Dakota Troop Centaur Events 2023-2025
(Draft - Please provide input))
D & F Troop(Air), 4th Cavalry Regiment in Vietnam (Centaurs) later became Dakota Troop with the 25th Inf Division in Hawaii.
This page is dedicated to keeping up with the events of our historic Troop level communication.
We are grateful to the young Cavalry Troopers who have chosen to honor their history.
Who, What, Where is Dakota Troop? 2024 article
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The 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav Association has maintained contact with the current organization for many years. It wasn't until recently that we began a personal relation at the Troop (Air) level with what has become Dakota Troop at the 25th Inf Division in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.
Cllick the Events below for more information
January 2023 - Bob Taylor and Mark Thomson visit the Squadron
April 2024 - Bruce and Sharon Powell visit Dakota Troop and the Squadron for dedication of the Centaur Conference Room.
........Conference Room Dedication Movie: D Troop (Dakota Troop), 3rd Squadron, 4th Cav Regiment, 3IBCT, 25th Inf Division names new Conference Room for CPT Bruce Powell in April 2024 at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii
........Squadron Awards Formation Movie: Dwight Birdwell and Bruce Powell speak to the troops and then assist with the presentation of awards to individual troopers.
........Movies from the Squadron Question & Answer Gathering:
.............1. How did you get started in Army Aviation?
............2. What got you into the Website?
............3. What kept you in for 20 years?
............4. Who were your heros?
............5. What were leaderhip issues?
............6. Did you fly in Triple Canopy Jungle?
April 2025 - Clay Maxwell and family visited the 25th Inf Div in Hawaii, and were Hosted by LTC Sam Diehl, CDR of the Centaur Aviation support unit 3-25 Aviation Regiment, the "Hammerheads".
May 2025 - Dakota Troop Contact: CPT Matthew J. Meggers, CDR Dakota Troop, 3-4 CAV, 3 IBCT, 25th ID sends us this new information and provides some answers to our specific questions about the Troop:
"Dakota Troop has been undergoing some major changes! What was Dakota Forward Support Troop has transitioned to Devil Forward Support Company. Enabling the rebirth of a reconnaissance unit.
I am currently the Commander the Dakota Troop with 1SG Spangler as my counterpart.
The Army has now seen a need for a dedicated reconnaissance Troop in support of an Infantry Battalion. 3-4 CAV will be transitioning to an Infantry BN with three full rifle Companies, and Dakota Troop as the BN recon asset. Dakota Troop is broken down into three platoons, 2x Scout Platoons and one Mortar PLT that will have 120mm and 81mm mortars serving as a Troop and BN asset. The two Scout platoons are heavily outfitted with Anti-Tank and unmanned aerial systems in support of their maneuver.
...Answers to your questions will be below:
1. Is Dakota Troop still considered a Cavalry unit? -- Yes, now one of the only ones within the Brigade.
2. Are they still honoring their history with the Centaurs? -- Absolutely! We are proud to be Centaurs and represent the storied history of this unit.
3. What about the logo? --The logo remains the centaur with the sword and spear. We are in the process of revamping the old one to add some 25th ID flair to it while still honoring our decorated past.
4. Do they still carry the D Troop 3/4 Cav Guidon and Campaign Ribbons? -- We have resurrected the D Troop 3/4 Guidon but have not seen any campaign ribbons dedicated to D Troop. The Squadron proudly displays all streamers.
5. What is the status of the recently dedicated unit Conference Room? Still there? -- The Conference room remains. However, with the old maintenance Company vacating the COF they took majority of the property with them. We are working on ways to raise funds to purchase the necessities for the conference room as we get back to our reconnaissance roots.
6. Who would our old Centaur guys contact to see if they can get an appointment to visit the Conference Room when in Hawaii? -- They are more than welcome to contact myself... (initial contact through powellcentaur@gmail.com)
7. Is it possible for them to schedule a tour of the Dakota Troop "aviation support unit" and possibly see their Flight Simulators? -- I am sure it is possible but will need to coordinate with the 25th ID CAB.
8. Will the D Troop 3/4 Cav Facebook Group be dissolved? -- With the updated guidance on unit social media pages we are on a temporary hiatus until we can get approval from our higher headquarters.
9. Did the yearly "Raider Week" go away? -- Raider week is still a thing we are planning on conducting a spur ride in late July.
10. There doesn't seem to be any information on the web of the relation of the Current Squadron to the Vietnam Squadron. -- I noticed that as well, we are reaching out to the Division historian to rectify this.
We are also working on honoring the fallen Centaurs with a mural within the Troop. Our next step with the Troop is establishing an online store (waiting on a link from the company) allowing past and current Centaurs the ability to purchase swag and represent the unit.
Please feel free to reach out with any more questions or concerns." contact him through powellcentaur@gmail.com