Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, Ankeny IA
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From AnkenyIkes.org
Izaak Walton League, Ankeny, IA
The Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America (informally known as "The Ankeny Ikes") has a two-fold goal.
Primarily, "Ankeny Ikes" is a member only organization with the a goal to conserve, maintain, protect and restore the soil, forest, water and other natural resources of the United States and other lands; to promote means and opportunities for the education of the public with respect to such resources and their enjoyment and wholesome utilization. Secondarily, "Ankeny Ikes" goal is to promote and educate the public about outdoor shooting sports, especially archery, rifle, pistol, shotgun, etc.
Ikes Community Classes
The next Ikes Community Class is "Pistol Reloading". Open to Ikes and non-Ikes alike. See Ikes Community Classes for details.
About the Name - Dragoon Trail Chapter
Taken from TravelIowa.com... Dragoons were lightly armed cavalry soldiers who scouted Iowa soon after the Black Hawk Purchase (1832) to put the area under the control of the United States government. Following the course of the Des Moines River, the Dragoons blazed a trail through newly acquired lands that would soon become the State of Iowa. Dragoons established outposts from present-day Des Moines to Fort Dodge in the spring and summer of 1835.
In 1861 the two existing U.S. Dragoon regiments were redesignated as the 1st and 2nd Cavalry. This reorganization did not affect their role or equipment, although the traditional orange uniform braiding of the dragoons was replaced by the standard yellow of the Cavalry branch. This marked the official end of dragoons in the U.S. Army, although certain modern units trace their origins back to the historic dragoon regiments.
The 1st Dragoons was reformed in the Vietnam era as 1st Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry, and continues to this day in the Iraqi War as the oldest cavalry unit, as well as the most decorated unit, in the U.S. Army. Today's modern 1-1 Cavalry is a scout/attack unit, equipped with M1A1 Abrams tanks and M3 Bradley CFVs.
Another modern United States Army unit informally known as the 2nd Dragoons is the 2d Stryker Cavalry Regiment. This unit was originally organized as the Second Dragoon Regiment in 1836 until it was renamed the Second Cavalry Regiment in 1860, morphing into the 2d Armored Cavalry Regiment in the 1960s. The regiment is currently equipped with the Stryker family of wheeled fighting vehicles.
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Ankeny Ikes Facility near Elkhart, Iowa
Address of the facility...
4857 NE 110th Ave Elkhart, IA 50073
Mailing Address...
Dragoon Trail Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, inc PO Box 91 Ankeny, IA 50021
General driving directions...
- Head East out of Ankeny on E 1ST ST (Same road as NE 94TH AVE, Highway 931, or Enterprise RD), drive approx 3 miles
- Turn North on NE 46TH ST, drive approx 2 miles
- Turn East on NE 110 AVE, drive approx 1/4 mile