FORT DRUM, N.Y. — In May, Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), participated in Mountain Peak 25-01, a brigade-level, large-scale combat operation training exercise designed to prepare the unit for an upcoming rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Johnson, Louisiana, later this summer.
The exercise began with a joint forcible entry operation, in which units from the 2nd BCT and 10th Combat Aviation Brigade inserted forces into contested terrain. After the initial objective was secured, brigade elements shifted into a force-on-force scenario, in which supporting units took on critical roles throughout the operation.
Throughout the training, units maneuvered across rugged terrain and executed coordinated assaults to secure key objectives.
“It’s pretty impressive, just the level of planning that has to go into making sure logistics, tactics, maneuvering — all of it — comes together,” said 1st Lt. Rex Jones, a platoon leader with 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment. “And making sure every section gets something out of this, not just one or two.”
The Multi-Functional Reconnaissance Company operated forward of friendly lines, providing commanders with battlefield intelligence throughout the operation. Teams conducted close reconnaissance while avoiding detection to collect information and report on enemy positions.
“We bring a lot of diverse experience to the table,” said Staff Sgt. Austin Tyson, senior team chief with MFRC. “That gives us the operational freedom to make autonomous decisions and exploit weaknesses in the enemy wherever we find them.”
The 10th Mountain Division’s G3 team managed exercise planning and control.
“Mountain Peak is the only force-on-force event of this scale that we do here on Fort Drum,” said senior G3 exercise coordinator Will McNutt. “It’s a heavy lift to support from an exercise control perspective. Nothing else approaches the size and scale of Mountain Peak — many posts don’t even run an event like this for their brigades.”
Units conducted air assaults, coordinated movements across complex terrain, and integrated with aviation, reconnaissance, and multinational support assets.
Drone operators from the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre supported the opposing force with unmanned aerial systems. Their integration added complexity to the training and increased the realism of simulated threats.
“The scope and scale of this exercise have been instrumental in enabling our drone teams to build skills, push system limits, and foster seamless integration between units,” said Capt. Wesley Morfoot, staff officer, Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre.
“Through trust, commanders and their teams have truly empowered them with the freedom to innovate in the field.”
Training emphasized mission command, unit-level coordination, and adaptation against a live opposing force.
The exercise allowed Soldiers to rehearse key tasks under realistic conditions while gaining experience across the brigade.
Mountain Peak allows Soldiers to put their skills to the test and hone in on their proficiency. This ensures every 10th Mountain Soldier maintains readiness and lethality, ultimately preparing these Soldiers for real-world operations.
By SGT Samuel Bonney
