FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Units from across Fort Drum put their alpine warfare skills to the test during the Mountain Winter Challenge 2012 this past week.
The event was designed by Maj. Gen. Mark A. Milley, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, to emphasize the arctic skills that the division has historically employed. It was designed to test a Soldier's ability to conduct military tasks in a cold-weather environment.
During the exercises, groups would compete as teams of nine Soldiers in snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, casualty evacuation, land navigation and shooting. Teams were graded on each event by the time it took for completion and how well they executed the tasks.
"We worked hard as a team to complete every event as fast as possible," said Spc. Lashawn Ducan, a Soldier from 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment. "The shooting event was my favorite part of the whole challenge."
The winning team was from 1st Scout Platoon, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team "Polar Bears."
Taking second was Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 10th Mountain Division (LI), and third place went to 1st Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
"My hat is off to the Polar Bears for winning this year's contest," Milley said. "The winter challenge is a great way to maintain continuity between today and … the 10th Mountain's history."
The Polar Bears will get to display the trophy in their battalion headquarters until next year's event. Each member from the team received a certificate of achievement and a 10th Mountain Division coin from Milley.
"I am very proud of these boys winning first and third place in this year's winter challenge," said Command Sgt. Maj. Benjamin Jones, senior enlisted adviser for 2nd Brigade Combat Team. "This is just a snapshot of how our whole brigade trains every day."
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