The 1st Infantry Division will deploy in March as U.S. Army Europe’s division-level headquarters, the Army announced on Wednesday.
About 100 troops from the Fort Riley, Kansas-based division will replace the 4th Infantry Division and be responsible for mission command of U.S. troops deployed in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve, the news release said.
The 4th ID formed the first Atlantic Resolve mission command element three years ago in response to increased regional tensions.
The Fort Carson, Colorado-based 4th ID served as the intermediate headquarters between U.S. Army Europe and U.S. forces deployed throughout the eight Atlantic Resolve countries of Bulgaria, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania and Slovakia.
The mission command element is based in Poznan, Poland, and provides command and control for more than 6,000 U.S. service members, the release said. These troops conduct bilateral training and multinational exercises with forces from allied host nations to deter aggression and support stability in the region.
“I am very pleased that the Big Red One was selected to replace the 4th Infantry Division for this critical mission,” Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, the 1st ID and Fort Riley commanding general, said in the release. “We are constantly building readiness so that we can support missions like this and many others across the globe. We look forward to building upon the successes of the mighty 4th ID.”
Brig. Gen. Richard Coffman, the 1st ID and Fort Riley deputy commanding general for maneuver, will lead the mission in Poland.
The 1st ID, which is the Army’s first and longest-serving division, has a history in the European theater, the release said.
In 1918, the division won the Battle of Cantigny in France, which was the first American victory in World War I.
It was also the first U.S. division to return to Europe in World War II. The division was then based in Germany from 1996 to 2006, deploying throughout Europe in support of peacekeeping missions.
Charlsy is a Reporter and Engagement Manager for Military Times. Email her at cpanzino@militarytimes.com.
