FORT DRUM, NY--Brig. Gen. Steven Wickstrom, the commanding general of New York Army National Guard's 42nd Infantry Division, visited the 27th Infantry Brigade Combat Team on Fort Drum last week.
As he toured the Orion Brigade's area of operations on Fort Drum, he reviewed Soldiers' training as the 27th IBCT prepares for a possible deployment.
"The 27th Brigade is the focus of effort for the entire State of New York," Wickstrom said. "We do have other units that are deploying that are getting a lot of attention; however, the 27th needs to be successful."
Wickstrom, a resident of Upton, Mass., watched infantrymen from the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry Regiment as they practiced movement-to-contact drills on Range OP5A, following them up the lane as they ran the live-fire portion of the exercise.
He said he was impressed with "the quality and effectiveness of training, to the motivation and professionalism of the troops."
During a visit to the mortar teams of the 2nd Battalion, 108th Infantry, Wickstrom did the honors for a promotion ceremony, pinning staff sergeant rank on George Klemish, a mortar crewman with C Company, from Gloversville, N.Y.
Wickstrom said the visit to the 27th was well worth the time. "It's important to come out of the office and go to the field so that you can learn and see the training success taking place," he said.
"You can hear about it in the office, but it's just not the same... I've enjoyed talking to the Soldiers, which is something I don't get to do as much these days, unfortunately, in the role that I'm in."
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