Unofficial 1st Infantry Division Magazine of Soldiers and Families | www.riley.army.mil | facebook.com/1stInfantryDivision
 Duty First! Year In Review Issue 2011 |1

Duty First!

The Duty First is an unofficial publication produced under the provisions of AR 360-1, published by Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division. 

Editorial views and opinions expressed are not 

necessarily those of the Department of Defense, 

the Army or the 1st Infantry Division. All photos 

are Army photos unless otherwise noted. Story 

and photos submissions are welcome and should 

be sent to: 

1st Infantry Division

Public Affairs Office 

ATTN: Editor 

Bldg. 580

RM 311

Fort Riley, KS 66442 

Telephone number

COM 785-239-4696 

or visit Duty First online at www.riley.army.mil.

1st Infantry Division Commander

Maj. Gen. William Mayville

1st Infantry Division CSM

Command Sgt. Maj. Charles Sasser

1st Infantry Division PAO

Maj. Joey Sullinger

Editor

Stephanie Hoff

Staff Writers

Mollie Miller

Amanda Kim Stairrett

Illustrator

Justin Angeles

Mollie miller, duty first! magazine

No Mission too Difficult. No Sacrifice too Great.

Year In Review Issue 2011 | www.riley.army.mil

COVER: First Infantry Division Soldier of the 

Quarter Spc. Luisa Leon, HHC, 3-1 AHB, 

prepares to zero her weapon during a visit 

to the range Oct. 18 .

C O N T E N T S

Photo Features

1st HBCT

“Devil” Brigade stays 

cool under pressure 

4th IBCT

“Dragons” continue to add 

to division’s proud history

2nd HBCT

“Daggers” point to sharp 

efforts at home and abroad 

3rd IBCT

“Dukes” come up golden 

during Afghan missions 

75th Fires

Group proving to be 

a division’s best friend

4th MEB

Brigade stays dauntless in its 

shift to new combat role

1st Sustainment Brigade

Brigade shows durability

throughout the past year

Combat Aviation Brigade

Exercise pushes 

“Demons” to new heights 

DHHB

New command team preps 

Soldiers for deployment

1ID Band & CGMCG

Fan favorites offer sights and 

sounds of the division

Staff Picks

Duty First! staff picks out 

favorite photos from 2011

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4

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16

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12

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1HBCT

ABOVE: Cpl. Kevin Dickinson, a military policeman assigned to 

HHC, 1st Special Troops Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task 

Force, 1st Inf. Div., monitors traffic June 15 exiting Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq. BELOW: Soldiers of 12th 

Iraqi Army Division practice dismounting from a U.S. Army UH60 BlackHawk helicopter with Soldiers of HHC, 1st Bn., 14th 

Inf., 1st Advise and Assist Brigade, during static load training 

Dec. 23, at Contingency Operating Site Warrior, Iraq. 

Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N Public affairs 

Staff Sgt. Carlo Viqueira, squad leader, Co. B, 1st 

Bn., 14th Inf. Div., 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 

1st Inf. Div., supervises and mentors soldiers from 

1st Kurdish Regional Guard Brigade as they practice 

ambush drills with silhouette targets April 14 at a 

troop movement range near Fire Base Manila in 

Kirkuk province, Iraq.

Sgt. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF Public affairs, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N

Sgt. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF Public affairs, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N

Sgt. David Strayer, 109th MPAD, USD-N

Sgt. Ian Blankenship, Bty. A, 1st 

Bn., 5th FA, 1st 

Advise and Assist 

Task Force, 1st Inf. 

Div., watches as a 

Kurdish soldier 

with 1st Regional 

Guard Brigade 

fires his weapon 

during a live-fire 

exercise June 15, 

at the Manila 

Training Center, 

Iraq. 

ABOVE: Sgt. Robert Lalone, an artilleryman serving with 1st Bn., 5th FA, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Inf. Div., establishes perimeter 

security during a snap traffic control point July 15 in southern Kirkuk, Iraq. BELOW: Cpl. Eric Cassavaugh, a petroleum supply specialist assigned to 101st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 1st Inf. Div., takes cover behind a berm March 1, at Contingency Operating Location Manila, providing security for his platoon as they unload supplies in support of Operation New Dawn. 

Staff Sgt. Robert DeDeaux, 1st AATF Public affairs, 1st Inf. Div., USD – N

Staff sgt. Robert Dedeaux, 1st AATF Public affairs, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N

Col. Michael Pappal, right, commander, 1st Advise and Assist Task Force, 

1st Inf. Div., passes the “Golden Lions” expanded Combined Security 

Force guidon to new CSF commander, 

Col. Salah, concluding the unit’s graduation ceremony June 20 at the Kirkuk 

Training Center, Iraq.

sgt. Kandi Huggins, 1st AATF Public affairs, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N

Lt. Col. David Schimsa, deputy provincial reconstruction team leader, 

congratulates Spc. Nathan Wood after Wood was awarded the Purple 

Heart and Army Combat Action Badge during an awards ceremony June 

26, at Contingency Operating Site Warrior. 

Staff Sgt. Robert DeDeaux, 1st AATF Public affairs, 1st Inf. Div., USD-N

Pfc. Andrew Fletcher, an 

infantryman assigned to 

Co. D, 2nd Bn., 12th Cav. 

Regt., attached to 1st 

Advise and Assist Task 

Force, 1st Inf. Div., scans 

the streets and rooftops of 

Kirkuk City, Iraq, for 

suspicious behavior 

during a partnered cordon 

and search operation with 

Iraqi Security Forces on 

March 24.

Spc. Andrew Ingram, USD-N Public affairs
Spc. David Judkins (left), a combat medic with HHC, 1st Bn., 18th Inf., 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., USD–C, and Sgt. 1st Class 

Justin Westbrook, a platoon sergeant with the company, wait for Black Hawk helicopters to land so they can mount up and return to base July 

26 near Camp Taji, Iraq.

Spc. William A. Joeckel

4| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! Year In Review Issue 2011 |5

2HBCT

Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div.

mollie miller, duty first! magazine

Spc. William K. Ermatinger

Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div.

ABOVE: Col. Paul Calvert (center left), commander of 2nd Advise and Assist 

Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., USD–C, and Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney Lewis, senior 

noncommissioned officer with 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD–C, uncase their 

brigade’s colors at a Transfer of Authority ceremony Dec. 9 at Camp Liberty, 

Iraq. LEFT TOP: Spc. Ruben Pop, a medic with Co. C, Special Troops Bn., 2nd 

HBCT 1st Inf. Div., United States Division–Center and a Houston native, 

brushes the teeth of Timer, a working dog with the 11th Iraqi Army Division. 

Timer and three other working dogs were inherited by the 11th IA Div. from a 

contracting firm and are now being re-trained by Dagger Brigade Soldiers to 

work with 11th IA Div. handlers to detect explosive devices. LEFT: Spc. Michael Wilcox, HHC, 1st Bn., 63rd Armor, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD–C, 

passes ammunition to a Soldier with the 17th Iraqi Army Division commando 

battalion during scout sniper training April 13 at Qa’qaa range, south of 

Baghdad.

courtesy photo

ABOVE: Combat engineers with Special Troops Battalion, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., USD–C and and fellow “Daggers” with 1st Bn., 18th 

Inf., prepare to detonate a breach charge before entering a house at a training range April 20 at Camp Taji, Iraq. RIGHT TOP: Pfc. Jesse Buck, right, an 

armor crewman with Co. B, 1st Bn., 18th Inf., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C, 

explains the proper way to disassemble and clean a rifle to a group of Iraqi 

soldiers with the 11th Iraqi Army Division on March 7 at Joint Security Station 

Old Ministry of Defense, Iraq. RIGHT: Pvt. Carlos Torres, a mechanic with Co. 

A, 1st Bn., 18th Inf., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD–C, works on a vehicle Feb. 

15 at Camp Taji, Iraq.

Spc. William K. Ermatinger

Spc. William Ermatinger

ABOVE LEFT: Lt. Col. Andrew Gainey (right), commander of 1st Bn., 7th FA, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Inf. Div., USD–C., and 1st Sgt. 

Peter Olynick (left), senior noncommissioned officer of Bty. B, 1st Bn., 7th FA Regt., examine a certificate awarded to Staff Sgt. Savali Ioane 

(second from right), a supply sergeant with Bty. B, 1st Bn., 7th FA Regt., 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C, after a Feb. 21 ceremony at Victory 

Base Complex, Iraq, in which Ioane became a U.S. citizen. ABOVE RIGHT: SPC Philip Pavelko, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav., 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div., 

shows brigade spouse Kimberly Reel how to assemble a .50-caliber machine gun during the 2011 Dagger Spouse Challenge: Battle of the 

Battalions at Fort Riley. The challenge offered the spouses of the 2nd HBCT the opportunity to experience a little of what their Soldiers do on 

a daily basis as well as celebrate the fast approaching conclusion of the brigade’s 12 month deployment to Iraq. 

Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire, 2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div.
Staff Sgt. Ben Navratil, TF Duke Public affairs

1st Lt. Jordan Weiss, platoon leader of 3rd Plt., 

Co. B, 1st Bn., 26th Inf., 3rd IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., 

Task Force Duke, looks on as his Soldiers cross 

a field Sept. 10 in Sabari District, Afghanistan. 

Third Platoon was out on a three-day patrol 

aimed to establish a presence in the district’s 

villages.

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3IBCT

Pfc. Donald Watkins

ABOVE: Soldiers with the Focused Targeting Force, 3rd IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., 

Task Force Duke, board a CH-47 Chinook helicopter April 27 in Gardez City, 

Afghanistan. RIGHT: Maj. Rosemary Reed of the Khowst Provincial Reconstruction Team helps Sgt. 1st Class Paula Reill of the Indiana National 

Guard’s 3-19th Agribusiness Developement Team with her head scarf before 

a women’s shura Feb. 10 in Jaji Maidan. It was the first women’s shura held 

with coalition forces.

Spc. Tobey White, TF Duke Public affairs

Staff Sgt. John Zumer, tf duke Public affairs

Gen. David Petraeus, ISAF Commander, 

awards the Purple Heart medal to Staff 

Sgt. Michael Roszko, a platoon sergeant in Co. A, 2nd Bn., 2nd Inf., 3rd 

IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., on June 2 at Forward 

Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan. 

Roszko, an infantryman, was one of 16 

Task Force Duke Soldiers awarded the 

Purple Heart by Petraeus. 

2nd Lt. Noel Jordan

ABOVE: Soldiers of Co. B, 1st Bn., 26th Inf., 3rd IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., 

Task Force Duke, play volleyball Feb. 21 against a team of Afghan citizens from Sabori, Saberi District, Khowst Province, Afghanistan. LEFT: 

Soldiers of 3rd Plt., Bty. A, 1st Bn., 6th FA Regiment, 3rd IBCT, fire 

their 105mm howitzer May 17 on Combat Outpost Herrera. An additional 18 rounds were fired in support of an infantry platoon that was 

running low on ammo during a firefight with insurgents in the Jaji District. 

Staff Sgt. Andrew Guffey, TF Duke public affairs

Maj. Travis Dettmer, TF Duke Public affairs

Soldiers of Co. B, 1st Bn., 26th Inf., 3rd IBCT, 

1st Inf. Div., enjoy their Thanksgiving meal Nov. 

24 at Combat Outpost Sabari, Afghanistan. 

Staff Sgt. Ben Navratil, TF Duke Public affairs

Sgt. Jonathan Soto, a platoon sergeant in Co. B, 1st Bn., 26th Inf., 3rd 

IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., Task Force Duke, searches the roof of a home Sept. 

11 in Majiles village, Afghanistan. 

Sgt. Tobey White, TF Duke Public affairs

An Unmanned Aerial System “Shadow” is launched Aug. 26 at Forward 

Operating Base Sharana, Afghanistan, by Soldiers of Co. B, Special 

Troops Battalion, 3rd IBCT, 1st Inf. 

Div., Task Force Duke. The Shadow 

offers commanders intelligence, 

surveillance and reconnaissance 

capabilities.
8

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4IBCT

Sgt. Scott Lamberson, 4IBCT Public affairs

A Soldier of the 701st Brigade Support Battalion administers aid during a mass casualty training 

exercise Aug. 21. 

Sgt. Scott Lamberson, 4IBCT Public affairs

Sgt. Scott Lamberson, 4IBCT Public affairs

During a convoy live-fire training exercise Aug. 17, 

Soldiers of the Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 

4th IBCT, carry a mock casualty to a helicopter.

Soldiers of Co. B, 2nd 

Bn., 16th Inf., 4th 

IBCT, walk toward a 

UH-60 BlackHawk to 

conduct training for 

an air assault mission 

Sept. 28 at Smoky Hill 

Air National Guard 

Range near Salina, 

Kan.

Sgt. Scott Lamberson, 4IBCT Public affairs

Soldiers of the 1st Bn., 28th Inf., 4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., stand 

ready to present the American Flag during the halftime show 

at the Kansas State Wildcat football game against the Baylor 

Bears on Oct. 1 in Manhattan, Kan.

mollie miller, duty first! magazine

Soldiers of the 1st 

Infantry Division 

grant the wish of 

7-year-old Ian 

Field and 

welcomed him to 

their ranks. In 

April, Ian, who 

visited the 

division as part of 

the Make-A-Wish 

program, spent 

the day training 

on Fort Riley as a 

member of 1st 

Bn., 28th Inf. 

Regt., 4th IBCT. 

SGT. Vance E. Williamson, 4IBCT Public affairs

Pfc. Kyle Brinkmann, 

from Co. C, 701st BSB, 

4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., 

provides simulated 

respiration for a 

wounded Soldier 

during the Top Medical 

Team Competition on 

July 18, at the Medical 

Simulation Training 

Center on Fort Riley.

Sgt. Scott Lamberson, 4IBCT Public affairs

TOP: Pfc. Steven Wenth of the 2nd Bn., 32nd FA, 4th IBCT, 

1st Inf. Div., conducts one of the eight tasks needed to cer-

tify as a howitzer gunner Aug. 14. ABOVE: Soldiers of 1st 

Sqd., 4th Cav., 4th IBCT, 1st Inf. Div., pull guard as they wait 

to be extracted from the field following an air assault train-

ing mission Aug. 22.

Sgt. Gene A. Arnold 4IBCT,Public affairs Sgt. Scott Lamberson, 4IBCT Public affairs

A Soldier with Co. B, 2nd 

Bn., 16th Inf., 4th IBCT 

searches through items 

of possible intelligence 

gathered from a 

detainee during a night 

air assault training 

mission Sept. 27 near 

Salina, Kan. The Soldiers 

were conducting the 

mission in search of 

three high-value targets. 
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CAB

RIGHT: A Soldier of 601st ASB loads a 

training round into an OH-58 Kiowa heli-

copter during a field training exercise Oct. 

26. ABOVE: The award-winning Combat 

Aviation Brigade color guard presents the

colors during a veteran’s recognition event 

Nov. 9 at Kansas State University in Man-

hattan, Kan. LEFT: A Soldier of 1st Bn., 28th Inf. Regt., pulls security during air as

-

sault training with the CAB, 1st Inf. Div., on Aug. 3 on Fort Riley. 

ABOVE: Soldiers of 4th IBCT conduct sling-load training with the assis-

tance of aircraft from the CAB on Oct. 27 on Fort Riley.

Col. John Morgan and 

Command Sgt. Maj. 

James Thomson 

present a volleyball 

signed by the Combat 

Aviation Brigade 

command group to 

the Kansas State 

University women’s 

volleyball team 

during the team’s 

Military Appreciation 

Night on Nov. 19 in 

Manhattan, Kan.

Spc. Anthony 

Samuel and Pvt. 

Lyonell Dykstra, 

both of Co. A, 

601st ASB, CAB, 

1st Inf. Div., leave 

the vicinity of the 

simulated 

emergency after 

having executed 

all emergency 

procedures during 

a training exercise 

Oct. 4 at Marshall 

Army Airfield. 

An AH-64 

Apache 

helicopter 

waits for 

clearance to 

enter training 

lanes on the 

morning of 

Nov. 11 at the 

Joint Readi-

ness Training 

Center at Fort 

Polk, La.

Sgt. Keven Parry, CAB Public affairs

Sgt. Keven Parry, CAB Public affairs

Sgt. Roland Hale, CAB, 1st Inf. Div. Public affairs

Sgt. Keven Parry, CAB Public affairs

Sgt. Keven Parry, CAB Public affairs

Sgt. Keven Parry, CAB Public affairs

Sgt. Roland Hale, CAB, 1st Inf. Div. Public affairs

Soldiers with 1st Bn., 28th Inf. Regt., 4th IBCT, load a 

Black Hawk helicopter during air assault training Aug. 3 

with the CAB, 1st Inf. Div., at Fort Riley.

Sgt. Keven Parry, CAB Public affairs
12

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1SB

Col. Brian and Renee 

Tempest, Command 

Sgt. Maj. Miguel and 

Donna Rivera, 1st 

Sust. Bde. command 

team, pose for a 

photo with the 

Kansas State 

women’s basketball 

team after their 

victory over Okla-

homa State on Nov. 3 

in Manhattan, Kan.

Pvt. Shane Meyers, an ammunition stock 

control specialist, 1st Sust. Bde., received 

an American flag pin and bumper sticker 

Nov. 11 from citizens of Wabaunsee Coun-

ty, Kan. Meyers, 19, was acknowledged for 

being the youngest veteran in the Wabaun-

see County Veterans Day Parade.

Col. Brian Tempest, commander of the 1st 

Sust. Bde., presents a Purple Heart medal to 

World War II veteran Ernest Hofstetter on Nov. 

10 during the Veterans Day Salute in Natoma, 

Kan. Hofstetter was originally awarded the 

Purple Heart after being shot in the hand while 

serving in Europe.

ABOVE: The Rigger Detachment of the 1st Sust. Bde. observes package 

chute deployment during an air supply mission in Southwest Asia. RIGHT: 

Soldiers of the 1st Sust. Bde. conduct a naval gunnery from a Logistics 

Support Vessel in the Persian Gulf. 

Sgt. 1st class Matthew Veasley, 1st SB Public Affairs

Sgt. vickie woods, 1st SB Public Affairs

Sgt. vickie woods, 1st SB Public Affairs

Sgt. 1st class Matthew Veasley, 1st SB Public Affairs

RIGHT: Vehicles from the 1st 

Sust. Bde. provide security and 

hauling in early 2011 as part of 

the responsible draw-down of 

U.S. troops and equipment in 

Iraq. The “Durable” Brigade 

hauled more than 2.2 million 

tons of retrograde out of Iraq. 

RIGHT BOTTOM: 1st Sust. Bde. 

Soldiers prepare to load a 

Humvee on a logistics support 

vessel to be refitted and 

returned to the Army’s inventory. 

Sgt. 1st class Matthew Veasley, 1st SB Public Affairs

Sgt. 1st class Matthew Veasley, 1st SB PublicAffairs

The 1st Sust. Bde. forms up for the annual Brigade run.

Sgt. vickie woods, 1st SB PublicAffairs

Sgt. 1st class Matthew Veasley, 1st SB PublicAffairs
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4MEB

The Big Red One’s 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade added another page to its history books Oct. 1 when it culminated its mission of federal / 

military response to a potential chemical, biological, radiological, Nuclear and high-yield Explosives event in the homeland. The brigade relinquished its authority and designation as the Task Force Operations component to U.S. Northern Command’s CBRNE–Consequence Management 

Response Force, or CCMRF, to the 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in a formal ceremony Sept. 30 at Fort Polk, La. During the past two years, 

the “Dauntless” Brigade provided a variety of personnel and resources needed to assist federal, state and local civil authorities during a CBRN 

response operation, including chemical detection, engineering and search and rescue. Since its designation as Task Force Operations, the brigade 

has conducted more than 40 exercises nationwide including two command post exercises at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and two mission readiness 

exercises at Camp Atterbury, Ind. 

LEFT: More than 100 Soldiers unfurl the American 

flag at Busch Stadium in St. Louis during the 

opening ceremony for Game 1 of the 2011 World 

Series on Oct. 19. Major League Baseball dedicated the game between the Texas Rangers and the 

St. Louis Cardinals to veterans and their Families. 

BELOW: Col. Frank Rangel, 4th MEB commander, 

briefs several of his staff officers before a scheduled commander’s update and assessment Oct. 18. 

The CUA concluded the brigade’s field training exercise, Dauntless Courage.

ABOVE: Michael Doyle, Ph.D., associate professor and director of the public history program, 

Ball State University, and Maj. John Morrow, 4th 

MEB plans officer, share a laugh upon Morrow’s 

presentation of a brigade coin and certificate of 

appreciation signed by the 4th MEB commander. 

Both attended the banquet held at the campus 

student center before the kick off of the BSU 

Cantigny 1st Infantry Division Oral History Project 

III on Nov. 7 in Muncie, Ind. RIGHT: Sgt. Timothy 

Hanck, a military police soldier assigned to the 

252nd Military Police Detachment, 4th MEB, 

leads members of the post Special Reaction 

Team on a damage assessment of military 

housing on Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., following a 

tornado touchdown Dec. 31. 

4th MEB Public affairs

4th MEB Public affairs

4th MEB public affairs

4th MEB Public affairs

4th MEB PAO

4th MEB Public affairs

4th MEB Public affairs

4th MEB Public affairs
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75 FIRES

A 75th Fires Bde. medic provides first aid to wounded Soldiers 

during the brigade’s Diamond Freeze training exercise Jan. 30 

at Fort Sill, Okla.

Spc. Xuefeng 

Wang and Pfc. 

Mark Meneses, 

75th Fires Bde. 

Soldiers, conduct 

a hasty hook-up 

during a no-notice 

exercise Nov. 17. 

The Soldiers 

thwarted an 

“attack” and 

successfully 

completed the 

exercise scenario.

Service members from the 75th Fires Bde. work with 

Marines to help carry a wounded Marine to safety 

during the brigade’s Combined Arms Live Fire Exercise on Jan. 27 at Fort Sill, Okla. 

ABOVE: Sgt. Brian Randall, section chief of the 258th Signal Co., gives a class to his fellow Soldiers during Diamond 

Fury on Sept.12 at Fort Sill, Okla. RIGHT: Soldiers of 2nd 

Bn., 18th FA, fire rockets down range destroying their target during the brigade’s Diamond Freeze exercise Feb. 2 at 

Fort Sill, Okla.

Service members of the 75th Fires Bde. set up their radar during a 

no-notice exercise Nov. 17 at Fort Sill, Okla.

Photos, 75th Fires Public affairs

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Service members of the 75th Fires Bde. conduct nuclear, biological and 

chemical training in a wooded Fort Sill, Okla., training site June 22. Service members of the 75th 

Fires Brigade fire to stop the enemy from coming within his sector during the brigade’s Diamond 

Freeze exercise Jan. 30 at Fort Sill, Okla. A rocket fired from the launcher shook up the serenity of 

the range in Fort Sill, Okla., as Bty. C, 2nd Bn., 18th FA, conducted a Multiple Launch Rocket 

System live fire Dec. 8; service members of the 75th Fires Bde. conduct a hasty hook-up of a 

downed vehicle during an exercise June 7 at Fort Sill, Okla.

75th Fires Public affairs

75th Fires Public affairs

75th Fires Public affairs

75th Fires Public affairs

75th Fires Publi affairs

75th Fires Public affairs
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DHHB

Sgt. Nathaniel Smith, 1st Inf. Div. PublicAffairs

stephanie hoff, Duty First! Magazine

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

stephanie hoff, Duty First! Magazinestephanie hoff, Duty First! Magazine

stephanie hoff, Duty First! Magazine stephanie hoff, Duty First! Magazine Sgt. Roland Hale, CAB, 1st Inf. Div. Public affairs

Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne, then the se-

nior noncommissioned officer of the 1st Inf. Div., 

prepares to hand the division’s colors to now -Lt. 

Gen. Vincent Brooks, second from right, the outgo-

ing commander of the division during a change of 

command ceremony May 25 on Cavalry Parade 

Field. The ceremony officially named Maj. Gen. Wil-

liam Mayville, second from left facing away, as the 

division’s new commander. Gen. James Thurman, 

far right, then the FORSCOM commanding general, 

participated in the ceremony.

FROM TOP LEFT, CLOCKWISE: Leaders of the 1st Inf. Div. 

and Fort Riley share a laugh before the start of a Victory 

with Honors ceremony in recognition of Maj. Gen. David 

Petersen on March 30 at the post’s King Field House. Pe-

tersen, who was then a brigadier general, served for almost 

18 months as the deputy commanding general–rear for the 

division and post while the unit’s headquarters completed 

a yearlong tour in Iraq; the American flag along with the 

colors of the 1st Inf. Div. are displayed May 25 on Cavalry 

Parade Field during the division’s change of command cer-

emony, officially naming Maj. Gen. William Mayville as the 

commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley; 

Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Thomson, Kansas Gov. Sam Brown-

back, and 1st Infantry Division Commanding General Maj. 

Gen. William Mayville present a medallion to Michael Cook 

III during a 9/11 remembrance ceremony at Fort Riley, 

Kan. Cook’s father died serving with the division’s 2nd 

HBCT in Iraq; Staff Sgt. John Campbell, left, and Spc. Uzo-

ma Ezeanache of Signal Co., DHHB, 1st Inf. Div., prepare 

to take down one of the company’s portable satellites June 

22 at Fort Riley’s Building 8388. The unit’s equipment was 

completing its third and final week of validations following 

a reset period after its return from Iraq.

Maj. Gen. William Mayville, command-

ing general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort 

Riley, is presented a shell casing fired 

from a ceremonial cannon May 25 on 

the post’s Cavalry Parade Field. The 

day’s ceremony officially named May-

ville as the division’s commander, re-

placing now-Lt. Gen. Vincent Brooks.

Soldiers of 

Division 

Headquarters 

and Headquar-

ters Battalion, 

1st Inf. Div. 

qualify on 

squad auto-

matic weapons 

Jan. 9 at Fort 

Riley, Kan. The 

range qualifica-

tion was part of 

the Soldiers’ 

preparation for 

an upcoming 

deployment. 

Flowers are presented by the Commanding General’s 

Mounted Color Guard on April 8 during a change of 

command ceremony for DHHB, 1st Inf. Div. Lt. Col. 

James Davis assumed command of the unit from Lt. 

Col. Mark Childs during the early morning ceremony 

in front of the division’s headquarters. 
20| www.riley.army.mil Duty First! Year In Review Issue 2011 |21

1ID BAND 

& CGMCG

Amanda Kim Stairrett, Duty First! Magazine

ABOVE: Spc. Mikayla Cotton, Spc. Amanda 

Haberberger, Spc. Mark Koehl and Spc. 

James Wolfe sing carols in the lobby of 1st 

Infantry Division headquarters Dec. 12. 

RIGHT: Members of the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard attend the 

Nov. 9 burial of retired Col. Dale Taylor at 

Fort Riley Cemetery. Taylor spent nearly 70 

years training horses and riders. His career 

began in 1942 at the historic Army post 

where he first served as a riding instructor 

for the cavalry.

Amanda Kim Stairrett, Duty First! Magazine

Spc. Mikayla Cotton performs 

holiday carols in the lobby of 

1st Infantry Division headquarters Dec. 12. 

mollie miller, Duty First! Magazine 

mollie miller, Duty First! Magazine 

mollie miller, Duty F

mollie 

irst! Magazine 

miller, Duty First! Magazine 

mollie miller, Duty First! Magazine 

stephanie hoff, Duty First! Magazine 

1st Sgt. Stephen Foxx plays the 

tuba May 25 during the 1st Infantry Division’s change of command 

ceremony on Cavalry Parade Field. 

The ceremony officially named 

Maj. Gen. William Mayville as the 

75th commanding general of the 

1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley. 

The Commanding General’s 

Mounted Color Guard showcased 

the 1st Infantry Division’s grand 

history Oct. 31 during three cavalry charges on Fort Riley’s Cavalry 

Parade Field. Footage of the cavalry charges was included in a 

spirit video the 1st Infantry Division created for the Dec. 10 the 

Army/Navy game. 

The Commanding 

General’s Mounted Color 

Guard, including Sgt. 

Tommy Evans, dominated 

the competition at the 

2011 National Cavalry 

Competition Sept. 28 to 

Oct. 1 in El Reno, Okla. 

The team’s 13 riders and 

15 horses returned to 

Fort Riley with more than 

two dozen ribbons and 

awards.

Spc. Philip Pavelko, 5th Sqdn., 4th Cav. Regt., 2nd HBCT, 1st Inf. Div., 

shows brigade spouse Kimberly Reel how to assemble a .50-caliber 

machine gun during the 2011 Dagger Spouse Challenge: Battle of the 

Battalions. The challenge offered the spouses of the 2nd HBCT, 1st 

Inf. Div. the opportunity to experience a little of what their Soldiers do 

on a daily basis.

The 1st Infantry Division Band 

prepares to participate in the 

division’s change of command 

ceremony May 25. Maj. Gen. 

William Mayville became the 

division’s 75th commanding 

general during the ceremony conducted on Cavalry Parade Field.

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

The Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard showcased the 1st Infantry Division’s grand history Oct. 31 during three cavalry charges on Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. 

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

The Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard showcased the 1st 

Infantry Division’s grand history Oct. 31 during three cavalry charges 

on Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. 
22| www.facebook.com/1stInfantryDivision Duty First! Year In Review Issue 2011 |23

S T A F F P· I C K S

Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, 

then commanding general 

of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort 

Riley, was the guest 

speaker for the 21st Annual 

Charter Dinner for the 

Heart of America Chapter 

of Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. on 

May 14 in Overland Park, 

Kan. The dinner honored 

the legacy of the Tuskegee 

Airmen, African American 

military aviators who flew 

missions throughout 

Europe during World War II. 

Maj. Gen. William Mayville, commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, and division Command Sgt. Maj. Jim Champagne, join 

Staff Sgt. Jim Taylor, the oldest Soldier in the 

division; Pfc. Danielle Smythers, the youngest 

Soldier in the division; and Best Ranger Competition competitors, Capt. Nicholas Fender 

and Lt. Joshua Gorczynski, in a ceremonial 

cake cutting to celebrate the 1st Infantry Division’s 94th birthday June 8.

Hannah Maher 

makes a rubbing 

of the memorial 

stone honoring 

her dad, Sgt. 

Brent Maher, 

following the 

Victory Park 

Ceremony on 

June 29 at Fort 

Riley, Kan.

ABOVE: Soldiers from the 977th Military Police 

Company transport their patient to a waiting 

medical evacuation helicopter during Combat 

Lifesaver Training at Fort Riley's Medical Simulation Training Center. ABOVE RIGHT: The Junction City High School Bluejay Football Team 

welcomed Soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division and the 97th Military Police Battalion to 

the 5th Annual Military Appreciation Night Sept. 

23. Brig. Gen. Paul Funk, the division's deputy 

commanding general for maneuver, conducted 

the pre-game coin toss with a 1st Infantry Division coin and Maj. Jay Avery, 97th MP Bn. executive officer, ran out the game ball.

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

ABOVE: Maj. Gen. William Mayville, commanding general of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley (left), poses 

with members of the “Rangers” of 2nd Bn., 16th Inf. Regt., 4th IBCT, who made up the winning group in 

the 2011 Victory Cup Competition at Fort Riley, Kan. LEFT: Members of the Strong Beginnings Pre-K class 

at the 1st Division Child Development Center recite the Pledge of Allegiance during their graduation ceremony May 19. ABOVE LEFT: Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division granted the wish of 7-year-old Ian Field in 

April and welcomed him to the Big Red One family. Ian, who visited the division as part of the Make-A-Wish 

program, spent the day training on Fort Riley as a member of 1st Bn., 28th Inf. Regt., Dragon Brigade, 4th 

IBCT.

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

Mollie Miller, Duty First! MagazineMollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

Mollie Miller, Duty First! Magazine

A young Family member greets Soldiers following a Purple Heart presentation ceremony Sept. 27 in Victory Park at Fort Riley, Kan. The Soldiers, all 

assigned to the division’s 1st and 2nd HBCTs, were wounded in Iraq and 

Afghanistan.

ABOVE: Pfc. Jordan Boswell 

and his wife, Tifany, hold their 

9-day-old son, Connor, 

following a welcome-home 

ceremony Oct. 21 at Fort Riley. 

Boswell and more than 250 of 

his fellow Soldiers from 1st 

Bn.,7th FA Regt., 2nd HBCT, Ist 

Inf. Div., were returning home 

from a 12-month deployment to 

Iraq. LEFT: “Burn Boss” Mark 

Neely monitors a prescribed 

burn April 12 near Camp 

Funston on Fort Riley. 

mollie miller, duty first! magazine
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