Wednesday, March 30, 2011
The 16th CAB stationing action realigns existing assets resulting in an increase of approximately 1,400 new soldiers and 44 helicopters at JBLM. This action for the split-based CAB at JBLM will begin in fiscal 2012 and is expected to be completed by fiscal 2014.
The Army recognizes Alaska as a strategic location and will continue to maintain a significant aviation presence there. This stationing increases the invaluable medical evacuation strength in Alaska by three additional aircraft in fiscal 2013. It also validates the Army's commitment and support to the aviation infrastructure through military construction programmed for replacement and upgrade of the aviation facilities.
The new combat aviation brigade activation at Fort Carson, Colo., will result in a total growth in Army forces and equipment by approximately 2,700 soldiers and 113 helicopters. Fort Carson establishes the new brigade beginning fiscal 2013 and is expected to be completed by fiscal 2014.
The activation of these brigades will increase the capabilities of the active component of the U.S. Army and increase dwell time for aviation units between deployments in support of overseas contingency operations. These combined force structure actions represent integrated changes that support the Army's transformation requirements.
The FEIS and ROD are available to download and review.
For more information, please call Lt. Col. Craig Ratcliff, Office of the Chief, Public Affairs, Media Relations Division, 703-697-7550.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
The Army, in releasing a final Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) for the proposed growth, realignment and stationings of new existing Army aviation assets, counters its earlier preference for JBLM, choosing Ft. Carson, CO.
In Saturday's The News Tribune, the community learned the disappointing news: some but now not all 5,700 soldiers and 8,260 family members will come here. The current preference is that units already here, around 3,000 troops, will form a CAB and the new troops will go to Ft. Carson.
In responding to the announcement, spokespersons cited the region's lack of highway infrastructure to support additional troops - where clearly Ft. Carson's community could. While our local region and state departments have cooperatively addressed impacts from growth and the cycling of deployments, needed and necessary new capacity is not even on the horizon.
The Congress has recognized the imbalance of construction and growth on installations while feeder infrastructure off base languishes. The National Research Council has published a just released report calling for DoD investment in off-base highways.
We're glad to keep the 3,000 jobs, but acknowledge our state and regional lack of infrastructure development has lost out on 2,700 more jobs.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
The Military Affairs Forum heard a presentation about the JBLM Growth Coordination Study. Presented by Dan Penrose, lead planner for the City of Lakewood as administrator of the OEA/DoD study.
Among highlights are the handful of recommendations (buttressed by detailing of projects and specific programs) the community in collaboration with JBLM officials, should tackle.
Most striking fact: JBLM is the third largest employer and largest single-site employer in Washington!
Get the full presentation here.
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