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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash – For America’s First Corps, 2024 proved to be a year of adapting to new changes and overcoming unique challenges. Whether performing an airborne jump into uncharted territory in Alaska to enhancing interoperability with a trilateral exercise in Camp Asaka, Japan, the Soldiers and civilians of I Corps left their mark both at home and over the Indo-Pacific.
Here are some of the most notable events and contributions that happened in 2024:
Over-the-pole Airborne Operation Norway (March 2024)- Paratroopers from the 11th Airborne Division participated in an over-the-pole direct delivery into Norway as part of Arctic Shock 24.
Arctic Shock is an exercise involving approximately 130 U.S. Soldiers from the 11th Airborne Division and roughly 100 Soldiers from the Norwegian Armed Forces. It aims to amplify multi-combatant command capabilities and strengthen interoperability between the U.S. and Norwegian forces.
“We have to — as the only arctic airborne brigade in the Army — be able to deploy out of Alaska; anywhere in the Indo-Pacific, anywhere in the Arctic, anywhere in Europe,” stated Col. Jimmy Howell, Brigade commander for the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 11th Airborne Division.
JPMRC-X-Philippines (June 2024)- U.S. and Philippine Army soldiers came together to participate in the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Center-Exportable exercise held at Fort Magsaysay, Philippines. The exercise tested strategic readiness and demonstrated the ability to rapidly move Soldiers, equipment, and supplies from one location to another.
“Over the last several months, the training has been absolutely world-class,” said Maj. Gen. Marcus Evans, 25th Infantry Division commander. “The ability to work alongside your division staff and soldiers has made us better war fighters, it’s increased our lethality, it’s developed cohesive teams between our two armies, and forged relationships that will continue to grow and prosper for generations to come.”
As the oldest treaty ally in East Asia, the Philippines play a key role in helping secure a free, open, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific region.
CCW5 Thomas Oroho (July 2024)-
The First Corps introduced its inaugural Command Chief Warrant Officer, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Thomas Oroho, to the command team, strengthening mentorship, education, and training for Warrant Officers across the Corps and its subordinate units.
In his new position, Oroho oversees all assigned Warrant Officers fully understand and adhere to the I Corps Commander's priorities, guidance, and intent. His leadership will play a crucial role in building a strong and unified Warrant Officer community within the Corps.
“I am honored to be selected as the first Command Chief Warrant Officer of I Corps,” said Oroho. “With numerous assignments in the Indo-Pacific region, I look forward to continuing my career in ‘America’s First Corps.’”
Revolutionizing Airborne Enroute Mission Command (July 2024)-
The 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, became the first in the Army to establish push-to-talk, air-to-air, and air-to-ground Enroute Mission Command. Testing their configurations in four different joint forcible entry operations.
The team employed Integrated Tactical Network fielded AN/PRC-158 Mobile User Objective System capable radios internally, which then removed involvement from external organizations. This new and improved innovation revolutionized how the Airborne commander communicates in flight, extending his ability to support the mission.
The 11th Airborne Division continues to push their limits in developing unique command and control solutions in various environments.
Stryker Brigades unify under 7th Infantry Division Patch (August 2024)-
During the closing ceremony for this year’s Week of the Bayonet, Soldiers from the 1-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team and 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team donned the 7th Infantry Division’s unit patch.
“We’ve changed the patch, but each of our battalions have a historical lineage that tracks back to various regiments,” said Col. Andy Gallo, commander of 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 7th Infantry Division. “We’re going to retain the connection to our lineage, our history, and our colors.”
The patch change strengthens the historical bonds between the brigades and the division.
Arctic Angles deploy to Aleutian islands (September 2024)-
Components of the 11th Airborne Division and the 1st and 3rd Multi Domain Task Forces deployed together to Shemya Island, Alaska, as part of a force projection operation. During this operation, they worked directly with the U.S. Air Force to move Soldiers and equipment to a remote location in the North Pacific Ocean.
“Testing ourselves with this operation and others like it is critical to our nation’s defense and the preservation of a free and open Indo-Pacific,” said Maj. Gen. Joseph Hilbert, commanding general of the 11th Airborne Division. “Our ability to deploy combat-credible forces quickly and effectively to any location, no matter how remote, is critical to supporting the nation and our strong relationships with allies and partner nations.”
The 11th Airborne Division is assigned to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, an area representing more than 50 percent of the world’s population.
14th BEB supports wildland firefighting mission (September 2024)-
Soldiers from 14th Brigade Engineer Battalion worked alongside the National Interagency Fire Center to support Department of Defense wildland firefighting response operations. These operations focus on assisting local, state, and federal partners in protecting people, property, and public lands.
The Soldiers who deployed worked side-by-side with professional wildland firefighters to help prevent reignition at the August Complex wildland fire in Mendocino National Forest.
September was also celebrated with the 60th anniversary of the Wilderness Act and National Wilderness Month.
Warfighter Exercise (WFX) concurrently with Exercise Yama Sakura 87 (December 2024)-
For the first time, I Corps successfully conducted a U.S. Army Warfighter Exercise (WFX) concurrently with Exercise Yama Sakura 87 in Japan. This was a significant milestone in strengthening joint and multinational capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region.
"The scale and collaboration of this exercise reflects our growing commitment to regional stability and our resolve in facing challenges together," said Lt. Gen. Matthew McFarlane, commanding general of I Corps.
The combined exercises brought together over 7,000 military personnel from the United States, Japan, and Australia. They operated across 17 time zones and incorporated Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve components.
Army stands up Arctic aviation command (August 2024)-
The 11th Airborne Division, also known as the “Arctic Angels,” stood up its Arctic Aviation Command at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, placing two active-duty aviation battalions under direct control of the command and the 11th Airborne Division.
“The Arctic is obviously a strategically important region for the United States,” said Col. Russell Vanderlugt, commander of the aviation command. “What’s unique is this is our home, we are not a transient unit, we are stakeholders in the region.”
With the unit physically located in the region and running their aviation operations on site, the colonel said battalion soldiers and crews can work in the extremes of the environment that challenges ground and air assets on a near-daily basis.
This year featured several significant firsts that continue to expand I Corps mission capabilities; raising the standards set before us, and setting the bar high for 2025.
| Date Taken: | 01.14.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 01.15.2025 19:07 |
| Story ID: | 489083 |
| Location: | TACOMA , WASHINGTON, US |
| Web Views: | 60 |
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This work, I Corps Celebrates 107 Years and First Experiences in 2024, by SSG Kylee Marshall, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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