Headquarters and headquarters troop (HHT) 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry was established February 1 1963, and Troop B (Air) was activated February 7, 1963, at Fort Rucker, Alabama. LTC John B. Stockton, founder of Air Cavalry tradition of the Stetson, commanded the Squadron, which was constituted on February 15 1963, and assigned to the 11th Air Assault Division (Test). The rest of the Troops activated March 19 1964 at Fort Benning, Georgia and began initial training of air assault and air mobility tactics and operations at Fort Benning, Georgia. The Squadron was redesignated 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry and deployed to Vietnam with the 1st Cavalry Division and 3-17 Cavalry designation was deactivated .
3-17 Cav reactivated on November 25 1966, at Fort Knox, Kentucky and soon deployed to Vietnam comprising five troops: a headquarters troop, three flight troops, and an armored scout (infantry) troop. Headquarters Troop (HHT, Redhorse) was a flight troop, but was also responsible for all the support functions of the Squadron. Alpha (Silver Spurs), Bravo (Burning Stogies), and Charlie (Charlie Horse) Troops were the primary aviation troops with the majority of the aircrews and aircraft. Delta Troop (Blue Tigers) was the ground cavalry reconnaissance troop.
The Squadron arrived in Vietnam October 14 thru November 2, 1967, and was assigned to the 12th Aviation Group. The Squadron was responsible for air cavalry support in the western part of the III Corps Tactical Zone, consisting of attack, reconnaissance, air assault, and resupply missions. On July 20 1970, 3-17 Cavalry was assigned directly to II Field Force Vietnam, and later that year placed under the operational control of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 1st Cavalry Division combined 3-17 with 1-9 Cavalry to form US Army's first air cavalry brigade.
On April 30 1972, the Squadron returned home as the second-longest serving air cavalry squadron in Vietnam. For its actions, the squadron was awarded the Valorous Unit Award with streamer embroidered, "Cambodia" and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm, streamer embroidered, "Vietnam 1967-1968". Following its redeployment, the squadron was inactivated on June 19 1973, at Fort Lewis, Washington.
The Squadron reactivated June 2 1988, as Cavalry Squadron of 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) at Griffis AFB. In 1992 moved to Fort Drum Wheeler Sack Army Airfield, and they were deployed to Florida as part of relief efforts following Hurricane Andrew. A few months later, the Squadron deployed to Eastern Africa as part of Operation "Restore Hope" in Somalia (Black Hawk Down movie). Alpha Troop, 3-17 Cavalry deployed in support of Operation "Uphold Democracy" in Haiti.
In 2003, 3-17 Squadron deployed for Operation Iraqi Freedom with the 3rd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division. 3-17 Cavalry earned a Meritorious Unit Commendation for operations in Samarra, Mosul, and Tal Afar. In 2007, the Squadron deployed again to Iraq as part of the Presidential Surge, serving with the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade in securing the Southern Belts of Baghdad.
On October 2008, 3-17 was assigned to assigned to 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division and moved to Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia.
In 2021, transitioned to the AH-64E Apache
News of 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment
AH-64E Mechanics Training, 06-Aug-21 : #Technicians US Army 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment (3-17th CAV), 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade (3 CAB), 3rd Infantry Division mechanics are at Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia learning maintenance of their new helicopter the Boeing AH-64E Apache
3rd CAB Salutes Kiowa Helicopter During Final Flight, 19-May-15 : Pilots of 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade bid an emotional farewell to the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scout helicopter during the final flight at Hunter Army Airfield May 13
