When directed, 1st Armored Division deploys and defeats our nation’s enemies to support national objectives, fully prepared to exercise mission command of Army, Joint, and Multi-National forces as a U.S. division or as a Joint Task Force (JTF).
The 1st Armored Division is a value based, fit, and cohesive team led by expert leaders focused on readiness and continuing the Division's legacy of "America's Tank Division."
The 1st Armored Division, nicknamed "Old Ironsides," is the oldest, most recognizable armor division in the United States Army. As part of the mechanization of the U.S. Army and the buildup for World War II, cavalry and reconnaissance units were brought together to form the 1st Armored Division, July 15, 1940, at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
On May 11, 1942, the 1st Armored Division left the U.S. and five days later were training in Northern Ireland. On Oct. 29, 1942, Old Ironsides moved to England to depart for North Africa.
The 1st Armored Division's first contact with an enemy was as part of the Allied invasion of North Africa, Operation Torch, Nov. 8, 1942. The Allies received unexpected resistance from Vichy-French units. Old Ironsides then advanced toward Tunisia. In January 1943, Old Ironsides, as part of II Corps, received the mission of defending central Tunisia against an Axis counterattack. After three months, the Allies could finally claim victory in North Africa. Old Ironsides then moved to Naples, Italy, Oct. 28, 1943, to support the Allied effort there.
In June 1945, Old Ironsides moved to Germany as part of the occupying force. 1st Armored Division deactivated, April 25, 1946. Almost five years later, on March 7, 1951, 1st Armored Division reactivated at Fort Hood (known as Fort Cavazos since April 2023), Texas.
The 1st Armored Division moved to Germany in 1971 and based in the West German city of Ansbach. The division remained in Germany for the next 20 years as part of the American forces committed to a NATO defense of Europe.
In November 1990, Old Ironsides deployed 17,400 Soldiers to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield. On Feb. 24, 1991, the 1st Armored Division crossed into Iraq to begin Operation Desert Storm as the leading unit in VII Corps' main flanking attack.
The 1st Armored Division deployed twice between 1995 and 1999. The first deployment, in 1995, sent the Iron Soldiers to Bosnia-Herzegovina in support of Operation Joint Endeavor. Four years later, 1st Armored Division received orders to become part of Operation Allied Force in Albania and Operation Joint Guardian in Kosovo.
On March 4, 2003, 1st Armored Division received orders to participate in the global war on terrorism. By April 15, the Iron Soldiers moved out to support Operation Iraqi Freedom. Task Force 1st Armored Division was the largest division-based task force in U.S. Army history. Brigade Combat Teams from 1st Armored Division have deployed multiple times since 2003 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom.
In 2005, the Base Realignment and Closure commission determined the 1st Armored Division should leave their home bases in Germany and move to Fort Bliss, Texas. The division officially uncased its colors at Fort Bliss, May 13, 2011.
In June 2017, the 1st Armored Division Headquarters and the Division Artillery Headquarters deployed in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. The division headquarters assumed command of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command and with coalition and Iraqi partnered forces made enormous progress denying ISIS aspirations. During the nine-month deployment, the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command, led by the 1st Armored Division, defeated insurgent counterattacks, reclaimed thousands of square kilometers and significantly weakened the ISIS terror infrastructure in Iraq. The CJFLCC helped set the conditions for the Government of Iraq to announce the liberation of Iraq from ISIS in December 2017. The 1st Armored Division Headquarters and Division Artillery redeployed to Fort Bliss in March 2018.
FAQs
Fort Bliss proudly offers the highest standards of living within the Department of Defense. Not only does each brigade area include their headquarters and maintenance facilities, but it also includes barracks buildings. Soldiers assigned to barracks live in well-equipped modern facilities.
Is Fort Bliss home to the first armored division? ›
The 1st Armored Division, nicknamed "Old Ironsides", is a combined arms division of the United States Army. The division is part of III Armored Corps and operates out of Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas.
Is the 1st Armored Division still active? ›
1st Armored Division – America's Tank Division, is an active component, U.S. Army, armored division located at Fort Bliss, Texas, consisting of approximately 17,000 highly-trained Soldiers and with a lethal mix of combat capabilities, including tanks, artillery, attack helicopters, Bradley Fighting Vehicles, transport ...
Who is the commander of the 1st Armored Division Fort Bliss? ›
Maj. Gen. Jim Isenhower assumed duties as the Commander of the 1st Armored Division and the Senior Commander of Fort Bliss, Texas, in July 2022.
What is the hardest military bootcamp in the world? ›
There's a great argument that the Marine Corps has the hardest military training of anyone, and here's why. Of course, when you reach the top, you can find them becoming SEALs or a part of the Marine Raider Regiment (MRR), but the training of any Marine is some of the hardest military training in the world.
What is the hardest Army boot camp? ›
While the Combat Diving program during Green Beret training is widely thought of as the hardest form of military training, these are the most difficult branches of the military in terms of training: United States Navy (Navy Seal training) United States Marines. United States Army (Green Beret training)
How many soldiers are assigned to Fort Bliss? ›
Fort Bliss, TX - Units
Fort Bliss is home to over 20,000 military personnel as well as 7,200 civilians. Major units assigned to Fort Bliss include the 6th Brigade, the 31st Brigade, the 11th Brigade, and the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
Which is bigger Fort Bliss or Fort Hood? ›
When it comes to land mass, Fort Hoods 212,500 acres is dwarfed by Fort Bliss near El Paso, which is the Army Training and Doctrine Commands largest installation at 1.1 million acres, and the second largest in the Army. The White Sands Missile Range next to Fort Bliss is the largest.
What units are in the 1st Armored Division? ›
Also known as “Old Ironsides,” the 1st Armored Division is commanded by an Army, two-star general, and consists of the division headquarters element, three Armored Brigade Combat Teams, a Combat Aviation Brigade, a Divisional Artillery Brigade; a Division Sustainment Brigade and other separate battalions and units.
What Army unit is stationed at Fort Bliss? ›
Located in El Paso, TX, Fort Bliss is home to the 1st Armored Division. We are a FORSCOM installation comprised of other commands: MEDCOM, JTF-NORTH, TRADOC, USAR, and other elements.
The Unit's Nickname, “Old Ironsides,” Was Inspired By a Famous Navy Ship. The USS Constitution's nickname is “Old Ironsides,” and after seeing a picture of the vessel, the 1st Armored Division's first commander Maj. Gen. Bruce Magruder decided to adopt the ship's nickname for his own unit.
Do armored divisions have infantry? ›
US armored divisions had more tanks but less infantry than these infantry divisions.
What does iron soldier mean? ›
This name spoke exactly of the way I wanted our Soldiers to think of themselves – fit, resilient, well-trained, and undefeatable. We established a procedure that when Soldiers saluted an officer they would sound off with, “Iron Soldiers!”, and the officers responded with a hearty, “Iron Division!”
How many tanks does an armored battalion have? ›
A tank company typically has 3 tank platoons, for a total of 12 tanks. A tank battalion typically has 3 tank companies, for a total of 36 tanks. A tank brigade typically has 3 tank battalions, for a total of 108 tanks. Russian Army:A tank platoon typically has 3 tanks.
How many Soldiers are assigned to Fort Bliss? ›
Fort Bliss, TX - Units
Fort Bliss is home to over 20,000 military personnel as well as 7,200 civilians. Major units assigned to Fort Bliss include the 6th Brigade, the 31st Brigade, the 11th Brigade, and the 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command.
What is Fort Bliss famous for? ›
After the war, Fort Bliss became the United States Army Air Defense center in 1946, and contributed to the art of operating and building missiles with the aid of over one hundred rocket scientists, employing liberated German rocket scientists and housing their families, and contributed to the development of several ...
What is Fort Bliss known for? ›
Boasting the biggest training area in the United States, Fort Bliss provides the space for Artillery, Armor, and Infantry units to hone their warfighting skills.
What is the hardest academic school in the Army? ›
United States Military Academy (West Point)
This is widely considered the most difficult military academy to get into due to its stringent academic requirements and highly competitive admissions process.
