Predecessor units of the 303rd Armor The 303rd Armor traced its lineage back to the 103rd Antitank Battalion, constituted on 14 August 1940 in the
Washington National Guard. The 103rd was organized and federally recognized on 30 September from new and existing units, and was headquartered at
Tacoma. After being inducted into Federal service on 10 February 1941 at home stations, it was converted into the 103rd Infantry Battalion, Antitank, on 24 July 1941. On 15 December 1941, after the United States entered
World War II, it became the 803rd Tank Destroyer Battalion. During the
2014 Washington wildfires, the 1/303rd was called up for firefighting duty in the
Chiwaukum Complex during July 2014, and was commended for its performance by the
Washington State Legislature in February 2015. In August 2015, the 1st Squadron was called up for state service to fight record
wildfires. On 21 February 2016, the 1st Squadron was inactivated as the 81st Brigade transformed into a
Stryker Brigade Combat Team. The squadron was reactivated on 7 May 2016 at the
Camp Rilea Armed Forces Training Center in
Warrenton, Oregon, operationally controlled by the
96th Troop Command. In event of mobilization, it was to become part of the Oregon Army National Guard's
41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The 303rd's headquarters was moved to
Vancouver from
Kent. Lieutenant Colonel Chris Blanco took command of the new 1st Squadron. The 1/303rd was replaced at Kent on 28 August by the reactivation of the 3rd Battalion,
161st Infantry, forming part of the 81st Stryker Brigade Combat Team. In September 2019, the 303rd Cavalry Regiment was mobilized in support of Operation Spartan Shield. The main body was deployed to Joint Training Center Jordan, while the B Troop was placed in Bahrain. The unit later demobilized in Fort Bliss, TX in mid-June and early July 2020. In October 2020, the 303rd was activated on a state level in response to possible civil unrest prior to and after the 2020 November elections. They were later activated in January 2021 following the trespassing on the Governor's residence and prior to President Biden's Inauguration, remaining in the state capitol of Olympia for three weeks. == Honors ==