The soldiers in the Big Red One, the 1st Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, have been deployed to Iraq to coordinate U.S. military activities as America targets the Islamic State.
The division has its headquarters at Fort Riley, Kan. About 500 soldiers from the Big Red One have been deployed.
“Once again the soldiers of ‘The Big Red One’ – the ‘fighting first’ – answer the call of our nation,” said Gov. Sam Brownback.
“I ask every Kansan to offer their prayers and support to these soldiers and their families,” he said. “Each one of us owes a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women of the ‘fighting first’ who once again find themselves at the forefront of efforts to protect our country.”