10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Army chopper training at Whiteface?
There could be quite a few helicopters sighted in the area as the United States Army's 10th Mountain Division Airborne unit from Fort Drum is hoping to use Whiteface Mountain as a stage for high-altitude flight training missions from early April through the middle of May.

City braces for Reserve unit move to post
LESO-LEANO CENTER: Officials to tour 10.3-acre South Massey Street facility to gauge its potential uses
I have spoken to some of the soldiers in the unit and was told that they were notified they would be moving to Fort Drum starting this May.

Soldier's response saves Carthage home

10th mountain Division soldier, Jonathan E. Hicks, is credited by the Carthage Fire Department with quelling a fire that could have caused extensive damage to a house on John Street Wednesday.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

"Three Cups of Tea" brings hope to Fort Drum
NPR article on the visit to the spouses of Fort Drum’s officers by author of the best-selling book, Three Cups of Tea.

Letter to the Editor: Fort Drum meets soldiers' needs
Todd L. Benham, Chief of Fort Drum's Behavioral Health Department sends a letter to the Albany NY Times Union about an article which understated mntal health services at Fort Drum.

The Unforgiving Minute: A Soldier’s Education
Review of book authored by former Ft Drum soldier, Cpt Craig Mullaney about his time in combat with the 10th Mountain Division and the loss of one of his soldiers.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Local businesses collecting items for Fort Drum platoon
Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - A platoon from Fort Drum is preparing for their deployment to Afghanistan, and Friday a local grocery store announced a campaign to support them - but they're asking for your help.

Members of the 10th Mountain Division visit Green Hills Market in Syracuse
Photot of US Army Sgt. Todd Doss at the Green Hills Market in Syracuse during a celebration of the store adopting a Fort drum Platoon.

Afghan heritage the focus of trip
LIFE IN WAR ZONE: Drum culture official brings back tips for deployed U.S. troops

Preserving Afghanistan's cultural history and archeological sites
"The Afghans wish to use their glorious past to build a glorious future," Fort Drum Manager of Cultural Resources Laurie Rush said.

But in order to do that, that past needs to stay intact. Which is part of the reason Rush recently traveled to the war-torn nation. She spoke during a three-day conference focusing on environmental concerns. Rush focused on ending the destruction of archeological sites.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Green Hills Market has adopted a platoon
A CNY business has adopted a platoon from Ft Drum prior to their upcoming deployment.

Mutiny in the making at Ft. Drum?
North Country Public Radio blog article concerning the group Oathkeepers and an unidentified soldier at Ft Drum.

Ski time for military heroes
Wounded Warriors from Iraq and Afghanistan will be spending the weekend participating in rehabilitative adaptive skiing and snowboarding lessons at Jiminy Peak Mountain Resort. The Warriors hail from New York and Massachusetts region, including six from the Warrior Transition Unit of Fort Drum, home of the 10th Mountain Division.

Drum leadership posts change hands with retirements
Two members of the Army post's leadership have retired.

10th Mountain Division Command Sgt. Maj. James W. Redmore has retired after a 29-year Army career, and Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald D. Andrews retired after 30 years of Army service. Both men were honored during separate ceremonies last week.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Air Cav UAV Hub Reaches 20,000 Flight Hours

10th Mountain division soldiers, along with multiple other units operating out of a single hub have provided ground commanders in and around Baghdad with 20,000 hours worth of aerial coverage, hitting the milestone, March 7.

Press Release- FREE PARENT TO PARENT WORKSHOP TO FOCUS ON ENPOWERING ACADEMIC SUCCESS

Fort Drum, NY – The Military Child Education Coalition will host 2 workshops empowering parents as their child’s best advocate on March 10, 2010 here at the Commons. The workshops will focus on several keys to success including navigating school transitions and getting the most out of parent teacher conferences. The workshops will address educational issues facing children from toddler to college-age.



Media interested in covering the workshop should meet at the Media Operations Center on Route 26 no later than 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday, March 10. For more information, contact Kae Young at Fort Drum Public Affairs, 315-772-5463

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Hearts and minds - and 3 cups of tea - in Afghanistan
North Country Public Radio blog post on visit of author Greg Mortenson to Fort Drum on Saturday.

Governor Paterson Directs Flags to Be Flown at Half-Staff
Governor David A. Paterson has directed that flags on State government buildings be flown at half-staff on Wednesday, March 10, in honor of Niagara Falls native Army Specialist Alan Dikcis who was killed in Afghanistan on Friday, March 5.

Alan Dikcis

Via Fort Drum Press Release

FORT DRUM, NY - A 7th Engineer Battalion Soldier was killed in Kandahar, Afghanistan, Friday, March 5, when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle.

The Fort Drum Soldier killed is Spc. Alan N. Dikcis, 21, of Niagara Falls, NY.

Spc. Dikcis served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic with the 630th Engineer Company (Clearance), 7th Engineer Battalion (Combat Effects), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat) (Airborne). He deployed in July 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was Dikcis’ first deployment.

Spc. Dikcis joined the Army in June 2007 and arrived to Fort Drum in January 2008.

Spc. Dikcis is survived by his daughter and father.

Spc. Dikcis’ awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, and NATO Medal.

Media with inquiries regarding this release should contact the Fort Drum public affairs office at 315-772-7974.

See also
The Lockport Journal.com
www.buffalonews.com
www.wgrz.com
www.wivb.com
www.watertowndailytimes.com
www.syracuse.com
www.9wsyr.com

www.wwnytv.com

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Kloberdanz returns from duty in Afghanistan
Ft Drum soldier, Sgt Nick Kloberdanz, returned home to Osage following a 19-month duty with the U.S. Army.

Soldiers and Marines use field equipment to prepare restaurant quality meals
For the trained chefs of the Army, Marines and Coast Guard, cooking a five-star meal is for the most part, no problem. But turning out a quality three-course meal on equipment from a Containerized Kitchen used by soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan - that presents more of a challenge.

Big Brothers Big Sisters helps military kids cope with deployments
It's a stressful time for military families in the North Country. Fort Drum's 2nd Brigade is already deployed to Iraq and the 1st Brigade is deploying to Afghanistan now. As News 10 Now's Katie Gibas tells us, a local organization is trying to make the transition a little easier for children who are having to say goodbye to their parents and other loved ones.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

New Garrison CSM
News 10 now article on the change of responsibility ceremony for the Garrison CSM position.

Mom's crusade to honor hero son
Blog posting about renaming of street in honor of former 10th mountain division soldier, Pvt Isaac Cortes. On November 27th, 2007, while in Amerli, Iraq, his Humvee struck an IED and he was killed.

1st BCT soldiers make final deployment preparations
In just a few days, hundreds of Fort Drum troops will deploy to Afghanistan. news 10 Now's Katie Gibas spoke with the 1st Brigade's commander and soldiers about their final preparations before they begin their year-long deployment.

Press Release - Division Command Sergeant Major Retirement Ceremony Thursday

FORT DRUM, NY -- A retirement ceremony honoring Command Sergeant Major
James W. Redmore will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, March 4 at the Commons
here.

CSM Redmore is retiring after 29 years of service in the Army. Redmore
recently served as the Division Command Sergeant Major.

CSM Redmore's bio is available at the following link:
http://www.drum.army.mil/sites/cmdgrp/DCSM.asp.

Media interested in attending the ceremony must meet at the media
operations center on Route 26 not later than 12:15 p.m. on the day of
the event.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Fort Scott native serving in Iraq receives promotion to Sergeant
10th Mountain Division soldier, Sgt. Clint Metcalf, was the focus of a short article on his recent promotion to the rank of E-5.

Law gives military spouses flexibility in residency
New national legislation can simplify tax time for military spouses by allowing them to maintain consistent residency in one state, even as they move to be with their service members at their duty stations.

The Military Spouses Residency Relief Act, passed by Congress in November, offers military spouses the same flexibility in choosing their state residency that service members have enjoyed for decades through the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Tax year 2009 is the first during which military spouses can exercise this new right.

Press Release- Garrison Command Sergeant Major Change of Responsibility Ceremony

Fort Drum, NY – The U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Drum will be conducting a Change of Responsibility Ceremony Wednesday, March 3 at 11:00 a.m. Command Sergeant Major Ronald D. Andrews will relinquish responsibilities to Command Sergeant Major John F. McNeirney.



CSM Andrews is retiring after serving 30 years in the Army. CSM McNeirney most recently served as the senior non-commissioned officer for the 91st MP Battalion, Fort Drum.



Media interested in covering the event should meet at the Media Operations Center on Rt. 26, Wednesday, March 3 at 10:30 a.m.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Editor's note: I am being called up for some National Guard duty and posts may be a little sporadic over the next 2 weeks. I'll try to keep this daily as much as I can.





Civil Air Patrol cadets first focus of new squad
Fort Drum chapter of Civil Air Patrol meets for first time on post.

Guest Essay: Bombs, deaths don't tell full story in Afghanistanarticle written by Air Force LTC Kent. B. White stating that effort of 10th Mountain Division troops to train Afghan counterparts is vital, yet under reported, aspect of mission to bring security to country.

Afghans make progress growing army, police
Army Times article on how Afghan police and army forces are improving with help from US military trainers, which include 10th Mountain Division troops.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Army expects to avert new cuts
MCHUGH TESTIFIES: Owens has questions for his predecessor

Project gives quilts to wounded soldiers
A group of St. Lawrence County stitchers has made more than 400 memory quilts to let injured soldiers know they are in someone's heart.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

2nd BCT Commander Interview on the Morning Show
2nd BCT Commander Colonel David Miller says that troops are facing a much different scenario in Iraq during interview with WWNY-TV hosts.

Funding Frozen For Military Spouse Education Program
Under the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account program, the husbands or wives of military personnel are eligible to receive up to $6,000 to pursue further education.
Last week, the Defense Department abruptly stopped the program, telling students on the MyCAA website that the program was under review.
Army Secretary: No more cuts for Fort Drum
Army Secretary John McHugh says he's hopeful Fort Drum won't see any more cuts next year. McHugh, speaking with Bill Owens Thursday, said the Army should be more financially stable next year and he doesn't think cuts will be necessary.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Hanson takes pride in serving his country
10th Mountain Division soldier Michael Hanson focus of story in Westby WI newspaper article.

Fly to Glory Mixer
The Army Aviation Association of American jointly and The Association of the United States Army will partner to host a monthly mixer at the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 277th Aviation Hanger on Fort Drum on Thursday, February 25 from 6 pm to 8 pm.

Office provides honor guards
Fort Drum home to NY Army National Guard Honor Guard Detachment.

10th Mountain Division News Roundup

Fort Drum/I-81 connector plans still a go, on schedule
Officials at the state Department of Transportation said plans for the Fort Drum connector are still intact and on schedule.

Press Release- Mountain Remembrance Ceremony

FORT DRUM, NY -- A Mountain Remembrance Ceremony will be held Thursday,
February 25, 4:30 p.m. at the Main Post Chapel here to honor a fallen
10th Mountain Division Soldier.

Pfc. Thomas E. Hodge II, 28, of Waynesboro, Va will be honored at the
ceremony

Pfc. Hodge died Jan. 9 in Mt. Solon, Va. while on leave from duty in
Iraq.

Media interested in covering the ceremony should be at the Media
Operations Center on Route 26 no later than 4:00 p.m. on the day of the
event.

Press Release- AAAA/AUSA Mixer at Fort Drum Thursday

FORT DRUM- The Army Aviation Association of America and the Association
of the United States Army will partner to host a mixer at the 10th
Combat Aviation Brigade, 277th Aviation Hangar, Wheeler Sack Army
Airfield, Thursday, February 25 from 6 to 8 p.m.

The 10th CAB will present awards to aviation Soldiers and have static
displays of aircraft and equipment demonstrating their war fighting
capabilities.

Col. Pedro G. Almeida, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade commander and
Maureen P. Cean, AUSA Chapter President, will be available for
interviews.

For more information regarding the sponsor organizations, please visit
the following links for AAAA and AUSA information:
http://www.quad-a.organd http://www.ausa.org.

Media interested in attending this event must R.S.V.P. by 11:30 a.m.
Thursday, Feb. 25 by contacting Fort Drum public affairs at
315-772-7267.

All media will meet with 10th CAB PAO at the Media Operation Center on
Rt 26 by 5:30 p.m., Feb. 25.