1ST INFANTRY DIVISION PRESS RELEASES

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‘Big Red One’ to honor Operation Desert Storm with ‘berm breach’ — FORT RILEY, Kansas — As part of the 1st Infantry Division’s 100th... read more

‘Big Red One’ to honor Operation Desert Storm with ‘berm breach’ — FORT RILEY, Kansas — As part of the 1st Infantry Division’s 100th anniversary celebration, Soldiers will honor the 26th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm Feb. 24 with a simulated “berm breach” on Custer Hill. Units on Fort Riley will include running through the berm — complete with the sounds of battle, fog, concertina wire and historic signage — as part of their daily physical training. Veterans, especially those who served in Desert Storm, are encouraged to watch or participate in the “breaching of the berm.” Under the command of Maj. Gen. Thomas Rhame, the “Big Red One” deployed more than 12,000 troops to support Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm. On Feb. 24, 1991, the division spearheaded the attack that pierced Iraqi defenses, allowing Coalition forces to cut deep into the country and cut off the escape of the fleeing Iraqi army. Following the 6:30 a.m. event, veterans are invited to the Cantigny Dining Facility for breakfast. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the berm breach will need to RSVP by Feb. 23 at noon by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil.   less

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‘Big Red One’ offers media opportunity to find out what major training event is all about — FORT RILEY, Kansas — The 1st Infantry Division is... read more

‘Big Red One’ offers media opportunity to find out what major training event is all about — FORT RILEY, Kansas — The 1st Infantry Division is inviting members of the media to get an up-close look at the multifaceted, brigade-level training taking place now on Fort Riley. A mock battle will take place on the morning of Feb. 16 that will highlight an engagement featuring Abrams tanks and Bradley fighting vehicles facing off against a similarly equipped force. Danger Focus II, which began at the end of January, is a month-long exercise joining together all battalions within the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div. It is designed to build leaders prepared for combat operations within a fully enabled live, constructive and virtual environment. The exercise will better prepare “Dagger” brigade Soldiers for an upcoming rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. Similar to last year’s Warfighter Exercise conducted by the 1st Infantry Division headquarters, Danger Focus II pits the 2nd ABCT against a virtual, near-peer enemy. At 9 a.m. on Feb. 16, members of the media will have the opportunity to witness a moving mock battle and interview division leaders about the exercise. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the mock battle will need to RSVP by Feb. 15 at 4 p.m. by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil. The media opportunity is expected to last from 9-10 a.m.  less

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‘Dagger’ brigade to conduct live-fire exercise as part of Operation Danger Focus II — FORT RILEY, Kan. – “Big Red One” Soldiers from the 2nd... read more

‘Dagger’ brigade to conduct live-fire exercise as part of Operation Danger Focus II — FORT RILEY, Kan. – “Big Red One” Soldiers from the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team will conduct a combined-arms live fire exercise Feb. 3 on Fort Riley. The CALFEX, conducted by Company B, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd ABCT, will employ about 18 M1 Abrams battle tanks and M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicles supported by AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and a company-level mortar team. A squad of combat engineers will support a breach of an enemy obstacle using live Bangalore torpedoes to allow the company to maneuver to its final objective. Operation Danger Focus II is a month-long exercise designed to build leaders prepared for combat operations within a fully enabled live, constructive and virtual environment. The exercise will better prepare “Dagger” brigade Soldiers for an upcoming rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California. Similar to last year’s Warfighter Exercise conducted by the 1st Infantry Division headquarters, Danger Focus II pits the 2nd ABCT against a virtual enemy. Fort Riley is the only Forces Command installation in the Midwest with modern, state-of-the-art, full-spectrum training capability to help train joint, interagency, intergovernmental and multinational partners. -30- Members of the media interested in attending the combined-arms live fire exercise will need to RSVP by Feb. 1 at 4 p.m. by calling (785) 240-1796 or emailing jason.p.roberts22.ctr@mail.mil.  less

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‘Big Red One’ mounted color guard to march in 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade — By Chad L. Simon 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs — The 1st... read more

‘Big Red One’ mounted color guard to march in 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade — By Chad L. Simon 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs — The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley will be represented on horseback by the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard during the 58th Presidential Inaugural Parade in Washington, D.C., Jan. 20. The CGMCG will ride 13 horses to the parade to include two draft horses that will lead the team’s 1871-era escort wagon. The CGMCG was announced as one of the initial 40 groups participating in the parade Dec. 30 by The 58th Presidential Inaugural Committee., but the team has prepared for the parade by riding in the Chicago Memorial Day Parade and the Manhattan, Kansas, Veterans Day Parade in addition to its other community related events conducted throughout the year. The horses departed Fort Riley via a private hauler while the 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers flew to Washington and will continue to work with the horses upon their arrival in the nation’s capital. “When we get there we are going to keep on maintaining our equipment and horses as we prep for the event,” said Spc. Sam Ruzga, a trooper with the CGMCG. The trip won’t be all work for the Soldiers. They will get the opportunity to tour the National Mall and museums. The Soldiers will also get to tour the Pentagon and the offices of Sens. Jerry Moran and Pat Roberts, both of whom represent Kansas. The team spent hours of specialized training on Fort Riley in addition to its usual community involvement before departing for the inauguration. “We have done a lot of the training leading up to this to get the horses accustomed to being in formation, being comfortable with flags and loud noises and unique objects they will encounter on the parade route,” said Capt. Riley Emter, CGMCG commander. “The desensitization training we have done is key for us getting them ready for a parade on such a large stage.” The specialized training is used to desensitize the horses to the specific parade environment in Washington. The CGMCG also enlisted the help of the Fort Riley’s 97th Military Police Battalion and fire department to simulate the parade. The police cars turned on their lights and sirens as the fire department sounded their horns during practice. “We will also practice with loud speakers to simulate loud crowds and music,” Staff Sgt. Kory Owen, CGMCG trooper, said. “We do demonstrations throughout the community so all of our horses are desensitized to loud gunfire. That helps us when it comes to loud noises and crowds, but there is never too much training.” The prestige of the event is not lost on the team members as they continue to prepare to represent the “Big Red One” in Washington. “It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Ruzga said. “I am very proud to get the opportunity to do it and get to ride with the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard. It will be a really cool experience and something nobody on this team will forget.” This is not the first inaugural parade for the CGMCG. Since the team’s inception in 1992, it has participated in three prior inauguration parades including President Barack Obama’s first Inaugural Parade in 2009. The CGMCG comprises active-duty U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to the 1st. Inf. Div. at Fort Riley on a temporary basis, so none of the current members were on the team during Obama’s first parade. However, five of the 13 horses have made the trip to Washington. -30- Photos and cutlines to accompany this story can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/firstinfantrydivision/albums/72157677637543930.  less