10th Mountain Division News Roundup

A Co, 2/22 helps train Afghan Army Kandaks to Deploy from Kabul with Fully Trained Mortar Teams.

Leaders remain confident in Fort Polk growth

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

The Contracted gate guards at Drum? Now they Department of the Army employees

Congratulations to 10th Mountain Division soldier SSGWO1 Kyle J. Balonek on his graduation from Fort Rucker, Alabama.

10th Mountain division soldiers Kim McCray and Ray LaFlame met with Shirley Hosler of Saranac Lake, who collected items to send to them overseas.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Army Pfc. Brian Wolverton was honored with a granite memorial with the young soldier's name was unveiled following a ceremony led by U.S. Army and Oak Park Unified School District officials.

The United States Army Band at Fort Drum will perform a concert in the Plowe Park Gazebo, Main Street, Dolgeville, on Sunday, Sept. 12, beginning at 2 p.m.

Press Release- Fort Drum Garrison Change of Command Ceremony

Fort Drum Garrison Change of Command Ceremony



FORT DRUM, NY – U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Drum will conduct a change of command ceremony at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 9, at Sexton Field.



Colonel Noel Nicolle will assume command from Colonel Kenneth Riddle.



Col. Riddle has led the Fort Drum Garrison since April 2008. His next duty assignment will be as the leader of plans and operations (J3) for Combined Joint Task Force (CJTF)-10, 10th Mountain Division, in Regional Command-South Afghanistan, Operation Enduring Freedom. He will deploy with the Headquarters this fall.



Col. Nicolle’s last duty assignment was Fort Sill, Oklahoma, were he served as Director of Training and Doctrine Development of the U.S. Army Fires Center of Excellence.



Media interested in covering the Change of Command ceremony should be at the Media Operations Center on RT 26 no later than 9:30 a.m, Thursday, September 9.



Media with inquiries regarding this advisory should contact Kae Young, Fort Drum Media Relations Officer, 772-5463, kae.young@us.army.mil.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

As so that we can have the connector road from I-81 to Fort Drum, Goulds Corners Road use detoured for construction and is expected to reopen late next summer.

Fort Drum will be hosting a Military retiree benefits event on Sept. 11.

Eighty sevenFort Drum soldiers to run in marathon on Sept. 26.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

10th CAB conducts predeployment training at Fort Rucker

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

NY Senator Gillibrand talks to Drum troops.

10th Mountain Division soldier, Army Spc. Christopher Waugh, was welcomed home after a 10 month deployment.

The 10th Mountain's 4/25 FA shows how Artillery thrives on adrenaline, precision


Sgt. Earl Kelleher, aWounded Warrior Serves as Mentor to Local Boy Scouts

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, which is stationed at Fort Polk is scheduled to deploy in Sept., Oct.

Former 10th Mountain soldier, Kenitay Salyers, Receives Purple Heart for wounds sustained in Sept 2004.

A proposed law would allow someone on post to say "Have a beer, soldier" to a servicemember under the age of 21.

The post's Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation is using Facebook to allow Drum soldiers and families to get out and enjoy local activities.

Emergency Preparedness Kit event is Saturday, Aug. 28, at Fort Polk

Former member of 2nd of the 14th Infantry, 10th Mountain Division Rico Roman makes U.S. paralympics sled hockey team.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Edwin C. Wood

Two 10th Mountain Division Soldiers were killed when an
improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Kandahar,
Afghanistan Monday, July 5.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Christopher F. Cabacoy, 30, of Virginia Beach, Va.

Pfc. Edwin C. Wood, 18, of Omaha, Neb.

Staff Sgt Cabacoy and Pfc. Wood served as cavalry scouts with the 1st
Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain
Division (Light Infantry).


Pfc. Wood joined the Army in October 2009 and arrived to Fort Drum April
2010.

Pfc. Wood is survived by his parents.

Pfc. Wood's awards and decorations include the Army Good Conduct Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War
on Terrorism Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge.


See also
omaha.com
syracuse.com
newzjunky.com
myabc50.com

Christopher F. Cabacoy

Two 10th Mountain Division Soldiers were killed when an
improvised explosive device detonated near their vehicle in Kandahar,
Afghanistan Monday, July 5.

Killed were:

Staff Sgt. Christopher F. Cabacoy, 30, of Virginia Beach, Va.

Pfc. Edwin C. Wood, 18, of Omaha, Neb.

Staff Sgt Cabacoy and Pfc. Wood served as cavalry scouts with the 1st
Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain
Division (Light Infantry).

Staff Sgt. Cabacoy joined the Army in March 2000 and arrived to Fort
Drum October 2009. He was previously deployed to Iraq from January 2004
to January 2005.

Staff Sgt. Cabacoy is survived by his wife and son.

Staff Sgt. Cabacoy's awards and decorations include the Army
Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal,
National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War
on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal,
and Combat Action Badge.

See also
hamptonroads.com
wtvr.com
wvec.com
wavy.com
syracuse.com
newzjunky.com
myabc50.com

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Helo pilots learn to fly at extreme altitudes
FORT CARSON, Colo. — As 1st Lt. Richard Clark began to lower his UH-60 Black Hawk onto a scrubby, windswept patch 8,000 feet high in the Colorado Rockies, his pilot instructor decided to make a tricky landing a little trickier: On the tandem flight controls, the instructor held his joystick, blocking it from coming aft.

Springfield soldier finally home for holidays (With Video)
It was Christmas time and Chris Cooper, thousands of miles from his Springfield home, had no prayer of returning for the holidays.

Stationed with the Army in Iraq without a leave of absence, Cooper and his family were forced to improvise.

Thanks to the Internet, Cooper found a way to take part in his family’s celebration, at least the best he could.

Seabees Expand Forward Operating Base Griffin, Afghanistan
Seabees of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 4m, stationed out of Point Hueneme, Calf., are working hard under the scorching Afghan sun expanding Forward Operating Base Griffin near city of Meimaneh in northern Afghanistan.

More than 500 Seabees from NMCB4 arrived in Afghanistan last January, and are currently spread across International Security Assistance Force’s Regional Command – North working on various construction projects.

Currently, the priority for the Seabees on FOB Griffin is building the tactical operations center for 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery from the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Iraq War Soldier Prevails in Three Tours of Duty, Battling Cancer and Pursuing Excelsior College Degree During Deployments
After returning from his first tour of duty in Iraq to Fort Drum, New York, SFC H. Daniel Tulip learned he had cancer of the bladder. His wife Marcie moved into action as his emotional rock, supporting him daily and opting to postpone a major surgery need of her own in order to care for him. After surgery, he was deployed the second time, and then a third time. As a cancer survivor and combat soldier, he took on another challenge during this third deployment: pursuing his college degree with Excelsior College. Back home, his wife remained his base of faith and encouragement.

Blue Star Moms honor their sons in service
Today is a day when the American flag is prominently displayed as the nation celebrates its most patriotic holiday. But there is a small group of Americans who display a different flag that also shows patriotism.

Their banner is the Blue Star flag, which hangs in a window and symbolizes a son or daughter serving with the military in a war zone.

They are the Blue Star Mothers.

One of those Blue Star Mothers is Bobbi Kennedy of Petersburg, who will be praying for two of her sons today - one is about to come back from Iraq while the other is preparing for his deployment to Afghanistan.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Death on Facebook
10th Mountain Division soldier, First Lt. Mark Larson blogs on the death of fellow 10th Mountain soldier, First Lt. Joe Theinert and how social media has affected the current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

McHugh returns to roots at Ft. Drum
It was a memorable homecoming for Secretary of the Army John McHugh. The longtime North Country Congressman made his first visit to Fort Drum since becoming Secretary as the 10th Mountain Division celebrated an historic milestone.

Soldier to return for visit
Army Spc. Robert Nolan is the focus of this article in his hometown paper.

67 Americans who will not be celebrating the 4th of July
The Madison Independent Examiner's Gregory Patin gives us a touching article on the losses of military personnel in Afghanistan, including 10th Mountain soldiers Lt. Joseph J. Theinert, and Spc. Brian M. Anderson.

25th Anniversary of the 10th Mountain Division
The 10th Mountain Division, the Fort Drum families, political figures and the North Country community gathered on Fort Drum yesterday.

Fort Drum’s annual Mountainfest celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the 10th Mountain Division’s Re-Activation.

From Facebook

1st BCT
1st BCT gives us several videos and pictures from Afghanistan.

2nd Brigade Combat Team
We get pictures of the FRG of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team making welcome home signs and banners.

10th mountain Division News Roundup

Secretary of Army McHugh to attend Fort Drum fete
FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Secretary of the Army John McHugh will be at Fort Drum to help the northern New York military post celebrate the 25th anniversary of the 10th Mountain Division's reactivation.

McHugh, an ex-congressman whose former district includes Fort Drum, will take part in Thursday's festivities featuring a 56-gun salute.

Salute to SPC. Miscevich Berlin
CNN salute from Leesa Kassler to her daughter Specialist Miscevich Berlin, who is with the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division.

New Military Support Group Created in WNY
Catherine Chapman of Amherst and Christina Ball of Royalton are two proud mothers. Chapman has two sons serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan and Christina's son Jeffrey Ball just completed a tour of duty in Iraq, and in now based at Fort Drum.
The mothers have now teamed up to create a new chapter of The Blue Star Mothers of America in the Buffalo Niagara Region.

From Facebook

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
We get profiles of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Rodrigues Ester and Pfc. Shawn Jenkins from the 1st BCT.

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
We get video clips and pictures of the welcome home ceremonies for several units from 2nd BCT.

3-71 Cavalry Regiment
3-71 Cavalry Regiment reminds us of mountainfest.

10th Sustainment Brigade 'Muleskinners'
We have a photo of Major General James Terry, the 10th Mountain Division (LI) Commander presenting the Army Comendation Medal to Sgt. Eric Steinman a military policeman with 511th Military Police Company at the Salute to the Nation ceremony on July 1 for winning the Division NCO of the Year Competition.

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV
We get several pictures and video clips from 1-87 IN today.

2nd BN 22nd INF
Triple Deuce sends us some pictures and video clips from Afghanistan on their page.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

2 Military Helicopter Pilots Injured In Hard Landing
The Teller County Sheriff's Office is confirming that two pilots were injured in a hard landing of an Apache helicopter west of Fort Carson early Wednesday morning.

An AH-64D Apache Longbow from the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, New York, made a hard landing south of Pikes Peak at approximately 1:30 a.m. The helicopter went down in Teller County, near Upper Gold Camp Road and Forest Service Road 376. There are no roads within 5 miles of the crash site.

Army to name NY building for soldier killed in '06
FORT DRUM, N.Y. (AP) - The 10th Mountain Division is dedicating a Fort Drum building in the name of a soldier who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for aiding a wounded comrade under heavy enemy fire in Afghanistan.

A ceremony is being held Wednesday afternoon at the northern New York Army post to dedicate the Pine Plains Fitness Center as the Monti Fitness Center.


Public invited to Fort Drum's annual Mountainfest Thursday
Fort Drum is opening its doors to the public Thursday for the annual Mountainfest on Division Hill.

Thursday's event will begin at 11 a.m. with activities including a military equipment display, carnival games and a car show. Admission is free. The evening will feature live music by Jared Campbell, Whitetail and the division band. Visitors can enter the post through the entrance on Route 26 known as the "Gasoline Alley" gate.

10th Mt. Div.'s 2nd BCT returning to Fort Drum
More than 1,000 soldiers in the 10th Mountain Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team have returned home from their latest deployment overseas.

About 300 soldiers from the 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment were welcomed back to Fort Drum in northern New York late Monday night by loved-ones and friends.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Senate OKs study of Drum med school

HURDLE CLEARED: Move is required step in Upstate Medical University plan to build NNY branch campus

Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, has cleared another hurdle in its efforts to build a Fort Drum branch campus.
The state Senate recently passed legislation sponsored by Sen. Darrel J. Aubertine, D-Cape Vincent, to conduct a study exploring the viability of such a campus. The university-run study is required before the project can become eligible for state or federal funding. The Assembly already had cleared the way for the study.


“A Year at War” Begins in Afghanistan
NY Times pictorial on Fort Drum's 1/87 Infantry.


Shadow Over Afghanistan
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs Story by Spc. Blair Neelands

With an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle high in the sky, soldiers in the UAV platoon of the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, provide a preview of the battlefield to coalition forces in Regional Command-North.

Currently, 17 Iroquois Soldiers are attached to 1st Brigade Combat Team’s 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery in the Faryab province flying missions daily with their RQ-7B Shadow 200 UAV.


Drum welcomes 2nd Brigade home from Iraq

FORT DRUM — Soldiers of 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team marched into Magrath Sports Complex at exactly 9:30 p.m. Monday and spent the next eight minutes taking part in a ceremony to welcome them home from Iraq.


Local Paragraphs

■ FORT DRUM — A new child development center opens today at 4225 Po Valley Road for Fort Drum families. The $8.7 million facility has a staff of 60 employees and can accommodate 224 children up to 5 years old. Interested parents can call Fort Drum Parent Services at 772-8675.


Wounded Warrior Weekend fishing outing in Fair Haven a big success

Twelve Wounded Warriors from Fort Drum arrived in Fair Haven around 10:30 A.M. for a fishing event that was held Friday and Saturday up in the Fair Haven area. The event was put on courtesy of a number of Fair Haven area businesses, charter boat captains and other volunteers.


Nastvogel enjoys fantastic debut
QUEST FOR CHAMPIONS: Fort Drum soldier wins before possible assignment in Cuba
A lot can change in two months.

Black River Boxing Academy's John Nastvogel, who is also an Army soldier based at Fort Drum, decided he wanted to box two months ago.

In his debut fight Saturday, he beat Watertown Area Boxing Club's Andrew Holladay in the 178-pound weight class at the second annual Carmen Basilio Quest For Champions amateur event at the Bonnie Castle Recreation Center.

SITREP June 24th

BloodSpite here, still holding down Ft Livingroom until your regular bloggers return from TDY

Here's the latest and greatest from Ft Drum and the 10th Mountain!

Officials at Fort Drum in northern New York are set to cut the ribbon on a new addition to the Army post.The 10th Mountain Division is opening the new Fort Drum Labyrinth. Army officials say the labyrinth will be a special place where soldiers and their families can go for mediation, prayer and healing.


Soldiers of Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, from the 10th Mountain Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, have been hard at work on one of the most vital missions of Operation Enduring Freedom – assisting the Afghan National Army as it grows into a force able to secure the country’s borders.

Afghan National Security Forces are beginning to take over reins from the 10th Mountain Division’s 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment as their training moves into a new phase of instruction. Since being tasked as mentors for ANSF, Soldiers of “Triple Deuce” battalion have performed as hands-on instructors, with the ultimate goal of establishing a standard of education that allows the ANSF to take over the task of training.

A civilian worker was killed while performing his duties on Ft Drum in a fatal accident.

A former Fort Drum captain was sentenced May 21 to two years in federal prison for accepting cash in exchange for steering Army contracts to a particular company while stationed in Iraq, according to documents filed Tuesday in U.S. District Court, Manhattan.

Fort Drum soldiers will count on local officials to teach them how to run a town. The 4th Battalion, 25th Field Artillery Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team will team up with the town to gain experience the unit can take with it to Afghanistan when it deploys in the spring.

SITREP June 18th

BloodSpite here with another SITREP for the Ft Drum and 10th Mountain Cadre!

A contingent of soldiers with the 10th Mountain Division has started returning to their northern New York Army post after being deployed to Iraq.

Officials at Fort Drum say nearly 100 soldiers arrived early yesterday morning at the military installation's airfield.

Take a tour of Fort Drum's new Riva Ridge DFAC with its manager, Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Fayette.

First Lt. Joseph Theinert, 24, a 2008 graduate of the University at Albany, who died in combat Friday in Afghanistan, will be laid to rest today in his hometown of Shelter Island off Long Island. Called a hero by many, Theinert left his vehicle and ordered his troops to retreat to a safe distance while he disabled an improvised explosive device; he was killed when a second IED detonated. He was the only casualty. He is expected to be awarded a Purple Heart posthumously.

Theinert was a member of the New York Army National Guard who volunteered for active duty with the Army's 1st Squadron, 71st Calvary, part of the 1st Brigade Team of the 10th Mountain Division based at Fort Drum.

SITREP June 17th

BloodSpite here. Sorry for the delay. I was out of town all weekend. Thats no excuse however, so here's your latest news!



Hundreds line roads in procession honoring Sgt. Erick J. Klusacek, 22, who was killed June 8 in a vehicular accident while serving in Afghanistan.

The brother of a Fort Drum soldier is walking across the country to benefit the Warrior's Wish Foundation. Mark Klodzinski, 23, Ellicotville, Cattaraugus County, began his walk in March. He's the brother of Fort Drum soldier Adam Klodzinski, 24, also a native of Ellicotville. Adam, of the 132nd Infantry who has deployed twice to Afghanistan, said he has another brother, Erik, an Army veteran who was based out of Fort Campbell for eight years.

A Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) from Fort Drum, NY has begun training at the Mountain Post in preparation for their upcoming deployment to Afghanistan. The 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum is conducting High Altitude Mountain Environmental Training (HAMET) at the Mountain Post, FT Carson, Colorado.


A soldier in the 10th Mountain Division stands in a field base as a helicopter flies by overhead on June 6, 2010 in Belanday, south of Kandahar, Afghanistan. Soldiers of the 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division have fanned out in the vast hinterlands south of Kandahar, part of a counterinsurgency strategy aimed at protecting Afghan civilians and legitimizing the government of Afghanistan in the minds of the rural local populace. Getty

A 10th Mountain Army intelligence analyst suspected of leaking classified information to Wikileaks has still not been charged with any crime, three weeks after being arrested and put in pre-trial confinement. PFC Bradley Manning, 22, is being held at Camp Arifjan in Kuwait and has been assigned a military defense attorney while the Army and State Department investigate claims Manning made to an ex-hacker in online chats that he disclosed classified information.

10th Mountain Division Soldier killed in Afghanistan

June 15, 2010

Release Nr 1006-01

By Public Affairs

Fort Drum, NY - A Soldier from the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th
Mountain Division was killed in Za Khel, Afghanistan, Saturday June 12,
2010, from wounds sustained in an improvised explosive devise attack.

Killed is Specialist Brian Michael Anderson, age 24, of Harrisonburg,
VA.

SPC Anderson joined the Army in March 2008 and after completing training
arrived at Fort Drum in July 2008. He was an infantryman with the 1st
Battalion 87th Infantry Regiment.

SPC Anderson's awards and decorations include the National Defense
Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

He is survived by his mother, father, brother and sister.

Media with inquiries regarding this release should contact Julie
Cupernall, Public Affairs Office, 315-523-4546 or
Julie.cupernall@us.army.mil.



Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
Caveats: FOUO

SITREP June 9th

Hey Folks! BloodSpite here with another news round up for you!

The local community around Ft Drum has shown its support to the family and memory of First Army Lieutenant Joseph Theinert, was killed in Afghanistan while on patrol with the Bravo Troop 1-71 Cavalry. Lt. Theinert died when an improvised explosive device was detonated during a dismounted patrol.

Sandy Treat is being inducted into Vail's Colorado Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame this year as builders of the sport. Treat volunteered for the 10th Mountain Division, the famed soldiers on skis who fought in World War II, and trained and instructed fellow troops at Camp Hale.

SITREP June 8th

BloodSpite here! Your noble regular blogger is doing well after a very long flight. He has touched down in to the safe and loving arms of his latest training brigade.

That said here's a recent round up of news and informational items!

A New York Army National Guard Soldier serving on active duty, 1st Lieutenant Joseph J. Theinert, age 24, died June 4, 2010 in Afghanistan while assigned to Army's 1st Squadron, 71st Cavalry, part 1st Brigade Combat Team of the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry).

The Kandahar-based commander of Regional Command South, British Maj. Gen. Nick Carter, is expected to be followed by the commanding general of the U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division once Gen. Carter's term runs out in the fall, coalition officials say.

Afghan National Police along with Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery from the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team joined forces June 1, to bring much needed medical aid and supplies to a local village that has been plagued by the insurgency in Ghalbala

SITREP

Afternoon. Bloodspite of Registered Evil filling in for your regular Blogger.

He shall return soon I assure you

In the meantime here's a round up of the latest links regarding Ft. Drum and the 10th Mountain!

The military said Monday it is holding Army Specialist Bradley Manning of the 2nd Brigade, 10th Mountain Division in pretrial confinement in Kuwait and that he is suspected of releasing classified information.

Former Garrison Commander Retired Colonel David Clark has been inducted into the Senate Veteran's Hall of Fame. Clark served at Ft Drum from the summer of 2005 until May of 2008

287 Members of 7th Engineer Battalion returned to Fort Drum at the end of this past month. Welcome home!

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

1st BSTB Improves Local Schools
Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade Special Troops Battalion, from the 10th Mountain Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team have been coordinating efforts recently to help improve school facilities in Dehdadi District in Northern Afghanistan.

Three schools they have been working with are the Habiday Balkh Preschool, Primary school and High School.

POINTE-AUX-CHENES
Young soldier making way through military
10th Mountain Division soldier Kevin Fitch is the focus of a story in the Houma, LA newspaper.

From Facebook

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division
Today 2nd BCT gives us photo albums of several transfer of authority ceremonies and also the USO visit of country music artist Michael Peterson.

Hhc Headhunters
Today HHC 2/87 reminds us that today is Division safety day, so if you need to come on post this morning, give yourself extra time. They also remind us that every Wednesday the Watertown Farmer's Market will be open in front of the Dulles State Office Building and that the US army has a youtube channel, which is located Here.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Seniors sew message of support into ties
A spirited group of seniors is using sewing skills to help keep American troops comfortable in the grueling heat and nighttime cold of Afghanistan and Iraq.

So far, the ladies have made almost 80 neck coolers that will be delivered to soldiers deployed with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum.

From Facebook

Northern New York Fort Drum AUSA tells us of the Annual Meeting and Dinner at the Commons Wed. May 26th ... Celbrating 25 years of AUSA at Fort Drum and also celebrating the Army's Birthday.

3-71 Cavalry Regiment
We have news of a "Support our Troops event" at Carthage Central High School and a request to answer an Armed Services YMCA Recognition Survey on their Facebook wall. Visit and show your support.

2-30 Infantry Battalion
4th BCT's 2-30 Infantry Battalion gives us links to the post's newspaper, the Ft Polk Guardian, and we also have a link to job opportunities on Fort Polk. Visit them for more info.

HHC Headhunters, 2-87 Infantry Battalion
The Headhunters give us news of a Family Readiness Group meeting, and a recipe for vegetables cooked on the grill. Check them out for more info.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Distance not easy for new father, husband
fort Drum soldier Matthew Hagarman is the focus of a news Story from the Gettysburg Times.

New Deputy Commander named for 10th Mountain Division
Brigadier General Kenneth Dahl will become part of the 10th Mountain Division command tead as a takes the job of deputy commander. The Army Chief of Staff made the announcement Friday.

Soldiers get history lesson on war tactics
Those who forget history are doomed to repeat it and no one knows that better than troops of the 10th Mountain Division.

For some soldiers of the 3/71 Cavalry Regiment, the tactics in present day Afghanistan and those in the North Country 250 years ago are not that different. That's why Fort Drum hosted a re-enactor from Fort Stanwix in Rome to conduct a class in the weapons and tactics of the French and Indian War and the American Revolution.

Could Fort Drum brigades all be home in 2012?
With soldiers, families and civilian employees, Fort Drum is often considered the biggest city in the North Country. But because there's always a brigade or two serving overseas, it's rare that everyone is home at the same time. But, as our Brian Dwyer reports, that's exactly what we could be looking at sometime in 2012.

Arrests Made in Connection to Kabul Suicide Car Bombing
According to the Associated Press, Afghan authorities have arrested seven people in connection to the May 18 suicide car bombing in Kabul that killed three American colonels, two of them Fort Drum based, a Canadian colonel and six NATO soldiers.

From Facebook
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division: 2-22 conducts vital ineventory
1st BCT gives us this story on the actions of Soldiers of Echo Company, 2nd Battalion 22 Infantry Regiment who recently conducted an inventory at Depot 1 in Kabul, Afghanistan. That inventory took more than 100 days complete.

2-22 Infantry mentors Afghan National Army
1st BCT gives us this story on Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 22 Infantry Regiment and their efforts to help in building the Afghan National Army.

Outside the wire
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division's gives us these pictures of their trips outside the wire in Afghanistan.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

U.S. troops, Afghan police storm Taliban stronghold
Article on the actions of Apache Company, 2nd Battalion, 87nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Brigade to help bring security to the people of Afghanistan.

Ingenuity, valor and duct tape: A soldier and his green unit overcome an entrenched enemy in Afghanistan
A telling of the story that won SFC Richard J. Olson his Silver Star in Afganistan.

From Facebook
Supply in the Fight
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division gives us this story about the men and women behind the scenes in Bravo Company, 1Brigade Special Troops Battalion. Sgt. Darius Blackwell, Sgt. Jonathan Rawles, and Pfc. Andullia Pablo are the focus of this story.

Ft Drum MWRThe US Army Recruiter the Recruiter Team will be conducting volunteer recruiter briefings 24-26 May at Ft. Drum. Briefings will be held in the 3rd BCT HQs Conference Room, Bldg 10500 on North Riva Ridge Loop at 1000 and 1330 daily. POC is SFC Stuart Whitman 270-304-9303.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Murray veterans preparing memorial
Maj. Gen. James Terry, commander of the Army's 10th Mountain Division, will be leading a dedication ceremony to a new memorial in his hometown area of Murray County, Ga on May 29th.

Hometown hero
SPENCER MAN RECEIVES THE SILVER STAR
Worcester, MA Telegram & Gazette Corp. has article on the award ceremony for Sergeant First Class Richard J. Olson Jr.

Endurance festival slated in Elkhart
Between 20 and 30 soldiers based in Iraq have agreed to do a half-marathon shadow run in conjunction with the inaugural Great Midwest Marathon and Endurance Festival which will be held the last weekend of May in Elkhart, WI.

From Facebook
2nd BN 22nd INF: 1st and 2nd PLT, D-CO
Triple Deuce gives us this picture of 1st and 2nd PLT, D-CO

2nd BN 22nd INF's Photos - HHC
Eleven photos of HHC, Triple Deuce in action.

2nd BN 22nd INF: 2nd Platoon, C Co Update
We get a picture and some news from 2nd Platoon, C Co Triple Deuce here.

2nd BN 22nd INF: 2nd PLT A CO 2-22IN
The Platoon Sgt, SFC William Dunn, fills us in on what he and his men have been doing recently with this note.

2nd BN 22nd INF's Photos - Alpha Company
Alpha Company shows the love with some new pictures in their album.

2nd BN 22nd INF's Photos - Echo Company Deployment
we get a chance to see the people of Echo company in country with this photo album.

Charlie Company
not wanting to be left out, Charlie Co sends photos as well.

10th Mountain division News Roundup

Back in time: 10th Mt. Div. troops to meet Continental 'soldier'
More than 50 soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division's 3rd Brigade Combat Team will be getting a history lesson from a Revolutionary War re-enactor.

Allegheny Currents: Cuba native commands combat brigade
Col. Patrick D. Frank, a 1985 graduate of Cuba Central School, took over command of the unit earlier this spring after it had returned from duty in Afghanistan. Col. Frank took the reins of the brigade from Col. David Haight, who had been assigned to duty at the Pentagon.

From Facebook
1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division's Photos - Outside the Wire
We get 16 new photos from the 1st BCT of them doing missions and patrols.

1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division's Photos - Warrior Portraits
We also have a new album on the 1st BCT site with 3 pictures of our warriors in action.
Chaplains provide spiritual guidance on Camp Mike Spann 1st BCT also gives us a story By Airman 1st Class Robert Hicks about the Brigade's Chaplains; Maj. Dale Code, Maj. Simon Obeng and Capt. Brian Hargis.

2nd Bn/ 22nd Infantry Regiment
2nd BN 22nd INF tells us about a fishing outing on 29 May that is sponsored by the 22nd Infantry Regiment Society. Great weather and company expected. Contact Ms Rhonda Cyr, your FRG advisor or anyone within the Rear Detachment.

1-71 Cavalry "Ghost" Squadron
There will be a "Chat Session" with the Squadron Commander and Squadron Command Sergeant Major. Visit their facebook page or log onto the vFRG for more information. Rear Detachment Commander.

3-71 Cavalry Regiment "Titans" 10th Mountain Division,FT Drum,NY
We have 5 new photos of Volunteer Of The Month Desiree Evans. Congrats on the honor.

2-30 Infantry Battalion
News on the 2-30IN Ball is announced for everyone who is interested.

TF Spartan Youtube page
The 2/87 Headhunters bring us news of a Youtube channel for TF Spartan.

2/87 Awards April 2010
The 2/87 Headhunters bring us news of a Youtube video from the April awards ceremony for 2/87.

10th mountain Division News Roundup

I have added to the pages for fallen heroes Lt. Col. Thomas Belkofer and Lt. Col. Paul R. Bartz.

Drum soldier helps poor Afghans
Fort Drum soldier William Seo is the focus of a North Country NPR article.


Pentagon flips on contractor use; insourcing draws GOP ire
Congress looks at the policy to use federal employees instead of private contractors for jobs at Military bases like Fort Drum.

Governor Paterson Directs Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff
"I join with all New Yorkers in expressing our sympathy to the family and friends and fellow soldiers of Lt. Col. Thomas Belkofer and Lt. Col. Paul Bartz," Governor Paterson said. "These officers served their country with distinction. We join the Fort Drum community in mourning their loss but we will honor their service to our nation."

From Facebook
2nd BCT "Commando Update"
Today we have the Commando Update from 2nd BCT in Iraq.

The official uncasing of the 1-87 IN Colors at FOB Kunduz.
1/87 uploaded some video from the official uncasing of the unit colors.
This is a ceremony marking the official arrival of a unit, usually done either on deployment or when the entire unit has returned to their home station.

Fort Drum FMWR
Fort Drum FMWR announces that Mountainfest will be held at Fort Drum’s Division Hill on July 1. Opens at 11:00 am and is open to the public.

1-87 IN/1BCT/10MTN DIV's Photos - May 20th 2010
1/87 gives us 25 new photos of the unit on deployment.

2nd BN 22nd INF's Photos - Echo Company Deployment
Triple Deuce also gives us some pictures from Echo Company today.

2nd BN 22nd INF's Photos - 3rd PLT, Bravo Company
And not to be outdone, my old platoon gives us 25 photos of the unit in action, training the Afghans to provide security for their country.

Photos from 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery
and due to my missing this for a couple days, we have photos from 3/6 Field Artillery that were posted on 17 May.

Lt. Col. Thomas P. Belkofer

Via Fort Drum Press Release

Two 10th Mountain Division Soldiers were killed when a suicide vehicle-born improvised explosive device exploded near their convoy in Kabul Tuesday, May 18.

One was Lt. Col. Thomas P. Belkofer, 44, of Ohio.

Lt. Col. Belkofer wwas part of a team from the 10th Mountain Division headquarters to conduct key leader training and set the conditions for the 10th Mountain Division headquarters' deployment to Afghanistan later this year.

===
Lt. Col. Belkofer served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-8 (Comptroller) with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). Belkofer has one previous deployment to Afghanistan from January 2005 to February 2006. He arrived to Fort Drum July 2009.

Lt. Col. Belkofer is survived by his wife and two children.

Lt. Col. Belkofer's awards and decorations include the Bronze Start Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Air Assault Badge, and Parachutist Badge.


"This is a heartbreaking loss for the 10th Mountain Division and the
entire Fort Drum community. Our thoughts and prayers are with their
families," said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bannister, 10th Mountain Division
Deputy Commanding General for Operations.


Also see www.9wsyr.com

waronterrornews.typepad.com

www.weau.com

www.watertowndailytimes.com

www.syracuse.com

gouverneurtimes.com

WTVG-TV/DT.com

www.wwnytv.com

Updates
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Lt. Col. Paul R. Bartz

Two 10th Mountain Division Soldiers were killed when a suicide vehicle-born improvised explosive device exploded near their convoy in Kabul Tuesday, May 18.

One was Lt. Col. Paul R. Bartz, 43, of Wisconsin.

Lt. Col. Bartz was part of a team from the 10th Mountain Division headquarters to conduct key leader training and set the conditions for the 10th Mountain Division headquarters' deployment to Afghanistan later this year.

===

Lt. Col. Bartz served as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 (Personnel) with the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry). Bartz arrived to Fort Drum June 2009.

Lt. Col. Bartz is survived by his wife and son.

Lt. Col. Bartz' awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, and Army Achievement Medal.

===

"This is a heartbreaking loss for the 10th Mountain Division and the
entire Fort Drum community. Our thoughts and prayers are with their
families," said Brig. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bannister, 10th Mountain Division
Deputy Commanding General for Operations.


Also see www.9wsyr.com

waronterrornews.typepad.com

www.weau.com

www.watertowndailytimes.com

www.syracuse.com

gouverneurtimes.com

gazettextra.com

www.jsonline.com

www.winonadailynews.com

Wisconson State Jounral.com

www.wbay.com

www.wkowtv.com

www.wwnytv.com

Updates
Wis. Army Officer Killed In Afghanistan Remembered

Waterloo native killed in Afghanistan

Waterloo Mourns Soldier Killed In Afghanistan

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

House panel OKs $234.7m in Fort Drum projects
A congressional committee Wednesday approved $234.7 million in construction projects for Fort Drum, rubber-stamping the Obama administration's annual budget request and adding a project requested by Rep. William L. Owens, D-Plattsburgh.


Owens proposes joint training center in Northeast
Fort Drum could become to a regional military training center for the Northeast, if a measure proposed by Rep. William L. Owens becomes law.


Home >Fort Carson soldier cited for preventing a suicide
Spc. Albert Godding receives Meritorious Service Medal for preventing a buddy's suicide in Iraq while assigned to 10th Mountain Division.

Zeroing in to fix Afghan marksmanship
The United States Army Marksmanship Unit, in conjunction with Soldiers from 10th Mountain Division out of Fort Drum, N.Y., and U.S. Army contractor MPRI, are working to improve marksmanship on all levels, from basic trainees to NCOs and officers attending combat training.

Fort Drum Soldiers Reflect on Deployment
Before leaving for a year in Afghanistan, soldiers from the First Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment of the 10th Mountain Division from Fort Drum, N.Y., reflected on their fears about deploying.