FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Feb. 2, 2017) -- Pentagon officials have named Maj. Gen. Walter E. Piatt as the next commander of the 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum. Piatt served as division deputy commander of support from 2012 to 2103.
He currently serves as director of operations and director of rapid equipment fielding for the Army Rapid Capabilities Office in Washington, D.C.
Piatt is scheduled to replace the current division commander, Maj. Gen. Jeffrey L. Bannister, during a ceremony April 27 to be hosted on Fort Drum. Bannister is expected to transition to a senior position within the Pentagon, although an official assignment has not been announced.
Bannister is scheduled to leave the division after about 27 months of command, which includes an 11-month deployment to Afghanistan with the division headquarters, where he served as the deputy commanding general of support, U.S. Forces Afghanistan.
"I congratulate and welcome (Maj. Gen.) Piatt and his Family," Bannister said. "He is no stranger to the division, and I cannot think of a better officer or family man to lead this division forward."
Bannister credits his success and that of the division under his leadership to Soldiers, Civilians, Families and local community members.
"As I have said many times, Fort Drum is one of the best-kept secrets in the Army," he said.
"It is the Soldiers' and leaders' professionalism, competence and resiliency that make this such a great division to be part of," Bannister continued. "Match that with the outstanding community support, and you have the best division in the Army."
The 10th Mountain Division remains one of the most deployed divisions in the Army since 2001. The last two years have been no exception. During that time, units of the division deployed to Afghanistan, Kuwait, Africa, Iraq and Korea.
"The need for the division to remain focused on training and readiness during the upcoming transition is critical," Bannister said. "The readiness of the units and the ability of the division to respond to any requirements or mission has been the forefront of my efforts, and it will continue to be until my last day as a member of the Mountain Team."
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