62 Reserve Cavalry Squadron

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62 Reserve Cavalry Squadron
Unit Flash of the 62 Res Cav Sqn
Active
Country	Ireland
Branch	Army
Type	Cavalry Squadron
Role	Mobile defense
Size	Squadron
Part of	2 Reserve Eastern Brigade
Garrison/HQ	Cathal Brugha Barracks
Colors	Black

The 62 Reserve Cavalry Squadron is an armoured division in the Irish Reserve Defence Forces (RDF). It was formed from the former 11th Cav Sqn FCÁ in October 2005.

1 History
- 1.1 The Emergency
- 1.2 Post WWII
2 External links

[edit] History

[edit] The Emergency

The units roots start during The Emergency. During WWII, Ireland adopted a stance of strict neutrality, and contingency plans were made to defend the state from enemies from abroad, supported mainly by volunteer "reservists". A Cyclist Squadron was formed in March 1942, part of the Corps in the North Dublin area. On May 14th 1942 the 41st Cyclist Squadron was established, made up of active cyclist from Dublin clubs, and training began in McKee Barracks. Thus the embryonic 11 Cyclist Regiment L.D.F was born, with the 42nd (An Óige) Cyclist Squadron following shortly afterwards, and the 43rd Cyclist Squadron after that. The Guidgon of the latter included a Pegasus, which was incorporated into the 11 Cavalry (FCA) Regimental Guidgon after the Emergency.

The next Squadron was the 44th (an Irish speaking unit), and the formation of a Headquarters brought the Regiment to full strength. On 15th of October 1944 the Guidgons were formally presented to the Regiment. These units were not involved directly in the conflict in Europe, and when "The Emergency" ended, the raison d’être for the L.D.F ceased. However there was recognition of the need for a reserve force and so all members of the L.D.F were given the option of forming the new Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil (F.C.A) in 1946.

[edit] Post WWII

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Into the new Millennium the 11 Cavalry Squadron developed more intensive training programs, and broader range of courses, with armoured car shoots conducted at least twice a year, and FCÁ personnel taking part on the same gunnery shoot as their PDF counterparts.

As part of a wider restructure of the defence forces (which began from 2000), the 11 Cavalry Squadron FCA was stood down in October of 2005 and the new 62 Reserve Cavalry Squadron RDF took up the mantel.