Today Congressman Doug Lamborn received a preliminary report from the Army that Fort Carson is the preferred location for a new combat aviation brigade (CAB).  The Army expects to release a final recommendation in 30 days.  If the Army moves forward with this recommendation, the 2,700 soldiers and their families are expected to begin transitioning to the Mountain Post in 2013. In preparation for the new brigade, the Army is expected to request $224 million in Fiscal Year 2012 for five new construction projects to support the aviation mission.

 “I recognized the need for this brigade from my earliest days in Congress and have been advocating for it for years. This is an exciting development for Fort Carson, Colorado Springs, and our larger national defense efforts.

“This move would allow our ground troops to do more joint exercises with the helicopters, thus more closely simulating actual combat situations. As we have learned from Afghanistan and Iraq, training must take place in an environment that closely reflects conditions in theater.

“This aviation brigade would help support the long term viability of Fort Carson and would significantly enhance its war fighter capability.”--Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05)

Note:The Army is not considering land acquisition as part of this action.

Military Economic Impact to Region

$2.1 billion– Fort Carson’s economic impact to Colorado in Fiscal Year 2009. Carson is state’s second largest employer.

$5.281 billion—total direct and indirect impact of military spending in our region.  

 59,581 jobs -- military, government civilian, and contractors whose jobs are directly tied to Fort Carson. There is also an additional spin-off from this workforce to jobs in the private sector.

Approximately 70% of our military live off-base in our communities, paying property taxes and sales taxes when they purchase goods off-post.

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