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.

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

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

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.

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

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The Fallen

Sudbury Ranger was a 'kind, gentle soul'

Funeral plans for Sudbury soldier finalized

Editorial: Lt. Milley's honor and sacrifice

News

Folsom 4-H students get special visit
Members of the 4-H St. Tammany Agriculture and Livestock club were surprised at their November meeting when former member Pvt. Matthew McGee, assigned to the 3rd Bridgade of the 10th Mountain Army Infantry Division at Fort Drum, N.Y., made an unexpected visit.

Woman sends packages to Fremont soldier
A local woman's efforts to send packages to soldiers overseas now includes a Fremont man.

For more than a year, Sherry Greenway has collected funds and items to send to soldiers in Afghanistan. She's had help from local churches, civic groups and individuals. By November, she had mailed more than 30 packages. When she requested money for postage to send another 19 packages, Greenway said she received good response from local residents.

"We've had some generous donations," the Fremont woman said. "There are some wonderful people in this town."

Now, Greenway has found a local soldier to whom she can send packages. He is PFC Jeffery Wilkey, 4th Brigade, Unit 2/30, 10th Mountain Division, U.S. Army. Wilkey is stationed in Afghanistan. His parents are Shana and Nelson Wilkey of Fremont.

Three Polk soldiers to receive highest non-combat honor
The highest honor a soldier can receive for an act of valor in a non-combat situation will be presented to three Fort Polk soldiers Dec. 15 at the Bayou Theater here.
Spc. Coty W. Clare, Spc. Ryan C. Guillot and Sgt. Stuart A. Fredieu, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment, will be presented the Soldier's Medal during an award ceremony at 10 a.m.

Presents for Parachutes and Presents for Parachutes
Family and friends looked on Thursday morning as soldiers from the Joint Readiness Training Center Operations Group parachuted in support of Presents for Parachutes at the Fullerton training area of Fort Polk.
Soldiers participating in the jump were asked to donate an unwrapped gift which would support the Beauregard Community Action Association Christmas Angel Tree. Lt. Col. Rob Griggs was also promoted from the rank of major in a ceremony immediately following the jump. Winkie Branch, executive director of Beauregard Community Action Association was on hand for the event.

Local farms, Trees for Troops assist in military families' Christmas
Bearing handmade holiday ornaments from area schoolchildren, more than 100 Christmas trees were loaded up Monday to be shipped to military families this morning.

As part of the Trees for Troops project, about 12 local tree growers donated the trees, mostly Frasier and Balsam varieties known to hold their needles for at least a month. Some of the farmers and several elected officials from the area stood in the open fields at Ellms Tree Farm to show support for the members of the New York Army National Guard 42nd Infantry, based in Troy, who loaded the carefully wrapped trees into an enormous FedEx truck. The shipping company donates its services to send trees from 29 states to destinations such as Afghanistan and Iraq.

Face book pages

Bravo Troop, 3/89 Cav, 4th Brigade 10th Mountain Div., Fort Polk, LAgives us news of an event, go check their page for more info.

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Divisiontells us about an assignment for Sgt. Maj. Dobbs. Click their name to find out who he is with now.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The Fallen
Ribbon campaign in Sudbury to welcome home fallen soldier


News
Larger homes eyed for post

Two mothers, one prayer

News: Band of Brothers grandson carries on airborne tradition
Even at 80 years old, Frederick “Moose” Heyliger was an enormous man, according to his grandson who serves with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Brigade.

First Sgt. Mark D. Heyliger, first sergeant of Company B, 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment is often asked by young soldiers who “put two and two together” and ask the veteran of five deployments if he knows “that guy in that movie” and he says yes he does.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The Fallen
Lt. Scott Milley

Funeral arrangements being made for soldier from Sudbury

Kin bringing home Sudbury soldier, 23

2 Dec

Soldiers prepare to work with Afghan populace

Leahy launches pilot program for injured Guard members
The U.S. Army Medical Command has begun implementing a new first-in-the-nation medical pilot program for returning members of the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, which includes most of the line-of-duty injuries among the 1,300 Vermont National Guard members who are returning from deployments in Afghanistan.

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The Army has based this pilot program out of Fort Drum, New York, so the majority of Vermont soldiers will be nearer to home even while they remain in-patients or while they receive out-patient care in the WTU.

Face of Defense: Wife, Mother Serves for Family, Country, My ABC 50: Soldier, wife, mother serves for protection of family, country
When Army Sgt. Autumn Hughes re-enlisted at Bagram Airfield on Nov. 23, she renewed her commitment to the Army while remaining dedicated to her role as a wife and mother.

This was the second re-enlistment for the 25-year-old Keyser, W.Va., native, currently assigned to Task Force Phoenix with the 10th Mountain Division’s 3rd Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade.

Tree farms send Christmas cheer to troops

3 Dec
Facebook Pages
2nd BN 22nd INF has new pictures on their page.

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIVreminds us of an event at the Commons. Check the wall for more info.

News
Holiday greetings from Video: 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division in Afghanistan.

Noon Interview: Holiday Tour Of Homes On Fort Drum

Residents pull together to support soldiers
HHC, 1-10 ATK BN, 10th Mountain Division receives care packages from home after thieves ransack their Connex in Afghanistan.

Fort Drum apologizes for explosion last month

The Mountain View Magazine Issue 1

The Mountain View Magazine Issue 2

Red Cross team visits wounded soldiers
Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Eisch gets a visit while recovering Army Sgt. 1st Class Brian Eisch at Walter Reed Army Medical Center from woulds received in combat.

Watertown Holds Christmas Tree Lighting on Public Square
Several Ft Drum soldiers Interviewed.

Local kid reporter focuses on Fort Polk
Kid reporter Tori Feaster, 12, likes to take advantage of any opportunity to write a story, she said. It's a good thing, because those opportunities are about to multiply for the Vernon Middle School sixth grader.
Feaster was recently tapped by Scholastic News to become a member of the Scholastic Kids Press Corps, a team of about 50 reporters, ages 10-14, who report on current events, breaking news, entertainment and sports events from their hometowns across the country. Feaster said the appointment was a dream come true.

Platoon Sergeants Are The Engines of Every Mission

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Platoon making best of outpost situation
A platoon of 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment soldiers from Fort Drum live austerely in the shadow of the Fish Mountains.

When they arrived at Combat Outpost Thiener earlier this year, they lived under the Dand District sun, out of a cluster of armored trucks, protected only by earthen berms. Today, conditions here are slightly improved, but the soldiers enjoy none of the amenities of personnel living on huge bases in the rear.

News: Coalition continues school supply delivery in Faryab province
Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, are continuing the delivery of more than $50,000 in school supplies to students in Faryab.

The pens, paper and book bags were purchased on the local economy with Commander’s Emergency Response Program funds. In early October the contractor delivered more than 7,500 book bags filled with notebooks and pens.

New Sgt. Audie Murphy inductees celebrated
The Joint Readiness Training Center and Fort Polk chapter of the Sgt. Audie Murphy Club –– Bayou Chapter –– awards induction ceremony was held Nov. 4 at Bayou Theater.

The four noncommissioned officers on stage stood out as they were inducted into the Bayou chapter: Sgt. 1st Class David Dean, 162nd Infantry Brigade; Sgt. 1st Class Michael Saner, 519th Military Police Battalion, 1st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; Sgt. Christy Bennett, Noncommissioned Officer Academy; and Sgt. Kelly Yates, 115th Combat Support Hospital.

Fort Polk Combat Advisors Home
Six soldiers recently turned in their weapons to Alpha Company, 6th Battalion, 353rd Infantry Regiment, 162nd Infantry Brigade in November after a nine-month deployment as combat advisors in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

From Facebook
Fort Drum FMWR's Photos - Winter at Fort Drum
Ft Drum MWR gives us rates for equipment rentals.


1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division tells us about Triple Deuce Awarded Meritorious Unit Commendation Streamer

Triple Deuce has pictures from end of tour award ceremonies and Thanksgiving day.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Fort Drum Water Tower Revamped

Antonia sheds light on 4-10 mission
The Czech Republic Minister of Defense, Dr. Alexandr Vondra, spoke with Task Forces Patriot and Bayonet leaders while visiting the Czech Provincial Reconstruction Team in Logar Province, Afghanistan, Nov. 6.
During his visit to the Czech PRT on Forward Operating Base Shank, Vondra sat down with Col. Bruce Antonia, commander of Fort Polk’s TF Patriot and 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and Col. James Johnson, commander of TF Bayonet and the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team from Vicenza, Italy.

News: Delivering School Supplies to Faryab Province
Just as children in the United States return to school in the fall, children in Afghanistan continue their education after a month-long break during Ramadan.

This year children returned in mid-September, and the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, took the opportunity to fulfill a need that is sought after regularly – school supplies.

Army medical profiles going to digital database
The Army's medical profiles are going digital in an effort to track and treat soldiers' injuries.

Handwritten notes from medical professionals that temporarily keep soldiers from performing physical tasks that might exacerbate their injuries sometimes get lost and aren't part of a searchable database.

The e-Profile program, which will come to Fort Drum once a pilot program ends this month, aims to fix that, Col. Kelly Wolgast, chief nurse executive of U.S. Army Medical Command, told Army News Service.

Youtube Video
Major General James L. Terry, Commander 10th MTN Div (LI) along with 205 HERO CORPS Afghan National Army Commanding General wish the Cadets a win over Navy.

Wednesday Pictures: Some Members Of Triple Deuce Come Home

From Facebook
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division gives us several stories today.
Soldiers increase communication capabilities, Delivering School Supplies to Faryab Province and Unify, Train the Police Force of Afghanistan

1-71 Cavalry "Ghost" Squadron also has 2 stories


2nd BN 22nd INF has several pictures from the welcome home ceremony, an end of tour award ceremony in Afghanistan and the rear detachment serving Thanksgiving dinner.

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV has links to pictures of Alpha and Charlie Company in Afghanistan.