArctic Operations
Denali repeatedly conducted airborne insertions, over-the-snow movement, cold-weather reconnaissance, survival, sustainment, casualty evacuation, and long-range tactical movement. A 2014 exercise was reported as the Spartan Brigade's first operation north of the Arctic Circle.
Read the Arctic Circle reportYudh Abhyas
Denali trained with Indian Army formations in Alaska in 2010 and 2021, then deployed to Auli, India, in 2022 for high-altitude combined operations with the 9th Assam Battalion.
Read the Military Review study
The designation approaches a transition
On October 16, 2022, the squadron was relieved from assignment to 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, and assigned to 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division. Its recent training increasingly emphasized Arctic maneuver, joint forcible entry, large-scale combat, drones, attack aviation, allied integration, and parachute-infantry tasks.
Korea, March 2026
Under LTC Craig Nelson, approximately 900 U.S. and Republic of Korea personnel participated in a combined-arms live-fire exercise integrating infantry, ROK K2 tanks and K21 infantry fighting vehicles, Apache helicopters, mortars, unmanned aircraft, Marines, and direct and indirect fires.
Red Flag-Alaska, June 2026
Under LTC Bryson Shipman, Denali conducted a joint forcible entry onto Donnelly Drop Zone, seized a landing strip, conducted air-assault operations, integrated drone reconnaissance, and fired live TOW missiles. The Army described it as the squadron's final major training event under the 1-40 CAV designation.
The official record will be updated after confirmation.
Official Army reporting states that 1-40 CAV was scheduled to reflag as 1st Battalion, 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment in July 2026. The association will update this section after an official report confirms completion of the redesignation ceremony.
See the Army Innovation report on the March 2026 Korea exercise and the Army's Red Flag-Alaska 26-2 report.
What the record shows
The history of 1-40 CAV combines World War II armored combat, Cold War armor service in Alaska, operational testing, airborne cavalry reconnaissance, counterinsurgency in Iraq and Afghanistan, NATO peace support in Kosovo, advisory-force support, Arctic warfare, high-altitude partnership with India, and Indo-Pacific large-scale combat preparation.
Repeated Adaptation
The formation shifted from conventional reconnaissance to counterinsurgency, local-security development, peace support, advisory missions, Arctic operations, and parachute-infantry tasks.
Service at the Edges
Denali operated south of Baghdad, in isolated Afghan valleys, north of the Arctic Circle, in the Himalayas, and across the Indo-Pacific.
A Strong Scout Identity
The inaugural Gainey Cup victory, Spur Rides, and repeated reconnaissance exercises sustained cavalry culture as equipment and missions changed.
A History Carried Forward
A reflagging changes an organization, but it does not erase the 40th Cavalry lineage, its campaign streamers, memorials, veteran community, or historical record.
Documentary collections connected to Denali
The Department of Defense Visual Information Distribution Service preserves extensive public-domain imagery connected to 1-40 CAV. This page presents a small featured selection; the complete searchable archive is maintained on the Media Gallery page.
Spartan Brigade Executes Company Live-Fire Exercise at JBER
- Date
- 05.07.2026
- Location
- US
- Photo by
- Correy Mathews
- VIRIN
- 260507-A-LF704-9061
- Original resolution
- 1002x835
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Paratroopers assigned to 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, clear obstables during a company live-fire exercise at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, May 2026. The training incorporated kinetic and strike small unmanned aerial systems to enhance battlefield awareness and lethality. (U.S. Army photo by Pvt. Gonzalez-Rodriguez)
Traversing the Frozen Frontier
- Date
- 01.10.2024
- Location
- ALASKA, US
- Photo by
- Pfc. Brandon Vasquez
- VIRIN
- 240110-A-ED188-3768
- Original resolution
- 5480x3654
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Cpt. Bethany Stuhlman, Arrow Troop, 1st Squadron 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, drives a snow machine at Kneibur Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 10, 2024. In Arctic environments, where harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain can pose significant obstacles, snow machines play a crucial role in warfare increasing mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of division soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez)
Traversing the Frozen Frontier
- Date
- 01.10.2024
- Location
- ALASKA, US
- Photo by
- Pfc. Brandon Vasquez
- VIRIN
- 240110-A-ED188-7218
- Original resolution
- 6240x4160
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joaquin Aldana, headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, ride on a snowmachine at Kneibur Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 10, 2024. In Arctic environments, where harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain can pose significant obstacles, snow machines play a crucial role in warfare increasing mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of division soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez)
Traversing the Frozen Frontier
- Date
- 01.10.2024
- Location
- ALASKA, US
- Photo by
- Pfc. Brandon Vasquez
- VIRIN
- 240110-A-ED188-6429
- Original resolution
- 6240x4160
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joaquin Aldana and Staff Sgt. Adrian Lim, 1st Squadron 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, performs maintenance on a snowmobile at Kneibur Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 10, 2024. In Arctic environments, where harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain can pose significant obstacles, snow machines play a crucial role in warfare increasing mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of division soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez)
Traversing the Frozen Frontier
- Date
- 01.10.2024
- Location
- ALASKA, US
- Photo by
- Pfc. Brandon Vasquez
- VIRIN
- 240110-A-ED188-9807
- Original resolution
- 6240x4160
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Cpt. Clare Shea, Darkhorse Company, 1st Squadron 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, poses on a snowmachine for a photo at Kneibur Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. In Arctic environments, where harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain can pose significant obstacles, snow machines play a crucial role in warfare increasing mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of division soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez)
Traversing the Frozen Frontier
- Date
- 01.10.2024
- Location
- ALASKA, US
- Photo by
- Pfc. Brandon Vasquez
- VIRIN
- 240110-A-ED188-9169
- Original resolution
- 6240x4160
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Joaquin Aldana, headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, rides on a snowmachine at Kneibur Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 10, 2024. In Arctic environments, where harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain can pose significant obstacles, snow machines play a crucial role in warfare increasing mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of division soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez)
Traversing the Frozen Frontier
- Date
- 01.10.2024
- Location
- ALASKA, US
- Photo by
- Pfc. Brandon Vasquez
- VIRIN
- 240110-A-ED188-1015
- Original resolution
- 6240x4160
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Cpt. Bethany Stuhlman and Cpt. Clare Shea, 1st Squadron 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, ride on a snowmachine at Kneibur Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 10, 2024. In Arctic environments, where harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain can pose significant obstacles, snow machines play a crucial role in warfare increasing mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of division soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez)
Traversing the Frozen Frontier
- Date
- 01.10.2024
- Location
- ALASKA, US
- Photo by
- Pfc. Brandon Vasquez
- VIRIN
- 240110-A-ED188-5868
- Original resolution
- 5232x3488
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Cpt. Clare Shea, Darkhorse Company, 1st Squadron 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, rides on a snowmachine at Kneibur Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Jan. 10, 2024. In Arctic environments, where harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain can pose significant obstacles, snow machines play a crucial role in warfare increasing mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of division soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez)
Traversing the Frozen Frontier
- Date
- 01.10.2024
- Location
- ALASKA, US
- Photo by
- Pfc. Brandon Vasquez
- VIRIN
- 240110-A-ED188-1650
- Original resolution
- 6240x4160
Official DVIDS Caption
U.S. Army Spc. Nathan Kelley and Spc. Geoffrey Swedish, 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division, maneuvers a snow machine at Kneibur Drop Zone on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. In Arctic environments, where harsh weather conditions and challenging terrain can pose significant obstacles, snow machines play a crucial role in warfare increasing mobility, flexibility and effectiveness of division soldiers. (U.S. Army photo by Pfc. Brandon Vasquez)
Continue exploring on DVIDS
Official records and further reading
Firsthand knowledge belongs beside official records.
Unit history is strongest when official records are joined with the firsthand knowledge of the Soldiers who lived it. If you can provide verified orders, dates, rosters, photographs, command information, citations, or corrections, contact the association and identify the source.
Do not submit classified information, operationally sensitive material, medical information, or private details about another person without permission.
Submit Verified History