U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division ends mission in Afghanistan

KABUL, Afghanistan, Nov. 4 (UPI) -- The U.S. Army's 10th Mountain Division concluded its operations in Afghanistan on Tuesday.

The 10th Mountain Division, an infantry force equipped to fight under harsh conditions, first arrived in Afghanistan in fall 2001. The division completed five tours, including many operations in the volatile eastern region, and lost an estimated 177 soldiers to the protracted conflict.

"We were the first division here, and I think it's fitting we'd be the last" to complete a combat mission, said Maj. Gen. Stephen Townsend, the division's commander, following a ceremony marking the division's departure from rugged eastern Afghanistan.

The conclusion of the 10th Mountain Division's operations marks another step in America's withdrawal from Afghanistan.

President Barack Obama has announced that America's military presence in Afghanistan will be reduced to about 9,800 troops beyond 2014.

Despite the formal conclusion of the 10th Mountain Division's operations on Tuesday, Townsend said, "I expect our division is not done with this place ... I don't know that for sure, but I would be surprised if we are not back here in some shape, form or fashion."