We Fought as One - Big Red One Returns Home After Year-Long Deployment

By Sgt. Jared SimmonsFebruary 16, 2023

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the 1st Infantry Division commanding general and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, the command sergeant major of the 1st Inf. Div., uncase the division colors, Feb. 11, 2023, at the Fort Riley...
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the 1st Infantry Division commanding general and Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, the command sergeant major of the 1st Inf. Div., uncase the division colors, Feb. 11, 2023, at the Fort Riley Deployment Center on Fort Riley, Kansas. The 1st Inf. Div. colors were uncased following a brief ceremony which marked the return of of the division from a successful, year-long deployment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jared Simmons) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jared Simmons) VIEW ORIGINAL
The 1st Infantry Division Headquarters and Division Artillery stand in formation in front of their families at the Fort Riley Deployment Center on Fort Riley, Kansas, Feb. 11, 2023. The Soldiers in the formation had just returned home from Europe...
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The 1st Infantry Division Headquarters and Division Artillery stand in formation in front of their families at the Fort Riley Deployment Center on Fort Riley, Kansas, Feb. 11, 2023. The Soldiers in the formation had just returned home from Europe following a year-long deployment. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Alvin Conley) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Alvin Conley) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Col. Richard J. Ikena, the brigade commander of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY), 1st Inf. Div., and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael L. McLaughlin, the brigades senior-most enlisted advisor, uncase the DIVARTY colors at an...
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Col. Richard J. Ikena, the brigade commander of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery (DIVARTY), 1st Inf. Div., and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael L. McLaughlin, the brigades senior-most enlisted advisor, uncase the DIVARTY colors at an uncasing ceremony following the return of the 1st Inf. Div.-Forward and 1st Inf. Div. Headquarters from their deployment in Europe, Feb. 11, 2023, at the Fort Riley Deployment Center on Fort Riley, Kansas. The brigade spent the last year alongside the 1st Inf. Div.-Forward leading different brigades from across the Army in a series of multi-national exercises intended to strengthen interoperability and deter foreign aggression. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jared Simmons) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jared Simmons) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Cpt. Nathaniel Pass, a G2 staff officer assigned to Signal Intelligence and Sustainment Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Division Artillery Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, stands with his family after returning home from...
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Army Cpt. Nathaniel Pass, a G2 staff officer assigned to Signal Intelligence and Sustainment Company, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Division Artillery Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, stands with his family after returning home from a year-long deployment, Feb. 11, 2023, at the Fort Riley Deployment Center on Fort Riley, Kansas. Pass, along with the rest of his brigade, deployed to Europe in February 2022 to support NATO allies and deter foreign aggression. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Jared Simmons) (Photo Credit: Sgt. Jared Simmons) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT RILEY, Kan. – The 1st Infantry Division held a joint homecoming and colors uncasing ceremony for the division headquarters and the 1st Inf. Division Artillery on Feb. 11, 2023.

The uncasing of a unit’s colors is a historical Army tradition that symbolizes a unit’s movement from one theater of operation to another. For the 1st Inf. Div., the ceremony signified an official return to Fort Riley from Europe.

During the deployment, the 1st Inf. Div. led operations across Europe to provide ready, combat-credible forces, enable rapid-response capability and further demonstrate our ability to deter foreign aggression and defend our NATO Allies.

“It is great to have the division reunited at Fort Riley after serving 21 months in support of operations in Europe,” said Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley commanding general. “Thank you to the family and friends of the Big Red One; we appreciate your support and sacrifices. We are excited to be here.”

The Big Red One initially assumed the mission in July 2021 as the mission command element in Europe. Following the unprovoked invasion of Ukraine by Russia, the 1st inf. Div. deployed in February 2022. As the Division returned home, it turned its mission responsibility over to the 4th Infantry Division, based out of Fort Carson, Colorado. A Transfer of Authority ceremony was conducted on Feb. 7, marking the end of the 1st Inf. Div.’s 21-month mission in Europe.

The division headquarters mission has concluded, but the Big Red One’s ties to our European Allies persists. As the headquarters returned home, the division’s 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team continues its deployment in Eastern Europe to show the division’s commitment to our NATO Allies and partners.

“During the last year, we’ve been responsible for two divisions, and I’ve spent more time with Soldiers with other divisions than my own, which I am very proud of,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher L. Mullinax, the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley command sergeant major. “Now, I couldn’t be more excited and proud to be with those who wear the Big Red One patch again.”

As the 1st Inf. Div. returns from Europe, it begins The Big Red One Year of the Noncommissioned Officer, a campaign that recognizes the hard work, dedication, and legacy of the NCO Corps.