Site Essentials
- » Site Introduction
- » Comment Policy
- » Stryker Brigade 101
- » FAQ
- » Thank The Troops
- » Support Our Site
- » Contact Us
- » Terms & Conditions
In Memoriam
Browse Archives
Search Archives
Subscribe to SBN
Browse Our Shop
Awards
LES BLUMENTHAL; The News Tribune
WASHINGTON – The House late Tuesday passed a mammoth military construction bill that provides $378 million for projects at Fort Lewis.
The increase would cover the cost of additional housing and operation projects resulting from the decision to add 65,000 soldiers to the Army’s active-duty force in the next several years.
Fort Lewis is now considered one of the Army’s mega-posts, along with Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Fort Campbell in Kentucky and Fort Hood in Texas. With three Stryker brigades and the shift of troops back to the United States from Germany, roughly 30,000 troops are expected to be based at Fort Lewis. Other additional units include a new artillery and rocket brigade and a Special Forces aviation battalion.
Fort Lewis also serves 65,000 family members, a number expected to hit 80,000 in the next six years.
Overall, the final version of the military construction bill includes $672 million for the Army, Navy and Air Force bases in Washington state, said Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Belfair, a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. Dicks said that’s the largest amount he can remember during his more than 30 years in the House.
“We had a great year,” Dicks said. “This is another clear indicator of the Army’s high priority for Fort Lewis, which has now become the fourth-largest Army base in the nation.”
Though the Pentagon hasn’t indicated where the troops being added under the “Grow the Army” program will be based, Dicks said it seemed logical that some would come to Fort Lewis.
“The assumption is there will be more troops at Fort Lewis,” he said, adding that among other things the base could become the top Special Operations facility on the West Coast.
[...]