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The Likely Death of Fort Carson

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Contributed by: Dave Hughes on 6/22/2007

After the 383 to 34 Vote in the Congressional House against the Department of the Army even being funded to STUDY the expansion of Fort Carson (one of the most blatant misuses of Congressional power I've seen in a long time. ) neither Senator's Allard - lame duck Republican,nor Salazar - riding the last election bubble Democrat - know which way to jump over the Fort Carson /Pinon Canyon issue.

Allard has asked the Secretary of the Army what would be the 'economic impact' on blocking Carson getting expanded access to Pinon Canyon. As if he doesn't know. And Salazar has tossed up a bizarre idea about Carson 'stationing' a 4,000-soldier Brigade in far Southern Colorado to make up, economically, for the ranch loss of incomes.

Now I am still mad at the Colorado Congressional House of Representatives delegation- both parties including ALL but Representative Lamborn - ignoring the legitimate Training needs of the combat Army by trying to block Carson's expansion in Southern Colorado. I am mad because, as an old combat soldier I was forced to train a 1,000-man Mech Infantry Battalion AND a 4,000-man Mechanized Brigade (with 2 Tank Battalions) on the severely cramped and limited land at Fort Carson in the early 70s. Yet my mission was to be ready to quickly fly to Europe and fight trained Red Army mechanized divisions on the Elbe River. I know what CAN'T be done there.

Salazar's weird idea is that a 'brigade' could be permanently stationed in far southern Colorado.With housing and all the infrastructure needs for their entire families? Way over 50% of ALL volunteer soldiers in the Army today are married with children.) This is NOT your World War II or even Korean or Vietnam War draft Army when only a fraction of the young soldiers were married. And could and would for a two year enlistment live in a barracks with other soldiers. But schools, hospitals, commissaries, access to local colleges for continued education, all are essential support facilities needed on today's US Army posts to even HOPE to attract - and retain - 'volunteer' soldiers for the US Army.The last time the US Army was stuck out in such an out of the way Colorado place that Salazar points to was when the 1st Colorado Volunteer Infantry Regiment camped on their way south to whip the Texas Confederates during the Civil War in New Mexico in 1862! Even Spanish soldiers died in Southern Colorado in the 1600s.

Apart from that, what about the El Paso County and State Economic impact if the expansion is blocked? Because of the primary - (and to me vital) - fact that the troops could NOT be trained properly for mechanized combat anywhere in the world, the Chief of Staff of the Army would tell the Civilian bosses in DoD AND Congress that all Mechanized troops should be pulled out of Colorado completely.

The Army does NOT exist for the Economic benefit of the civilian society where it is stationed. Its Camps and Forts are placed. where Army units can get, and stay ready, for immediate combat half a world away. Combat Readiness for all types of combats the only purpose of the Army between wars. If the planned full 4th Mechanized Infantry Division is concentrated at Carson as planned - with its 9 Mech Infantry Battalions, 3 to 5 Abrams Tank Battalions, 5 or more Mechanized Artillery Battalions - can not train properly, and with live firing of ALL their weapons, on the postage stamp which is now Carson, the Army will simply write off Carson for EVER housing more than a token handful of troops. Not 25,000 but maybe 2,000. Thats a payroll difference of at least one BILLION dollars.

And DoD will inevitably then,during future Base Closing rounds nominate to Congress, that Carson be closed down entirely. The sheer cost of maintaining a full Army post, with large civilian employment, permenent and costly buildings, hospital, commissary, PX, family housing,schools, recreation and education facilities, would be unjustified. Carson will close just as other communities found their local posts shut down in the last two rounds of base closings.

Let me tell you besides,Colorado Springs has NEVER been able to sustain a healthy 'civilian' economy since the Cripple Creek Gold Rush of 1891 to 1928 WITHOUT an Army base and large Federal dollars, which it fought to get in 1941 when its only alternative hope, Tourism, was going to be killed by the War Effort.

So no expanded training room? No Fort Carson!

Got it?

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 9/7/2007 @ 7:53:52 PM

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Well, while Colorado Springs elected leaders fiddled and faddled, and the ranchers lobbied Congressmen yesterday the US Senate voted to PROHBIT even studying the training needs of the troops who will be at Carson. For a year. Thats it, Carson is dead.

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Submitted By: Dave Hughes

posted on 7/12/2007 @ 8:35:18 AM

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The Independent has, today, the best, and front page, article on Fort Carson's battle for expansion. Far better from what I have seen in the Gazette. (after all they interviewed me ) Read it http://www.csindy.com/csindy/current/

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Dave Hughes

Colorado Springs , CO

Dave Hughes has posted 69 stories and 79 comments since joining on 3/1/2007. Dave Hughes 's average story rating is 4.89.

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