Latest news with #10thMountainDivision
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Soldiers on US-Mexico border hunt drones with air defense radars typically used in combat
Soldiers from the 10th Mountain Division are at the U.S.-Mexico border tracking drones with the same kinds of radar systems that the U.S. funded for Ukraine to help the country counter aerial threats from Russia. The presence of these radar systems on the southern border highlights the proliferation of drones and their use by Mexico-based cartels. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials say that the agency's personnel have witnessed reconnaissance drones surveilling border personnel and that the agency 'continues to receive reporting of Mexico-based cartels utilizing armed drones against rival cartels,' a spokesperson for CBP told Task & Purpose. 'Because of this evolving threat, CBP works with the Department [of] Defense to maximize domain awareness for border security and officer safety of all threats, to include armed small unmanned aerial systems (drones). CBP continues to assess that currently, Mexico-based groups utilize drones to fuel intra and inter-cartel violence,' the spokesperson said. The Department of Defense currently has around 8,500 troops supporting the Joint Task Force — Southern Border mission, providing assistance to Customs and Border personnel for logistics, vehicle maintenance, transportation, intelligence analysis, and aviation aerial reconnaissance. A small fraction of those, anywhere from 28 to 34 soldiers who are part of a 10th Mountain Division target acquisition platoon, are manning four radars across 2,000 miles of the U.S.-Mexico border to detect a growing number of drones that are suspected to be used by Mexico-based cartels. The commander of U.S. Northern Command told Congress in March that there are likely more than 1,000 drones spotted every month along the border. 'Across the border, drone sightings are in the thousands, so it's not unusual for us to see anywhere from 30 to 50 a day,' Maj. Sean Thomas, the 10th Mountain Division's deputy fire support coordinator and the senior effects operations officer for the Joint Task Force — Southern Border mission, told Task & Purpose. Thomas said that their role in providing CBP with air domain awareness, like drone detection and tracking, is 'to protect U.S. territorial integrity and JTF-SB personnel.' Brian Finucane, a senior adviser for the U.S. Program at the International Crisis Group, a non-profit think tank, said deploying combat radar systems is a type of escalation but noted that he's not aware of any drone attacks on U.S. personnel along the border that necessitate sending them as an 'operational necessity.' 'This is a very different sort of scenario than defending U.S. personnel in Iraq and Syria from drone attacks or defending Ukraine from Russian drone attacks. We're talking about a very different environment,' Finucane said. 'It has to be seen in the broader context of the administration trying to cast immigration in military or counterterrorism terms — deploying additional troops and other military assets to the border, sending migrants to Guantanamo Bay, using military aircraft for deportation flights, invoking wartime authorities to deport or rendition migrants. This has to be seen in the broader attempt to sort of cast migrations as some sort of wartime emergency.' The radar platoon is tracking and detecting small drones along the border and 'developing a pattern of life analysis.' The radar systems help soldiers identify information like the drones' altitude, speed and size, which they send to local CPB units for awareness. The unit is also doing a more thorough analysis of how the drones are being used and where they're going next, Thomas said. To do this analysis, the platoon is using artillery and air defense radars that have traditionally been used in combat, some of which have even been sent to Ukraine. The radars have long been used to detect enemy artillery, like rockets and mortars, but more recently, the systems are being used in military exercises and training events to track unmanned aerial systems, UAS, or drones. 'The size of the border is unlike anything that a normal division or target acquisition platoon ever looks at and considers, so the variations in terrain and type of operating area is massive and then just the sheer volume,' Thomas said. The platoon is learning more about terrain masking and how the radars work in a range of environments: green terrain, humidity, 5,000 ft mountain elevations, arid deserts and even near larger cities, like San Diego, California or El Paso, Texas. Doing detection near more populated areas, is teaching them more about radar interference, he said. 'There's significant mountains, there's urban population centers that we're as familiar with fighting in or training in so that's been an increase in what we're allowed to do and see,' Thomas said. The platoon operates Lockheed Martin's AN/TPQ-53 Quick Reaction Capability Radar, which is used in combat to detect rockets, mortars, and artillery. 'The Q-53 is traditionally counter fire or weapons locating radar, so we use those in a defense role so that if somebody fires a missile or artillery shell at us, we'll see where they shot from and where it's gonna land,' Thomas said. Upon arriving at the border, the platoon's radar was upgraded for small UAS detection and tracking 'instead of just a ballistic flight path projectile,' he said. Ukraine received 20 quick reaction radars back in 2015 when Russian-backed separatists began arriving in eastern Ukraine and helped bring down units' casualty rates from 47% to about 18%, Defense News reported in 2019. New contracts for Q-53 radars, $372 million worth, were included in 2023 U.S. military aid packages for Ukraine after its full-scale war with Russia began. Soldiers are also using the AN/MPQ-64 Sentinel radar system which is used for short-range air defense and can detect hostile planes, helicopters, drones or missiles, according to RTX (formerly Raytheon). The difference between using the Sentinel in combat and at the border, Thomas said, is that they're 'purely using this to find and detect' and not linking it to a Stinger missile or another weapons system meant to engage a threat. According to RTX, there are 300 Sentinels deployed around the world by U.S. and allied forces. Social media posts show that Ukrainians have even resorted to using mock-up versions of the American Sentinel system as decoys to deceive Russian forces. The dozens of soldiers who operate the radars hail from field artillery military occupational specialties for the Q-53 quick reaction radar and air defense soldiers on the Q-64 Sentinel. There are also a handful of soldiers who do maintenance and communications support assigned to the platoon. Before heading down to the border, the soldiers took part in live drone tracking exercises at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. But it wasn't the first time that the soldiers encountered drones. Some of the soldiers served in combat teams that were deployed to bases in Iraq and Syria, for Operation Inherent Resolve, the U.S. military's ongoing mission against the Islamic State, but found themselves in the crossfire of regional escalations after Israel declared war on Hamas after the Oct. 7 attack, Maj. Rachel Jeffcoat, a spokesperson for the 10th Mountain Division, told Task & Purpose. For months, American troops came under hundreds of rocket, mortar and drone attacks by Iranian-backed militias, including the Tower 22 drone attack in Jordan, which killed three Reserve soldiers and injured over 100 troops. Three of the division's soldiers were recognized for shooting down at least 28 one-way attack drones during their deployment, with each getting five kills to earn 'ace' status. The radar platoon at the border had also practiced flying, tracking and shooting drones down and testing the radar systems in a November exercise at their home base at Fort Drum, New York. 'We constantly provide a home station kind of a training download and update across the division every time one of the brigades comes back of 'hey this is what we're seeing this is the new system we use, this is how it worked,' Thomas said. Navy SEAL Team 6 operator will be the military's new top enlisted leader Veterans receiving disability payments might have been underpaid, IG finds Guam barracks conditions are 'baffling,' Navy admiral says in email Navy fires admiral in charge of unmanned systems office after investigation The Pentagon wants troops to change duty stations less often
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Bandstand roof, Fort Drum monument dedications planned at Thompson Park
Jun. 3—WATERTOWN — It's going to be a busy a couple of weekends at Thompson Park. On Saturday, the new roof on the historic bandstand will be dedicated to former Mayor T. Urling and Mabel Walker, who left a legacy of philanthropy in the city before they died. On June 14, a series of events will be held to rededicate the 10th Mountain Division monument for the bronze plaque that was stolen last year. The roof project was one of the final initiatives that Mayor Walker undertook before he died in 2023 at age 97. He also played a key role in the planting of many trees in the park over the years. Mabel Walker died in 2020 at the age of 90. The unveiling of the Thompson Park bandstand roof had to wait until this spring after the project was delayed when bids came in to too high and work was held up until it was rebid. The ribbon-cutting will be held at 12:45 p.m. and will honor the Walker family, said Brian Ashley, who played a major role in spearheading the project three years ago. Ashley was among a group of park enthusiasts who raised about $200,000 for the project. "It's very important for the park and what it means for the Walker family," Ashley said. In 2022, a concert by a local big band, the Arrhythmias, was scheduled at the stone bandstand, but it was canceled because of rain. That pushed the group to get going on the project to cover the bandstand. As was the groups goal, the Arrhythmias will perform during this Saturday's unveiling. Ashley is convinced that it will be the first of many concerts that will be held under the new roof for years to come. But, just in case it rains, the unveiling will be held on June 14, the same day people will gather for the rededication of the monument. Last August, someone removed one of the four plaques on the monument and stole it. No one has been charged in the theft. The city, which owns the monument, is hosting the rededication at 9 a.m. that Saturday. Sculptor Susan Grant Raymond — the Boulder, Colorado-based artist who designed the monument devoted to the 10th Mountain Division and its soldiers — has recreated the plaque from the mold that she used to create the monument eight years ago. The community and Fort Drum soldiers were in disbelief when the several-hundred-pound plaque turned up missing. They couldn't understand why someone would steal the bronze relief, which was about 4 1/2 to 5 feet long and 2 1/2 feet wide in size. The section that was stolen was the Global War on Terror side, which honors the history from 2001 until present day. It commemorates the time period when 10th Mountain soldiers were in Iraq. The North Country Honors the Mountain Committee designed the monument and gave instruction to Grant Raymond, who has a history with the 10th Mountain Division. The monument has become a symbol for the soldiers of the 10th Mountain Division, both past and present. The monument event also will commemorate the U.S. Army's 250th birthday. After the ceremony, the park also will host the YMCA Healthy Kids Day at 10 a.m. The Fort Drum Army Band will perform, and there will be birthday cake cutting, Army history and displays, a bounce house, ninja course, face painting and much more. "We wanted to do something fun for the kids," said Jim Scordo, the city's Parks and Recreation Department program director. In past years, the YMCA healthy Kids Day was held at the Alex T. Duffy Fairgrounds. In other park news, the City Council on Monday gave permission to create a "Peace Pole" in the park. The Watertown Noon Rotary Club approached the city with a proposal to place the Peace Pole in a grassy area near the Rotary Pavilion in Thompson Park. The Rotary built the picnic pavilion, and the nearby exercise and fitness trail several years ago and have unofficially adopted this section of Thompson Park. The International Peace Pole Project is a movement that started in Japan in 1955 that involves the installation of a small pole that carries the message "May Peace Prevail On Earth." The message is inscribed on the pole in several different languages. Rotary Clubs across the nation have taken up this movement and have worked to install peace poles throughout the country. The exact design of the Peace Pole has not been finalized. The Friends of Thompson Park, a group of park enthusiasts, have endorsed the project. The Peace Pole will join a nearby memorial that was unveiled last year that honors those who lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic. On Monday night, the City Council approved a resolution to officially accept the donation of the COVID memorial.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jewish war hero buried in Italy gets right headstone changed 80 years later
February 19, 1945 - American soldiers in the Army's 10th Mountain Division's 85th regiment are attempting to break through the Gothic Line and take Italy's Mount Belvedere, in what proved to be a bloody undertaking. A soldier trips a landmine, wounding Private First Class Del Riley. Over calls to stay back, Riley's good friend medic Private First Class Frank Kurzinger rushes to their aid. Kurzinger triggers another landmine and dies instantly at 22 years old. "Neither Frank nor Dad made it to the top. Neither one accomplished their mission," Riley's son Bruce told Fox News Digital. Riley had been injured in the femur by landmine shrapnel. The soldiers were scaling the mountain at night, armed only with bayonets and grenades – their superiors feared that a firearm's muzzle flash would give their position away to the Germans. Riley lay for hours behind a rock as the soldiers took incoming fire from the Germans. Fallen Jewish American World War Ll Soldiers, Pows Finally To Be Buried Under Star Of David The shrapnel that had pierced his bone was so hot that it cauterized the wound instantly, saving Riley's life. The firefight was so intense it was hours before medics could evacuate the soldier, and the wound resulted in Riley developing a life-long bone disease. His war buddy, Kurzinger, had a circuitous path toward the Italian front. He was born in Wurzberg, Germany on August 9, 1923. His parents fled Nazi oppression and re-settled in Denver, Colorado in 1938. After making the ultimate sacrifice, Kurtzinger was buried at the American Cemetery in Florence, Italy. Despite being Jewish, the combat medic was mistakenly buried beneath a cross. Read On The Fox News App Eisenhower's Great-grandson Warns Holocaust Denial Is Rising 80 Years After Wwii In Europe Ended On May 15, 2025, eighty years after Kurzinger's death, Operation Benjamin, a non-profit dedicated to reconsecrating Jewish graves that were mistakenly buried beneath crosses, fixed Kurzinger's gravesite at a ceremony attended by descendants of both Riley and Kurzinger. "I knew I had to go, I needed to take my family with me… life is about legacy and that's what this is all about. We went to honor Frank… that is the importance of never forgetting the sacrifice that Frank made, and the impact he had on my father," Bruce told Fox News Digital. Bruce, 63, minted a challenge coin to commemorate the bond his father and Kurzinger shared. Bruce placed the coin together with a shell casing from his father's 21-gun salute at Kurzinger's grave. "Frank's legacy, and his story, and his sacrifice is not going to die on my watch," Bruce article source: Jewish war hero buried in Italy gets right headstone changed 80 years later
Fox News
26-05-2025
- General
- Fox News
Jewish war hero buried in Italy gets right headstone changed 80 years later
February 19, 1945 - American soldiers in the Army's 10th Mountain Division's 85th regiment are attempting to break through the Gothic Line and take Italy's Mount Belvedere, in what proved to be a bloody undertaking. A soldier trips a landmine, wounding Private First Class Del Riley. Over calls to stay back, Riley's good friend medic Private First Class Frank Kurzinger rushes to their aid. Kurzinger triggers another landmine and dies instantly at 22 years old. "Neither Frank nor Dad made it to the top. Neither one accomplished their mission," Riley's son Bruce told Fox News Digital. Riley had been injured in the femur by landmine shrapnel. The soldiers were scaling the mountain at night, armed only with bayonets and grenades – their superiors feared that a firearm's muzzle flash would give their position away to the Germans. Riley lay for hours behind a rock as the soldiers took incoming fire from the Germans. The shrapnel that had pierced his bone was so hot that it cauterized the wound instantly, saving Riley's life. The firefight was so intense it was hours before medics could evacuate the soldier, and the wound resulted in Riley developing a life-long bone disease. His war buddy, Kurzinger, had a circuitous path toward the Italian front. He was born in Wurzberg, Germany on August 9, 1923. His parents fled Nazi oppression and re-settled in Denver, Colorado in 1938. After making the ultimate sacrifice, Kurtzinger was buried at the American Cemetery in Florence, Italy. Despite being Jewish, the combat medic was mistakenly buried beneath a cross. On May 15, 2025, eighty years after Kurzinger's death, Operation Benjamin, a non-profit dedicated to reconsecrating Jewish graves that were mistakenly buried beneath crosses, fixed Kurzinger's gravesite at a ceremony attended by descendants of both Riley and Kurzinger. "I knew I had to go, I needed to take my family with me… life is about legacy and that's what this is all about. We went to honor Frank… that is the importance of never forgetting the sacrifice that Frank made, and the impact he had on my father," Bruce told Fox News Digital. Bruce, 63, minted a challenge coin to commemorate the bond his father and Kurzinger shared. Bruce placed the coin together with a shell casing from his father's 21-gun salute at Kurzinger's grave. "Frank's legacy, and his story, and his sacrifice is not going to die on my watch," Bruce said.
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Gold Star family's enduring love for fallen soldier, Sgt. Brian K. Baker
(NewsNation) — Thousands of Americans are expected to visit Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia, this Memorial Day weekend to pay their respects the men and women who sacrificed their lives defending the United States. While some use the holiday to relax off from work, the day is meant to honor the soldiers' lives that were lost. Memorial Day is every day for Holly Baker and her family, she told NewsNation's 'Morning in America with Hena Doba' on Sunday. Sgt. Brian K. Baker died during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2004. Following his first tour during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Brian and his wife Amy became pregnant with twins, who are now 20 years old. They never had a chance to meet their father. Memorial Day metrics: Is life better under Trump or Biden? 'They do know their dad is a hero,' Baker said, crediting her daughter-in-law, Amy, for helping raise the two girls. 'We've shared with them a lot of Brian's history, the places he'd like to go to where he went to school.' Brian was part of the Army's 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum in New York. 'I had asked him after his first deployment, I said, 'Are they really happy that you're over there?' And he said, 'Absolutely not.' He said they absolutely loved having the soldiers there to help defend their country. They found them as their saviors,' Baker said. Baker said she remembers Brian's smile, practical jokes and charming personality. 'Gold Star families' worst fear is that our children's sacrifices are forgotten, and Memorial Day is that day set aside that we remember all of our heroes who gave their lives and sacrificed so much for our country,' Baker said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
