The 1st Armored Division, known as "Old Ironsides," remains one of the most powerful and historically significant formations in the United States Army.

Headquartered at Fort Bliss, the division operates as a combined arms force within the III Armored Corps.

The formation blends heavy armored forces, aviation units and long-range artillery into a single combat organization capable of rapid global deployment.

Modern battlefield technology and decades of combat experience have helped shape the division into one of the Army's most lethal and adaptable formations.

A modern combined arms powerhouse

The division's core striking power comes from heavy armored vehicles such as the M1 Abrams and the M2 Bradley.

These platforms combine heavy armor protection with powerful weapons designed to dominate enemy armored forces during large-scale ground combat operations.

Supporting these armored units are aviation brigades equipped with attack and transport helicopters that support maneuver operations across vast battlefields.

Among the most formidable aircraft is the AH-64 Apache, designed to conduct deep strikes far behind enemy lines.

Apaches can target enemy formations hundreds of miles beyond the forward line of troops, disrupting defenses before ground forces arrive.

The division also fields advanced artillery systems, including the Extended Range Cannon Artillery, designed to significantly increase the range of traditional artillery.

This next-generation system can strike targets nearly twice as far as conventional cannon artillery used by earlier Army formations.

Together, armored units, aviation forces and long-range artillery create a highly lethal formation capable of conducting complex multi-domain operations worldwide.

A combat legacy from World War II to today

The 1st Armored Division holds a unique place in American military history as the Army's first armored division formed during World War II.

Following the war, the division played an important role in Cold War deterrence and major international crises.

During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the division rapidly deployed from Texas to Georgia while preparing for a potential invasion of Cuba.

The division later proved its combat effectiveness during the Gulf War, when coalition forces launched a major ground offensive against Iraqi troops.

Armored units from the division spearheaded the advance into Iraq, breaking through defensive lines and rapidly driving deep into enemy territory.

During the 100-hour ground campaign, division forces destroyed hundreds of Iraqi tanks and captured thousands of enemy prisoners.

The division also secured Safwan Airfield, where cease-fire negotiations were held following the coalition victory.

In the decades that followed, the division deployed repeatedly during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom, its forces helped stabilize the volatile Sunni Triangle while conducting counterinsurgency and security operations.

Today, "Old Ironsides" continues to evolve as a modern armored formation prepared for high-intensity conflict and global military operations.