Commander: Col. Donn Hill

Senior Noncommissioned Officer: Command Sgt. Maj. David Bass

 

Subordinate Units:

•25th Brigade Support Battalion

•1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment

•1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment

•2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment

•3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment

•5th Squadron, 1st U.S. Cavalry

•70th Brigade Engineer Battalion

•HHC Brigade Combat Team

  

Mission: 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division is to build, train, deploy and employ a Stryker Brigade Combat Team capable of conducting full spectrum operations either as a separate brigade combat team or under the control of a contingency force headquarters.

 

History:

The history of the First Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division can be traced back to its organization in 1917 as Headquarters, 167th Infantry Brigade, 84th Division. In November 1944, the 84th Infantry Division entered combat in Holland. In response to the German counterattack in the Ardennes, the 84th was shifted to Belgium to help stop the German advance. Despite strong German resistance, the 84th advanced to the Elbe River, and linked up with Soviet forces on May 2, 1945.

 

On August 26, 1963, at Schofield Barracks, the brigade was designated Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. Arriving in Vietnam on April 29, 1966, the 1st Brigade was based initially at Cu Chi and participated in all 12 campaigns of the 25th Division, receiving a Valorous Unit Award for Tay Ninh Province. The 1st Brigade departed Vietnam on December 8, 1970, and was stationed at Schofield Barracks from 1971 until it was reassigned to Fort Lewis, Washington, in 1995.

 

In early 2002, the 1st Brigade began its conversion from a light infantry brigade to a Stryker brigade. It achieved combat-ready status in mid-2004 and began a one-year tour of duty in Iraq that October. The 1st Brigade distinguished itself in the conduct of extensive combat operations against insurgent forces, as well as in stability initiatives in the Mosul area.

On December 14, 2006 the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division moved to Fort Wainwright, Alaska when the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, there, moved to Vilseck, Germany under the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Stryker).

 

The 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division deployed to Northern Iraq in September 2008 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. For the next year, Soldiers with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, in conjunction with the Iraqi Security Forces, the Government of Iraq, and the Diyala Provincial Reconstruction Team, conducted full-spectrum counter-insurgency operations in the Diyala province to support the Provincial government.

During the operation, the Brigade destroyed hundreds of bunkers, fighting positions, weapons caches, and countless enemy vehicles, weapons, and support structures, through the use of airstrikes, air assaults, and joint clearing operations. This clear victory set the tone for numerous humanitarian assistance operations and civil affairs projects, which contributed to the significant increase in quality of life for the many residents of the province. The area is now beginning to thrive, and many of the former residents are returning to rebuild their lives and livelihood.

 

The Brigade played a large role in supporting and enabling the peaceful conduct of the provincial elections that occurred in Iraq in January 2009. Later, Operation Glad Tidings of Benevolence II focused on eradicating an extensive network of terrorist and insurgent organizations. The operation was a combined operation between Iraqi Security Forces, Coalition Forces, and Kurdish forces, again a historic milestone in the ongoing development of positive relations between these two ethnic groups. The operation led to the discovery and destruction of hundreds of enemy weapons and ammunition, as well as to the capture and detainment of hundreds of suspected terrorists and insurgents.

 

By May 2011, the Brigade was in southern Afghanistan under International Security Assistance Forces’ Regional Command-South, where they conducted a transfer of authority with the 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment in Zabul Province, serving as the Combat Task Force Zabul with two battalions in Southern Kandahar Province. The Brigade then deployed to Southern Kandahar Province, Afghanistan, as Task Force Arctic Wolves, The Brigade demonstrated exceptional valor and proficiency. The first major operation in Southern Kandahar Province for Combined Task Force Arctic Wolves was Operation Bobcat Swarm. During the operation, 1-5 IN and their ANSF partners found and cleared 11 major caches with IEDs and suicide vest material.

 

In September 2011, Operation Wolf Tip was the most influential tactical operation of Combined Task Force Arctic Wolves’ deployment. The operation resulted in the establishment of COP Lion, at the “tip of the horn,” a source of enduring Afghan-led security. These and other operations not only resulted in increased security throughout Panjwa’i and Southern Kandahar Province, but also facilitated the ability of the district government to engage and influence the local residents.

 

Combined Task Force Arctic Wolves mentored and coached their Afghan security forces partners from the 1st Brigade, 205th Afghan National Army “Atal” Corps, the Afghan National Police, Afghan National Civil Order Police, and Afghan Local Police, to conduct complex independent operations. The ANSF were able to independently plan, coordinate and conduct Operation Hope Hero in December 2012 as their winter offensive without influence or major support from U.S. forces. With continued mentorship and guidance from Combined Task Force Arctic Wolves, the ASNF in Panjwa’i, Dand and Daman were able to plan, coordinate, and conduct two independent air assault operations utilizing Afghan air assets from the Kandahar Air Wing. Finally, on April 1st, 2012, the ANSF in Southern Kandahar Province, planned and executed a major independent Spring offensive, Operation Kalak Hode II, to disrupt insurgent forces. The operation included more than 3,400 afghan forces over five days of operation throughout Panjwa’i, Dand and Daman executing disruption and clearing operations along with key communications engagements with the local residents to address security issues. The operation resulted in multiple caches and IED finds, the capture of four persons of interest, and the eradication of more than 200 lbs of illicit drugs. These operations validated the ability of local ANSF to conduct independent operations and set the conditions for transition in Dand, Daman, and eventually Panjwa’i as a result of the mentorship and efforts of Combined Task Force Arctic Wolves.

 

During the 2011-2012 deployment, Combined Task Force Arctic Wolves conducted over 7,600 patrols. Half of these were partnered with Afghans in the lead and 1/25 Soldiers as mentors, building the Afghan National Army's capacity to sustain security operations independently. The Brigade found and destroyed over 10,000 pounds of homemade explosives and over 100 weapons caches. The Task Force cleared over 590 IEDs, and achieved an IED find rate of more than 90%. Most importantly, they enabled the Afghan Engineers and EOD to clear IEDs independently. Task Force Soldiers found and destroyed over 144,000 pounds of marijuana, a source of funding for the insurgents. These important victories were not gained without personal sacrifice for the brigade: 21 Soldiers were killed in action, and more than 200 were wounded in action.

 

Following their redeployment from Afghanistan in April 2012, the 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team took on the mission of realigning it priorities to the Pacific Region and rebuilding its expertise in arctic combat operations. The brigade took on the mission of maintaining a variable rapid deployment unit that was capable of deploying on short notice to anywhere in the Pacific in response to Department of Defense requests. The brigade and its subordinate battalions and squadron executed multiple Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercises and validated the unit’s ability to respond to a myriad of missions from conventional combat operations to disaster relief and humanitarian aid missions.

 

After more than a decade of counter insurgency operations in the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, the 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team began focusing on realigning its priorities to the Pacific region and rebuilding its expertise in Arctic combat operations. The brigade took on the mission of maintaining a variable rapid deployment unit that was capable of deploying on short notice to anywhere in the Pacific. The brigade and its subordinate battalions and squadron executed multiple Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercises and validated the unit’s ability to respond to myriad missions from conventional combat operations to disaster relief and humanitarian aid.

 

Ensuring that they remained the premier Army’s arctic unit, the 1/25 took advantage of the Interior Alaska’s winter months to hone their Arctic skills and master the ability to shoot, move, and communicate in the mountains and the valleys of the Arctic. The brigade successfully conducted mission essential training operations in -20° to -40°F temperatures without a single cold-weather injury. Each battalion also established ski companies that mastered the ability to maneuver via skis across Arctic terrain and conduct combat operations in the austere and extreme conditions.

Between 2013 and 2014, the brigade sent soldiers to Japan, India, and Korea to conduct combined training exercises spearheading U.S. Army Pacific’s efforts to grow partnerships within the Pacific region. Through these partnered training exercises and extensive regional familiarization training, the brigade set the example for the Army in being regionally engaged and globally responsive. The conflicts in the CENTCOM Area of Responsibility are drawing down, but the capability and the readiness of the 1/25 is increasing as the brigade builds relationships with its partners in the Pacific region.

 

In April 2014, 1,150 members of the 1/25 deployed to Fort Polk, Louisiana, to support 4/25 ABCT’s training rotation with opposing forces, administrators, mentors, and supporting units. In May and June 2014, nine members of the 1/25 ascended Mt. McKinley, the largest peak in North America, demonstrating their Arctic capabilities.

 

The Soldiers of the 1/25 Stryker Brigade Combat Team and their families have always answered the call and continue to conquer the mountains, accomplishing their mission in Alaska and anywhere they are called.

 

As they continue to serve as the premier Arctic unit, mastering the ability to maneuver over and control key terrain in extreme cold climates. The 1/25 is Army Strong and Arctic Tough and lives its motto, “Strike First, Strike Hard!”

 

Unit Citations:

Valorious Unit Award (Jan. 5, 2005- Feb. 15, 2005, OIF)

Meritorious Unit Citation (Oct. 28, 2008-Sep. 12, 2009, OIF)

Meritorious Unit Citation Pending (May 2011- May 2012, OEF)

 

CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT

World War I Streamer without inscription

World War II

Rhineland

Ardennes-Alsace

Central Europe

Vietnam

Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase II

Counteroffensive, Phase III

Tet Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase IV

Counteroffensive, Phase V

Counteroffensive, Phase VI

Tet 69/Counteroffensive

Summer-Fall 1969

Winter-Spring 1970

Sanctuary Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive, Phase VII

Iraq

Surge

Sovereignty

Afghanistan

Consolidation III

Transition I