Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss

U.S. Army AH-64 Apache helicopters from the 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade joined forces with Polish infantry and armored vehicles from the 18th Mechanized Division during an allied combined arms live-fire demonstration at the Orzysz Training Area, Poland, on September 17, 2025.

This high-intensity event marked the culmination of Exercise Iron Gate 25, showcasing multinational combined arms capabilities alongside our Polish and Dutch allies. The demonstration highlighted seamless interoperability, precision maneuvers, and joint readiness in action.

Distinguished visitors—including U.S. Mission to NATO Ambassador Mathew Whittaker; Polish Minister of Defense Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz; Chief of the General Staff of the Polish Armed Forces, General Wiesław Kukuła; U.S. Army Major General Curtis Taylor; and Polish Major General Maciej Jabłoński—toured static displays and observed the firepower and coordination of our integrated NATO team.

Photos by 18 Dywizja Zmechanizowana, Sgt. James Larimer, and Grzegorz Czaplicki

On Sept. 11, 2025, at the Hohenfels Training Area in Germany, Task Force Desert Knights from the Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, took part in a Downed Aircraft Recovery Team (DART) simulation during Exercise Saber Junction 25—a crucial rehearsal for real-world combat readiness.

A CH-47 Chinook airlifted a UH-60 Blackhawk as part of this high-stress recovery operation, testing Soldiers on sling-load procedures, security, and rapid movement in a combat-like environment. DART training ensures aviation units are ready to respond swiftly and effectively to downed aircraft incidents—critical in high-tempo combat scenarios.

This multinational exercise, evaluated by the 7th Army Training Command’s Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC), brings together 7,000+ participants and 1,000 vehicles from 15 nations—building interoperability and sharpening collective readiness.

(U.S. Army photos by 2nd Lt. Courtney Rorick and Sgt. Kammen Taylor)

U.S. Army Green Berets from 10th Special Forces Group - Airborne, aviators with Task Force Desert Knights from the Combat Aviation Brigade, and Polish special operations forces conducted joint training in Warsaw, Poland, July 7–10, 2025.

Through rappelling and sling load operations with CH-47 Chinooks, the teams refined critical air mobility tactics and strengthened their ability to operate together in complex, multi-national environments.

(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Anthony Ackah-Mensah)

As part of the Polish Apache Initiative, 1-501st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion "Iron Dragons" AH-64 Apache helicopters provided precision aerial support to Polish ground forces during a combined arms live-fire demonstration, aviation logistical support operations and force projection of lift assault aircraft at the Drawsko Combat Training Center, Poland.

This multinational exercise showcased NATO's combined arms integration and maneuver capabilities, reinforcing allied readiness and interoperability. Military representatives from Germany, Italy, and the UK observed the operation as the 12th Mechanized Division executed defensive maneuvers with Apache support.

The Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, and the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade of the Polish Defense Force met to conduct interoperability mission planning and training.

During the visit, the Commander of the 25th Air Cavalry Brigade, Brig. Gen. Tomasz Bialas, had the opportunity to tour a U.S. AH-64 Apache helicopter, from Lt. Col. Ridge, Commander of the 1-501st Attack Reconnaissance Battalion "Iron Dragons"!

In honor of we're recognizing our Combat Aviation Brigade aircraft maintainers!

Rain or shine, day in and day out — our aircraft maintainers work tirelessly to keep aircraft flying in support of the ground force. Their dedication keeps us above the best!

U.S. Army Soldiers from 1st Armored Division Combat Aviation Brigade teamed up with the Georgian Army for MEDEVAC training using HH-60M Black Hawks 🚁

Part of , this training builds readiness and strengthens partnerships in the Black Sea region.

📸 by Sgt. Cameron Boyd, U.S. Army National Guard

U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) | U.S. European Command (EUCOM) | US Embassy Tbilisi, Georgia | 173rd Airborne Brigade | U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa | საქართველოს თავდაცვის სამინისტრო / Ministry of Defence of Georgia

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