Get to Know the Mission and Unique Customers at Fort Drum
Named in honor of Lt. Gen. Hugh A. Drum, who served in both world wars and was president of the company that managed the Empire State Building.
Maj. Gen. Frederick Grant (son of Ulysses Grant) purchased the land in upstate New York in 1908.
Originally named Camp Pine, units used the favorable summer climate to train.
The post wasn’t named Fort Drum until 1974.
The 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) arrived at Fort Drum in 1985.
During WWII, the 10th was the only division to receive special mountain training. They retain the “Mountain” designation to this day.
Since 2001, the 10th’s four brigades have deployed more than 20 times.
The coldest day on Fort Drum was Jan. 16, 1994 (-43 degrees F).
Fort Drum’s proximity to Lake Ontario causes lake effect snow, which dumps large amounts of snow in very little time.
In winter 2013, the area was blasted with more than 189 inches of snow.