Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-01) responded to the United States Army’s announcement today that it will reduce the number of uniformed soldiers at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield by 950 as part of a national draw down of 40,000 troops.
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Click here to view and download Congressman Carter's reaction
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“With global instability on the rise and increasingly unpredictable threats, this draw down is short sighted," said Carter. "Cutting troops at this time flies in the face of reality. I believe the number one responsibility of the federal government is to provide a strong national defense and I am increasingly concerned that we will render ourselves unable to respond to the threats we face around the globe."
The announced reduction in Army forces includes cuts to 4,350 soldiers from military installations in Georgia as part of the Department of Defense’s plans to reduce the Army from the troop strength of 490,000 to 450,000 by the end of 2017. Of the troops cut in Georgia, 3,400 will be eliminated from Fort Benning near Columbus and 950 from Fort Stewart.
“Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field is uniquely equipped and strategically located to deliver a devastating blow to our adversaries world-wide with its vast training areas, modern facilities and an extraordinary network of intermodal deployment options through nearby ports and on-post and nearby airports," Carter said. "With our unmatched capabilities, I remain optimistic for the future. We will continue fighting every day to attract new missions. Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield remains the right place to grow."
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and the home to the 3rd Infantry Division (ID). The “Rock of the Marne” has played an integral role in the Army dating back to World War I and up to present day Operation Resolute Support currently underway in Afghanistan. One of the reasons why the 3rd ID is able to preserve those levels of heightened readiness is because of the unique training capabilities soldiers have access to in Coastal Georgia.
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field was recently the host to a large scale brigade-level training operation as part of Marne Focus, which included a collaborative effort between the Air Force and Army in executing a simulated Joint Air Attack Team exercise. In February, the 63d Expeditionary Signal Battalion was restationed at Fort Stewart bringing 492 soldiers and their families to the post. Most recently, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field was awarded with the Army Communities of Excellence Award for the sixth time in June.
Carter represents Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Air Field in the United States Congress.
Please click here to view and download Congressman Carter's reaction.
