The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron is a specialized unit within the US Army's Battlefield Surveillance Brigade (BfSB) that blends ground Cavalry troops with an elite Long Range Surveillance (LRS) Airborne Infantry Company continuing the US Army's march toward a modular force. The Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron (R&S Squadron) consists of a Headquarters Troop, (Company C) Long Range Surveillance (LRS) unit (Airborne Infantry Company) for strategic level Long Range Reconnaissance and Surveillance missions (the backbone of the R&S units and the BfSB), two ground (Troops A and B) Cavalry Troops for basic tactical Reconnaissance taskings and the Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron (R&S Squadron) mounted Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and Ready Reaction Force (RRF) Security Force (SECFOR), dismounted Quick Reaction Force (QRF) and Ready Reaction Force (RRF) Security Force (SECFOR) and one line Infantry Company responsible for the Reconnaissance & Surveillance Squadron (R&S Squadron) Base Security Force (SECFOR). History Lieutenant Colonel James Gaylord and Command Sergeant Major Eric Dostie present the company guidon at the 38th Cavalry Regiment's activation ceremony Thursday. Fort Bragg's newest unit unfurled its flag Thursday. The activation of the 1st Squadron of the 38th Cavalry Regiment added about 300 Soldiers to Fort Bragg. They included Staff Sergeant Roch Schenk, who sat on horseback in an Army uniform from the Indian wars of the late 1800s on the parade field. Squadron officers wore black Stetson hats at the ceremony in honor of their horse cavalry heritage. Each troop stood in formation with its red-and-white cavalry guidon. "Based on lessons learned from combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army leaders saw a need for a very special unit", Colonel Joe Cox said. Cox is commander of the 525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, the host for the ceremony and the squadron's parent organization. The parade field is in the brigade area at Jackson and Letterman streets. The squadron is designed to conduct Reconnaissance and Surveillance operations for divisions, corps and joint task forces, Cox said. The commanders of those large units have a "near-insatiable appetite for persistent Surveillance during the day and night, in all weather conditions", he said. "Army architects developed a blueprint for a multifunctional organization that blends ground cavalry troops with a Long Range Surveillance company, which is Airborne", Cox said. The Long Range Surveillance company's Soldiers stood in the formation wearing the elite Maroon Beret of Airborne Soldiers. Other Soldiers wore the Army's standard black beret. The