As the world’s eyes are focused on mounting tensions in Ukraine and Russia, the North County has in their thoughts and hearts the 200 Fort Drum soldiers recently deployed to the region.

Moving out on a moment’s notice is what the 10th Mountain Division does, and its commander is extremely confident his soldiers are ready for the task ahead.

“We’re the most deployed division in our Army because we are light, we are lethal and we are ready,” said Major General Milford Beagle Jr., the 10th Mountain Division commanding general.

It’s what the 10th Mountain Division does. A call from the nation on a Friday, and just 10 days later, 200 soldiers are headed to Europe.

What You Need To Know

  • Earlier this month, 200 10th Mountain Division soldiers deployed to Europe in support of NATO allies as tensions escalate between the Ukraine and Russia

  • 10th Mountain Commander Major General Milford Beagle said the division works every day to not only prepare for the mission, but to ensure soldiers are mentally and physically prepared for what’s next

  • MG Beagle said preparation is key, because the 10th will never be asked if it’s ready to go, it will just be expected to be ready

“We’re never going to be asked if we are ready. It’s going to be expected,” Beagle said. “So, it’s not the phone call comes, ‘Are you ready?’ It’s like, 'Get ready to go.'”

On Fort Drum, it’s all about being prepared. Every single day, the 10th Mountain Division prepares as if that call is on its way, because it can be.

From morning until night, every soldier is preparing to be ready.

“That’s what makes us ready on a moment’s notice, is our people are ready, number one. Everything else is going to follow after that, even if we need a little bit of help with it,” Beagle added. “I think we just do that in a unique way and probably a little bit better just given our connection with the community and how much we communicate internal and external.”

It’s just always been that way from when the 10th Mountain was first activated as a light infantry. While others are considered more heavy, there’s more equipment, vehicles and logistics involving their movement, giving them more notice and time to plan.

However, when you are more mobile, that’s how you become the most deployed division in the United States Army.

“We have to do that as well, but we have much less to move and be able to get there, but it’s really about our people. That is our focus because the light part of our division, is our people,” he said.

On this latest mission, Beagle says, the people wearing the United States Army uniform, the 10th Mountain Division Patch, do so not for themselves, but for each other and that’s how these people will come back home, safe.

There is no word yet on how long Fort Drum’s soldiers will be deployed.