Earlier this year, the United States Army announced some cutbacks — in part to operational needs and recruiting shortfalls. The cuts — while described as minor — will be felt throughout Fort Drum’s 10th Mountain Division.

However, with the cuts came the official word a new task force would be coming in.

What You Need To Know

  • The new task force coming to Fort Drum is not affiliated with the 10th Mountain Division, but will call Fort Drum home

  • The task force will feature some 1,500 soldiers working on strategies for all types of warfare, as Russian and Chinese threats become more hybrid

  • The soldiers and their families could be a shot in the arm to the North Country and its economy

Over the next 10 years, the U.S. Army will look and feel different.

“Some units in some specific jobs, MOS’s in the Army, were down to 60%, 70%. It's harder to do business that way,” 10th Mountain and Fort Drum Commanding General Maj. Gen. Gregory Anderson said.

Recruiting shortfalls and the ever-changing landscape have forced the Army into making cuts, including on Fort Drum.

“Calvary squadrons will be stood down. We will consolidate certain capabilities now at a division level, and we will shrink the size of our brigades,” Anderson said.

Because of that changing landscape, Fort Drum will soon have a new multi-domain task force of approximately 1,500 soldiers. The unit will focus on strategy — land, sea, airspace and cyberspace.

“They will be assigned to forces in Europe and that will be their missionary focus,” Anderson said.

However, this task force will not actually be a part of the 10th Mountain Division. It'll be its own unit just renting space on Fort Drum.

“They won't wear the 10th Mountain patch. They won't be assigned to us. I'm not responsible for their readiness,” Anderson added.

Despite that, there are still major advantages, both strategically and in the North Country.

“This highlights that relationship, great installation, you know, and a great community,” Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Joe Butler Jr. said.

Butler said it's a major shot in the arm to a community that thought it may be losing people.

“You expose these soldiers and their families to what I consider beautiful northern New York. And hopefully that will transcend, you know, beyond just them being here for their mission,” Butler added.

Butler says the Pentagon choosing to host the new task force on Fort Drum shows the installation's strength, hoping that is considered when future financial decisions are debated.