Photo Courtesy of Fort Riley

During a joint meeting in Junction City on Monday, Fort Riley Garrison Commander Col. Gerald Nunziato Jr. discussed upcoming deployment schedules for the 1st Infantry Division with officials from Junction City, Geary County, and USD 475.

He stated that the 1st Brigade Combat Team is scheduled to deploy to Europe for nine months between June and July. Approximately 80% of the roughly 4,000 soldiers in the brigade will deploy. Most families with children in the USD 475 school district are expected to remain in the area.

Nunziato also highlighted additional deployments in 2026.  Fort Riley is expected to reach its lowest troop count during next summer’s deployment cycle, with about 6,000 to 8,000 soldiers on post. At peak deployment, around 50% of the soldiers will be away.

Nunziato added that Fort Riley will also welcome 800 to 1,000 incoming soldiers in that timeframe.