Big Red One, Fort Riley Welcomes new Commander

By Stephanie Hoff, 1st Inf. Div. Public AffairsMay 25, 2011

Big Red One Fort Riley Welcomes new Commander
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Big Red One Fort Riley Welcomes new Commander
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Big Red One Fort Riley Welcomes new Commander
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

As the Kansas weather transitions from spring to summer, Fort Riley and the 1st Infantry Division continue to experience their own ‘season of change’ as departing commanders are given well wishes and arriving commanders welcomed to the Flint Hills.

The historic division and post bid farewell on May 25 to Maj. Gen. Vincent Brooks, who has commanded the Big Red One and Fort Riley since April 2009.

“This is a very special day for Fort Riley and the local community as we bid farewell to one great command team and welcome another,” said Gen. James Thurman, commanding general of the U.S. Army’s Forces Command. “Command is a special time in a military career; there is truly no greater honor and there is not greater privilege than to lead American Soldiers and commanded one of the premier and, indeed, longest-serving divisions is a rare and extraordinary opportunity that comes with its own set of distinctive challenges and awards.”

Thurman recognized several of Brooks’ accomplishments during his time as commander of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley, highlighting how he was able to successfully train and then deploy five brigade-sized units to combat theaters in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Brooks returned this past January following a year-long deployment with the division’s headquarters, where the unit commanded the United States Division " South, an area that encompasses nine provinces, or about the size of the state of Washington.

“(Brooks) has performed superbly with skill, imagination, resourcefulness and determination,” Thurman said. “With the challenges, the successes, the sorrows and the achievements; he has been a guiding force. He cares for the Soldiers and their Families; he has truly been a Soldier’s general.”

Following his upcoming promotion to lieutenant general, on June 3 Brooks will become the new commanding general for U.S. Army Central Command, 3rd U.S. Army at Fort McPherson, Ga.

“Thanks for making this assignment the most comfortable, memorable, remarkable and enjoyable assignment of my 31 years of commissioned service,” Brooks said to the Soldiers and guest in attendance at the ceremony. “I’ve been proud to wear the Big Red One on both shoulders.”

During the ceremony, the division and Fort Riley welcomed Maj. Gen. William Mayville as the 75th commanding general of the historic Big Red One.

“This division is very, very good at what it does. It is that way because of the exceptional skills and professionalism of the Soldiers and leaders who serve the division as well as the extraordinary support from those who enable it,” Mayville said. “The leadership within this division and the Fort Riley community will continue to ensure that expert care and integration support is provided for our returning Soldiers and their Families.”

Mayville will soon welcome three new faces to the division’s “Victory Five’” command team. Brig. Gens. Donald MacWillie and Paul Funk will serve as the division’s deputy commanding generals, replacing Brig. Gens. Ricky Gibbs and Randall Dragon. In July, Col. Robert Risberg will replace Col. Richard Piscal as the chief of staff for the Big Red One and Fort Riley.

The new commanders of the division and Fort Riley will, without a doubt, continue to move the celebrated division and post forward for a bright future, Thurman added.

“I have every confidence that this command team will do the important work that our nation has called upon them to do today.”

Related Links:

The Official 1st Infantry Division Facebook Page