The 10th Mountain Division opened the Afghanistan theater in 2001, deploying to Uzbekistan and then Bagram in the months after 9/11 as the first conventional HQ there.
It is fitting then that 10th Mountain is the final conventional HQ out of Afghanistan.
[2 of 9]
In between, the 10th Mountain has gone in and out of Afghanistan repeatedly.
The Climb To Glory division’s commitment throughout our war in Afghanistan is exemplified by one Soldier in particular.
That Soldier is this man, Jeff Becker.
[3 of 9]
Jeff Becker, a combat engineer, deployed with 10th Mountain to Afghanistan right after 9/11.
First In.
He fought in Operation Anaconda as a young buck sergeant.
[4 of 9]
Operation Anaconda began before dawn on March 2nd, 2002.
Jeff was there.
General F.L. Hagenbeck, commander of the @10thmtn, led 2,000 coalition forces during the operation to clean out the remaining al-Qaeda & Taliban fighters from the Shahikot Valley.
[5 of 9]
Hagenbeck: “They just kept sending them into our meat grinder. We’ve killed several hundred of them, but they just keep coming.”
The battle ended as an American victory at the cost of eight Americans killed and more than 50 wounded.
[6 of 9]
Jeff came home in March, 2002. Not for long.
He deployed to fight in Afghanistan again and again and again. Each time with the 10th Mountain Division.
[7 of 9]
2003: Paktika
2010: Balkh
2015: Helmand
[8 of 9]
20 years after that initial deployment, the 10th Mountain Division was the final conventional force out of Afghanistan.
Along with them was Jeff Becker – completing his fifth deployment with as the 10th Mountain Division operations sergeant.
Last out.
[END]
Jeff embodies the legacy of the Climb to Glory Soldier during the war in Afghanistan: Tough. Disciplined. Quiet. Humble in support of our Nation's interests.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
We can confirm that 120 Soldiers have left the Smoke Bomb Hill barracks, and we are working hard to move ALL Soldiers out of those barracks by the end of September. 1/4
In addition to the relocation efforts, 70 certificates of non-availability (CNAs) have been approved allowing recipients to find privatizing housing on or off the installation. Additionally, hundreds more have been pre-approved and being staffed for final approval. 2/4
Commands affected by these moves on Smoke Bomb Hill include units under the 1st Special Forces Command - Airborne and XVIII Airborne Corps units including the 20th Engineer Brigade and 35th Signal Brigade among other units/organizations across the installation. 3/4
Our Soldiers are speaking to us about the conditions at the Smoke Bomb Hill Barracks. It’s authentic and real feedback we need. We are listening and taking action!
Communication flow is every changing, and we are working to improve it. Our Soldiers deserve it. 🧵
We want all of our Soldiers to know we are working hard to make their quality of life better!
We have leaders across Fort Bragg already working to make their lives better, and we have resources committed to make this happen.
Moving 1,110 Soldiers won’t be quick, it will take time, but it will be done right. Our goal is to have everyone out of the SBH barracks by the end of September.