Fort Carson’s command expands
Post to oversee training for 200,000 in Guard, Reserve
By TOM ROEDER THE GAZETTE
Tens of thousands of National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers came under the command of Fort Carson on Tuesday in a move that will mean scores of new jobs and could bring large numbers of troops for training.
The post will oversee training for more than 200,000 part-time troops from 21 states. The greatly expanded role also brought a name change for the headquarters unit now on post, from 7th Infantry Division to Division West.
It’s a big job for a post that’s already growing by 10,000 activeduty soldiers.
“You worked hard last year; get ready to work harder,” Lt. Gen. Russel Honore, the commander of 1st Army, the Georgia headquarters for the new organization, told soldiers gathered for a ceremony. “We’ve got a tough mission, and it’s going to be a long war.”
Dozens of soldiers changed shoulder patches on their uniforms Tuesday to reflect the shift, but exactly what it will mean to people living in Colorado Springs remains hazy.
Maj. Gen. Robert Mixon, commander of Fort Carson and head of Division West, said he’s learning about his new responsibilities and wouldn’t speculate on how many National Guard and Reserve soldiers could wind up training here.
He did make a pitch to add more training space in Colorado, but didn’t specifically address a controversial Army proposal that seeks to double the size of the 250,000-acre Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, 150 miles southeast of Colorado Springs.
The change could pack a large economic punch, with thousands of soldiers per year going through training areas at Fort Carson and Piñon Canyon, said Brian Binn, president of military affairs for the Greater Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce.
Binn said the city’s retailers, restaurants and bars probably won’t see many additional soldiers because they’ll be busy training, but cash could flow to contractors who do everything from supplying food and water to maintaining training areas.
“Although much of the activity will be on base, there will be an impact in the community,” he said.
The post has facilities to house 1,500 Guard or Reserve soldiers at a time for training and mobilization, and is increasing that capacity to house a full brigade of part-time troops, roughly 4,000 soldiers.
Troops training under the new headquarters at Fort Carson include every type of unit in the Army arsenal, from Green Berets and helicopter companies to artillery units and armored brigades.
Fort Carson officials said scores of military and civilian jobs will be added at the post under the shift, although exact numbers haven’t been determined. Division West has positions allocated for 50 civilians and will be adding posts for Guard and Reserve soldiers to accommodate the training.
Honore said the change consolidates what had been a more complex training system under one general.
“Maj. Gen. Mixon will command that Army west of the Mississippi full time,” Honore said.
Maj. Gen. Mason Whitney, adjutant general of the Colorado National Guard, said he hopes the change will cut through some of the red tape for Guard and Reserve units headed to war.
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NEW ARRIVALS
Troops training under the new headquarters at Fort Carson include every type of unit in the Army, from Green Berets to armored brigades.
JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE Lt. Gen. Russel Honore is the commander of 1st Army, the Georgia headquarters for the new organization, Division West at Fort Carson.
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