Kingston Testifies on Behalf of Fort Stewart

Press Release

Congressman Jack Kingston (R-GA) testified before the House Armed Services Committee today on behalf of Fort Stewart. Kingston used the opportunity to urge his fellow lawmakers to support the assignment of a new heavy brigade combat team to the post.

"Fort Stewart remains the ideal place for the Army to grow," said Kingston. "We need to use every opportunity we have to highlight the potential in our own backyard. The post has received the Army's top honor in the four of the last six years and has a community solidly in its support."

In his testimony, Kingston followed up on a letter he recently sent the Administration about its plans to move a brigade from Europe and asked that the Committee support his efforts to station it at Fort Stewart.

"Now the President has determined to withdraw a heavy brigade combat team from Europe in 2015," he said. "I would solicit your support on considering Fort Stewart as the new home for them. Fort Stewart has 280,000 acres, it is the largest post east of the Mississippi, and its impact area can accept live fire including the multi-launch rocket system. It is close to the Port of Savannah and, at Hunter Army Airfield, has one of the longest runways in the world."

If stationed at Fort Stewart, the brigade would add between 3,000 and 5,000 soldiers to the post in addition to family members and support staff.

The hearing at which Kingston testified was called by Chairman Buck McKeon (R-CA) to allow Kingston and other Members of Congress to testify on their national defense priorities in advance of the National Defense Authorization Act which must be enacted later this year.

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