4th Brigade (US 1st Infantry Division)
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[edit] History
[edit] 1980s
The 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, was originally formed as the 4th Brigade, 1st Armored Division, out of the 501st Aviation Battalion on 17 April 1986. Colonel James W. Lloyd, the first Brigade Commander accepted the unit colors from Major General Dave R. Palmer, Commanding General, 1st Armored Division.
When formed, the Brigade consisted of the 10th and 501st Helicopter Battalions, the 220th Assault Helicopter Company, the 244th Command Aviation Company and the 61st Aviation Maintenance Company. Brigade aircraft included 22 AH-1 Cobras, 38 OH-58s and 30 UH-1s.
On November 16, 1987 the 501st and 10th Attack Helicopter Battalions became 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 1st Aviation Regiment. Alpha Company, 501st became Golf and Hotel Companies under the 1st Armored Division and were designated again under the 3rd Infantry Division as 7th Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment. The 61st Aviation Maintenance Company was designated India Company, 1st Aviation Regiment.
In May 1988, the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry completed the conversion from a pure ground squadron to an air/ground squadron, and moved from Schwabach to Katterbach. In late 1998, the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry turned in its M60A3s and received 40 M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles (CFV).
In July 1989, 2nd Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment deactivated and reformed as an AH-64 Apache Battalion at Fort Hood, Texas.
[edit] 1990s
The "Strike Eagles" returned to Ansbach Army Heliport on 24 May 1990 becoming the first divisional AH-64 Attack Helicopter Battalion stationed in Germany.
In November 1990, India Company, 1st Aviation was re-designated as the 9th Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment. "Eagle Support" was designed to provide dedicated support to the aviation brigade. The unit later became 603rd ASB under 3rd Infantry Division.
In December 1990, COL Daniel J. Petrosky led the brigade to Southwest Asia with the 1st Armored Division and conducted combat operations. For its accomplishments in Operation Desert Storm, the brigade was selected as AAAA unit of the year in 1991.
Shortly after the unit returned and in conjunction with the reorganization of USAREUR, the "Iron Eagle" Brigade joined the 3rd Infantry Division. The 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry deactivated and turned in its equipment. Its colors were transferred to the Divisional Cavalry Squadron of the 1st Armored Division.
4th Brigade deactivated in January 1996 at Fort Riley, Kansas, and was reactivated as 4th Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, in Katterbach, Germany on 15 February 1996, becoming an integral part of the Big Red One. 4th Brigade supported numerous contingency operations throughout Europe and South-West Asia.
[edit] Operations in Eastern Europe
In 1997, 4th Brigade deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina to provide aviation support for Operation Joint Forge. In 1999 4th Brigade deployed to Kosovo as a part of the Multi-National Brigade East to provide aviation support to Operation Joint Endeavor. 4th Brigade continued operations in Kosovo through July 2003.
[edit] Operation Iraqi Freedom
In early 2003, 4th Brigade prepared for combat operations in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Elements of 4th Brigade deployed to Turkey to provide general aviation support to AFOR Turkey and the 1st Infantry Division.
4th Brigade completed a year long deployment to Iraq supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom II. Conducting operations from forward operating base Spiecher, 4th Brigade provided attack, assault, and general aviation support throughout central Iraq. During the deployment, the brigade flew over 20,000 combat flight hours providing aviation combat and combat support to the 1st Infantry Division.
Upon redeployment, the 4th Brigade welcomed the 6-6 Cavalry "Six Shooters" to the Brigade as part of Brigade's aviation transformation and on 13 June 2005, deactivated the 1-1 Aviation Gunfighters who departed for the Longbow Unit Fires Training Program (UFTP).
[edit] Return to Fort Riley
The 4th Brigade Combat Team uncased its colors at Fort Riley Jan. 12, 2006, this time as an Infantry Brigade Combat Team. The brigade continues to stand up from the ground.
