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1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division assumes authority in Żagań, Poland

By Staff Sgt. Jennifer ReynoldsAugust 16, 2021

Capt. Kevin Noriega (left) and 1st Lt. Christopher Raymond with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, attend the transfer of authority ceremony from 1ABCT, 1CD to 1ABCT, 1st Infantry Division, in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. As of October 2020, 1ABCT, 1ID, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., is the eighth rotation of an ABCT in support of Atlantic Resolve, funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, which enables the U.S. to enhance deterrence, increase readiness and support NATO.
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Kevin Noriega (left) and 1st Lt. Christopher Raymond with 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, attend the transfer of authority ceremony from 1ABCT, 1CD to 1ABCT, 1st Infantry Division, in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. As of October 2020, 1ABCT, 1ID, based out of Fort Riley, Kan., is the eighth rotation of an ABCT in support of Atlantic Resolve, funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, which enables the U.S. to enhance deterrence, increase readiness and support NATO. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Jennifer Reynolds) VIEW ORIGINAL
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Commander Col. Jon Meredith and Command Sgt. Maj. Calvin Hall, case their colors during a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. This indicates that 1ABCT, 1st Infantry Division has officially assumed authority in Żagań, in support of Atlantic Resolve. Since April 2014, U.S. Army Europe and Africa has led the Department of Defense’s Atlantic Resolve land efforts by rotating units based in the U.S. to Europe.
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Commander Col. Jon Meredith and Command Sgt. Maj. Calvin Hall, case their colors during a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. This indicates that 1ABCT, 1st Infantry Division has officially assumed authority in Żagań, in support of Atlantic Resolve. Since April 2014, U.S. Army Europe and Africa has led the Department of Defense’s Atlantic Resolve land efforts by rotating units based in the U.S. to Europe. (Photo Credit: Pfc. Michael Baumberger) VIEW ORIGINAL
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Commander Col. Brian McCarthy (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. LeVares Jackson uncase their colors during a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. This signifies that 1ABCT, 1ID has officially assumed authority in Żagań for its nine-month rotation in support of Atlantic Resolve. There are four types of U.S. Army Atlantic Resolve rotations – armored, aviation, sustainment task force, and division headquarters. Rotational units conduct bilateral, joint and multinational training events across more than a dozen countries.
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Commander Col. Brian McCarthy (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. LeVares Jackson uncase their colors during a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. This signifies that 1ABCT, 1ID has officially assumed authority in Żagań for its nine-month rotation in support of Atlantic Resolve. There are four types of U.S. Army Atlantic Resolve rotations – armored, aviation, sustainment task force, and division headquarters. Rotational units conduct bilateral, joint and multinational training events across more than a dozen countries. (Photo Credit: Pfc. Michael Baumberger) VIEW ORIGINAL

Żagań, Poland—The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team "Devil Brigade," 1st Infantry Division, assumed command during a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021.

The event signified the successful end of the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team “Ironhorse,” 1st Cavalry Division’s nine-month rotation to Poland.

After months of preparation and their own journey from Fort Riley, Kan., the 1ABCT, 1ID, is eager to assume the Regionally Aligned Forces mission. It will represent the tip of the spear and rally point from which Devil Brigade headquarters will conduct its mission in Europe.

The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team “Devil Brigade,” 1st Infantry Division Commander Col. Brian McCarthy and Command Sgt. Maj. LeVares Jackson uncase their colors during a transfer of authority in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. Uncasing the colors signifies the transfer of authority from 1ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division is complete, and that 1ABCT, 1ID is operational and ready to perform its mission in support of Atlantic Resolve. There are three types of Atlantic Resolve rotations – armored, aviation, and sustainment task force.
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team “Devil Brigade,” 1st Infantry Division Commander Col. Brian McCarthy and Command Sgt. Maj. LeVares Jackson uncase their colors during a transfer of authority in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. Uncasing the colors signifies the transfer of authority from 1ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division is complete, and that 1ABCT, 1ID is operational and ready to perform its mission in support of Atlantic Resolve. There are three types of Atlantic Resolve rotations – armored, aviation, and sustainment task force. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Jennifer Reynolds) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Soldiers conduct a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021, where 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, assumes authority from 1ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division. The 1ABCT, 1CD is at the end of its nine-month rotation, and the 1ABCT, 1ID will take the reins here in Żagań, and continue to support Atlantic Resolve. Atlantic Resolve is funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, which enables the U.S. to enhance deterrence, increase readiness and support NATO.
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Soldiers conduct a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021, where 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, assumes authority from 1ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division. The 1ABCT, 1CD is at the end of its nine-month rotation, and the 1ABCT, 1ID will take the reins here in Żagań, and continue to support Atlantic Resolve. Atlantic Resolve is funded by the European Deterrence Initiative, which enables the U.S. to enhance deterrence, increase readiness and support NATO. (Photo Credit: Pfc. Michael Baumberger) VIEW ORIGINAL
The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Commander Col. Brian McCarthy, gives his remarks at a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. The 1ABCT, 1ID is at the start of its nine-month rotation in Żagań, in support of Atlantic Resolve. The incoming armored rotation replaced 1ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division, and will conduct multinational training and security cooperation activities with allies and partners in Europe.
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division Commander Col. Brian McCarthy, gives his remarks at a transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. The 1ABCT, 1ID is at the start of its nine-month rotation in Żagań, in support of Atlantic Resolve. The incoming armored rotation replaced 1ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division, and will conduct multinational training and security cooperation activities with allies and partners in Europe. (Photo Credit: Pfc. Michael Baumberger) VIEW ORIGINAL
Incoming 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division leadership and outgoing 1ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division leadership stand at parade rest during the transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. The 1ABCT, 1ID will be deployed for a nine-month rotation in support of Atlantic Resolve, a rotational forward presence throughout Europe that enables us to deter and defend against threats from any direction at any time.
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Incoming 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division leadership and outgoing 1ABCT, 1st Cavalry Division leadership stand at parade rest during the transfer of authority ceremony in Żagań, Poland, August 13, 2021. The 1ABCT, 1ID will be deployed for a nine-month rotation in support of Atlantic Resolve, a rotational forward presence throughout Europe that enables us to deter and defend against threats from any direction at any time. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Jennifer Reynolds) VIEW ORIGINAL

“As a Soldier, there are two units closest to my heart in the Army," said Col. Jon Meredith, commander of 1ABCT, 1CD. “The 1st Cavalry Division is the Army Strong knockout right hook. The 1st Infantry Division is its soul, and the heart of the 'Big Red One' is the Devil Brigade."

The transfer of authority ceremony, officiated by Brig. Gen. (Promotable) Matthew Van Wagenen, V Corps deputy commander, was the last step of the transition between the two divisions.

“We're excited to have you here,” Van Wagenen said. “We look forward to working with you both in V Corps, but most importantly, for all the allies over here, is that we march forward over the next nine months.”

The Devil Brigade has honorable campaign participation in World War I: Lorraine, Picardy, Mondidier-Noyon, St. Mihel, Aisne-Marne, and Meuse-Argonne; the Republic of Vietnam; Southwest Asia-Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operations Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operations Spartan Shield and Operation Inherent Resolve.

“These Soldiers are fired up to live and train in Europe, alongside you, our allies and our partners,” said Col. Brian McCarthy, commander of 1ABCT, 1ID. “We're going to master our warfighting skills and demonstrate to the world that we are lethal, ready, resilient and committed, and that Europe has no greater friend than the United States of America.”

In January 2019, the Devil Brigade deployed for nine months to Europe. They are now operational once again in Europe in support of Atlantic Resolve, a set of bilateral, joint, and multinational training exercises designed to build readiness, increase interoperability, and enhance the bond between allies and partner militaries.

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