News

November 15, 2006—Fort Hood’s 1st Cavalry Division assumed responsibility of Multinational Division Baghdad Wednesday from the 4th Infantry Division during a ceremony in Iraq’s capital city.

Lt. Gen. Peter Chiarelli, who commanded the 1st Cavalry Division during its first deployment to Iraq less than two years ago, presided over the transfer of authority ceremony as commanding general of Multinational Corps-Iraq.

“It seems like only yesterday that I led the ‘First Team’ here,” Chiarelli said.

“I know you will build on the exceptional success of the 4th Infantry Division. I have complete confidence that you will make the difference.”

“This has indeed been a challenging time in Iraq,” he said, noting that “… few victories happen fast and we can only succeed through perseverance.”

Maj. Gen. James D. Thurman, the 4th Infantry Division commander who led Multinational Division Baghdad over the past year, turned over command of the multinational division to 1st Cavalry Commander Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr., who uncased the 1st Cav’s colors during the ceremony.

“The First Team is committed to continue to improve the security situation, to build upon the work of the “Ironhorse Division,” Fil said.

During its first deployment, the 1st Cavalry Division played a crucial role in securing Baghdad in advance of the country’s historic elections.

The city remains a dangerous place, but civilians are now the primary targets of insurgents.

Thousands of 4th Infantry Division soldiers are now headed home and all of the division’s 21,000 troops should be back in the US by the end of the year.

Horizontal Divider 13

Pace Of 1st Cavalry Division Deployment Picks Up

KWTX.com (Central TX TV station)

October 18, 2006—Families said their goodbyes Wednesday at Fort Hood as another 120 1st Cavalry Division soldiers headed out on the division’s second deployment to Iraq.

So far, about 7,500 soldiers from the division have left for Iraq, where they will take over responsibility from the 4th Infantry Division for operations in and around Baghdad.

Another 10,000 are scheduled to leave soon.

The 4th ID is wrapping up its second deployment, but the pace of the homecomings has been slower than expected.

With most of the 4th ID still deployed, much of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment still inbound from Fort Carson, Colo. and the deployment of the 1st Cav. and other III Corps units, 70 to 80 percent of the post’s 46,000 soldiers will be somewhere other than Central Texas.

That’s the largest number of troops to be simultaneously deployed from the post since the first Gulf War.

Horizontal Divider 13

Americas First Team cased its colors Sept. 28 during a ceremony on Cooper Field.

Fort Hood, Texas – “When a Soldier salutes an officer at the division headquarters, they call out ‘First Team, sir!’ and that officer returns the salute and replies,’ Live the Legend!’” said Maj. Gen. Joseph F. Fil, Jr., the commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division. “Today begins our journey to live another very important part of that legend.”

That monumental day is when America’s First Team cased its colors Sept. 28 during a ceremony on Cooper Field symbolizing the division’s official departure from central Texas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-08.

“The division colors will not be unfurled until they fly in Baghdad,” he said.

“We follow in the footsteps of the mighty 4th Infantry Division, who, even as I speak, work tirelessly to improve the security situation in the Iraqi capital,” he said. “Everyday flights are leaving central Texas, carrying First Team troopers into the fight, and bringing Soldiers from the 4th Infantry Division home.”

Still, as the whole of the division leans forward with the 15th Sustainment Brigade already in Iraq and the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade fast on their heels, Fil said the division can stand tall knowing that America is behind her Troopers.

Like so many times before, the Soldiers of the First Team carefully cased their colors and then marched off the field, with only the unknown on the horizon.

FAC

Contact Us

Horizontal Divider 13