BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division conducted a patching ceremony Dec. 18 at Union III where members were presented their "Big Red One" shoulder sleeve insignia, confirming their status as deployed in overseas operations against hostile forces.
For many of the Soldiers present, this is their first deployment and it is seen as a historic opportunity to earn their combat, or shoulder sleeve insignia-former wartime service (SSI-FWS), patch. The 1st Inf. Div. is working in support of Operation Inherent Resolve to build the capacity of the Iraqi Security Forces in the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.
The SSI-FWS is worn on a Soldier's right shoulder, under the flag, and is widely considered a point of pride that indicates wartime service and signifies that a person has served in a military operation which lasted for a period of 30 days or longer.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley commanding general and head of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Operation Inherent Resolve, set the tone of the event by explaining the history behind the combat patch.
"As you don the coveted 1st Infantry Division combat patch, I want you to consider the fraternity you are now a part of," Martin said. "One whose lineage and heritage coincides with modern conflict, one who continuously stood on the side of freedom and one that answers the call to arms every time with Duty First!"
This ceremony comes a month after nearly 500 1st Inf. Div. Soldiers mobilized to Iraq and Kuwait in support of CJFLCC-OIR.
CJFLCC-OIR is an international partnership to assist the Iraqi Security Forces, which includes the Iraqi Army, the Iraqi Air Force, the Counter Terrorism Service, the Federal Police and the Kurdish Peshmerga.
By working by, with and through the government of Iraq, the coalition has helped the ISF increase their capabilities as a fighting force. The coalition's focus on advising and assisting provides the ISF with training from the coalition nations. This training ranges from individual to collective task training such as rifle marksmanship, weapons familiarization, combat causality care, sniper stalking and urban combat.
"It is a combined arms effort, with the coalition supporting the direct fight with artillery and air strikes, and the ISF pushing forward with ground forces," said Master Sgt. Joey Thompson, 1st Inf. Div. - Erbil.
To date, the coalition has conducted more than 10,000 strikes in Iraq. Taking the fight to ISIL with these strikes disrupts their ability to command and control their fighters, removes their safe havens, destroys their equipment and kills their fighters.
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