KXRM Fox 21: New Brigade Coming to Fort Carson

By Rachel Welte

It is official, a new combat aviation brigade will soon call Fort Carson home.

Congressman Doug Lamborn announced Monday afternoon that the Mountain Post has been selected by the army to house the newly created 13th Combat Aviation Brigade.

It will bring 2,700 soldiers and their families, along with 113 helicopters to the area.

"This is an exciting day at Fort Carson, it shows the army and the military's recognition that we have a strong support for the military, especially here in the Pikes Peak area," Congressman Doug Lamborn said.

Lamborn said he was informed of the army's decision to bring the new brigade to Fort Carson during a phone call Monday afternoon with the Assistant Secretary of the Army Katherine Hammack.

He said the expansion will bring a quarter of a billion dollars in construction to the area.

"This hits our economy at a good time because we are struggling to come out of this poor national economy, and this is a shot in the arm that we need at this point in time for the Colorado Springs and surrounding communities," Lamborn said.

Lamborn said the soldiers will begin their transition to the Mountain Post in 2013, but he said the construction to support the troops will begin immediately.

In total, his office said the army has requested $224 million for fiscal year 2012 for five new construction projects to support the aviation mission, which Lamborn said is vital to the success of U.S. Troops serving overseas.

"Our national defense is enhanced when our soldiers can train with the helicopters, when they can train together which is more realistic," he said.

Some concerns have been raised about the noise the helicopters will make, but Fred Wisely, the President of the Broadmoor Bluffs Homeowners' Association said in a statement "We are absolutely thrilled with the announcement, the noise is good noise because the soldiers are defending our freedom and anything we can do to help them we will."

Congressman Lamborn said the army is not considering acquiring any additional land as part of the action.

FOX21 also called Fort Carson to get their reaction to the announcement, but were told the post will not be commenting until the Department of Defense makes their official announcement which should be in the coming days.

Link to Original Article: http://www.coloradoconnection.com/news/story.aspx?id=598253