The 10th Mountain Division is a US Army division under the XVIII Airborne Corps and integrated into the Integrated Response Force (IRF) framework.

Initially organized as a mountain warfare unit, the division is centered on mobility, rapid deployment and operations in austere environments.

Its unique emphasis on cold weather and high-altitude environments makes the unit uniquely flexible and capable in the face of unforgiving environments.

First formed during World War II, the division was deactivated in 1958; however reactivated in 1985 and soon after that having several key deployments.

Units deployed for Operation Desert Storm in 1991, and the entire division mobilized for domestic disaster relief operations during Hurricane Andrew in 1992.

The division is headquartered at Fort Drum, New York, but maintains a dispersed structure, basing its 3rd Brigade Combat Team at Fort Johnson, Louisiana.

The formation includes a division headquarters and headquarters battalion, three infantry brigade combat teams, plus division artillery, combat aviation and sustainment brigades.

This structure enables the division to tailor its forces to operational requirements and pull from both breath and depth of expertise and capabilities.

Overseas deployments

Between 2001 and 2014, the division deployed overseas over 20 times to Iraq and Afghanistan.

During Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom, it effectively demonstrated its light infantry capabilities.

The division's emphasis on "pure" light infantry, focusing on mobility on foot and via helicopter with a lower logistical profile than heavy armor components.

In terrain where heavier formations face mobility constraints, light infantry is necessary, through infiltration and stealth.

With its light infantry focus, the 10th Mountain Division conducts extreme cold-weather exercises and mountain mobility training.

This includes events like the D-Series Winter Challenge and joint training exercises with NATO partners.

The Mountain Training Group at Fort Drum delivers the Cold Weather Operations Course, the Mountain Operations Course and the Mountain Sustainment Training Course.

These programs allow soldiers to build proficiency in extreme cold-weather operations and military mountaineering.

In recent years, the division has focused on advise-and-assist missions, including support to the Iraqi Security Forces and partners in Syria.

These efforts prioritize security force assistance and a sustained presence over large-scale maneuver operations with partner forces.