An official website of the United States government Here's how you know

USAG Devens RFTA celebrates its 105th anniversary

By Jazika LevarioSeptember 1, 2022

U.S. Army Garrison Commander welcomes the community, partners, and tenant units to Fort Devens Day.
1 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Garrison Commander welcomes the community, partners, and tenant units to Fort Devens Day. U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens celebrated their 105th anniversary on August 20, 2022. (Photo Credit: Mike Greenough) VIEW ORIGINAL
WWI Commemorative Honor Guard posted the colors during the Fort Devens Day opening ceremony.
2 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – WWI Commemorative Honor Guard posting the colors during the Fort Devens Day opening ceremony. USAG Fort Devens RFTA celebrated their 105th anniversary. on August 20, 2022. (Photo Credit: Jaz Levario) VIEW ORIGINAL
99th Readiness Division’s 78th Army Band played the National Anthem at the Fort Devens Day ceremony
3 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 99th Readiness Division’s 78th Army Band playing the National Anthem at the Fort Devens Day opening ceremony. (Photo Credit: Jaz Levario) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army Reserve Career Group soldiers played field games at Fort Devens Day
4 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A member of the Army Reserve Career Group throws a beanbag during a game of Corn Hole at Fort Devens Day. (Photo Credit: Mike Greenough) VIEW ORIGINAL
99th Readiness Division’s 78th Army Band entertained the crowd at the Fort Devens Day celebration
5 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Members of the 99th Readiness Division’s 78th Army Band performing all the nations top hits and entertaining the crowd at Fort Devens Day celebration on August 20, 2022 (Photo Credit: Jaz Levario) VIEW ORIGINAL
CSM Retired Julius Reinitzer, former CSM 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group & CSM Kevin Dorsh.
6 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – CSM Retired Julius Reinitzer, former CSM 1st Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group & CSM Kevin Dorsh, current CSM for 10th Special Forces Group pose for a picture at the Fort Devens Day celebration. (Photo Credit: Randy Carter) VIEW ORIGINAL
Jim Atkinson band wrapped up the event on the installation.
7 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Jim Atkinson band, a band local to Fort Devens and the Ayer community entertaining the crowd with rock classics. (Photo Credit: Jaz Levario) VIEW ORIGINAL
10th Special Forces Group pause for a photo with Garrison Commander LTC Colestock & BG Salisbury
8 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Special Forces Rappel Demonstration Team pause for a photo with Fort Devens Garrison Commander LTC Trent Colestock and BG Beth Salisbury, Deputy Commanding General of the 99th Readiness Division, during the Fort Devens 105th Anniversary celebration at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, August 20, 2022. (Photo Credit: Randy Carter) VIEW ORIGINAL
A member from the 10th Special Forces Group rappelled down during a demonstration at Fort Devens Day
9 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Special Forces Rappel Demonstration Team member rappels down to the drop zone during the Fort Devens 105th Anniversary Open House at Fort Devens, Massachusetts, August 20, 2022. The team's mission is to perform live aerial demonstrations in support of Army Special Operations community relations and recruiting. (Photo by: Mike Greenough) (Photo Credit: Mike Greenough) VIEW ORIGINAL
A U.S.A.G. Fort Devens 105th Anniversary celebration attendee touches one of the static displays
10 / 10 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens 105th Anniversary celebration attendee touches one of the weapons system static displays at U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens, Massachusetts, August 20, 2022. Later in the evening, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Devens celebrated with a fireworks show and music. (Photo Credit: Mike Greenough) VIEW ORIGINAL

By Jaz Levario

U.S. Army Garrison Devens Reserve Forces Training Area Public Affairs

August 22, 2022

DEVENS, MA – More than a thousand people from the surrounding communities came to U.S. Army Garrison Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (USAG Devens RFTA) celebration on August 20, to honor the 105th anniversary of the establishment of Devens.

The opening ceremony began with the posting of the colors by the WWI Commemorative Honor Guard and the playing of the National Anthem by the 99th Readiness Division’s 78th Army Band. Garrison Commander Lieutenant Colonel Trent R. Colestock gave opening remarks.

“Today is a great day to recognize and celebrate the installations rich history and all of those who served here past and present, military or civilian…the rich history continues with great distinction and we couldn’t be more proud of our history,” said LTC Coestock.

The event also included remarks from Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Kevin Dorsh, CSM of the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).

“For just short of thirty years… 10th group called Fort Devens home. “Home” that is a very important concept to those of us in the military. It is not just a word, not just a structure that we inhabit. A home is something we hold dear to our hearts, a place, a location, a community where one feels welcomed; one feels safe for him and his family,” said CSM Dorsh

Active servicemembers and reenactors from Korea, Vietnam, WWI and WWII eras filled the garrison and blurred the lines between the past and present. In its 105 years of service, more than 400 Army units have been stationed at Fort Devens. Fort Devens has a rich history; this event was a way to honor it.

One of the event's highlights was the fly-over and the fast rope demonstration from the 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne). The unit flew in on a Black Hawk helicopter and several team members rappelled into the landing zone. The Black Hawk then landed, providing patrons a chance to see a Black Hawk up close.

Other attractions included military vehicles such as Wreckers, Strykers, and historic tanks for patrons to see up close and touch. Several information booths from veteran agencies, Fort Devens tenant units and surrounding military installations were on site and providing information.

The event welcomed music performances by the 78th Army Band and the Jim Atkinson band to entertain the crowd. The event on the installation concluded at 4 p.m., and patrons were invited to move to Rogers Field in Devens for the fireworks display at dusk.

Rogers Field was once part of Fort Devens. In 1917 Camp Devens was established as a temporary base camp. In 1931, Camp Devens became a permanent U.S. Army post and was named Fort Devens. On March 31, 1996, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, was inactivated, and a large portion of the installation became Devens, while the main cantonment became known as Devens RFTA. The old barracks, base housing and hospital, are still visible from Rogers Field.

Devens Reserve Forces Training Area provides premier training capabilities and base operations support to the Total Force in New England.