FORT RILEY, Kansas – The final battalion assigned to the inactivating 4th
Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, is set to case its
colors in a ceremony at the post’s Cavalry Parade Field.

The casing ceremony for the 701st Brigade Support Battalion, 4th IBCT, 1st
Inf. Div., is scheduled for 10 a.m. June 2.

The 701st Brigade Support Battalion first activated on Oct. 5, 1917, as
Machine Shop Truck Unit #332. In 1918, it was redesigned as a Service Park
Unit and on July 1, 1920, the unit was assigned as a part of the 1st Inf.
Div. After World War II, the battalion was redesignated as the 701st
Maintenance Battalion and deployed to Vietnam with the division, earning six
battle streamers and two Meritorious Unit Commendations.

Through the years, the “Diligent” battalion has deployed overseas in support
of Operation Desert Storm and was the first battalion in the 1st Inf. Div.
to arrive in Southwest Asia. The 701st Main Support Battalion provided the
division with responsive logistic support, which continued through Kuwait,
Iraq and back into Saudi Arabia. The 701st BSB then redeployed in May 1991
as the last divisional unit to return to Fort Riley.

The 701st BSB deployed to Bosnia-Herzegovina and, in 1999, the unit deployed
to Kosovo.

As the brigade support battalion for the 4th IBCT, the unit has played a
pivotal role in providing critical logistical and maintenance support
operations during 4th IBCTs most recent regionally aligned force missions on
the continent of Africa.