2015 was a big year for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) at Fort Campbell, as well as other unit and branches of the military.
With deployments, changes in command, budget cuts, and more, here are the military highlights from the past year:
101st Airborne Division commander returns to Fort Campbell
Maj. Gen. Gary J. Volesky and 101st solders returned home from their deployment to Liberia in support of Operation United Assistance, the comprehensive U.S. government response to the Ebola pandemic.
101st receives second highest award for Ebola mission
The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) was awarded the Joint Meritorious Unit Award by the commanding general of U.S. Africa Command for their work fighting Ebola in West Africa.
Fort Campbell troop reductions announced
Fort Campbell will see a reduction of 363 troops over the next year. This number is much smaller than expected.
Fort Campbell soldier one of two women to complete Ranger School
Captain Kristen Griest, a Fort Campbell soldier assigned to the 716th Military Police Battalion, made history by completing Ranger School.
4 Marines killed in Chattanooga shooting identified
Tragedy struck this year when 4 Marines and a Navy specialist were killed in shootings at two military offices in Chattanooga.
159th Combat Aviation Brigade Inactivates at Fort Campbell
After 18 years of service, the 159th CAB colors were cased this year.
Fort Campbell’s 2nd Squadron inactivated
2-17 CAV’s OH-58 Kiowa Warriors have supported the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) for nearly 20 years.
101st Airborne Division soldier killed in Afghanistan
Spc. John M. Dawson, 22, of Whitinsville, Massachusetts, died April 8 in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when he was attacked by small arms fire while he was on an escort mission.
Wounded veteran, family surprised with new home
A local wounded veteran and his family received the surprise of a lifetime after they were told they would be given a new mortgage-free home in Clarksville.
Welcome Home Ceremonies
Soldiers were welcomed home to Fort Campbell during several ceremonies throughout the year.
Fort Campbell soldier shot, killed during training exercise identified
Pfc. Kevin J. Rodriguez, an infantryman with Company A, 1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team “Rakkasans,” 22, was fatally shot during a training exercise on post Oct. 6.
101st to deploy to Iraq, Kuwait in support of Operation Inherent Resolve
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) headquarters will deploy to Iraq and Kuwait with approximately 500 soldiers as part of the fight against ISIS in the Middle East.
Grave monument of 101st soldier vandalized
A community in Ohio raised money to replace the vandalized grave monument of Army Spc. Gerald Jenkins, who was a combat engineer assigned to the 1st Brigade Special Troop Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell.
Fort Campbell gymnasium dedicated to fallen soldier
Staff Sgt. Shaw was killed in Afghanistan in 2010 while saving the lives of 12 Afghan soldiers from enemy fire.
Clarksville’s oldest veteran honored at 103
103-year-old Sergeant William Shorter was presented with an original 48-star American flag.
Pilots killed in helicopter crash identified
The Fort Campbell pilots were killed during a routine training mission in Montgomery County.