McHUGH, CLINTON, SCHUMER, AND SPITZER ANNOUNCE ADDITIONAL GROWTH AT FORT DRUM
Washington,
Dec 19, 2007 -
United States Congressman John M. McHugh, Governor Eliot Spitzer, and United States Senators Hillary Clinton and Charles Schumer today received notification that the U.S. Army has selected Fort Drum to receive an additional 1,479 soldiers as part of the Army’s plan to grow and relocate forces. The decision was reached by the Army after months of deliberation and evaluation of bases around the country. Statements from all four officials follow below.
This latest projected increase will bring Fort Drum end strength to 20,275 in 2013 from 12,300 in 2003. According to the Army, Fort Drum is slated to receive 900 troops, over previous projections, as part of their Grow the Army (GTA) program. The additional 579 troops are part of a Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) that will be relocated from Schofield Barracks in Hawaii in 2013.
“Fort Drum and the surrounding areas should be extremely proud today,” McHugh said. “The Army’s commitment to add 1,479 additional troops speaks volumes about the outstanding reputation of the 10th Mountain Division and the incredible, state-of-the-art training facilities at Fort Drum. This effort to expand the troop levels at Fort Drum began with a community that supports the men and women serving our country and welcomes them and their families into the region. Altogether, this is wonderful news for Fort Drum and the benefits will be widely felt as we welcome these new troops to the North Country.”
“The decision to site these new troops at Fort Drum is a clear signal that this facility will play an increasingly pivotal role in our country’s defense,” said Governor Spitzer. “Fort Drum provides the most diverse and prolific real-world training environments and a state-of-the-art Power Projection Platform for the U.S. Army. Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division enjoy strong and widespread support from our citizens in the North Country and throughout the State of New York.”
"This is a welcome shot in the arm for Fort Drum,” Schumer said. “It will bring an economic boon to the North Country and assist Fort Drum in developing into one of the best military bases in the country. With the ongoing War on Terror, there will be a continuous need for the excellent and seasoned troops of the 10th Mountain Division."
“The addition of these soldiers further adds to the strength of this incredible military institution and its importance to Watertown and the North Country,” said Senator Clinton. “These troops will not only help to build the future strength and integrity of Ft. Drum, but they will also be a force in the growth of the economy throughout the region. As the most deployed division in the Army, the soldiers at Ft. Drum have proved their worth time and again, and I am pleased we are able to recognize their critical role in our national defense by making this investment in the future of the base.”
Background:
In October, individuals from the Fort Drum Regional Liaison Organization, Lt. Governor David Paterson and representatives from Congressman McHugh’s office along with aides from Senators Schumer’s and Clinton’s offices visited with Army officials at the Pentagon to underscore support for the placement of additional forces at Fort Drum.
Fort Drum is home to the 10th Mountain Division, the Army’s most frequently deployed unit, and is one of the Army’s most modern installations, making it uniquely positioned to house and train forces. Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division received a third brigade in 2004 as part of the Army’s efforts to create a more modular force.
This is part of the U.S. Army announcement of stationing decisions to support the President’s plan to grow the Army by 74,200 soldiers across all three Army components. The Army is undergoing the largest organizational change since World War II as it transforms to a Brigade-centric, modular force.
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