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Fort Riley public affairs officer earns top military health honor

KMAN Staff — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 18:05:35 +0000

The Military Health System awarded Fort Riley’s public affairs officer Jorge Gomez with the Communicator and Civilian Photographer of the Year honor on Thursday.

The MHS recognizes outstanding military medicine professionals who are “excelling at their craft,” said Dr. Stephen Ferrara, principal deputy assistant secretary of war for health affairs. “They are rising stars, and innovators, but most of all they are patriots; they are warriors.”

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Fort Riley welcomes new soldiers, changes brigade command

KMAN Staff — Thu, 28 May 2026 18:14:36 +0000

Fort Riley welcomed new soldiers Wednesday with a Victory Reception Company patching ceremony and a “welcome run” through historic sites. The VRC serves as a dedicated in-processing and reception unit for the division.

Army officials said the 3-mile run serves as a traditional morning formation to build camaraderie, teach unit history, and set physical readiness standards from day one. The route guides in-processing soldiers through Fort Riley to teach them about the 1st Infantry Division’s heritage.

Following the run, senior leaders placed the “Big Red One” patch on the incoming soldiers’ uniforms, formally welcoming the soldiers to the division.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Change of leadership at Fort Riley, Lt. Col. Klein relinquishes command

KMAN Staff — Wed, 27 May 2026 17:47:16 +0000

Fort Riley’s 5th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division underwent a formal transition of leadership Tuesday.

Lt. Col. Gary Klein relinquished command to Lt. Col. Michael Culler II. Brigade officials awarded Klein the Meritorious Service Medal in recognition of his leadership and service.

During the ceremony, organizers presented flowers to Klein’s wife, Andrea Klein, and Culler’s wife, Amy Culler. Army officials said the gesture recognizes the vital support and sacrifice of military families during unit leadership transitions.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Fort Riley launches safe passage Lyft program to provide rides for soldiers

KMAN Staff — Fri, 15 May 2026 17:25:47 +0000

Fort Riley is partnering with the Flint Hills Metropolitan Planning Organization and KDOT in a safe passage Lyft program giving discounted rides to soldiers and their families.

For $30 a month, soldiers can buy a rideshare voucher for travel between Fort Riley, Manhattan, Junction City, Ogden, St. George and Wamego. Rides are available from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights.

The program began May 8 and runs until July 5.

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97th Military Police Battalion cases colors at Fort Riley

KMAN Staff — Fri, 08 May 2026 18:24:11 +0000

The 97th Military Police Battalion cased its colors during a ceremony at King Field House Tuesday, ending nearly 21 years of continuous service at Fort Riley and marking another transition in the Army’s modernization efforts.

“This battalion has been there at the most critical points in our nation’s story,” said Col. Lillian Woodington, commander of the 89th Military Police Brigade. “From Europe in 1945 to Gitmo in 2024, the Guardians have always answered the call with professionalism and grit.”

“Guardian soldiers and leaders helped shape who I am,” Lt. Col. Tommy E. Sieker said of his time as the battalion commander. “Watching these colors be cased is tough, but I know the 97th will rise again when the nation calls — just as it has so many times before.”

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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K-State, Fort Riley sign partnership proclamation

KMAN Staff — Thu, 07 May 2026 17:45:12 +0000

The 1st Infantry Division and Kansas State University reaffirmed their longstanding partnership on May 5 during the annual proclamation signing at Victory Park on Fort Riley, strengthening one of the Army’s most enduring university–installation relationships. The ceremony highlighted shared commitments to education, research, spouse employment, and quality‑of‑life initiatives that benefit soldiers, families, students, veterans, and the broader Flint Hills community.

Maj. Gen. Monté L. Rone, commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley, signed the K‑State and Fort Riley Partnership Resolution Proclamation alongside Kansas State University President Dr. Richard Linton. Rone emphasized the enduring strength and future potential of the partnership.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Irwin Army Community Hospital upgrades ambulance fleet

KMAN Staff — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:15:14 +0000

By U.S. Army Public Affairs

FORT RILEY — When a training accident happens in the field, minutes matter.

At Fort Riley, those minutes can determine whether a 1st Infantry Division soldier makes a full recovery or suffers a career-ending disability. With the arrival of a new ambulance fleet at Irwin Army Community Hospital, those minutes are now better protected than ever.

The upgraded vehicles bring capabilities designed for the conditions of military training like rugged off-road terrain, unpredictable weather, and high-risk environments.

Emergency Medical Services at Fort Riley operate differently than most civilian systems. While civilian EMS primarily respond to emergencies on paved city streets, Fort Riley’s EMS must be prepared to enter live-fire ranges and training areas.

“Our EMS service responds to emergencies that involve tactical vehicles, weapons mishaps, and more climate-related injuries than civilian services would see,” said Dr. Andrew Bloom, chief of the Department of Emergency Services and EMS medical director.

Before the arrival of the new fleet, EMS crews were operating ambulances past their prime, with over 100,000 miles of hard service on their frames.

“We’ve had ambulances that wouldn’t start and needed to be jumped just to be moved,” Bloom said.

The new fleet is able to reach casualties in conditions that previously would have caused delays. The old rear-wheel drive vehicles struggled with Fort Riley’s rugged landscape and periods of severe weather.

“During a major snowstorm a couple of years ago, the old ambulances couldn’t get through unplowed roads on post,” Bloom said. “We had to put patients in a fire department brush truck just to get them to a clear road where an ambulance could meet them. That’s not ideal medical care.”

The new ambulances are equipped with four-wheel drive, robust suspension, and heavy-duty front guards, significantly improving their ability to navigate mud, snow, and rough terrain. This capability translates into faster care.

“Time to definitive treatment is critical,” Bloom said. “Faster care decreases mortality and morbidity. It also allows for quicker pain control, which may reduce long-term effects from trauma, including conditions like post-traumatic stress.”

Beyond speed and mobility, the new ambulances enhance how care is delivered while en route to the hospital. One of trauma’s most dangerous complications is hypothermia.

“Hypothermia in a trauma patient can be deadly, as blood loss causes the body’s temperature to drop, even on a hot day,” Bloom said. “Before, we were limited to cracking open chemical hot packs. Now, we can administer heated IV fluids and cover patients with 120-degree blankets from an onboard warmer.”

In scenarios with multiple casualties, the new ambulances offer another advantage. They can transport up to three litter patients simultaneously, compared to just one in the previous models.

“In a mass casualty event, this allows us to get more patients to the hospital with fewer vehicles, clearing the scene and moving casualties to definitive care much faster,” Bloom said.

But for all the technology packed into the new ambulances, Bloom said that the most life-saving feature is the “improved reliability.”

“The ambulances will look different, but the care will remain the same,” he said. “What’s improved is our ability to respond and deliver that care when and where it’s needed.”

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Fort Riley honors fallen soldiers with ‘Hall of Heroes’

KMAN Staff — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 14:03:21 +0000

FORT RILEY — Army officials renamed a Fort Riley street after a Medal of Honor recipient during the grand opening of a space dedicated to fallen soldiers on Tuesday.

The fort’s “Hall of Heroes” was previously housed in the Army community services building, but now has a dedicated space within the restored Grimes Hall. First constructed in 1931 as nurses’ quarters, the building houses a heroes wall, reflection room, digital displays and artifacts memorializing 97 soldiers from the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“This is a space that family and friends can go in and reflect and think about their service member and the service, and just their memories,” said Col. Gerald Nunziato, Fort Riley garrison commander.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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Soldiers represent Fort Riley in St. Louis’ St. Patrick’s Day Parade

KMAN Staff — Thu, 19 Mar 2026 18:14:09 +0000

The sound of marches and rhythm of hoofbeats echoed through downtown St. Louis on March 14 as the 1st Infantry Division Band and the Commanding General’s Mounted Color Guard of Fort Riley took part in the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

Thousands of spectators lined the parade route, waving flags and cheering for soldiers of the “Big Red One” during one of the largest St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in the Midwest.

Army officials said Fort Riley’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to community engagement and public outreach across the Midwest.

To view the full article visit theMercury.com.

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1st Infantry Division concludes 9-month training cycle in Bulgaria

KMAN Staff — Sun, 08 Mar 2026 17:01:02 +0000

As the final missiles launched on the training range, Fort Riley soldiers concluded their training cycle this week, marking the end of a nine-month European deployment aimed at strengthening NATO partnerships and enhancing combat readiness, according to reports from the Army.

Lt. Col. Thomas Sacchieri, the battalion commander for 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, highlighted the significance of training in Bulgaria.