1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division

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1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division
11th Airborne Division Insignia 2022.png
11th Airborne Division Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, worn by 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team paratroopers
Active1917 – present
Country Flag of the United States.svg United States of America
BranchFlag of the United States Army.svg  United States Army
Type Motorized infantry
Part of 11th Airborne Division
Garrison/HQ Fort Wainwright, Alaska
Nickname(s)Arctic Wolves
Engagements World War I
World War II
Vietnam War
Operation Iraqi Freedom
Operation Enduring Freedom

The 1st Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division is an infantry brigade combat team (BCT) of the United States Army, part of the 11th Airborne Division. Until 2022, the brigade was formally assigned to the 25th Infantry Division.

Contents

The unit is stationed at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

Organization

History

Colonel Todd R. Wood, former commander of the 1/25th Infantry Brigade, and Sergeant Major Bernie Knight unfurl the brigade's flag during the redeployment ceremony at the Army airfield Fort Wainwright. Arctic Wolves redeployment ceremony 120516-A-BE343-003.jpg
Colonel Todd R. Wood, former commander of the 1/25th Infantry Brigade, and Sergeant Major Bernie Knight unfurl the brigade's flag during the redeployment ceremony at the Army airfield Fort Wainwright.

The brigade traces its history to the headquarters of the 167th Infantry Brigade of the 84th Division, created in 1917. It was reorganized and renamed in 1942 as the 84th Reconnaissance Troop (excluding the 3rd Platoon) of the 84th Division. The 84th Infantry Division entered combat in Holland in November 1944. In response to the German counterattack in the Ardennes, the 84th Regiment was transferred to Belgium to help stop the German advance. After invading Germany and facing strong German resistance, the 84th Division crossed the Ruhr and Rhine rivers, reaching the Elbe River, and on 2 May 1945, joined forces with the Soviet Red Army. The 84th Reconnaissance Troop was disbanded in 1946 and reformed in 1947 as the 84th Reconnaissance Platoon (later Company). The 84th Reconnaissance Company was disbanded in 1959 and reorganized (excluding the 3rd Platoon) into the headquarters and headquarters company of the 167th Infantry Brigade. It was renamed the headquarters and headquarters company of the 1st Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division and began operating on 26 August 1963, at Schofield Barracks.

Arriving in Vietnam on 29 April 1966, the 1/25th Brigade was initially based in Cu Chi and participated in all twelve campaigns of the 25th Division, receiving a citation for courage in the Tay Ninh province. The battalions serving in the 1st Brigade were the 4/9th Infantry, 2/14th Infantry (until February 1970), 3/22nd Infantry (from February 1970), and 4/23rd Infantry (mechanized). The 1st Brigade left Vietnam on 8 December 1970, and was stationed at Schofield Barracks from 1971 until its relocation to Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1995.

In early 2002, the 1/25th Brigade began its transformation from a light infantry brigade to a "Stryker" brigade. It achieved combat readiness in mid-2004 and began a year-long deployment in Iraq in September 2004. The 1/25th Brigade distinguished itself in conducting large-scale counterinsurgency operations as well as stability initiatives in and around Mosul. For its combat operations in Iraq, the 1st Brigade and its subordinate units received a Valorous Unit Award and credit for participation in the Iraq management campaign. The brigade returned to Fort Lewis in September 2005. On 1 June 2006, the 1/25th Brigade and its subordinate units were deactivated, and its personnel and equipment were transferred to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment.

On 16 December 2006, the 1st Stryker Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division was reactivated at Fort Wainwright (Alaska). The 172nd Infantry Brigade, which had returned from 16 months of combat duty in Iraq, was officially redesignated as the 1st Stryker Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division, [1] transferring the personnel and equipment of the disbanded 172nd Mechanized Brigade. [2] In September 2008, the 1/25th Stryker Brigade began a 12-month deployment to Iraq. The 1/25th Stryker Brigade, stationed in Diyala Governorate northeast of Baghdad, served with the Multi-National Division – Baghdad as part of Task Force Northern Lightning. The brigade successfully conducted combat operations in partnership with Iraqi Security Forces against insurgent elements, as well as numerous civic action projects aimed at improving the quality of life in the province. The 1/25th Stryker Brigade received recognition for its participation in the Iraq Surge and Iraqi Sovereignty campaigns and returned to Fort Wainwright in September 2009.

From May 2011 to May 2012, the 1/25th Stryker Brigade was deployed to southern Afghanistan for the first time. During its 12-month deployment, it was based in Kandahar Province. Partnering with the Afghan 1st Brigade, 205th Corps, and Afghan police units, the 1/25th Stryker Brigade's capabilities significantly enabled Afghan and International Security Assistance Force forces to conduct offensive operations that resulted in a significant reduction in insurgent attacks in the province. For its service in Afghanistan, the 1/25th Stryker Brigade was credited for participating in the Consolidation III and Transition I military campaigns. [3]

On 6 June 2022, the brigade was redesignated as the 1st Infantry Brigade of the 11th Airborne Division. Prior to 6 June 2022, the brigade was under the command of the U.S. Army Alaska Command, formally part of the 25th Infantry Division, which is headquartered in Hawaii. [4] It was announced that the 1/11th Infantry Brigade would dismantle its Strykers for spare parts in the summer of 2022 and transfer operational vehicles to other Army mechanized units. Following these changes, the brigade would test several new vehicles, including the dual-tracked all-terrain vehicle CATV, which would replace the former Stryker. [5] On 22 August, the dual-tracked all-terrain vehicle BvS10 Beowulf was selected to replace the Stryker. [6]

Lineage and honors

Soldiers stand in formation during the reflagging ceremony of the 172nd Stryker Brigade to the 1st/25th Stryker Brigade at Fairbanks, Alaska, on December 14, 2006. Defense.gov photo essay 121506-D-1142M-002.jpg
Soldiers stand in formation during the reflagging ceremony of the 172nd Stryker Brigade to the 1st/25th Stryker Brigade at Fairbanks, Alaska, on December 14, 2006.

References

  1. "A Stryker soldier holds his daughter". U.S. Department of Defense . 14 December 2006. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  2. "172nd Stryker Brigade legacy to live on as unit 'Reflags,' gets new Commanders". US Army. 15 December 2006. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2025.style="background: #DFF; color:black; vertical-align: middle; text-align: center; " class="free table-free"|PD-US Army
  3. 1 2 "1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team History". US Army. 5 May 2016. Archived from the original on 19 September 2020. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
  4. Beynon, Steve (18 May 2022). "New Army 11th Airborne Division Gets Stand Up Date, Force Outline". Military.com. Archived from the original on 20 May 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  5. 1 2 Dickstein, Corey (6 June 2022). "Army activates Arctic-focused 11th Airborne Division in Alaska, cuts Strykers". Stars and Stripes. Archived from the original on 6 June 2022. Retrieved 19 July 2025.
  6. Judson, Jen (23 August 2022). "BAE Systems wins US Army deal for Cold Weather All-Terrain Vehicle". Defense News. Retrieved 19 July 2025.