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Members of Colorado Congressional Delegation Urge Army to Locate 13th Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Carson

Press Release

Date: May 7, 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Transportation Military Personnel

Today, members of the Colorado Congressional delegation - Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet, and Congressmen Doug Lamborn, Mike Coffman, and Ed Perlmutter - wrote a letter to the top two Army officials, Secretary John McHugh and General George Casey, urging them to consider locating the 13th Combat Aviation Brigade (CAB) at Fort Carson. The 13th CAB, one of two being created by the Army, is scheduled to be fielded in Fiscal Year 2013.

The lawmakers wrote that Fort Carson would be the ideal location for the 13th CAB, due to its existing infrastructure and training opportunities, as well as the tremendous quality of life on base and in nearby Colorado Springs. They added that a CAB at Fort Carson would enable the soldiers there to work with Army aviation assets, which would allow them to learn standard operating procedures, tactics, techniques, and working relationships as they prepare to deploy. Such experience is critical to mission success and soldier safety, and they urged McHugh and Casey to consider that issue during their decision-making process. A NEPA analysis conducted for the Grow the Army Stationing Decision in March 2009 evaluated the impacts of the potential stationing of a CAB at Fort Carson, determining that Fort Carson has ample training facilities for an aviation brigade.

"The local, state, and federal leaders who represent the region have expressed strong support for the existing mission and the addition of a CAB. With affordable housing, tremendous community support, enviable weather, and easy access to any number of outdoor activities, Fort Carson has earned its reputation as "The Best Hometown in the Army - Home of America's Best,'" the lawmakers wrote. "We are enormously proud of our Army and of Colorado's role in supporting our soldiers and their vital mission, and we hope that you will keep us informed as to how we can provide the best possible support to you and our soldiers."


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