HOME OF THE BIG RED ONE THE 1ST INFANTRY DIVISION POST 1DivPost.com FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 2015 Vol. 7, No. 6 FORT RILEY, KAN. Fort Riley to see changes PHOTOS OF THE YEAR at access control points ter, Building 885, adjacent to Marshall Post remains accessible Army Air Field, located near the Henry ACP. There, visitors can apply for a pass to visitors via passes, badges or badge, depending on their purpose By Maria Betzold for visiting the installation. According 1ST INF. DIV. POST to Dombrowski, the process takes an average of five to 10 minutes. Visitors to Fort Riley the next two “We are no longer going to allow months will see changes at the access personnel to come through all the gates, control points. The most notable change unless they have a DOD ID card,” he will be for people who don’t have a De- said. “The Visitor Control Center will partment of Defense-issued identifica- be open 24/7, starting Feb. 17.” tion card. Those without a DOD ID The pre-registration form is avail- card are still encouraged to visit the in- able on Fort Riley’s homepage of stallation, but should understand it will www.riley.army.mil and can be filled take slightly longer to gain access. out anytime between now and April, “DOD is directing that everyone Dombrowski added. follow Army regulation in regard to Issued passes are good from one to installation access control,” said Mark 90 days and badges are valid from 91 Dombrowski, chief, Security Branch, days to one year, depending upon the Directorate of Emergency Services. type of access required. “At the same time, we’re trying to stay The first phase of the installation’s as accessible as we can to the public.” changes started Jan. 20 and are in full Starting Feb. 16, those without swing now. Commercial vehicles are DOD ID cards, Fort Riley access required to enter Fort Riley through badges or visitor passes need to enter the 12th Street or Estes ACPs between Fort Riley through the Ogden, Trooper 5 a.m. and 7 p.m. weekdays and from or Henry ACPs. On March 2, people 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays. Outside without a DOD ID, Fort Riley access these hours, commercial vehicles must badge or visitor pass will have to enter enter through the Henry ACP. ABOVE: An American child, dressed as an American World War II Soldier, stands tall June 6, through the Henry ACP. And starting For questions about Fort Riley ac- 2014, while saluting the sands of Omaha Beach, France. The boy, never breaking composure, April 1 – as the post reaches full com- cess control procedures, call the Direc- stood for more than two hours during a 1st Infantry Division ceremony that helped com- torate of Emergency Services Security memorate the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings. The photo took second place in the pliance with regulations – visitors will Army’s Photo of the Year Contest with 2,300 votes. (Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Abram Pinning- be directed to the Visitor Control Cen- Branch at 785-239-3138. ton, 1st Inf. Div.) BELOW: Walter D. Ehlers, the last surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor to participate in the D-Day invasion of Normandy during World War II, died at 92. Soldiers with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team fold the Medal of Honor flag next to Walter D. Ehlers’ casket ‘Wolverines’ remember their during a memorial service March 8, 2014, at the Riverside National Cemetery, Riverside, California. The photo took fifth place in the Army’s Photo of the Year contest with 1,100 votes. (Photo by Sgt. Daniel Stoutamire, 1st Inf. Div.) fallen comrade at ceremony By J. Parker Roberts I, as a commander, like to call a ‘low- 1ST INF. DIV. PUBLIC AFFAIRS maintenance Soldier.’ He had the in- telligence and drive to get things done The 1st Infantry Division and with limited guidance and resources.” Fort Riley communities paid tribute Ferriera said any commander to a fallen Soldier with the 4th Infan- would want a formation full of Sol- try Brigade Combat diers like Spenner, who was a native of Team, 1st Inf. Div. Savoy, Illinois. during a Jan. 29 me- “This kind of Soldier provides the morial ceremony at light to the dark tunnel, provides the Morris Hill Chapel. smiles and laughter when morale is Spc. Brian Carl down, and, most importantly, provides Spenner, heavy- the expertise to persevere in the face of equipment operator, adversity,” the captain said. “Spenner Company A, Special Spc. was the bedrock of his unit from day Troops Battalion, 4th Spenner one. It did not take long for him to IBCT, was remem- surface as an individual who the com- bered by his fellow Soldiers as a caring, pany could trust with the most special- capable and humble friend. ized piece of route-clearing equipment “We gather to celebrate the unfor- in Afghanistan.” tunately short life of Spc. Spenner and Ferriera said Spenner flourished pay respects to one of our own,” said under the stressful conditions his unit Capt. David Ferreira, Spenner’s unit commander. “Spc. Spenner was what See MEMORIAL, page 10 2 ‘Big Red One’ CAB battalions earn top Army awards By Sgt. Michael Leverton thers” of modern Army aviation, said “These Soldiers do this every day,” 1ST CAB PUBLIC AFFAIRS Lt. Col. Richard Martin, commander, Spell said. “This award is not about me. It 601st ASB. is all about the Soldiers of this battalion.” The 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, Four separate categories make up Two flight crews and one company 1st Infantry Division has a reason to the Parker Awards. The winners were from Spell’s battalion were recognized celebrate. Two battalions from within selected by a Department of the Army at the Feb. 4 Army Aviation Confer- the brigade were recognized as the best board that convened in December. ence in Fort Rucker, Alabama. They in the Army Aviation Corps. “We were chosen over every avia- accepted awards for the Air and Sea The 601st Aviation Support Bat- tion service support unit in the Army,” Rescue of the Year award and the Air talion, 1st CAB was announced as the Martin said. “Every unit from Nation- Traffic Control Unit of the Year. Lt. Gen. Ellis D. Parker Award best al Guard to Reserves to active duty are “Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Hel- combat service support aviation unit eligible. To win this is a big deal.” ton and I are so proud of the accom- and the 2nd General Support Avia- The recognition is just a reminder plishments of both units,” said Col. tion Battalion, 1st Aviation Regiment, of the effort from every individual, Matthew Lewis, commander, 1st CAB. 1st CAB, was recognized as the top Martin added. “It is a reflection of the extraordinary combat support unit within the entire “This was an entire team effort,” he teamwork and dedication exhibited by Army Aviation Corps. said. “If it weren’t for the Soldiers in this the Soldiers and their leaders of these Sgt. Michael Leverton | 1ST CAB The award, which began in 1993, unit going out and putting forth the ef- two great units. While we recognize the Lt. Col. Richard Martin, commander, 601st ASB, 1st Avn. Regt., 1st recognizes the service of retired Lt. fort every day, none of this is possible.” units, we should also pay tribute to the CAB, speaks to his Soldiers during a convoy training exercise Oct. Gen. Ellis D. Parker, former com- Lt. Col. Randy Spell, commander, families and friends who provided the 23 at Fort Riley. The “Guardian” battalion was announced as the Lt. mander of the Army Aviation Corps, 2nd GSAB, 1st Avn. Regt., 1st CAB, love and encouragement for the Soldiers Gen. Ellis D. Parker Award winner as the best combat service sup- who is known as one of the “godfa- had the same message. throughout the mission in Afghanistan.” port battalion in Army aviation. SAFETY HOLIDAY HIGHLIGHTS ALSO IN THIS ISSUE The next USAG Resilience CHILDREN LEARN As of Thursday, Feb. 5 Day Off will be: LIFE SKILLS DURING AN FEB. ASSEMBLY AT 0 3 1 MORRIS HILL ELEMENTARY days have passed since the last SCHOOL, SEE 13 vehicular fatality at Fort Riley. PAGE 11. Eighty more and the post will celebrate with a safety holiday SOLDIERS CELEBRATE DURING THE to take place at each unit’s SUPER BOWL AT THE WARRIOR ZONE, discretion. SEE PAGE 15. 1DivPost.com 2 | FEBRUARY 6, 2015 HOME OF THE BIG RED ONE ‘Dagger’ brigade honors distinguished leaders By Capt. Andrew Cochran The board was designed by from which the winner is chosen 2ND ABCT PUBLIC AFFAIRS Col. Miles Brown, 2nd ABCT by consensus, Boorda added. commander, and Capt. Andrew Candidates who partici- Leaders with the 2nd Ar- Boorda, brigade simulations pated received a “Big Red mored Brigade Combat Team, officer, and is open to ranks of One” medallion, perfor- 1st Infantry Division hosted specialist to major. mance and leadership course a recognition banquet for Sol- Candidates for the board opportunities at the Com- diers participating in the bri- submitted a packet of infor- prehensive Soldier and Fam- gade’s first distinguished leader mation, ranging from weapons ily Fitness Center and place- board Jan. 20 at the Cantigny qualification and physical fit- ment on an order of merit Dining Facility. ness scores to an essay written list for engagements with the The winner of the board, on a book from the Army chief local community. Staff Sgt. David Rodriguez, was of staff’s or the 1st Inf.