Mission Statement

The goal for this blog is to be the first stop for news articles pertaining to Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division.
If you find any mistakes, typos, overlooked news articles, inaccurate information, or something that will fit into any of a million categories, feel free to drop me a line in the comment section of this post.
I will check daily, sometimes more often and correct, add, or reply to you as soon as possible.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The Fallen

Ethan Hardin, Polk soldier, posthumously promoted

News

Therapy pool for injured soldiers opens today

Two Veterans Reflect on Operation Desert Storm
On Jan. 16/17, 1991, American forces launched air and missile attacks on Iraqi and Kuwaiti targets, signifying the beginning of Operation Desert Storm. To commemorate the 20th anniversary, I spoke with veterans Frank Molinario (U.S. Air Force) and Joseph Chapman (U.S. Army), about their reflections on the war. Molinario served as a loadmaster on C-141B aircraft (airman) during Operation Desert Storm and is now a human resources generalist in Hobart, N.Y. Chapman was a wrecker specialist and quick reaction team leader (private second class) and continues to serve as an Army staff sergeant at Fort Drum, N.Y.

SU treating soldiers, families to basketball game

News: Gor Tepa, RC-North leaders visit coalition forces
While constructing a combat outpost along the main road that runs throughout the region, soldiers from the U.S. Army 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division were visited by the deputy commander of International Security Assistance Force Regional Command North, U.S. Army Col. Sean P. Mulholland Jan. 9.

Mid-York Weekly
RSVP of Madison County is making plans to adopt a platoon this year and there are 3500 soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division 3rd Combat Brigade at Fort Drum who will deploy to Afghanistan in March. Link-ups will begin this month and donations of items to be distributed, such as toiletries, knitted hats, candies and other goodies, would be appreciated. An informational meeting on the project will be held at 3 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 17 at the Cornell Cooperative Extension Ag Center, Eaton Street, Morrisville. For more information or to register for the meeting, call RSVP at 684-3001.

News: Coalition Works to Extend Southern Afghanistan Gains

News: Equipping a Force – ANBP Receive Vehicles

Facebook

Uso-Fort Drum-Karen Clark has a multitude of pictures for us.

10th Combat Aviation Brigade also has a multitude of pictures for us.

Fort Drum Boss has pictures from the ongoing renovation.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Biden Visits with 10th Mt. Div. Soldiers in Afghanistan

Col. Burns attends DeRidder City Council meeting
Colonel Francis Burns, Garrison Commander at Fort Polk, attended his first DeRidder City Council meeting as an ex-officio member on Monday night.

Preliminary OK given for Drum housing

News: ISAF Assists Nahr-e Shahi District Community

News: Mentorship Sets Afghan National Police Up For Success

Face of Defense: Crew Chief Ensures Pilots’ Safety and News: Kiowa crew chief ensures pilots’ safety, two stories on same topic.

Soldiers Can Be Entrepreneurs Too - Setting Up Websites Is a Passion for One Airborne Soldier

Facebook Pages

10TH Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York tells us about a town hall meeting today and also gives us a picture from Iraq.

Fort Polk MWR tells us about the Army Wife Network coming to post.

2-30 Infantry Battalion gives us news about some dolls that are in, the Commissary having some produce issues and tickets for an MMA event.

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division has a story about returning soldiers and soldiers helping the Afghan people.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

News

Guest essay: "A message of thanks from the front" By Capt. Michael Richardson

Fort Polk Heroes recognized

Photos: Czech Republic Air Force Unit Receives 10th. Mt. Div. Patches

'Soldier 101' class set Feb. 15 to help understand the Army

Facebook Pages

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV has a multitude of pictures on their page from Afghanistan.

2-30 Infantry Battalion has news about a strong bonds retreat for couples and

Fort Drum Fmwr has news about a Fort Drum ACAP Career Fair and other upcoming events.

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division has pictures from COL Thomas Matsel's Promotion, January 10, 2011.

Pfc. Ira B. Laningham, IV

From www.leesvilledailyleader.com

On Sunday, the Department of Defense announced the deaths of two soldiers assigned to Fort Polk who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Ethan C. Hardin, 25, of Fayetteville, Ark., and Pfc. Ira B. Laningham, IV, 22, of Zapata, Texas died Jan. 7 of wounds suffered at Logar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk.

Updated stories
mysanantonio.com

valleycentral.com

krgv.com

krgv.com

Spc. Ethan C. Hardin

From www.leesvilledailyleader.com

On Sunday, the Department of Defense announced the deaths of two soldiers assigned to Fort Polk who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Ethan C. Hardin, 25, of Fayetteville, Ark., and Pfc. Ira B. Laningham, IV, 22, of Zapata, Texas died Jan. 7 of wounds suffered at Logar Province, Afghanistan when insurgents attacked their unit using an improvised explosive device and small arms fire. They were assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Polk.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

News

Clarence K.K. Chinn takes over command of JRTC and Fort Polk

Pleasantville students get close-up view of Afghanistan scars
On Andrew Taylor’s right shoulder are tattoos of an eagle and a biohazard sign. Next to them is another mark he got in Afghanistan that he will carry with him for the rest of his life.

Rita Taylor’s eighth-grade social studies class at Pleasantville Middle School gasped when the 22-year-old soldier showed them the image — displayed on a big screen — of the red-purple scar where a bullet flew out of his shoulder Nov. 12.

Joint Effort Opens Road in Gor Tepa

News: Development efforts continue through quick impact projects
The staff of 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery, from the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, operating in Faryab Province in Regional Command – North, Afghanistan, have facilitated avenues for providing low level community development.

On leave from Afghanistan, solider gets chance to go duck hunting
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Marc Howle of Pace, Fla. is home for two weeks from his duties as an engineer/patoon leader of an obstacle-clearing unit in central Afghanistan.

The main obstacles the platoon helps clear are explosive devices hidden by what Howle describes as "bad apples" littered among the otherwise peace-yearning Afghan population.

The devices are set in roads used by U.S. forces attached to the 10th Mountain Division in the Logar region. Howle's men find the devices, then call in a specially trained team that uses robots to set explosives and detonate them.

Fort Drum team pee wees named national finalists

Facebook

10TH Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York gives us some news on road conditions and pictures on their wall.

Uso-Fort Drum-Karen Clark tells us about a new activity on Thursdays for the troops.

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division has several stories for us from Afghanistan.

10h Mountain Divivion News Roundup

News: Joint Mission Secures Foothold in Gor Tepa and Joint Mission Secures Foothold in Gor Tepa
Afghan national security forces along with members of the International Security Assistance Force began a major security operation recently in the Gor Tepa region of Kunduz province in northern Afghanistan.

The combined operation, which began Dec. 28, is focused on denying insurgents freedom of movement throughout the area.

Members of the Afghan national police, Afghan national army and local Arbaki fighters have partnered with soldiers of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment from the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team in order to bring security to the region.

Winter operation
Afghan National Army soldiers took the lead as U.S. and Afghan soldiers quietly moved from the gates of the combat outpost, over fields and through villages toward know hostile regions of their operations area, Dec. 19.

Soldiers of Company C, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division – Task Force Storm - and Afghan National Security Forces soldiers and policemen pushed through western Baraki Barak on a six-day foot patrol to eliminate Taliban influence and establish a Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan presence.

Internet series tracks soldier from Salinas Valley to Afghanistan
The nation is watching former King City High School basketball and track standout Francisco Narewski getting wide notice from his post in snowy Afghanistan.

Narewski is a U.S. Army staff sergeant.

He's part of a combat unit being tracked in a New York Times series, "A Year at War."

The paper's Internet reports feature the sights and sounds of Narewski's unit, offering viewers, including his family, one more way to see what such young soldiers endure.

Teamwork, Reintegration Weaken Taliban in Northern Afghanistan

Connecting the North Country Community to our Neighboring Ft Drum: This is a Solider 101
Do you feel like you are in the dark when it comes to our neighboring Fort Drum military?

The North Country community will now have the opportunity to learn a little more about our troops and their lives.

Fort Drum Army Family Team Building is now accepting registrations for a class designed to answer questions about our neighbors on Fort Drum.

news briefs 1-7
A Change of command ceremony for the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk’s commanding general takes place today at 10:30 a.m. at Honor Field. Brig. Gen. James C. Yarbrough relinquishes command to Brig. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn.


Face of Defense: Soldier Prepares for Recording Contract
The origin of Army Spc. Brian Stowe’s military career isn’t much different from other soldiers’ stories.

Stowe, of Elkmont, Ala., joined the Army in June 2008 and attended basic and advanced individual training as a human resources specialist at Fort Jackson, S.C.

He has deployed twice since his enlistment. He spent seven months in Iraq and now is deployed to Forward Operating Base Shank here with Task Force Knighthawk, assigned to the 10th Mountain Division’s 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Soccer game brings Afghans, coalition soldiers together on Christmas Day


Fort Drum medic on 'Yes to the Dress'
Jennifer Brooks is used to thinking quick on her feet as a medic with Fort Drum's 479th Engineer Battalion. That skill came in handy when she had to think fast last spring after her beau proposed to her.

3-71 Cavalry Regiment "Titans" 10th Mountain Division,FT Drum,NY has a flyer in reference to their upcoming deployment.

Task Force Spartan has pictures from a birthday party for Soldiers sing 'Happy Birthday' to Master Sgts. Draught and Rivas along with some photos from Afghanistan.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Post Newspapers

The Mountaineer Online

Fort Polk Guardian

Facebook Pages

10TH Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York and 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division give us some pictures of Soldiers of 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment in Afghanistan.

Bravo Troop, 3/89 Cav, 4th Brigade 10th Mountain Div., Fort Polk, LA gives us news about W-2's for military members, a picture of Lt. Col. Phillip Chambers, commander of 3rd Squadron 89th Cavalry Regiment playing kickball and a link to their online newsletter.

News

TF Shooter Soldiers earn Purple Hearts
Two Cavalry troopers of 6th Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Shooter, were awarded Purple Hearts in a ceremony at Jalalabad Airfield Dec. 30.

U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John F. Campbell, commander of Combined Joint Task Force 101 and Regional Command East, presented Purple Hearts to U.S. Army 1st Sgt. David E. Lee from Valley Springs, Ark., of C Troop, TF Shooter, 10th CAB; and U.S. Army Spc. Matthew J. Riddle from Greenfield, Ind., of D Troop, TF Shooter, 10th CAB, for wounds received in the defense of Forward Operating Base Fenty Nov. 13.

Polk soldiers celebrate mass in Afghanistan

Rescuing animals is family affair
Rescuing animals is a family affair for the Elliotts, who are stationed at Fort Polk.

Originally from Michigan, the family has moved frequently, and has been in Louisiana nearly two years.

Shannon works at the Humane Society of West Louisiana Adoption Center.

Her husband, Sgt. 1st Class Andreas Elliott, is currently serving in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army mechanic assures Afghans retain the power of information
The three-kilowatt generator lay dormant, except for the periodic clicking of the starter as the radio station's staff worked feverishly to restart their much-needed electric power source; thereby, restoring an equally needed information source for the people of Baraki Barak.
Just then, U.S. Army Cpl. Mitchell A. Weaver, a wheeled vehicle mechanic assigned to Task Force Storm's Company F, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, arrived in a High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle. The Williamsport, Md. native broke out his pliers, wire stripers, multi-meter and a fully charged replacement battery, working silently and vigorously to find the source of the generator's failure.

U.S. Army Spc. Mark E. Fielding provides security for Afghan National Security Forces on day five of a six-day dismounted operation in Logar province, Afghanistan, Dec. 23, 2010. Fielding is assigned to the 10th Mountain Division's Company C, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, Task Force Storm.

Binghamton's WBNG TV, and Press and Sun Bulletin have stories about Ft Drum soldiers spending New Year's eve in Binghamton.

Another story associated with above.

TF Storm Soldiers work to secure local economy

News: Afghan police take lead in key-leader engagement

Photos

Sweeping Taliban Influence From Baraki Barak
U.S. Army Spc. Paul M. Cattorn, a Peru, Ind., native and squad automatic weapon machine gunner assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Task Force Storm, provides security for Afghan national security forces on day two of a six-day dismounted operation here, Dec. 20. Soldiers of Company C and ANSF pushed through western Baraki Barak on a six-day foot patrol to eliminate Taliban influence and establish an Afghan government presence.

Photo: On Watch

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Post Newspapers

Fort Polk Guardian

Fort Drum Mountaineer

News

Families Bear Brunt of Deployment Strains
Life changed for Shawn Eisch with a phone call last January. His youngest brother, Brian, a soldier and single father, had just received orders to deploy from Fort Drum, N.Y., to Afghanistan and was mulling who might take his two boys for a year. Shawn volunteered.

HOUSING WITH A HISTORY
LERAY MANSION: Room fees help Fort Drum building maintain upkeep

FAMILIES CELEBRATE GIFT OF LIFE
CHRISTMAS BABIES: North country mothers receive special holiday deliveries

Facebook Pages

10th Mountain Division & Fort Drum Historical Collection gives us pictures from the past and news about hours for the rest of the year.

2-30 Infantry Battalion gives us a couple of articles about the Bn in action.

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV lets us know about an upcoming redeployment briefing and requests info for childcare needs.

Bravo Troop, 3/89 Cav, 4th Brigade 10th Mountain Div., Fort Polk, LA has pictures and news from Afghanistan.

2nd BN 22nd INF has several posts with pictures from the redeployment of the Bn from Afghanistan.

Fort Drum Boss lets us know about some upcoming changes to hours.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Facebook Pages

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV has a message from the Bn Commander and pictures of the unit.

Bravo Troop, 3/89 Cav, 4th Brigade 10th Mountain Div., Fort Polk, LA has Holiday wishes and news about an event with Operation Homefront and the New Orleans Hornets.

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division has a Youtube video for us from some troops in Afghanistan.

10TH Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York has some old pictures and some new ones as well.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

ARMED FORCES
Army Specialist Jason M. Fox, a 2008 graduate of Chaney High School, was deployed from Fort Polk, La., to Afghanistan in October. Fox is the son of Karen and Jim Fox and brother of Ashley Fox, all of Youngstown, and grandson of Carol and Bud Dubiel of Poland.

Petraeus pays 'Christmas visit' to troops

News: New ANP Recruits Graduate in Baghlan province

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Facebook Pages

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV has a message from the Bn Commander and pictures of the unit.

Bravo Troop, 3/89 Cav, 4th Brigade 10th Mountain Div., Fort Polk, LA has Holiday wishes and news about an event with Operation Homefront and the New Orleans Hornets.

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division has a Youtube video for us from some troops in Afghanistan.

10TH Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York has some old pictures and some new ones as well.

Volunteers offer military personnel comfort at Hancock Airport

WTU cadre work together to heal wounded warriors

Lufkin soldier stationed in Afghanistan home for the holidays

News: ANSF, IASF combine efforts to prevent VBIED attack

Soldier, family sends care packages to troops in remote locations
Pope John Paul II once said that "As the family goes, so goes the nation and so goes the whole world in which we live."

As a nation at war a lot is asked of soldiers. One of the most difficult things soldiers are asked to do is to leave their families for up to a year, so soldiers often rely upon their families and strangers to send them care packages to bring them joy in these trying times.

U.S. Army Pfc. Cody Smith, an intelligence analyst with Headquarters Support Company, Task Force Mountain Eagle, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, and his family have decided to contribute to Operation Enduring Freedom in their own way.

Komets fan eager to get Kare packages
Bracken Douglas' favorite place in the world to be is in Memorial Coliseum whenever the Fort Wayne Komets are playing.

“During then, I don't worry about any of my troubles,” he said. “I just have as much fun as possible, and that's all that matters. I always enjoy spending time with my friends and family inside the wonderful coliseum.”

The 2001 Homestead graduate is a sergeant in the United States Army, currently somewhere in Afghanistan. He serves with the 1-87 Infantry out of the 10th mountain division from Fort Drum, N.Y.

TF Patriot Soldiers, PRT reach out to children at Afghan orphanage

Elkhart solider rings in donations during Christmas leave
No one asked Private Dobbs to stand outside in the cold for three hours. Instead, he came up with the idea one evening in his army barrack.

News: USO tour celebrities visit FOB Shank Soldiers

'A LOT OF GREAT STUFF' and NBC TODAY Show - Military Moms-to-be Get Holiday Salute
TODAY’s special series “Getting to the Heart of Christmas” continues with a look on what life is like for moms at Fort Drum Army base in upstate New York, plus a special surprise: a baby shower for 100 expectant mothers there.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Fort Drum soldiers' special mission: Go home for the holidays and relax

Returning soldiers given welcome
CEREMONY AT DRUM: 200 members of 2nd Battalion come home from Afghanistan duty

Leesville Mayor's Youth Council tour Fort Polk
Members of the Leesville Mayor’s Youth Council experienced a day at Fort Polk with a windshield tour led by Community Relations Officer Tresa Lawson.

Battalion practices ahead of deployment
A 10th Mountain Division battalion preparing to deploy to Afghanistan has a new addition to its Taliban-fighting arsenal: the "Peace Train."

Aboard will be influential residents in rural Afghan communities who tend to favor the Taliban to American forces and the Afghan government. Members of the 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment will transport the new leaders to a district capital, much like a county seat, and give them positions in the government, so they have representation for their people and direct access to the district governor.

Partnered forces target Taliban in Helmand
A partnered Afghan and International Security Assistance Force patrol killed several insurgents during an operation targeting two Taliban leaders in Afghanistan's Helmand province yesterday, military officials reported.

The two Taliban leaders are active in facilitating and conducting attacks against Afghan and ISAF forces, officials said.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Facebook Pages

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV gives us photos from Afghanistan and a story as well of 2nd Platoon, D-Co helping the Afghanistan people.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

News>

Fort Polk announces pending command change
Brig. Gen. James C. Yarbrough, commander of the Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk, will relinquish command in a change of command ceremony Jan. 7 to Brig. Gen. Clarence K.K. Chinn. The public ceremony will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Honor Field at the Vernon Parish post.

10th Mountain Division Soldiers Send Holiday Love From Afar
MyABC50.com is proud to bring you holiday greetings from our dedicated U.S. Army, 10th Mountain Division Soldiers that are deployed during this holiday season.

Fort Drum soldiers pitch in at soup kitchen to fight hunger; others help at the Rescue Mission, Salvation Army,
US soldiers serve breakfast at the Samaritan Center
U.S. Army Sgt. Victor Velasquez, who recently returned from a 10-month tour of duty in Iraq, served a stint this morning at a soup kitchen in downtown Syracuse.

As Velasquez and 14 other soldiers from Fort Drum dished out oatmeal and other breakfast food at the Samaritan Center at 310 Montgomery St., several hungry guests thanked them for their military service. The volunteer experience was a morale booster for Velasquez.

USO tour visits with troops at FOB Fenty

Local Meets with soldier
A former teacher recently visited a local solider who was wounded while serving his country abroad.

Brian Bradley, of St. Marys, suffered severe injuries Nov. 24 while serving in the United States Army in Afghanistan. He is currently recovering at Walter Reed Medical Center in Alexandria, Va. Ronda Shelby, Bradley’s former eighth grade language arts teacher, said she had the opportunity to visit him in Virginia earlier this week.

Local Paragraphs
The Magrath Sports Complex gym and track areas will be closed from Wednesday to Feb. 4 because of construction.

News: COP Charkh Soldiers celebrate Catholic Mass
Soldiers assigned to Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, celebrated Catholic Mass at Combat Outpost Charkh here Dec. 10.

This was the first Mass offered at COP Charkh since August due to the non-availability of a Catholic chaplain.

Receiving recognition
Army 1st Lt. Jacob A. Keplar, who is serving in Afghanistan, recently received the Bronze Star Medal from Gen. David H. Petraeus, commander of the U.S. Forces in Afghanistan, for meritorious service in connection with military operations.

News: TF Storm Soldiers work to secure local economy
As the mountain infantrymen vigilantly patrolled the streets of Charkh’s bazaar Dec. 11, the sounds of the metal store gates slamming open and children laughing increased along with the positive outlook of the village’s security.

Task Force Storm Soldiers of Company B, 2nd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment along with Afghan National Security Forces are providing around-the-clock security to keep insurgent influence and forces out of the bazaar.

Aviation life support shop ensures safety
Aviation Soldiers can perform their job on a daily basis without concern as to the functionality of their lifesaving equipment thanks to Task Force Phoenix’s aviation life support equipment shop at Bagram Airfield.

“The best thing about our job is that, in the end, we save lives,” said U.S. Army Sgt. Buck Atkin, Company D, 3rd Battalion, Task Force Phoenix, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, ALSE noncommissioned officer in charge.

A mother honors her son's family's sacrifice
Marianne O'Leary of Sunderland has her son and his family on her mind this holiday season. And as she made her annual donation to the Sidney F. Smith Toy Fund, she wanted to honor their sacrifice.

Brian M. O'Leary, 34, and his wife, Monica K. O'Leary, also 34, both serve in the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division. Brian is stationed at Fort Drum, N.Y., where he lives with the couple's four children: Brian, 15, Jarrius, 12, Annette-Elizabeth, 6, and Patrick, 3. He has completed three tours of duty, two in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. Monica O'Leary is currently stationed in Kabul, Afghanistan, her third tour of duty. She has served twice in Iraq.

Carrying on the Tradition
Soldiers from Task Force Tigershark, 1st Battalion, 10th Aviation Regiment,10th Mountain Division, received their combat patches during a brief ceremony at Forward Operating Base Salerno Dec. 5, marking their first 30 days serving in a war zone.

The combat patch was started by the Army during World War II and remains a time-honored tradition for Soldiers who have served in combat operations.

Soldiers' housing allowances to rise 2.7%
FORT DRUM — While the 2011 housing allowance for Fort Drum soldiers will rise overall by 2.7 percent, the rates for some ranks will decrease.

Facebook Pages

Fort Drum Fmwr has info about New Year's Eve parties and Christmas celebrations on post.

2nd BN 22nd INF has pictures from the welcome home ceremony.

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division has pictures from the Quarterly Award Ceremony Dec. 10,2010 and tells us that 2nd BCT Dinning Facility wins Fort Drum Best Serving Line.

Ft Drum USO has pictures from the 12.15.10 RDF Redeployment of 2-22.

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division tells us about Spc. Alan Bakula, of Flagstaff, Arizona, who was recently cited for Valor while in Afghanistan. we also hear about Sgt. 1st Class Dean Lee, of Buffalo, N.Y., and Spc. Michael Gannon, of Pinehurst, Calif., who also received awards in Afghanistan.

2nd BN 22nd IN has pictures from the Welcome home Ceremony.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The Fallen

TF Patriot Honors Fallen Comrade 1LT Scott Milley

Post Newspapers

The Mountaineer Online

Fort Polk Guardian

News

Army medic recovering after being shot in back
Asoldier from Jackson will celebrate a happy new year at the end of the month, happy to be alive after being shot by the enemy while serving with the U.S. Army in Afghanistan.

U.S. Army Pfc. Andrew Taylor, 22, of Jackson, is recovering at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C., from a wound he received after being shot in the back while performing his duties as a medic.

Taylor, who is assigned to Charlie Company in Afghanistan, was wounded in November. When he spoke with Greater Media Newspapers last week, he was hoping to be home for Christmas and to return to duty by February.

News: Love and War: Two couples thoughts on dual-military marriage

Facebook Pages

Fort Polk MWR Tells us of a Christmas tree offer. Visit them for more info.

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division also has a story on military couples in a combat zone that is a must read.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The Fallen

News: TF Patriot honors fallen comrade

Jeff Adair: Let us not forget our soldiers

Post Newspapers

The Mountaineer Online

Fort Polk Guardian

News

New PT program develops battle skills, warrior tasks

Scenes of Troop Life, in the Round

Military spouse tuition program starts up again

3 Ft. Polk soldiers to receive Soldier Medal
Three Ft. Polk soldiers will receive the military’s highest honor for an act of valor in a non-combat situation at a ceremony to be held December 15 at 10 a.m. on post.

Specialist Coty W. Clare, Specialist Ryan C. Guillot and Sergeant Stuart A. Fredieu, 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment will receive the award for their actions in saving the life of a person involved in single vehicle accident.

Facebook Pages

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division brings us several pictures from Afghanistan of the 10th CAB and 1/87's change of command ceremony.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Post Newspapers

The Mountaineer Online

Fort Polk Guardian

News

For a wounded soldier, a mom keeps fighting

Cyclist on a mission cruises through Eufaula, Georgetown

Task Force Warrior Takes On Afghan Training Role
With the ceremonial uncasing of the 3rd Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, colors embellished with streamers representing service in every major American campaign since the War of 1812, “Task Force Warrior” assumed the Afghan training and advisory mission of the 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, (“Triple Deuce”) 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, Dec. 11.

Red Cross visits injured troops in D.C.
They will also be visiting a Fort Drum-based soldier, Brian Eisch. The local Red Cross “adopted” Eisch’s platoon, which was deployed to Afghanistan back in the spring as part of the Army’s 10th Mountain Division, 87th Infantry Battalion.

Facebook Pages

Bravo Troop, 3/89 Cav, 4th Brigade 10th Mountain Div., Fort Polk, LA has pictures from their Christmas party.

10TH Mountain Division, Fort Drum, New York tells us about the Presidents recent visit to 10th CAB Soldiers at Bagram Airfield.

Fort Polk MWR tells us about a party at the MWR building and also has an incoming family asking a question about schools. anyone who can help, please pop over and let them know.

2-30 Infantry Battalion has several posts with pictures from the recent Christmas Party.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The Fallen

Adair: Let us not forget
He had a bubbly personality. He was active in his church. He played the violin and loved to sing. In August of 2009, he joined the U.S. Army, and this past October was deployed to Afghanistan.

His name was Devon J. Harris. He wanted to be a history teacher after the service. Going in the military was a way to get the funds to further his education. Last month, those dreams were cut short.

Facebook Pages

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIVgives us news and photos on their page.

Task Force Spartangives us photos from the 710 BSB NCO Induction Ceremony.

10th Mountain Division & Fort Drum Historical Collection

Post Newspapers

The Mountaineer Online

Fort Polk Guardian

News

Air Force radio connects kids to Santa
SETUP AT SHERMAN: Letters answered over the air courtesy of squadron stationed at Drum

Fraternity collects ‘Donations for the Deployed’ soldiers

The Mountain View News 6 Dec.