Photo By Sgt. Dana Moen | Retired Lt. Gen. Mike Dodson, former commander of the 1st Infantry Division Artillery...... read more read more
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“Drumfire” Soldiers celebrated the 90th anniversary of 1st Infantry Division Artillery and the first year since reactivating Oct. 13-14 at Fort Riley, Kansas.
"I retired in 2004, so I've been coming to ceremonies for a long time out at Fort Riley while I was here," said Lt. Gen. Michael L. Dodson, a former commander of 1st Inf. Div. Artillery. "This is the first time in about 12 years that I've been able to stand out as part of the formation."
Dodson was the DIVARTY commander during Operation Desert Storm and spoke to the troops during the retreat ceremony about his fond memories of the 1st Inf. Div. and his time at DIVARTY. Dodson was made an honorary colonel of DIVARTY and presented with an artillery memento, a photo from his time in command.
Falling under the purview of DIVARTY is the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, and 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team. DIVARTY itself consists of Headquarters and Headquarters Battery with a combined strength of about 1,000 Soldiers.
Events held during the two-day celebration included a fitness challenge, esprit-de-corps run, equipment display, gym tour, awards presentation, cake cutting and retreat ceremony. DIVARTY took over responsibility of the Robinson Gym and has improved the equipment to provide enhanced fitness opportunities for their Soldiers.
One of the primary functions of DIVARTY is to certify units to Army standards like Table 18, a mass fires bombardment qualification that has not been done at Fort Riley for more than 10 years. Providing the standards and expertise to implement fires is meant to improve the combat effectiveness of units to the division and the Army.
"I think events like this and training exercises that coordinate between other brigades and across to the National Guard level really help us get into the right mindset for the kind of actual conflict where we would have to work with every manner of active duty, guard or different components," said Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Depasquale, master gunner with DIVARTY.
The U.S. Army Kansas National Guard displayed their multiple launch rocket system during the festivities. DIVARTY works with the National Guard whenever possible to foster interoperability within the fires community.
"It's been one year since our activation, but we have 90 years of history here in the ‘Big Red One,’" said Col. Thomas R. Bolen, DIVARTY commander. "We're very proud to be part of the Big Red One team and be the Division Artillery for the 1st infantry Division."
| Date Taken: | 10.13.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2016 18:13 |
| Story ID: | 212521 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 234 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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