1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
US Army · Public domain · source
Unit name	1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division
Caption	Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 1st Infantry Division
Dates	1917–present
Country	United States
Branch	United States Army
Type	Armored brigade combat team
Role	Armored warfare
Size	Brigade
Command structure	1st Infantry Division
Garrison	Fort Riley, Kansas
Nickname	"Devil Brigade"
Battles	World War I, World War II, Vietnam War, Gulf War, Iraq War, War in Afghanistan
Decorations	Presidential Unit Citation, Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division is a premier armored brigade combat team of the United States Army and the oldest continuously serving brigade in the Army. Known as the "Devil Brigade," it is a core maneuver element of the 1st Infantry Division, historically headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. The brigade has participated in every major American conflict since World War I, establishing a legacy of combat power and readiness.

History

The brigade's lineage traces to the 1st Expeditionary Division's 1st Infantry Brigade, activated for World War I at Fort Jay, New York. It fought with distinction in critical American Expeditionary Forces campaigns like the Battle of Cantigny and the Meuse-Argonne offensive. During World War II, as part of the Big Red One, it spearheaded the Normandy landings at Omaha Beach and fought through the Battle of the Bulge. The unit later saw extensive combat in the Vietnam War, operating in the III Corps tactical zone. It was reorganized as an armored brigade in the early 1990s, leading heavy forces during Operation Desert Storm in the Gulf War. Since 2001, the brigade has executed multiple deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, including during the Iraq War and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Organization

The brigade is organized under the standard Armored brigade combat team model, comprising six core battalion-level units. These include two combined arms battalions, a Stryker-equipped infantry battalion, a reconnaissance squadron, a field artillery battalion, and a brigade engineer battalion. Key supporting elements are the brigade support battalion and a headquarters company. The brigade falls under the command of the 1st Infantry Division and Forces Command for operational readiness, regularly training with allies like the Polish Land Forces and the British Army.

Equipment

The brigade's primary armored platform is the M1 Abrams main battle tank, supported by the M2 Bradley infantry fighting vehicle. The reconnaissance squadron utilizes the M3 Bradley and M1127 Reconnaissance Vehicle. Its field artillery battalion is equipped with the M109A7 Paladin self-propelled howitzer. The engineer battalion employs a variety of specialized vehicles, including the M9 Armored Combat Earthmover and the Assault Breacher Vehicle. Communications and command are enhanced by the Joint Tactical Radio System and the Blue Force Tracking network.

Notable deployments

Significant modern deployments include Operation Iraqi Freedom, where the brigade conducted stability operations in Baghdad and Diyala provinces. During the Iraq Surge, it was pivotal in securing the Sadr City district. In Afghanistan, the brigade operated across Regional Command East, including Paktika Province and Khost Province, as part of Operation Enduring Freedom. It has also participated in numerous NATO exercises across Europe, such as Atlantic Resolve and Saber Guardian, to deter Russian aggression.

Training and readiness

The brigade maintains high readiness through a progressive training regimen at its home station of Fort Riley and major combat training centers. Units routinely rotate through the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, and the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana. Training emphasizes large-scale combined arms maneuver, live-fire exercises, and Military operations in urban terrain alongside United States Air Force and Army Aviation assets. The brigade also integrates cyber warfare and electronic warfare into its mission command exercises.

Commanders

Notable past commanders include Brigadier General John L. Hines, who later became Chief of Staff of the United States Army. More recently, Brigadier General Douglas M. Gabram commanded the brigade during its 2013 Afghanistan deployment. Commanders are typically colonels with extensive command experience, often having previously led battalions within the Big Red One or other Armored Forces units.

Category:Armored brigades of the United States Army Category:1st Infantry Division (United States) Category:Military units and formations in Kansas