Photos: 11th Airborne Division activation ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Paratroopers with the 2nd Battalion 377th Parachute Field Artillery Regiment performed a three-volley salute during the 11th Airborne Division activation ceremony held at Pershing Field on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Monday, June 6, 2022. The ceremony fell on the 78th anniversary of D-Day during World War II. (Bill Roth / ADN)

On the 78th anniversary of D-Day, Gen. James McConville, chief of staff of the Army, said “On this June 6th we are making history. We are passing you the colors and the patch of the storied 11th Airborne Division. A Division with an incredible history of valor in the Pacific during World War II.”

Two activation ceremonies were held in Alaska on Monday for the Army’s only Arctic Airborne division. The activation returned the historic 11th Airborne Division to the Army’s active rolls, this time with a focus on operations in extreme cold weather and in the mountains.

[U.S. Army in Alaska is rebranding and reorganizing into the 11th Airborne Division]

The ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson took place on Pershing Field as the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division was reflagged as the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.

The Fort Wainwright ceremony held Monday morning included a reflagging ceremony with the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division becoming the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division.

General James McConville, 40th Chief of Staff of the Army, met with paratroopers during the 11th Airborne Division activation ceremony. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Troops stand in formation at Pershing Field during the activation ceremony for the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division on Monday, June 6, 2022, (Bill Roth / ADN)

Colonel Jody Shouse, Commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division, unfurls the flag during an activation ceremony at Pershing Field on Monday, June 6, 2022. (Bill Roth / ADN)

The new 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division patches were placed on soldiers on Monday, June 6, 2022. (Bill Roth / ADN)

A C-17 Globemaster and two F-22 Raptors from the 3rd Wing performed a fly over during the 11th Airborne Division activation ceremony at Pershing Field on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division was reflagged as the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division on Monday, June 6, 2022. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Staff Sgt. Bethany Hyson played a tuba during the 11th Airborne Division activation ceremony at Pershing Field on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division was reflagged as the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division on Monday, June 6, 2022. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Eleanor Roehl performed a War Dance in Yup'ik Eskimo Regalia during the 11th Airborne Division activation ceremony at Pershing Field on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson as the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division was reflagged as the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division on Monday, June 6, 2022. (Bill Roth / ADN)

Photos: 11th Airborne Division activation ceremony at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson

Bill Roth

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