FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- The 10th Sustainment Brigade "Muleskinners" officially marked their return home by uncasing the brigade colors during a ceremony Oct. 17 at Monti Physical Fitness Center.
The 10th Mountain Division (LI) brigade completed a yearlong deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
The Muleskinners were responsible for sustainment operations in Regional Commands East, North and Capital and supported 30 different task forces along with other allied forces.
One of the brigade's most challenging tasks was trying to tackle the harsh weather and the rough terrain through the Hindu Kush Mountains. But the brigade overcame these obstacles and completed its mission, making sure that warfighters on the ground had all of the supplies they needed to accomplish their mission.
"This brigade's impact was huge in terms of the logistical sustainability," said Maj. Gen Mark A. Miley, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander.
During the course of the year, 10th Sustainment Brigade delivered more than 60 million pounds of mail -- one of the greatest morale boosters a Soldier can receive on the battlefield.
Brigade Soldiers also were responsible for the Commanders Emergency Response Program, which allowed them to help renovate schools and hospitals, dig wells and work on other projects that would help improve the quality of life for Afghan people. By completing these projects, the brigade was able to build a great partnership with the people of Afghanistan.
"The commitment, teamwork, sacrifice and selfless service of the Soldiers is what made all of the accomplishments of the brigade possible," said Col. Kurt J. Ryan, 10th Sustainment Brigade commander.
The brigade still has several hundred fellow Muleskinners deployed and many more who will soon be leaving to serve in different areas throughout Afghanistan.
"We could not be more proud of this brigade, and we have a profound admiration for what the Soldiers of the 10th Sustainment Brigade did," Milley said.
Soldiers of 10th Sustainment Brigade will get some well-deserved rest and then begin to prepare for possible future deployments.
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