Fort Drum

Fort Drum. It is a major United States Army installation located in Jefferson County, New York, near the city of Watertown. The post serves as the home of the 10th Mountain Division, a light infantry unit renowned for its specialized training in mountain warfare and cold-weather operations. Its strategic location in the North Country provides extensive training areas and has made it a key mobilization and power projection platform for the United States Armed Forces.

History

The site's military history began in 1908 when it was established as Camp Hughes, a training ground for New York Army National Guard units. It was later renamed Camp Drum in 1935 in honor of former Army Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Richard E. Drum. During World War II, the camp served as a major training center for elements of the 4th Armored Division, the 45th Infantry Division, and other units preparing for deployment to the European Theater of Operations. The installation was designated a permanent United States Army post and renamed Fort Drum in 1974. A massive expansion project began in the mid-1980s to modernize its facilities and accommodate the newly reactivated 10th Mountain Division, which relocated from Fort Benning in 1985.

Geography and construction

The installation encompasses over 107,000 acres within the Tug Hill region and the Black River valley. Its terrain includes dense forests, numerous wetlands, and varied elevations ideal for rigorous military training. A significant construction boom, often called the "Fort Drum Build," occurred from 1984 to the early 1990s, adding over 1,800 buildings, including new barracks, a division airfield, and extensive training areas. The construction transformed it into one of the United States' most modern military facilities, designed to support a full light infantry division and its associated aviation brigade.

Military significance

As the home of the 10th Mountain Division, the post is the U.S. military's premier center for light infantry and mountain warfare training. The division and its subordinate brigade combat teams have been frequently deployed since the Gulf War, with extensive service in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The installation's Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield supports Army aviation operations and serves as a critical logistical node. Its large-scale military exercises, such as those conducted with Canadian Armed Forces units from nearby CFB Petawawa, underscore its role in continental defense and NATO readiness.

Current use

Today, the installation remains a vital power projection platform for the United States Department of Defense. It supports the training, readiness, and deployment cycles of the 10th Mountain Division and hosts a variety of other Army Reserve and New York Army National Guard units. The Wheeler-Sack Army Airfield facilitates continuous air mobility operations. The post is also a major economic engine for the North Country region, with a daily population exceeding 30,000 soldiers, family members, and civilian employees, impacting local communities like Watertown and Carthage.

In popular culture

The installation and the 10th Mountain Division have been featured in several films and video games that focus on modern warfare. It is depicted as a setting in the Tom Clancy-inspired video game Ghost Recon Advanced Warfighter 2. The division's storied history, from its founding at Camp Hale in Colorado to its contemporary deployments, has been documented in works like the book *The Last Ridge* by Mckay Jenkins and the PBS documentary *The 10th Mountain Division: The Mountain Warriors.* These portrayals highlight the unit's elite status within the United States Armed Forces.

Category:United States Army posts Category:1908 establishments in New York (state)