Reminding us that winning the hearts and minds of the Afghans is just as important as beating the Taliban, 10th Mountain troops atCamp Spann troops restore water to Afghan community.
No place like home as 10th Mountain division soldier, Spec. William Moss spends time at home while on leave for two weeks before returning to Fort Drum, N.Y.
25 August 2010
24 August 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
10th Mountain soldiers from the 1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion help Afghan National Police Train in Airport Security.
Expanding counter-insurgency in Taliban stronghold Canada's focus this fallas the Canadian Army partners with the 10th Mountain's 1-71 Cav in Afghanistan.
Corps of Engineers looks below the Earth's surface for green energy as new buldings are completed at Fort Drum.
Expanding counter-insurgency in Taliban stronghold Canada's focus this fallas the Canadian Army partners with the 10th Mountain's 1-71 Cav in Afghanistan.
Corps of Engineers looks below the Earth's surface for green energy as new buldings are completed at Fort Drum.
23 August 2010
SITREP: August 23rd
BloodSpite with another round of Ft Drum news!
Ferrellgas to host fundraiser for United Service Organization Fort Drum
Mountain Community Homes received the 2010 Private Sector Project of the Year award from the Association of Defense Communities
Steamboat reunion honors 10th Mountain Division Veterans of World War II who gather for the event
A large crowd enjoys the Army’s 10th Mountain Division Band followed by fireworks in Sherrill Saturday night.
Ferrellgas to host fundraiser for United Service Organization Fort Drum
Mountain Community Homes received the 2010 Private Sector Project of the Year award from the Association of Defense Communities
Steamboat reunion honors 10th Mountain Division Veterans of World War II who gather for the event
A large crowd enjoys the Army’s 10th Mountain Division Band followed by fireworks in Sherrill Saturday night.
20 August 2010
SITREP: August 20th
BloodSpite here once again giving the latest Round up on Ft Drum and 10th Mountain News!
As the men and women of First Battalion, 87th Infantry deployed, planeload after planeload, to Afghanistan this year, there was an unspoken question in the air: Who among them wouldn’t make it home? Sadly the question was answered: Specialist Brian Anderson, a 24-year-old from Broadway, a small town in Virginia
New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee was joined by federal, state and local officials in the Jefferson County today to mark the beginning of a $55.6 million highway project that will link Interstate 81 and the Main Gate of Fort Drum. This project will improve traffic mobility along the Route 11 corridor and will give an economic boost to the entire Fort Drum area.
"What do the Greek, Mongolian, Latvian and British Armies have in common? They’ve all been in Afghanistan before: the Greeks under Alexander; the Mongols under Genghis Khan; the Latvians as part of the Soviet Union; and the British more than a few times. They are also current members of the International Security Assistance Force, and contribute troops to the coalition mission in Afghanistan" First Lt. Mark Larson is serving with the 10th Mountain Division in Kabul and has written blogs at www.handfulofdust.net has a article featured by the New York Times
The Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter was fielded July 30 by the U.S. Army’s B Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. The 10th Mountain Division is the sixth Army unit to be trained and equipped with the aircraft.
As the men and women of First Battalion, 87th Infantry deployed, planeload after planeload, to Afghanistan this year, there was an unspoken question in the air: Who among them wouldn’t make it home? Sadly the question was answered: Specialist Brian Anderson, a 24-year-old from Broadway, a small town in Virginia
New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Acting Commissioner Stanley Gee was joined by federal, state and local officials in the Jefferson County today to mark the beginning of a $55.6 million highway project that will link Interstate 81 and the Main Gate of Fort Drum. This project will improve traffic mobility along the Route 11 corridor and will give an economic boost to the entire Fort Drum area.
"What do the Greek, Mongolian, Latvian and British Armies have in common? They’ve all been in Afghanistan before: the Greeks under Alexander; the Mongols under Genghis Khan; the Latvians as part of the Soviet Union; and the British more than a few times. They are also current members of the International Security Assistance Force, and contribute troops to the coalition mission in Afghanistan" First Lt. Mark Larson is serving with the 10th Mountain Division in Kabul and has written blogs at www.handfulofdust.net has a article featured by the New York Times
The Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter was fielded July 30 by the U.S. Army’s B Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. The 10th Mountain Division is the sixth Army unit to be trained and equipped with the aircraft.
19 August 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
First Lt. Mark Larson of the 10th Mountain Division tells us about Our Lesser-Known Allies in Afghanistan.
The Association of Defense Communities recognized Actus Lend Lease and the US Army by announcing that Mountain Community Homes Wins Private Sector Project of the Year.
The Association of Defense Communities recognized Actus Lend Lease and the US Army by announcing that Mountain Community Homes Wins Private Sector Project of the Year.
18 August 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
We hear about how the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment usesAir Resupply Mitigates Convoy Risk.
A Soldier Lost, and Remembered courtesy of the NY Times.
Members belong to D Company, 2-30th Infantry, 4th Brigade/10th Mountain Division win Brothers in Arms softball tourney.
The Watertown Daily Times has a story about how some Soldiers' fishing trips are about camaraderie and fish.
A Soldier Lost, and Remembered courtesy of the NY Times.
Members belong to D Company, 2-30th Infantry, 4th Brigade/10th Mountain Division win Brothers in Arms softball tourney.
The Watertown Daily Times has a story about how some Soldiers' fishing trips are about camaraderie and fish.
17 August 2010
SITREP: August 17th
Stand at ease!
New York National Guard's 69th Infantry Regiment undergoes training at Ft Drum
Ft. Drum Soldiers combat stress and deployments with fishing
Medics push it to the limit to receive the Expert Field Medical Badge
1-71 Scout platoon watches their step in the mountains of Afghanistan
The 10th Mountain, surrounded by civilian hostiles, keeps their heads though sometimes its hard.
NPR radio tells us how Fort Drum troops test trust with Afghan police.
Ft drum soldier Sgt. Adam Woodford earns Top Gun award after 3rd tour of duty.
1-71 Cavalry's Brooklyn-born Army Lt. Col. John Paganini training Afghan National Police to fight Taliban.
During EFMB training at Fort Drum, Medics advance skills, character.
The NY Daily News tells us about 1-71 Cavalry and how they patrol in Afghanistan.
New York National Guard's 69th Infantry Regiment undergoes training at Ft Drum
Ft. Drum Soldiers combat stress and deployments with fishing
Medics push it to the limit to receive the Expert Field Medical Badge
1-71 Scout platoon watches their step in the mountains of Afghanistan
The 10th Mountain, surrounded by civilian hostiles, keeps their heads though sometimes its hard.
NPR radio tells us how Fort Drum troops test trust with Afghan police.
Ft drum soldier Sgt. Adam Woodford earns Top Gun award after 3rd tour of duty.
1-71 Cavalry's Brooklyn-born Army Lt. Col. John Paganini training Afghan National Police to fight Taliban.
During EFMB training at Fort Drum, Medics advance skills, character.
The NY Daily News tells us about 1-71 Cavalry and how they patrol in Afghanistan.
14 August 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
New garrison commander to lead Drum as of Sept. 9
The post will be getting a new garrison commander Sept. 9.
Col. Noel T. Nicolle will replace Col. Kenneth H. Riddle as the 10th Mountain Division's garrison commander at a Sexton Field ceremony.
Engagement Team Making Significant Contributions in Afghanistan
A four Soldier Human Intelligence Collection Team, operating in northern Afghanistan in support of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, is making significant contributions to securing and rebuilding northern Afghanistan.
“Upon arrival to the area, locals were very hesitant to speak with us,” said HCT leader Sgt. Kristin Barnett. “Over the past couple months this has changed drastically.”
New flag flies at Little Falls veterans memorial
The American flag that had flown over the memorial was presented to David Carpineti to present to his son, Sgt. William Carpineti, who is stationed at Fort Drum. William Carpineti, a 2001 graduate of Little Falls High School who has served two tours of duty in Iraq, raised the flag last Saturday.
Media Invited to Visit Buffalo Army National Guard Unit Training at Fort Drum
The New York Army National Guard is inviting news media to visit Fort Drum on August 18 to see members of the 105th Military Police Company from Buffalo and Rochester conducting Annual Training.The 105th was one of the first New York Army National Guard units to deploy to Iraq; serving there in 2003 during the invasion.
Touch-a-Truck slated Saturday
BIG RIGS IN EVANS MILLS: Family Counseling, USO Fort Drum to share proceeds from event
United Service Organization Fort Drum and Family Counseling Service of Northern New York have teamed up for a fundraiser to benefit the civilian and military communities here.
AFG Community Celebrates Completed Projects in Dehdadi
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs
Story by Spc. Cynthia Teears Van Cleve
DEHDADI DISTRICT, Afghanistan -- The Dehdadi District community celebrated the completion of several projects, Aug. 7, during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sharabad Clinic in Sharabad Village, Afghanistan.
Emam Construction-Rehabilitation Organization Construction Company employees worked alongside Soldiers of Red Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, to complete several well improvements and upgrading of latrines in villages of Dehdadi District.
The post will be getting a new garrison commander Sept. 9.
Col. Noel T. Nicolle will replace Col. Kenneth H. Riddle as the 10th Mountain Division's garrison commander at a Sexton Field ceremony.
Engagement Team Making Significant Contributions in Afghanistan
A four Soldier Human Intelligence Collection Team, operating in northern Afghanistan in support of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, is making significant contributions to securing and rebuilding northern Afghanistan.
“Upon arrival to the area, locals were very hesitant to speak with us,” said HCT leader Sgt. Kristin Barnett. “Over the past couple months this has changed drastically.”
New flag flies at Little Falls veterans memorial
The American flag that had flown over the memorial was presented to David Carpineti to present to his son, Sgt. William Carpineti, who is stationed at Fort Drum. William Carpineti, a 2001 graduate of Little Falls High School who has served two tours of duty in Iraq, raised the flag last Saturday.
Media Invited to Visit Buffalo Army National Guard Unit Training at Fort Drum
The New York Army National Guard is inviting news media to visit Fort Drum on August 18 to see members of the 105th Military Police Company from Buffalo and Rochester conducting Annual Training.The 105th was one of the first New York Army National Guard units to deploy to Iraq; serving there in 2003 during the invasion.
Touch-a-Truck slated Saturday
BIG RIGS IN EVANS MILLS: Family Counseling, USO Fort Drum to share proceeds from event
United Service Organization Fort Drum and Family Counseling Service of Northern New York have teamed up for a fundraiser to benefit the civilian and military communities here.
AFG Community Celebrates Completed Projects in Dehdadi
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs
Story by Spc. Cynthia Teears Van Cleve
DEHDADI DISTRICT, Afghanistan -- The Dehdadi District community celebrated the completion of several projects, Aug. 7, during a ribbon cutting ceremony at the Sharabad Clinic in Sharabad Village, Afghanistan.
Emam Construction-Rehabilitation Organization Construction Company employees worked alongside Soldiers of Red Platoon, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, to complete several well improvements and upgrading of latrines in villages of Dehdadi District.
12 August 2010
SITREP: August 12th
BloodSpite here with another update on the 10th Mountain and Ft Drum!
Ft Drum Troops testing the trust of Afghan Police forces
Former Rep. David O'Brien Martin will be in Watertown today. Mr. Martin,who served six terms in the House from 1981 to 1993 was instrumental in bringing the 10th Mountain Division to Fort Drum.
Army Staff Sgt. Jesse W. Ainsworth, 24, of Dayton, Texas, died July 10 near Walakan, Afghanistan, of injuries from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to Fort Drum and had served two combat tours in Iraq.
Lights, camera action was the scene Monday at the Home Depot in Johnson City where a promotional video was being shot. The shoot is for a day of recognition for the men and women of the 10th Mountain Division who are based at Fort Drum. The event--sponsored by Home Depot and Time Warner -- is set to take place September 3rd in the Johnson City Home Depot's parking lot.
Night watch in Afghanistan: Army Spec. Tehuti Miles of the 1-71 Calvary of the 10th Mountain Division on guard for Taliban foes
Ft Drum Troops testing the trust of Afghan Police forces
Former Rep. David O'Brien Martin will be in Watertown today. Mr. Martin,who served six terms in the House from 1981 to 1993 was instrumental in bringing the 10th Mountain Division to Fort Drum.
Army Staff Sgt. Jesse W. Ainsworth, 24, of Dayton, Texas, died July 10 near Walakan, Afghanistan, of injuries from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to Fort Drum and had served two combat tours in Iraq.
Lights, camera action was the scene Monday at the Home Depot in Johnson City where a promotional video was being shot. The shoot is for a day of recognition for the men and women of the 10th Mountain Division who are based at Fort Drum. The event--sponsored by Home Depot and Time Warner -- is set to take place September 3rd in the Johnson City Home Depot's parking lot.
Night watch in Afghanistan: Army Spec. Tehuti Miles of the 1-71 Calvary of the 10th Mountain Division on guard for Taliban foes
09 August 2010
SITREP: August 9th
No your noble host has not forgotten about you. He has again been called away. Due to some technical issues I was to be here to help fill in the blanks during his departure, however I wasn't able to login.
The Mechanic got if fixed, and wa-la! Frozen in Drum is not quite so frozen and back in swing!
So without further adieu, lets get you what yer asking for eh?
-BloodSpite
Officials at the home of the Army's 10th Mountain Division say two-member "courtesy patrols" will visit clubs, restaurants and bars in the Watertown area between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The Fort Drum community said good-bye to 100 members of the Charlie Company MEDEVAC, 3-10, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, on August 6th in a deployment ceremony.
The Charlie Company MEDEVAC, 3-10, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division recently returned home from Iraq in October, after supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom since October 2008. During their last deployment, the unit flew over 350 medical evacuation missions and transported more than 450 patients.
The company will now deploy to Afghanistan to support a similar operation, working to ensure the safety of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
Families and friends welcomed 276 members of the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team back from Iraq at Magrath Sports Complex early this month. The brigade's task was to train Iraqi police and military forces. It deployed in October and returned more than three months earlier than planned. there are still about 900 members of the unit to come home.
Daughter of a 10th Mountain Division World War II Vet is giving back, by arranging a gathering of 10th Mountain Veterans and Descendants of 10th Mountain veterans
The Mechanic got if fixed, and wa-la! Frozen in Drum is not quite so frozen and back in swing!
So without further adieu, lets get you what yer asking for eh?
-BloodSpite
Officials at the home of the Army's 10th Mountain Division say two-member "courtesy patrols" will visit clubs, restaurants and bars in the Watertown area between 8 p.m. and 3 a.m. Thursday, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
The Fort Drum community said good-bye to 100 members of the Charlie Company MEDEVAC, 3-10, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, on August 6th in a deployment ceremony.
The Charlie Company MEDEVAC, 3-10, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division recently returned home from Iraq in October, after supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom since October 2008. During their last deployment, the unit flew over 350 medical evacuation missions and transported more than 450 patients.
The company will now deploy to Afghanistan to support a similar operation, working to ensure the safety of thousands of soldiers and civilians.
Families and friends welcomed 276 members of the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team back from Iraq at Magrath Sports Complex early this month. The brigade's task was to train Iraqi police and military forces. It deployed in October and returned more than three months earlier than planned. there are still about 900 members of the unit to come home.
Daughter of a 10th Mountain Division World War II Vet is giving back, by arranging a gathering of 10th Mountain Veterans and Descendants of 10th Mountain veterans
20 July 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
Ghormach Elders Discuss Aid and Security Issues
Village elders from the Ghormach district of Northern Afghanistan met with members of the International Security Assistance Force and a representative from the United States Department of Agriculture recently, to discuss the agricultural needs of the area.
Before any assistants can be provided however, security needs for the district have to be addressed.
"Even though we are the largest agricultural organization in the world," said Merle Parise of the U.S.D.A., to the elders. "We are helpless without your help securing the villages,"
With the combined efforts of the local villagers, the Afghan National Security Forces and the coalition Forces, the district will reach a state of lasting security.
"With security comes the ability for others to come in and do what they need to do to help the people of the Ghormach district," said Lt. Col. Kyle Marsh, commander of 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, of the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team.
More soldiers with 2nd BCT return from mission in Iraq
Col. David M. Miller, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, arrived Saturday from Iraq with 375 of his unit's soldiers.
The unit was assigned to eastern Baghdad, where it trained Iraqi military and police forces to protect themselves by working in tandem with the forces during missions.
Village elders from the Ghormach district of Northern Afghanistan met with members of the International Security Assistance Force and a representative from the United States Department of Agriculture recently, to discuss the agricultural needs of the area.
Before any assistants can be provided however, security needs for the district have to be addressed.
"Even though we are the largest agricultural organization in the world," said Merle Parise of the U.S.D.A., to the elders. "We are helpless without your help securing the villages,"
With the combined efforts of the local villagers, the Afghan National Security Forces and the coalition Forces, the district will reach a state of lasting security.
"With security comes the ability for others to come in and do what they need to do to help the people of the Ghormach district," said Lt. Col. Kyle Marsh, commander of 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, of the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team.
More soldiers with 2nd BCT return from mission in Iraq
Col. David M. Miller, commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, arrived Saturday from Iraq with 375 of his unit's soldiers.
The unit was assigned to eastern Baghdad, where it trained Iraqi military and police forces to protect themselves by working in tandem with the forces during missions.
19 July 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
Panels approve Drum funding
Nearly $235 million in construction slated for next year at Fort Drum cleared a House subcommittee Wednesday, a first step toward securing money for new barracks, training facilities and other improvements.
The House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees military construction approved its spending bill for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, including the money for Fort Drum.
Lattes and Hot Showers in Afghanistan
A popular fake motivational poster here in Afghanistan is one that shows two pictures side by side: one of soldiers in full gear out on patrol covered in dust; the other of two soldiers holding trays of fast food with clean uniforms and big smiles. The caption below reads “Afghanistan: individual experiences may vary.”
This dichotomy is all too true for many soldiers around the country. As a new infantry lieutenant fresh out of Airborne and Ranger School, I arrived at the 10th Mountain Division expecting my experience to be much like the picture on the right. We had all seen images and video of firefights at remote outposts in the Hindu Kush, or house-to-house battles in Kandahar and Helmand Provinces.
Iraq US Troops Drawdown
In this Tuesday, July 13, 2010 photo, a U.S. Army soldier from 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division is seen on board a C-17 aircraft at Baghdad International Airport as they begin their journey to the United States. The soldiers, based at Fort Drum, N.Y., are headed home after nine months in Iraq as part of the U.S. drawdown of forces, which begins in earnest next month. The number of soldiers in Iraq is expected to go from 77,500 currently in the country to 50,000 by September 1.
Owens Announces Panel Approval of $6.7 million Requested for Fort Drum
The House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee approved Congressman Bill Owens’ funding request to construct an Alert Holding Area Facility for Fort Drum’s efforts to prepare our troops for deployment.
Command prepares 10th Mountain Division for Afghanistan
Members of U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) will conduct Unified Endeavor 10-3 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Region Command - South (RC-S) Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX) July 14- 30 at Fort Drum, N.Y.
The MRX will help the Army's 10th Mountain Division transition smoothly into Afghanistan as it replaces a multinational contingent, led by British forces currently overseeing operations in RC-S under the command of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
SUNY Drum proposal advances
The effort to bring a State University of New York medical branch campus to the Fort Drum region advanced in a House subcommittee, Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, announced Friday.
An appropriations subcommittee approved $250,000 for the initiative, which supporters say will help attract health care professionals to the north country.
Nearly $235 million in construction slated for next year at Fort Drum cleared a House subcommittee Wednesday, a first step toward securing money for new barracks, training facilities and other improvements.
The House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees military construction approved its spending bill for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, including the money for Fort Drum.
Lattes and Hot Showers in Afghanistan
A popular fake motivational poster here in Afghanistan is one that shows two pictures side by side: one of soldiers in full gear out on patrol covered in dust; the other of two soldiers holding trays of fast food with clean uniforms and big smiles. The caption below reads “Afghanistan: individual experiences may vary.”
This dichotomy is all too true for many soldiers around the country. As a new infantry lieutenant fresh out of Airborne and Ranger School, I arrived at the 10th Mountain Division expecting my experience to be much like the picture on the right. We had all seen images and video of firefights at remote outposts in the Hindu Kush, or house-to-house battles in Kandahar and Helmand Provinces.
Iraq US Troops Drawdown
In this Tuesday, July 13, 2010 photo, a U.S. Army soldier from 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division is seen on board a C-17 aircraft at Baghdad International Airport as they begin their journey to the United States. The soldiers, based at Fort Drum, N.Y., are headed home after nine months in Iraq as part of the U.S. drawdown of forces, which begins in earnest next month. The number of soldiers in Iraq is expected to go from 77,500 currently in the country to 50,000 by September 1.
Owens Announces Panel Approval of $6.7 million Requested for Fort Drum
The House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Subcommittee approved Congressman Bill Owens’ funding request to construct an Alert Holding Area Facility for Fort Drum’s efforts to prepare our troops for deployment.
Command prepares 10th Mountain Division for Afghanistan
Members of U.S. Joint Forces Command (USJFCOM) will conduct Unified Endeavor 10-3 Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) Region Command - South (RC-S) Mission Rehearsal Exercise (MRX) July 14- 30 at Fort Drum, N.Y.
The MRX will help the Army's 10th Mountain Division transition smoothly into Afghanistan as it replaces a multinational contingent, led by British forces currently overseeing operations in RC-S under the command of NATO's International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).
SUNY Drum proposal advances
The effort to bring a State University of New York medical branch campus to the Fort Drum region advanced in a House subcommittee, Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh, announced Friday.
An appropriations subcommittee approved $250,000 for the initiative, which supporters say will help attract health care professionals to the north country.
13 July 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
Fort Drum Training for NY National Guard Aircrews
New York National Guard Aviation Soldiers will train to prepare themselves for the newly formed Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Explosive (CBRNE) Consequence Management Response Force, or CCMRF. This training of Soldiers and aircrwes will certify three of New York's aviation units to be called to Federal Active Duty if needed to deploy in support of federal missions for any natural or man-made disaster beginning in the new fiscal year, starting October1.
Country superstar at the county fair
Opening for Mr. Jackson will be Timothy ("T. J.") Murphy, a soldier at Fort Drum who is a native of Kittery, Maine.
Mr. Murphy has served his country for almost 25 years and will retire from the military this year to become a full-time country music artist. He's been involved in the business for a long time, performing with his band on and off for the past 17 years.
The Badlands of Kandahar: Counterinsurgency Testing Ground
The Dand-district center is a novelty in the badlands of Kandahar province. As the seat of both the top government official and the U.S. forces based in the area, it's a seductive target for Taliban militants looking to make a statement. Yet its walls lack the extra defenses found at other district centers across Afghanistan's embattled south. On any given day, half of the guard towers are unoccupied and the front gate is left open, manned by a single police officer who casually waves visitors through. So calm is the surrounding area that U.S. Army officers living there are lobbying for permission to go outside the wire without body armor. "If there's an ink spot [of stability] forming in southern Afghanistan, I would say it's this district," says Major Edward Ash of the 1-71 Cavalry, 10th Mountain division.
Training to tackle the Taliban - and cooperate with allies
The Afghan policemen do not seem overly excited by the prospect of going on tour with their American trainers this afternoon.
Outside in Imam Sahib, in the Kunduz province of northern Afghanistan, it's 45 degrees celsius. The local police chief delegates one of his sergeants and two patrolmen to go out, vastly outnumbered by their US counterparts.
New York National Guard Aviation Soldiers will train to prepare themselves for the newly formed Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear and High Explosive (CBRNE) Consequence Management Response Force, or CCMRF. This training of Soldiers and aircrwes will certify three of New York's aviation units to be called to Federal Active Duty if needed to deploy in support of federal missions for any natural or man-made disaster beginning in the new fiscal year, starting October1.
Country superstar at the county fair
Opening for Mr. Jackson will be Timothy ("T. J.") Murphy, a soldier at Fort Drum who is a native of Kittery, Maine.
Mr. Murphy has served his country for almost 25 years and will retire from the military this year to become a full-time country music artist. He's been involved in the business for a long time, performing with his band on and off for the past 17 years.
The Badlands of Kandahar: Counterinsurgency Testing Ground
The Dand-district center is a novelty in the badlands of Kandahar province. As the seat of both the top government official and the U.S. forces based in the area, it's a seductive target for Taliban militants looking to make a statement. Yet its walls lack the extra defenses found at other district centers across Afghanistan's embattled south. On any given day, half of the guard towers are unoccupied and the front gate is left open, manned by a single police officer who casually waves visitors through. So calm is the surrounding area that U.S. Army officers living there are lobbying for permission to go outside the wire without body armor. "If there's an ink spot [of stability] forming in southern Afghanistan, I would say it's this district," says Major Edward Ash of the 1-71 Cavalry, 10th Mountain division.
Training to tackle the Taliban - and cooperate with allies
The Afghan policemen do not seem overly excited by the prospect of going on tour with their American trainers this afternoon.
Outside in Imam Sahib, in the Kunduz province of northern Afghanistan, it's 45 degrees celsius. The local police chief delegates one of his sergeants and two patrolmen to go out, vastly outnumbered by their US counterparts.
Donald R. Edgerton
Sergeant Donald R. Edgerton, age 33, of Murphy, North Carolina, was killed July 10th in an improvised explosive device attack near the city of Charadarre, Afghanistan.
Edgerton was a senior sniper, serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Edgerton joined the U.S. Army in August 2007 and after completing training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, arrived to Fort Drum in February 2008.
Edgerton previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to October 2008. In 2009 he completed both the sniper and combat life savers courses.
Edgerton's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and two Overseas Service Ribbons.
He is survived by his wife, daughter and parents.
See Also
www.watertowndailytimes.com
news.yahoo.com
wwnytv.com
Edgerton was a senior sniper, serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Edgerton joined the U.S. Army in August 2007 and after completing training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, arrived to Fort Drum in February 2008.
Edgerton previously deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from February to October 2008. In 2009 he completed both the sniper and combat life savers courses.
Edgerton's awards and decorations include the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and two Overseas Service Ribbons.
He is survived by his wife, daughter and parents.
See Also
www.watertowndailytimes.com
news.yahoo.com
wwnytv.com
Jesse W. Ainsworth
Staff Sergeant Jesse W. Ainsworth, age 24, of Dayton, Texas, was killed July 10th in an improvised explosive device attack near the city of Walakan, Afghanistan.
Ainsworth was a team leader, serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Ainsworth joined the U.S. Army in November, 2005 and after completing training at Fort Benning, Georgia, came to Fort Drum in March 2006.
Ainsworth previously deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the first time from March to July 2006, and also from September 2007 to October 2008. He completed both the Warrior Leader Course and the Combat Life Savers Course in 2009.
Ainsworth's awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his wife, two children, mother and sister.
See Also
www.watertowndailytimes.com
freedomremembered.com
wwnytv.com
chron.com
Ainsworth was a team leader, serving in support of Operation Enduring Freedom with the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Ainsworth joined the U.S. Army in November, 2005 and after completing training at Fort Benning, Georgia, came to Fort Drum in March 2006.
Ainsworth previously deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, the first time from March to July 2006, and also from September 2007 to October 2008. He completed both the Warrior Leader Course and the Combat Life Savers Course in 2009.
Ainsworth's awards and decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, two Army Commendation Medals, two Army Achievement Medals, the Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officers Professional Development Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.
He is survived by his wife, two children, mother and sister.
See Also
www.watertowndailytimes.com
freedomremembered.com
wwnytv.com
chron.com
11 July 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
Two units back on Drum after war deployments
Families welcomed home two units Thursday after yearlong deployments. The 173 returning soldiers of the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion were deployed to Afghanistan and 154 members of the 543rd Military Police Company, 10th Sustainment Brigade returned from Iraq.
New JCC community survey shows more people optimistic about life in NNY
We are optimistic, with the majority reporting that life in Jefferson County is getting better. We typically think this is a good place to live, a good place to raise children, and a good place in which to grow old. We are concerned about the national economy and think our own economy needs some improvement, but we think we have better shopping opportunities and better access to higher education than we did last year. We think the expansion of Fort Drum has a positive impact on our community.
Geothermal Energy Could Make the Department of Defense a Supplier of U.S. Energy, Not Just a Consumer
The U.S. military’s drive to replace fossil fuels with sustainable energy could result in an interesting twist: the military could wind up being a net supplier of energy to the U.S. electricity grid, in the form of geothermal power tapped from land owned by the Department of Defense (pdf alert).
Since 2004, Fort Drum in upstate New York has been installing geothermal systems in 19 buildings in various stages of completion. Across the country in Texas, Fort Bliss is looking to geothermal for achieving net zero carbon emissions in ten years. There are many more examples in between, and a study by the the Engineer Research and Development Center of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers suggests that that the Department of Defense has enough geothermal resources to produce electricity for the national grid as well as its own bases.
Chowing down in the Army: New Fort Drum dining facilities compete with modern food options, changing tastes
If you served in the military more than a few years ago, or grew up watching old war movies, your image of an Army cook might be a guy in a white T-shirt and apron, glumly pulling KP duty in the mess hall by peeling a sack of potatoes.
The food he helped prepare was likely to be served (and received) with a dose of surly GI attitude. (Think almost any Beetle Bailey comic strip.)
At Fort Drum near Watertown, Specialist Ryan Rumminger is not that Army cook.
Wind study hits a snag
INDIAN RIVER: Drum officials not consulted, see tower problem
PHILADELPHIA — Gaining approval to erect a meteorological tower to assess wind conditions has been tougher than Indian River Central School District officials expected. And the delays in the wind study stem from a lack of communication between the Federal Aviation Administration and Fort Drum about how erecting the tower could affect low-flying aircraft.
"We thought with FAA approval, we could just go ahead with the study," Superintendent James Kettrick said.
FAA officials didn't consult Fort Drum officials directly when they approved a 164-foot-tall meteorological tower to assess wind on district property, and Fort Drum officials have an issue with the tower because its chosen site is close to the flight path of aircraft approaching Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield.
Spotted: People, Places & Things
Army Maj. Cornelius J. Pope has arrived for duty at Fort Drum, Watertown, N.Y. Pope is the son of Barbara Thurmond-Archibald of Bogart and the brother of Eddie L. Berry and Bryant K. Gantt of Athens. He graduated from Clarke Central High School in Athens.
"Assisting Locals, Increasing Trust" in Iraq During Drawdown
Colorful bags emblazoned with cartoon characters such as Winnie the Pooh and Barbie sat in a small, beat-up metal trailer, reflecting the early morning sun; a colorful contrast to the glistening sweat dripping from under the dusty helmets of soldiers working nearby.
The soldiers seemed to be everywhere at once, organizing supplies, arranging lines of concertina wire, and doing everything necessary to prepare for the people who would soon be descending on their temporary camp.
Even as the morning continued to heat up and the sweat continued to pour down, the soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, remained in high spirits, laughing and joking with each other and their Iraqi Army counterparts from 1st Battalion, 25th Brigade, 17th Iraqi Army Division.
BETH WILSON: Meet Me at the Flagpole at Disney
I love Disneyland. Oh, I know it is the smallest of the Disneyland Resorts but I love it. My husband and I have been season pass holders for most of our marriage. Several years ago, we happened to be walking along main street USA when we noticed something happening at the flagpole. The Disneyland Band, the Dapper Dans (barbershop quartet), and a “detail” were surrounding the flagpole. We joined the gathering throng to discover a special ceremony; the Flag Retreat Ceremony.
As the band, the “Dans” and the detail retire, something indescribable happens. Those vets gathered around the flagpole are slow to disperse. Joined by spouses, many wonderful connections are made. Gary spent six years in the Navy, on a boomer. David, who just returned from his fourth tour to Afghanistan, serves with the 10th Mountain Division out of New York. Gerald is a Vietnam era retired Air Force vet — with some great stories to tell. Donald, a World War II veteran, teared up during the ceremony. He landed on the beach on that “Day of Days” and swapped stories with several other Army vets and gave a warm and emotional, “Take care” to the active duty soldiers standing there.
09 July 2010
Fort Drum Press Release - Engineer Company Returns to Fort Drum
The 173 Soldiers of the 630th Engineer Company, 7th Engineer Battalion, redeployed from southern Afghanistan on July 8, 2010 after spending 12 months conducting route clearance operations throughout Regional Command - South in both Kandahar and Helmand
Provinces. The company primarily supported 5/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team along Highway 1 as well as Task Force Helmand, a British brigade-sized headquarters, during Operation Mostarak (Together) in Nad e Ali from February to April 2010. The company lost two Soldiers during the deployment, both due to IED strikes, and had another 11 Soldiers wounded in action. In total, the company found 84 IEDs, 59 UXOs and suffered 55 IED strikes while clearing over 45,000 kilometers of routes during the 5600 hours spent on the road.
Provinces. The company primarily supported 5/2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team along Highway 1 as well as Task Force Helmand, a British brigade-sized headquarters, during Operation Mostarak (Together) in Nad e Ali from February to April 2010. The company lost two Soldiers during the deployment, both due to IED strikes, and had another 11 Soldiers wounded in action. In total, the company found 84 IEDs, 59 UXOs and suffered 55 IED strikes while clearing over 45,000 kilometers of routes during the 5600 hours spent on the road.
Fort Drum Press Release - 543rd Military Police Company Redeployment
Members of the 543rd Military Police Company, 10th
Sustainment Brigade arrived at Fort
Drum from a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan Thursday.
The 543rd deployed in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in July of 2009.
The flight arrived during the evening hours at Wheeler Sack Airfield with 154 personnel. The 543rd successfully trained 10,000 Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police by providing Police Training Teams (PTT) and Military Training Team (MTT) meaning that the company prepared/trained Iraqi police leadership to plan, execute, and sustain independent police operations. PTTs diligently coach, mentor, and train the Iraqi police to take the lead in policing Iraq's citizens through the use of several training tools, including the police essential task list and the police station monthly report (PSMR). With more than 150 police-essential task list training tasks-printed in Arabic and English-the PTTs have a variety of instructional classes to choose from to help the Iraqi police raise the functionality of their police stations and personnel. The 543rd also conducted counter improvised explosive device (IED) and indirect fire (IDF) missions throughout the day and night.
Sustainment Brigade arrived at Fort
Drum from a yearlong deployment in Afghanistan Thursday.
The 543rd deployed in Support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in July of 2009.
The flight arrived during the evening hours at Wheeler Sack Airfield with 154 personnel. The 543rd successfully trained 10,000 Iraqi Army and Iraqi Police by providing Police Training Teams (PTT) and Military Training Team (MTT) meaning that the company prepared/trained Iraqi police leadership to plan, execute, and sustain independent police operations. PTTs diligently coach, mentor, and train the Iraqi police to take the lead in policing Iraq's citizens through the use of several training tools, including the police essential task list and the police station monthly report (PSMR). With more than 150 police-essential task list training tasks-printed in Arabic and English-the PTTs have a variety of instructional classes to choose from to help the Iraqi police raise the functionality of their police stations and personnel. The 543rd also conducted counter improvised explosive device (IED) and indirect fire (IDF) missions throughout the day and night.
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
http://readme.readmedia.com/Governor-Paterson-Directs-Flags-to-Be-Flown-at-Half-Staff/1584617
Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Monday, July 12, in honor of two Fort Drum soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan on July 5.
Staff Sergeant Christopher F. Cabacoy and Private First Class Edwin C. Wood were killed when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, NY.
Fort Drum's 1st BCT Working With Afghan Security Forces(Video)
The 1st Brigade Combat Team from Fort Drum is working closely with Afghan national security forces in Afghanistan.
The 1st BCT's commander, Colonel Willard Burleson, says morale is good among the troops.
He says soldiers won't see any major changes in strategy now that General David Petraeus is in command.
Burleson also says most of the soldiers are deployed to the northern part of Afghanistan.
Military Notes
Austin D. Roberts of Alexandria was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during an ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) Commissioning Ceremony at Canisius College on Friday, May 21. Roberts graduated from Canisius College on May 22 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He is assigned to the Infantry Corps in Fort Drum, N.Y. He is the son of Stephen G. and Ruth Roberts of Farm Road, Alexandria. Roberts graduated in the year 2000 from T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria.
Dollar$ & $ense - Returning Military Still Have Plenty of Time
As the 2nd Brigade - 10th Mountain Division returns to Fort Drum from Afghanistan, they and other military personnel who served on official extended duty service outside the country for at least 90 days between January 1st, 2009 and April 30th, 2010 have until April 30th, 2011, to sign a contract to purchase or build a home and still get the money, thanks to the Service Members Home Ownership Act of 2009.
Two Fort Drum soldiers killed in Afghanistan loved drama and adventure
Two Fort Drum cavalry scouts died Monday in Afghanistan after an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. Staff Sgt. Christopher F. Cabacoy, 30, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Pfc. Edwin C. Wood, 18, of Omaha, Neb., served with 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Video-link psychiatry offered in Watertown
North country residents hit by a shortage in mental health providers won't have to travel to Syracuse for treatment anymore.
Patients can attend teleconference sessions at North Country Children's Clinic, 238 Arsenal St., with experts at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse.The telepsychiatry facility is at the children's clinic, but is available to other community health care providers, clinic executive director Aileen G.Martin said.
Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on New York State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Monday, July 12, in honor of two Fort Drum soldiers who were killed in Afghanistan on July 5.
Staff Sergeant Christopher F. Cabacoy and Private First Class Edwin C. Wood were killed when insurgents attacked their vehicle with an improvised explosive device. The soldiers were assigned to 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, NY.
Fort Drum's 1st BCT Working With Afghan Security Forces(Video)
The 1st Brigade Combat Team from Fort Drum is working closely with Afghan national security forces in Afghanistan.
The 1st BCT's commander, Colonel Willard Burleson, says morale is good among the troops.
He says soldiers won't see any major changes in strategy now that General David Petraeus is in command.
Burleson also says most of the soldiers are deployed to the northern part of Afghanistan.
Military Notes
Austin D. Roberts of Alexandria was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during an ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps) Commissioning Ceremony at Canisius College on Friday, May 21. Roberts graduated from Canisius College on May 22 with a bachelor’s degree in political science. He is assigned to the Infantry Corps in Fort Drum, N.Y. He is the son of Stephen G. and Ruth Roberts of Farm Road, Alexandria. Roberts graduated in the year 2000 from T.C. Williams High School, Alexandria.
Dollar$ & $ense - Returning Military Still Have Plenty of Time
As the 2nd Brigade - 10th Mountain Division returns to Fort Drum from Afghanistan, they and other military personnel who served on official extended duty service outside the country for at least 90 days between January 1st, 2009 and April 30th, 2010 have until April 30th, 2011, to sign a contract to purchase or build a home and still get the money, thanks to the Service Members Home Ownership Act of 2009.
Two Fort Drum soldiers killed in Afghanistan loved drama and adventure
Two Fort Drum cavalry scouts died Monday in Afghanistan after an improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle. Staff Sgt. Christopher F. Cabacoy, 30, of Virginia Beach, Va., and Pfc. Edwin C. Wood, 18, of Omaha, Neb., served with 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division.
Video-link psychiatry offered in Watertown
North country residents hit by a shortage in mental health providers won't have to travel to Syracuse for treatment anymore.
Patients can attend teleconference sessions at North Country Children's Clinic, 238 Arsenal St., with experts at Upstate Medical University, Syracuse.The telepsychiatry facility is at the children's clinic, but is available to other community health care providers, clinic executive director Aileen G.Martin said.
07 July 2010
10th Mountain Division News Roundup
Best places to watch the Patriots
ESPN writer Mike Reiss mentions the Ft Drum Commons as one of the best places to watch the New England Patriots.
Despite Hard Conditions, 1st BCT Keeps Spirits High
When President Obama ordered 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, that changed the mission for the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum.
3,500 soldiers of the 1st BCT are in the region, but originally they were scheduled to deploy to Iraq.
Now in Afghanistan, near Kabul, Kandahar and the northern sections, Colonel William Burleson, commander of the 1st BCT says that his soldiers were aware of the tough conditions going in.
But despite that, soldier morale remains high.
See the full interview on Friday, at 5:55 AM on 7 News This Morning.
ESPN writer Mike Reiss mentions the Ft Drum Commons as one of the best places to watch the New England Patriots.
Despite Hard Conditions, 1st BCT Keeps Spirits High
When President Obama ordered 30,000 more troops to Afghanistan, that changed the mission for the 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum.
3,500 soldiers of the 1st BCT are in the region, but originally they were scheduled to deploy to Iraq.
Now in Afghanistan, near Kabul, Kandahar and the northern sections, Colonel William Burleson, commander of the 1st BCT says that his soldiers were aware of the tough conditions going in.
But despite that, soldier morale remains high.
See the full interview on Friday, at 5:55 AM on 7 News This Morning.
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