Fort Stewart to Add New Armored Brigade
The United States Army will convert the 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team, stationed at Fort Stewart outside of Hinesville, to an Armor Brigade Combat Team.
The move indicates that Fort Stewart is likely safe in the next round of BRAC hearings, taking place today at North Georgia University in Dahlonega a possibility a State House Study Committee is preparing for in Dahlonega today. The transfer of valuable military hardware and fast-acting combat response units to Georgia indicates a long-term investment from the Pentagon in the state.
Armor Brigade Combat Teams are stationed in the United States, but rotate to overseas American installations, often to co-ordinate with our allies. The 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, also located at Fort Stuart, recently returned from Europe after participating in joint exercises with other NATO nations in response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine.
Due to post-Cold War restructurings, the United States no longer has permanent armor assets in Europe; Armor Brigade Combat Teams offer the United States the flexibility to move quickly if necessary. This will be the Army’s 9th A.B.C.T and the 2nd in Georgia, besides five additional A.B.C.T. in the National Guard.
The restructuring is a victory for Senators Isakson and Perdue and Congressman Buddy Carter, who have fought to maintain and expand the military’s footprint in Georgia. This is the second high-profile military expansion in as many days. Their comments are below the fold:
From the Joint Press Release:
“The addition of another Armor Brigade Combat Team to Fort Stewart’s 3rd Infantry Division continues to highlight Georgia’s role in our nation’s ability to project power and provide security assurance to our allies,” said Senator Isakson. “This decision by the U.S. Army underscores our ability to host critical strategic assets capable of deterrence around the world.”
“The Army’s announcement is great news and exhibits a continued commitment to our nation’s defense capabilities in Georgia,” said Senator Perdue. “The additional armored brigade at Fort Stewart provides us with a more lethal army, increasing our ability to counter the rise of Russian aggression against our European allies as well as other threats around the globe. This is a testament to the proficiency and growing capability of all the dedicated military and civilian personnel at Fort Stewart.”
“This announcement is great news for our community as well as our national security as it strengthens the capabilities of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart,” said Congressman Carter. “As the threats we face around the world continue to increase and evolve, the additional Armored Brigade Combat team will be critical in addressing them. Without question, this decision is a direct reflection of the great work of the fine men and women on post. Fort Stewart remains one of the premier Army installations in the nation, and I will continue to work to ensure Fort Stewart keeps growing.”
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Chet Martin
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The move indicates that Fort Stuart (sic) is likely safe in the next round of BRAC hearings, taking place today at North Georgia University in Dahlonega.
You may want to reword this sentence. The meeting in North Georgia is a Georgia House Study Committee studying the potential affect of a future BRAC round on GA. There is no current BRAC and the last one was in 2005.
Thanks. Updated to reflect that.
No worries. I didn’t mean to come across as critical and I should have thanked you for the informative post by the way.
Not at all! I am by no means an expert in any of this, and appreciate help when I can get it
It might have been more cost effective to keep the 3rd BDE active, and deactivate the 2nd BDE. The 3rd was already an ABCT. But since it is not their money, who cares about cost efficiency?