1st Armored Brigade Combat Team transfers authority

ZAGAN, Poland - The 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division transferred authority of U.S. Army operations in support of Atlantic Resolve on Thursday to the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division during a transfer of authority ceremony at Zagan, Poland.

Over the past 11 months, 1ABCT, 1st Inf. Div., known as the "Devil Brigade," participated in multi-national training exercises across Europe while supporting 21 nations in support of Atlantic Resolve and Defender Europe, as well as supporting the 78th anniversary of the D-Day liberation of France in June.

"For many this was their first time overseas or outside of the United
States," said U.S. Army Col. Brian E. McCarthy, commander of 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division. "Not only have they executed their missions brilliantly, every one of us has learned from our allies here. European armies get to train in many of the types of environments in which we all might be asked to fight and we have been sponges trying to soak up their expertise in these conditions."

This ceremony marked the end of deployment for 1ABCT Soldiers out of Fort Riley and the beginning of 3ABCT's rotation.

Despite being extended near the end of their original rotation, the 1ABCT Soldiers worked together as a cohesive team and completed their mission.