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Army Football Reveals 1st Cavalry Division Uniforms Ahead of Army-Navy Game

“For the first time ever, warhorses could fly.”

West Point Athletics Department

The moment you’ve all been waiting for... Let’s face it, Army Football has created some awesome Army-Navy Game uniforms in the past few years. It’s hard to think the athletics department can top themselves.

Well, this year, the Cadets are going back to 1965, to honor the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division, (Airmobile).

On September 11, 1965, the 1st CAV arrived in South Vietnam—the first complete U.S. Army division to deploy to the country. The unit included the 11th Aviation Group and was home to a number of assault helicopters and gunships. The unit was unique in that it was the first division to serve as a cavalry, infantry, air assault and armored division.

West Point Athletics Department
West Point Athletics Department

The uniforms honor the famed division, with sleeves featuring the 1st Cavalry patch and helmets highlighting the crossed sabers, insignia you’ll find on the cavalry Stetsons—the iconic hat of the division.

West Point Athletics Department

Soldiers of the 1st CAV served valiantly, from their contributions during the Battle of the Ia Drang and the Tet Offensive, to the invasion of Cambodia. The division has a history of being first and as such, was dubbed, “First Team.” The 1st Cavalry was also the only American division to participate in all four zones during the Vietnam War.

For the past three seasons, the Black Knights have highlighted a particular Army division with their Army-Navy game uniforms, giving nods to the unit’s history through helmet design, patches, and colors.

Nike works in partnership with West Point’s history department to research and use artifacts and photos from the chosen unit, ensuring the uniform’s colors and symbols are accurate.

Each uniform reveals offers a historical inside look at each unit’s timeline and their wartime contributions. In 2018, the team’s stunning all-black uniforms showcased the oldest Army division—the 1st Infantry—also known at “The Big Red One,” in line with the 100th anniversary of World War I.

Here’s a snapshot of Army uniforms from year’s past. Which one is your favorite?

2018

Army v Navy Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

2017

NCAA Football: Army at Navy Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

2016

NCAA Football: Army vs Navy Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

2015

NCAA FOOTBALL: DEC 12 Army v Navy Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr./Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

2014

NCAA FOOTBALL: DEC 13 Navy at Army Photo by Daniel Kucin Jr./Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

2013

Navy Midshipmen v Army Black Knights Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images

2012

Army v Navy Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images

Of course, Navy athletics has a uniform reveal of their own. This year, the Midshipmen will honor two Navy Heisman Trophy Winners, Joe Bellino and Roger Stabauch.

The Army-Navy game will take place on December 14 at 3:00 pm EST. at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.