#FridayForts - Ft. Riley

Fort Riley, "Home of the Big Red One" (1st Infantry Division), is known for its excellent training, abundant recreational opportunities, rich history, and tremendous relations with surrounding communities.

That's according to the website for Fort Riley, located in Kansas, about 60 miles west of Topeka. I can't speak to all of that, but it definitely has a rich history. 

In 1853, Camp Center, in the Kansas Territory was named after Major General Bennett C. Riley, just 3 weeks after his death. It initially served as a military post to protect people and trade traveling over three of the major trails heading westward, the Oregon, California and Sante Fe Trails. In the years after the Civil War, the post was a U.S. Cavalry base and school for cavalry tactics. It was also used as a base for years of Indian skirmishes, George Custer was stationed here with the 7th Cavalry in 1866. Custer Hill is the main troop billeting area on the base and the Custer Home is a period accurate museum located on the base. In 1887, Fort Riley became home to the United States Cavalry School. 

Among other notable units associated with Fort Riley are the 9th and 10th Cavalry, the famed "Buffalo Soldiers". They were each stationed at Ft. Riley at various points in their histories. Just before World War One, both became part of the 2nd Cavalry Division, which was also stationed here for a short time.

In the following two decades, sometimes referred to as the golden age of cavalry, thanks to rigorous, outstanding training at Fort Riley, U.S. Cavalry units grew to be among the best in the world. The United States Army Cavalry School's reputation, ranked them with the French and Italian schools. All things cavalry became very popular for the time, including horse shows, hunts and polo matches, which were an outgrowth of the cavalry.

Advances in battlefield technologies demonstrated during WW1 cast doubt, by some, on the future of effective usefulness of  cavalry units. The War Department had directed the development of tank units by the late 1920's and in 1936, the 7th Cavalry Brigade(mechanized) was activated. In 1938, the 7th marched from Fort Knox to Fort Riley and took part in large-scale combine maneuvers of horse and mechanized units. These exercises helped prove the effectiveness of mechanized cavalry.

The lead up to World War Two saw changes at Fort Riley. One notable change was the rebuilding of Camp Funston, just outside the base. Funston was initially built as a cantonment that could accommodate up to 50,000 troops. In December, 1940, the 2nd Cavalry Division was stationed there and an additional 32,000 acres were acquired for training purposes. The 9th Armored Division was organized in July, 1942 and after they deployed, Funston was turned into a POW camp. It became one of up to fourteen in the immediate area.

Just after WW2, in November, 1946, the Cavalry School ceased operations. The following March, the last tactical horse units were deactivated. The Cavalry School was replaced with the Ground General School. It trained newly commissioned officers in basic military subjects. An officer’s candidate course was conducted along with training officers and enlisted men in intelligence techniques. Soon after, the storied 10th Mountain Division was activated. The 16-week basic military program conducted by this division prepared soldiers for infantry combat and duty with other infantry units. This was 1948. About two years later, North Korea invaded South Korea and Fort Riley became the focal point for much of the training of the troops involved.

The Cold War saw the 10th Mountain Division rotate to Germany as part of Operation Gyroscope. The void at Fort Riley was filled handily by the Big Red One. The 1st Infantry Division began arriving in July, 1955 and did not fully integrate until the last units of the 2nd Battle Group, 8th Infantry arrived in December 1959. Over the next seven years, heightened activity with the 1st Infantry Division in the way of Operation Long Thrust, which saw troops moved to and from Germany, the building of the Berlin Wall, and the Cuban Missile Crisis had Ft. Riley bursting at the seams. To support the need for more adequate training facilities, an additional 50,000 acres were acquired in 1966.

The Vietnam War required the 1st Infantry Division to be deployed starting in July, 1965 with the 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry. Divisional HQ followed in September. Fort Riley was home to a new provisional basic combat training brigade which was followed by the addition of the reactivated 9th Infantry Division. They soon followed the 1st ID to Vietnam.

Soon, the 24th Infantry Division would arrive. The 1st ID would return from Vietnam in April of 1970. Reserve Officer Training Corps summer camps were also held at the fort, demonstrating and teaching their skills to aspiring second lieutenants. The fort also hosted the model U. S. Army Correctional Brigade, housed in Camp Funston, and the 3rd ROTC Region Headquarters until their inactivation in 1992.

Operation Desert Storm saw the Big Red One on the move, yet again. Along with the 1st Infantry Division, 27 non-divisional units were deployed and twenty-four reserve components were mobilized. This amounted to 15,180 soldiers being sent overseas via 115 aircraft. This, along with 3,000 short tons of equipment. This culminated with the "100 hours of combat", in February, 1991, which crushed Iraq's Republican Guard. Later that spring, the 1st ID came home to Fort Riley.

Spring of 1995 saw the 1st Infantry Division's HQ transferred back to Germany. All that remained at Ft. Riley was 1st Brigade, 3rd Brigade, 1st Armored Division and the 937th Engineer Group.

1999 saw the re-emergence of Ft. Riley as a Division Headquarters with the reactivation of the 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized).

In April, 2003, the 3rd Brigade 1st Armored Division deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The 3rd Brigade operated in and around Baghdad in support of the 1st Armored Division. Over the next 9 years, Fort Riley units supported combat operations both Iraq and Afghanistan.

On August 1, 2006, the 1st Infantry Division returned to Fort Riley and became the post's main Division, replacing the 24th Infantry Division in that role.

Four museums, in addition to the Custer Home are located on base. The U.S. Cavalry Museum, which features exhibits and artifacts dating from the Revolutionary War up until the 1950's, the 1st Infantry Division Museum, which traces the division from it's inception, the first territorial capitol of Kansas, which is the sole remaining building in the ghost town that was taken over by Ft. Riley after only 5 days of existence, and finally, one of  eight of the twenty M65 atomic cannons, known collectively as "Atomic Annie".

Fort Riley has been a focal point of U.S. military operations since its inception. The role it has played in cavalry operations, training and support have done a tremendous amount for the preparation and readiness of combat troops going back 150 years. Two of the most storied divisions in our history have called Ft. Riley home. Innumerable troops have passed through her gates in various roles with various duties and destinations. Many of them never came home. Let's not forget those who have fought out of Ft. Riley. The sacrifices they have made have gone a long way on forging the freedoms we now enjoy.

Thank you to all who have ever set passed through Ft. Riley in the name of defending this country! Your impact is cherished and your memory remains alive! 

  

Remembering Six Lost from 3/1 AVN

On December 17, 2013, a UH-60M Blackhawk helicopter was lost in Afghanistan. Six men were lost in the crash and the battle that ensued. Five of those six men were assigned to Company B, 3rd Assault Helicopter Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. They were:

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Randy L. Billings, 34

Chief Warrant Officer 2 Joshua B. Silverman, 35

Sgt. 1st Class Omar W. Forde, 28

Sgt. Peter C. Bohler, 29

Spc. Terry K.D. Gordon, 22 

Also killed was:

Staff Sgt. Jesse L. Williams, 30

Williams was with 2nd Stryker Cavalry Regiment, Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, Regimental Support Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, Vilseck, Germany.
The Blackhawk was in a flight of two UH-60Ms. While hovering above a ridge line, on the Red Hill near Ibrahim Khel village in Shah Joi District, Zabul Province at 1455 hrs preparing to destroy a repeater tower, an IED detonated. The blast impacted the left side of the Blackhawk and disabled the tail rotor causing an uncontrollable spin to the right. The aircraft crashed on a downward slope approximately 400m from the blast site. 

The seven man crew came under heavy enemy attack and by the time the rescue team deployed, six of them had lost their lives.

We remember those lost that day and vow to never let them be forgotten. The deaths touched family, friends, fellow service members, and communities very deeply. We are honored to have had them serve in the capacities that they served for the time that they did. The impact that they had can never be truly quantified. They gave their all, and in the end paid the ultimate sacrifice. Let us also remember the seventh man and all of those who participated in the rescue effort. None of them should be overlooked for the role they played and for what they endured. 

We salute you:

Randy Billings

Chris Bohler

Omar Forde

Terry Gordon

Joshua Silverman

Jesse Williams

#TuesdaysTroops - VAW-123 Screwtops

Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron (VAW-123) are an Operational Fleet Squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3). Based out of Naval Air Station Norfolk they are currently deployed aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69). They operate the E-2C Hawkeye, an all-weather tactical airborne early warning aircraft.

VAW-123 started in 1945 with the commissioning of Composite Squadron Twelve (VC-12). In 1956, they were re-designated as Carrier Airborne Early Warning Squadron Twelve (VAW-12). This change resulted in the establishment of Carrier Airborne Early Warning Wing 12 (CAEWW-12) and the commissioning of all E-2A detachments as independent squadrons. One of those squadrons, Detachment 59, became VAW-123 on April 1, 1967.

In June, 1967, VAW-123 set sail aboard the USS Forrestal for Vietnam. They were the first east coast VAW squadron to go to war. On July 29 of that same year, the Forrestal, while in the Gulf of Tonkin suffered a huge fire that killed 134 crewmen and left many injured. The fire also destroyed many aircraft and left the ship unable to continue its service in the war. The VAW-123 had no injuries or loss of life and only minimal damage to some of its E-2A aircraft.

Initially they were attached to Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard the Forrestal. After the fire, they became part of CVW-3 aboard the USS Saratoga where they remained through the 1970's. Serving in the early part of the decade back in Vietnam before returning to Norfolk in 1973.

Through the 1980's they were attached to CVW-11 and CVW-1, and served aboard the USS America until she was de-commissioned in 1987. They saw several extended deployments in the Indian Ocean, the Mediterranean sea and the North Atlantic Ocean, keeping watch over world events the whole time. They also participated in the Gulf of Sidra events and were an integral part of the first combat usage of both the HARM and Harpoon weapons systems.

In more recent years, they have been a part of many operations in many countries, including Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia. Some of the many misions they have been involved in include Desert Shield/Storm, Deny Flight, Deliberate Force, Mountain Resolve, New Dawn,  OIF and OEF. They have been cited on may occasions for efficiency, winning 13 Battle "E"/s and 9 Safety awards. They have played a huge role in the modern battlefield conditions where readiness and technology have seamlessly worked together to produce the highest level of support for air and ground operations. The Hawkeye aircraft have no equal in the sky and give the U.S. a tremendous advantage in the age of modern electronic warfare and the Screwtops of the VAW-123 have evolved step by step with the incredibly rapidly changing technology in order to provide the units that depend on them with the ultimate confidence they rely on to get the job done.

The level of service these folks provide has been top notch from their inception forward and many battles could have turned out very differently without their eyes and ears overlooking the battlefields of the world. Many in the air and on the ground owe them their lives in some instances. They will tell you how much they depend on the Screwtops and how much they appreciate what they do. They are a highly respected group among those who serve and they deserve every accolade they receive. 

Thank you for your years of service and dedication to those you serve with and those of us who reap the rewards of your hard work, our freedom!

 

#MondayMachines: LAV-25

During the 1980's, the Marine Corps was looking for a light armored vehicle in order to increase the  mobility of its divisions. They chose the LAV-25 built by General Dynamics Land Systems out of Canada.

The LAV-25 is an eight-wheeled amphibious armored recon vehicle based on the Swiss MOWAG Piranha I 8x8 vehicle. The Marines put them into service in 1983. The U.S. Army was also interested but declined at that time. They did go with the Stryker at a later date, which is based on the LAV III, which is also based on a MOWAG vehicle. The Army did, however, borrow about a dozen of the LAV-25 vehicles from the Marines which were used in the Gulf War by the 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 82nd Airborne. The Marines ordered over 750 LAV-25's of all available variants.

They first saw combat during the Invasion of Panama in 1989. They have been in service since that time in the Gulf War, the Iraq war, and the war in Afghanistan. In recent years, a Marine light armored recon battalion will typically use 56 LAV-25's and 44 other variants, plus a unknown number of LAV-MEWSS (Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System, the details of which remain classified). The current plan sees them in use until the year 2035. They must be a fairly reliable vehicle to have been in use for over 30 years and 20 more planned in a time when technology has been and continues to be changing at a rate probably never thought possible.

The LAV-25 is powered by a turbo charged 275 hp Detroit Diesel engine. They can run 4-wheel drive, in which the four rear wheels are used or can be transferred to 8-wheel drive. They are capable of going 60+ mph and have a range of over 400 miles. They are also able, as an amphibious vehicle to operate in non-surf water conditions, an reach speeds of about 8 mph. The amphibious role is currently being limited and possibly removed from the vehicle. They use a crew of three and can carry four passengers with full combat gear.

The business end of these vehicles features an M242 Bushmaster 25mm chain gun. Spitting out up to 500 rounds per minute, this cannon can deliver a 25x137mm shell at a 3600ft/s muzzle velocity. If that finds its target, it can ruin someone's weekend plans in a hurry. The LAV-25 is also equipped with two M240 machine guns (7.62x51mm). It is safe to say that a dedicated crew is more than capable of of taking care of business.

Upgrades have continued on the LAV-25 since the 1990's. Through the upgrades, variants have been designated the LAV-25A1 and the more recent LAV-25A2, for which funding was reportedly approved. These phase I upgrades added features including, increased external and internal ballistic armor, fire suppression systems, and suspension upgrades to compensate for the heavier armor. The armor upgrades will increase protection from 14.5mm armor piercing rounds and also add an anti-spall lining similar to the Army's LAVIII "Stryker" vehicles. This armor also provides increased protection form IED's. Phase II upgrades include the turret drive system and the sighting systems.

The LAV-25's have several derivatives which include Anti-Tank, Mortar, Recovery, Command & Control, Logistics, Expeditionary Fire Support Systems(which upgrades the mortar capability with a recoil-less rifle version) and the previously mentioned, highly classified, Mobile Electronic Warfare Support System.

All of these features, upgrades, variants and derivatives make the LAV-25 one seriously versatile, highly functional and reliable piece of machinery. The Marines have been depending on them for over 30 years and they have served each other well.

 
POHANG, South Korea (March 29, 2006) - Staff Sgt. Heighnbaugh, a platoon sgt. with the 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Platoon (reinforced), Battalion Landing Team, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, fires an M240G medium machinegun on a light armored vehicle at the Su Song Ri Range here during Exercise Foal Eagle 2006. The BLT is the ground combat element of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

R.E.D. Friday

Remember.. thank.. support.. help.. honor.. treasure..

Medal of Honor: Captain Florent Groberg

I am so thankful for veterans like Captain Groberg. Willing to risk or give their lives if necessary in order to protect those they serve with. It is very difficult to impart the kind of valor and courage displayed by him with mere words. 

His focus was and remains on those that were lost that day, and like so many other recipients, he has said it is his duty to wear the Medal of Honor for them, but they are the true owners of it. 

The Army website tells his story far better than I could attempt. Please take a few minutes and read about this man. Army.Mil Medal of Honor: Groberg

Happy 240th Birthday USMC

Happy 240th Birthday United States Marine Corps

The Black Aces, In Memory

Strike Fighter Squadron 41 (VFA-41) are known as the "Black Aces". Formed in 1945, they have gone on to serve the world over, from deployments to the Mediterranean and the Far East in the '40s and '50s to the Yom Kippur War, Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam, Iranian Hostage Crisis, to many deployments and missions in the middle east from Desert Storm to Operation Enduring Freedom.

They've been flying the F/A-18F Super Hornets since 2001.

On October 18, 2002, during a training/simulated dogfight mission off the coast of Big Sur, California, a mid-air collision occurred and took the lives of four "Black Aces". Killed in the crash were pilots, Lt. Joel A. Korkowski and Lt. Matthew S. Shubzda along with their weapons system officers, Lt. Stephen R. Nevarez and Lt. Stephen N. Benson.

I have read quite a few obituaries and remembrances of all four men. One thing that stood out, beyond their dedication and abilities, which were highly praised, was how much these men were loved. They were loved and admired by their fellow pilots, crews and officers. Fondly remembered as Korky, Shooby, Freak and Nacho, one said "..the Navy is what it is today because of people like them"

They were dearly loved by their families and friends. I read many, many words talking about how many lives these four men touched, how much they will be missed, how important they were to their families and how lives will not be the same without them.

We lost four good men that day. Let us join so many, who can never forget them, in remembering them today. Let us never forget.

 Benson

 Nevarez

Subdza

Regretfully, I could not find a photo of Lt. Korkowski. If you know of one, I would love to include it here in his honor.

Cpl. Benjamin Kopp

I recently read the book, The Reaper, by Nicholas Irving. He was a sniper with a Ranger battalion. During one section of the book, he describes a firefight where he and about 40 others were severely pinned down by taliban fighters and another sniper in a rural area of Helmand Province in Afghanistan on July 10, 2009. One of the rangers was severely injured when he was shot in the leg. That man was Cpl Benjamin Kopp.

Ben was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment out of Fort Benning, Georgia just a few months after he graduated high school. He did two tours in Iraq, before being deployed to Afghanistan. About 3/4ths of the way through that deployment, they were on a mission to take out a high value target. They became pinned down by taliban fighters, including the sniper mentioned earlier. He was targeted by the sniper and hit in the leg. His unit was able to eventually pull back and got him on a helicopter and evacuated. He was sent back to Walter Reed after surgery, but he succumbed to his injury 8 days later. 

The immediate affect of his death to those in the unit was one of deep loss, anger and pain.The lasting affects have been something else entirely. His mother, Jill Stephenson, has a page on Gold Star Moms that tells quite a bit of Ben's story. From his early days idolizing his Great Grandfather, Leroy, who served during WW2, through the days after 9-11 when he decided to join the Army, to his final days and beyond.

Ben made it known that he wanted to be an organ donor. His decision is said to have helped around 60 people, some of them in major ways. One of those people received Ben's heart. Ben's mother has since met her and they have become quite colse, as you can imagine. She also met the ones that received his liver and kidneys. Ben fought for the lives of his comrades and others while serving, and in his death, he gave life to several people. His heart beats on.

I was touched by his story and everything he did. He gave his life so that others may live. In more ways than one, that is true. Cpl Benjamin Kopp is most definitely the definition of a hero. He is fondly remembered as such by many. I hope this allows a few more to get to know him and understand what some of our service members go through. 

Thank you Corporal Benjamin Kopp. You made a huge difference in your life and we will not forget that.