Fort Drum, NY, Apr 27, 2012 — Fort Drum is being eyed as a possible location for a new east coast missile defense site. Republicans in the House Armed Services committee called this week for a study on the issue. Joanna Richards has more.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Apr 23, 2012 — It's common sense that Fort Drum plays a big role in the North Country economy. Just how big is the subject of a report the post puts out every year, called the annual economic impact statement.

This year's report says Fort Drum contributed over $1.6 billion in spending in the 2011 fiscal year.  Go to full article

Apr 17, 2012 — It was billed as a project that could transform the community and bring hope and healing to veterans and their families.

Two years later, Patriot Hills at Saranac Lake has a different name, no paid staff, little money raised and held only two programs last year.

Organizers of what is now called Homeward Bound Adirondacks, a proposed retreat and reintegration center for veterans and their families, insist the project is still moving forward, although not at the pace they initially hoped.

As Chris Knight reports, fundraising challenges and disputes about the project's direction are largely to blame.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Mar 19, 2012 — Fort Drum recently notified several businesses that they will be put off limits to soldiers if they continue to sell synthetic marijuana, products marketed as "herbal incense" and sold under names like Spice and K2.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Mar 07, 2012 — President Obama has proposed a new mortgage relief program for membres of the military and veterans. Major lenders will review forecolusres or denials of re-financing. if wrongly foreclosed on, service members will be paid back their equity, and get extra compensation.

Service members are vulnerable to scams, bad deals, and complicated financing. Many are young and inexperienced in managing their finances -- and frequent moves can make them easy prey when they're feeling financial strain.

The problem is serious enough that an entire federal office is now devoted to protecting military families from financial fraud and abuse.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand brought Holly Petreaus, wife of CIA Director General David Petraeus, and head of to the new Office of Servicemember Affairs to Fort Drum last week. The office is part of the federal Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.
About 200 people turned out to hear about the office's work.

Joanna Richards was there and has the story.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Mar 01, 2012 — A unit at Fort Drum charged with helping wounded soldiers transition to civilian life was given a scathing review in a report by the Department of Defense Inspector General's Office. According to the report, the Warrior Transition Battalion was seen as a "dumping ground" rather than a place to help soldiers heal. Medical recommendations were ignored, and morale was low, with some soldiers saying they'd rather be in jail or being "shot at in Iraq" than in the battalion. Joanna Richards reports.  Go to full article

Watertown, NY, Feb 03, 2012 — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced last week that the military wants to close some installations as its reduces its force size and winds down the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The process is called BRAC, for "base realignment and closure."

A spokeswoman for Fort Drum said the post isn't commenting on the announcement, but reporter Joanna Richards spoke with Carl McLaughlin, executive director of the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization in Watertown, about how Fort Drum may fare as the BRAC process takes shape.  Go to full article

Plattsburgh, NY, Jan 27, 2012 — Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced yesterday that he wants Congress to authorize a new round of base closures that could help the Pentagon save more than 500 million dollars.

That news angered Congressman Bill Owens, whose district includes the Fort Drum Army base near Watertown. Martha Foley has details.  Go to full article

Jan 18, 2012 — Fifty years ago, in the early morning darkness of Jan. 16, 1962, an Air Force jet bomber slammed into the top of Wright Peak, in the Adirondack backcountry near Lake Placid. The four crewmen on board all died when the B-47 went down. Wreckage scattered across the mountain's summit. Twisted remains still mark the site.

Chris Knight talked recently to some of the victims' family members and people who were involved in the search for the plane.  Go to full article

Fort Drum, NY, Jan 06, 2012 — President Barack Obama and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta announced sweeping plans for the country's defense yesterday. The new strategy has to accommodate a half billion dollars in budget cuts. Among other strategies, it predicts "smaller conventional ground forces." And a shift of focus to Asia.

The Army's 10th Mt. Division has been among the most heavily deployed units as America fought wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There were immediate concerns about what the new vision yesterday would mean for the Fort Drum. Julie Grant caught up with Congressman Bill Owens of Plattsburgh yesterday, and finds him optimistic.  Go to full article