1ID (FWD) begins the journey to Dragoon Ready 20
U.S. Army Story by Sgt. Kyle Larsen
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
With the sun shining over a small military installation in Poznan, Poland, U.S. Soldiers from First Infantry Division (Forward) lined up in a formation on the morning of Oct. 26, 2019, in preparation for their journey to Hohenfels Training Area, Germany. 1ID (FWD) is the higher command element for the multinational exercise, Dragoon Ready 20, and will provide invaluable support for the participating countries.
This is the first major exercise 1ID (FWD) has participated in since officially changing their name. On Oct. 4, 2019, the 1ID Mission Command Element held an unveiling ceremony to signify their name change to 1ID (FWD) to be the first U.S. Army division forward in Poland.
The current rotation of Soldiers have participated in large-scale exercises in the past, such as Saber Junction 19 (SJ19), but never as a forward deployed division headquarters, like they are for DR20.
“As the higher command supporting 2nd Cavalry Regiment and 12th Combat Aviation Brigade during Dragoon Ready 20, the objective of First Infantry Division (Forward) is to sustain and build readiness as a mission command node capable of supporting U.S. Army Europe operation plans,” said Col. Phil Brooks, 1ID (FWD) commander. “We are utilizing this exercise as an opportunity to sustain the readiness we built during Warfighter (WFX) 19-04 and Saber Junction 19.”
Much like SJ19, this exercise is designed to demonstrate the ability of U.S. troops stationed throughout Europe to quickly deploy as combat credible forces throughout the European region, demonstrating the commitment of the U.S. Army to provide reinforcement and security to our partners and NATO Allies.
“We will continue to improve our systems, processes and standard operating procedures from this exercise as the 1ID at Fort Riley, Kansas, prepares for their Command Post Exercise 2, WFX 20-05, National Training Center Rotation 20-10 and WFX 21-3, next year,” said Brooks, who also serves as the Deputy Commander for Maneuver for the 1ID main.
1ID (FWD) is stationed in Poznan as the division headquarters for all of the subordinate units spread throughout 17 different countries in support of Atlantic Resolve. Most of the Soldiers from 1ID (FWD) are here on a seven to nine month rotational deployment, but the 1ID main headquarters back in Fort Riley, Kansas, provided support by sending Soldiers to augment the forward deployed unit in Poland.
“The personnel sent forward from Fort Riley, Kansas, to augment the 1ID Forward headquarters are instrumental in maintaining the momentum gained in Poland over the unit’s rotation in support of Atlantic Resolve,” said 1st Sgt. Craig Carroll, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1ID (FWD). “Their presence allows us to continually build and maintain the U.S./Polish relationship and support all of the subordinate units throughout the European Theater.”
The Soldiers sent from Fort Riley started to display their importance immediately, as they helped the 1ID (FWD) personnel load their bags for the seven-hour drive to HTA. While the unit is the HICON for DR20, the augment personnel will provide much needed support in the rear, performing tasks such as supply and logistics, engineers, personnel administration, future plans and military intelligence.
As the last of the bags were loaded, the Soldiers loaded the bus as their names were checked off to ensure 100 percent accountability. The rear element staying in Poznan watched as the buses pulled off carrying the Soldiers of 1ID (FWD) to their next mission set, as part of DR20.