Our Role
Global Response: The First Division is the British Army's Global Response Division, with a diverse and highly capable force that can respond across the spectrum of operations from humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to security operations and warfighting.
Persistently Operating: With a force of over 30,000 personnel, the First Division is persistently engaged, working with our partners throughout the world through our global hubs in Kenya, Brunei, Oman and Belize.
Ready to Fight: The Division is constantly ready - we ensure and enable the United Kingdom's High Readiness Forces who can deploy rapidly via sea, land and air.
Our Organisation
The Division has eight Brigades:
Commitment to NATO
From July 2024, 1st (UK) Division will lead the Land Component of SACEUR's Allied Response Force (ARF), at readiness to deploy on any of the NATO core tasks: non-combatant evacuation operations, humanitarian and disaster relief, and enhanced vigilance activities.
The Multinational Force will be held at high readiness and includes a land brigade (7 Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team), an Aviation Task Force, and an integral Operational Sustainment Brigade, supported by elements of the 11th Security Force Assistance Brigade.
Our commitment to the ARF will continue to build on the progress made since the 2014 Newport Summit to strengthen the Alliance and ensure the UK's place at the heart of NATO.
Raised to fight in the Peninsula Wars.
WW1 (France and the Western Front).
WW2 (Dunkirk, North Africa, Italy, France, Germany).
Op GRANBY – the Gulf War.
Relocated from Germany to UK (York).
Working together to support Ukraine via Inter-series of operations.
Locations
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Division Headquarters
Imphal Barracks, York
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1 Military Police Brigade
Marlborough Lines, Andover, Hampshire
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HQ 4th Light Brigade Combat Team
Boulon Barracks, Catterick
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HQ 7th Light Mechanised Brigade Combat Team
Kendrew Barracks, Cottesmore
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HQ 8 Engineer Brigade
Gibraltar Barracks, Minley, Hampshire
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16 Air Assault Brigade Combat Team
Merville Barracks, Colchester
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HQ 102 Operational Sustainment Brigade
Prince William of Gloucester Barracks, Grantham