1ST INFANTRY DIVISION PRESS RELEASES

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‘Big Red One’ to officially recognize 100th anniversary June 8 — FORT RILEY, Kan. — To recognize the 100th anniversary of the 1st Infantry... read more

‘Big Red One’ to officially recognize 100th anniversary June 8 — FORT RILEY, Kan. — To recognize the 100th anniversary of the 1st Infantry Division, the century-old “Big Red One” will conduct a division run and a Victory with Honors ceremony June 8. The division run will start at 6:30 a.m. on Fort Riley’s Custer Hill. Every unit at Fort Riley will take part in the run, led by Brig. Gen. Patrick D. Frank, 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley acting senior commander, and other division leaders. The four-mile path will take Soldiers around Custer Hill and past displays of military equipment. The Victory with Honors ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. This will be the official recognition ceremony for the division’s 100th anniversary, complete with the firing of the period cannon “Old Thunder,” Soldiers in uniforms from throughout the division’s history and a look back at the major conflicts that have defined the world and the division over the last century. The 1st Inf. Div. was initially constituted as the First Expeditionary Division in May 1917 before being officially organized in New York City on June 8, 1917, under the command of Brig. Gen. William L. Siebert. Though the Army had used temporary divisions since the Civil War, the Big Red One was the first divisional unit created to fight in World War I. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the division run or the Victory with Honors will need to RSVP no later than June 7 at noon by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil.   less

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‘Devil’ brigade to return from South Korea — FORT RILEY, Kan. — More than 3,700 Soldiers with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry... read more

‘Devil’ brigade to return from South Korea — FORT RILEY, Kan. — More than 3,700 Soldiers with the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, are set to return soon from a nine-month deployment to South Korea. The “Devil” brigade deployed to South Korea in October 2016 as part of a regular rotation of forces in support of the Republic of Korea – U.S. alliance under the 2nd Infantry Division. While deployed, the 1st ABCT trained closely with their South Korean counterparts in order to deter North Korean aggression and provide security to the Korean peninsula. During the deployment, the Devil brigade conducted multiple training exercises just miles from the demilitarized zone. The exercises included squad-based live-fire exercises, M1 Abrams tank gunnery qualification tables, joint live-fire exercises with other 2nd Inf. Div. elements and the U.S. Air Force and, most notably, three battalion-level exercises focused on counter-weapons-of-mass-destruction operations. All members of the Devil brigade are expected to return by mid-July. -30- Media interested in attending a redeployment ceremony for the 1st ABCT are asked to RSVP with the 1st Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil. Information regarding specific ceremony times will be made available as appropriate.  less

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‘Dagger’ brigade to deploy to Europe this fall — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, is scheduled to... read more

‘Dagger’ brigade to deploy to Europe this fall — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, is scheduled to deploy this fall to Europe in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve. Approximately 4,000 Soldiers assigned to the “Dagger” brigade will deploy as part of the regular rotation of forces in that region and will replace the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson, Colorado. "The Dagger brigade is looking forward to deploying back to Europe," said Col. David Gardner, commander of 2nd ABCT, 1st ID. "The brigade has served most of its 100-year history in support of our European allies and will arrive after a year of training ready to do so again." -30- For more information contact the 1st Infantry Division Office at (785) 240-1796 or send an email to nathan.j.hoskins.mil@mail.mil.  less

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1st Inf. Div. seeks public’s help in locating Soldier — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley are seeking the public’s... read more

1st Inf. Div. seeks public’s help in locating Soldier — FORT RILEY, Kan. – The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley are seeking the public’s help in locating a Soldier who is missing. Staff Sgt. Garett Michael Swift, a fire support specialist with Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div., was last in contact with his unit April 18 at 9 p.m. The 37-year-old drives a 2008 Hyundai Santa Fe, license number HAV 507. At this time, Swift is only being sought to ensure his welfare. Those with information regarding Swift are asked to call his unit at (785) 239-0568 or the Fort Riley Military Police Desk at (785) 239-6767.  less

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Combat Aviation Brigade prepares to return from Afghanistan — FORT RILEY, Kansas — More than 800 Soldiers with the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st... read more

Combat Aviation Brigade prepares to return from Afghanistan — FORT RILEY, Kansas — More than 800 Soldiers with the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, are set to return soon from a nine-month deployment to Afghanistan. The “Demon” brigade deployed to Afghanistan in August 2016 as part of a regular rotation of forces in support of Operation Resolute Support and Operation Freedom's Sentinel. While deployed, the 1st CAB formed Task Force Victory, which made their presence known with 116 helicopters. Pilots, maintainers and staff consisting of more than 1,100 Reserve and Active component troopers all contributed to more than 36,000 flight hours in combat. They advised the NATO mission on air threats and provided security for distinguished visitors and members of Congress. "I couldn't be more proud of every member of Task Force Victory," said Col. John M. Cyrulik, commander of the 1st CAB. "We made a huge impact every day we were in Afghanistan." The “Demon” brigade conducted more than 700 operations during its deployment, reducing indirect fire and improvised explosive devices at six Coalition bases. Soldiers of the brigade flew nearly 200 medical evacuation missions, saving the lives of U.S., Coalition and Afghan forces. All members of the Demon brigade are expected to redeploy by the end of April. -30- Media interested in attending a redeployment ceremony for the 1st CAB are asked to RSVP with the 1st Infantry Division’s Public Affairs Office by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil. Information regarding specific ceremony times will be made available as appropriate.  less

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K-State students get taste of Army life at Fort Riley — FORT RILEY, Kan. — Students from Kansas State University’s Quest Freshman Honorary... read more

K-State students get taste of Army life at Fort Riley — FORT RILEY, Kan. — Students from Kansas State University’s Quest Freshman Honorary organization will get a taste of Army life when they tour Fort Riley as the invited guests of the 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, March 10. While on post, the students will view several aircraft operated by the “Demon” brigade, have lunch at one of Fort Riley’s award-winning dining facilities and see where Soldiers live and work. Quest is a student organization at K-State that works to develop freshmen into leaders. Freshmen in the program are mentored by seniors in the Blue Key Honor Society, a nationwide group that recognizes upperclassmen at colleges and universities for an “exemplary and balanced record of achievement inside and outside the classroom,” according to the society’s website. Soldiers will show students the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, the CH-47 Chinook helicopter and MQ-1C Gray Eagle unmanned aircraft system. In addition, the students will have the opportunity to try three aircraft simulators used by Soldiers to prepare for missions. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the visit will need to RSVP by March 9 at noon by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil.   less