Benning gets new brigade
Second combat team will bring 3,800 permanent soldiers to post in October 2006
Posted on Sat, Jul. 24, 2004
BY MICK WALSH
Staff Writer
Fort Benning, its soldier population already buoyed by thousands of additional basic trainees, will be home to a second brigade combat team in October 2006.
The light infantry brigade, which will bring 3,800 permanent soldiers and their families to the post, will be designated the 5th Brigade of the Hawaii-based 25th Infantry Division.
Although the brigade will be associated with its division headquarters, it will be capable of deploying as a separate unit.
It will join at Fort Benning the 3rd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division.
That brigade will be deployed to Iraq sometime in the next few months.
"This is a clear indication that the Army recognizes Fort Benning as an installation that knows well how to lead, train and care for soldiers and their families," said Col. Charles Cornwell, the post's chief of staff. Post commander Brig. Gen. Benjamin Freakley was not available for comment.
In its Friday announcement, the Department of the Army said the move is considered temporary until after the Base Realignment and Closure process determines which installations will remain once it finishes its work next year.
The new Fort Benning brigade will be one of 10 brigades added to the Army inventory over the next two years. Because the stationing is termed "temporary," the soldiers will be housed in modular barracks.
Fort Benning was selected because of existing capacities, available training space and current locations of similar units.
The Army will revisit the locations of these units during the 2005 BRAC process.
Soldiers assigned to the new brigade can expect to be there for up to seven years.
Fort Benning's military strength as of June 30 was 30,683; an additional 23,000 family members either reside on post or are part of the local economy.
Post spokesman Rich McDowell said Friday that advance elements of the new brigade will be arriving on post in the months leading up to October 2006.
Exactly where the brigade will be housed on post is not yet known. However, it's doubtful that it would be placed at Kelley Hill, home of the 3rd Brigade.
"This will be a significant impact on the area," said Cornwell. "We are still assessing and analyzing this decision and what it means to Benning and the surrounding community."
Fort Polk, La., Fort Richardson, Alaska, and Fort Hood, Texas, are scheduled to house new brigades in fiscal year 2005, which begins in October. The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, currently at Fort Polk, moves to Fort Lewis, Wash., and will become a Stryker brigade.
Joining Fort Benning as host of a new brigade in 2006 will be Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Bragg, N.C., and Fort Riley, Kan.
Staff writer Angelique Soenarie and the Department of Army contributed to this report.
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