Major General Curt Taylor, commanding general of the division, praised the soldiers’ efforts: “I couldn’t be more proud of the Soldiers of the 1st Armored Division. These victories are proof that the US Army has the most lethal and disciplined tank crews and scout teams in the world.”
In February, a four-man tank crew from the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team won first place at the International Tank Challenge in Grafenwoehr, Germany—the first time a U.S. Army crew has achieved this in the competition’s history. Competing against 11 multinational teams, including Denmark, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland, the crew excelled in gunnery, precision driving, and tactical problem-solving.
Tank commander Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Greene said: “The other crews that were behind and chasing … are really talented crews, and the fact that we’re the first American team to [win] on this stage is incredible.” He added, “Being a combat arms guy, especially on tanks my whole career, that’s always one of our foundations: being as lethal as we can, and I think this competition attested to that ability.”
Greene and his crew—Gunner Sgt. Graham Parker, Loader Spc. Donovan Lavery, and Driver Pfc. Nicolae Lawson—were awarded the Army Commendation Medal and inducted into the U.S. Cavalry and Armor Association’s Honorable Order of St. George. Their victory not only demonstrated U.S. tactical excellence but also reinforced international military cooperation among NATO partners.
In April, a crew from the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team took second place at the Coral Balmoral Tank Competition in Australia. Operating in diverse terrain alongside Australian, New Zealand, and U.S. forces, they showcased seamless integration and mission readiness in the Indo-Pacific.
“One day we might actually be conducting a mission alongside them,” said Sgt. 1st Class Glenn Sanchez of the 2nd Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment. “That name carries a lot of weight, and we didn’t fully realize that at first – the expectation tied to it is excellence,” he added, reflecting on the division’s legacy.
Also in April, a six-man cavalry scout team from A Troop, 6th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment placed third at the Gainey Cup Best Scout Squad Competition at Fort Benning, Georgia. The event tested skills in reconnaissance, movement under fire, and intelligence gathering, simulating real-world combat conditions.
“We were the underdogs, and we wanted to prove to them [because we were heavy] that we were ready,” said Pfc. Ryan Plowman. “People thought we weren’t gonna perform well, but when it comes down to it, we’re pretty good at what we do.”
The scout team will next compete in the III Armored Corps’ Best Squad Competition at Fort Riley, Kansas, in August 2025. Their performance at the Gainey Cup further demonstrated the division’s commitment to reconnaissance excellence and battlefield adaptability.
“These accomplishments serve a larger purpose than pride or recognition,” said Command Sgt. Maj. James Light, senior enlisted advisor of the 1st AD. “When we show up and win on three continents in one year, it reminds everyone what readiness and lethality look like in action.”
Currently deployed in Europe under Task Force Iron, the 1st Armored Division continues to support V Corps, the U.S. Army’s only forward-deployed corps. Through multinational training and exercises, the division reinforces NATO alliances and regional security while remaining combat-credible and fully mission-ready.
By dominating armoured competitions across Europe, the Indo-Pacific, and the United States, the 1st Armored Division reaffirms its status as the Army’s premier armoured force. With 18,000 soldiers and a legacy of excellence, ‘Old Ironsides’ remains ready to fight and win wherever needed.
