The 1st Squadron, 18th Cavalry Regiment, is the reconnaissance element of the 79th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the California Army National Guard.

[2] During the Spanish–American War, the regiment was mustered into Federal service on 9 May 1898 at the Presidio of San Francisco as the 7th California Volunteer Infantry.

The battalion was released from active service on 30 June 1954 after returning to California and reverted to state control as Federal recognition was withdrawn from the NGUS unit.

The armored cavalry battalion was organized and federally recognized on 26 January 1951 with headquarters at Van Nuys and moved to Burbank on 1 November of that year.

It was reorganized and redesignated on 1 November 1965 as the 1st Squadron, 18th Armored Cavalry; and ordered into active federal service on 13 May 1968 at home stations.

The 1st Squadron [less Troops C and D] was ordered into active federal service on 1 May 1992 at home station and deployed to the LA Riots.

In the 2003-2004 time period Alpha, Bravo and Charlie Troops were activated in support of Operation Noble Eagle.

[9] A few of the troopers were assigned to the 184th Infantry during their 2004 deployment to Operation Iraqi Freedom, with some dying in combat.

[11][12][13] 1-18th Cavalry was called to active federal service along with the 79th IBCT in October 2008 in support of NATO peacekeeping efforts in Kosovo.

[citation needed] During the 2015 California wildfires, Soldiers with 18th Cavalry were called up to participate in firefighting operations.

[16] In 2020, soldiers of the 1-18CAV were activated to Los Angeles to support local civil authorities during the George Floyd protests.

A Gold color metal and enamel device 1+1⁄8 inches (2.9 cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Or, a tilting spear in bend Vert, between a horse's head couped and a gauntlet of the like, all within a bordure of the second.

That for the regiments and separate battalions of the California Army National Guard: On a wreath of the colors Or and Vert, the setting sun behind a grizzly bear passant on a grassy field all Proper.