Washington, Alaska Will Split The 16th Combat Unit, Colorado Gets New Brigade

The Department of Defense announced Wednesday the stationing of two Army Combat Aviation Brigades. The 16th Combat Aviation Brigade will be split-based and established at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA, and Fort Wainwright, AK, using existing aviation units not currently assigned to a combat aviation brigade. A new combat aviation brigade will be activated at Fort Carson, CO.

The 16th's stationing action realigns existing assets, resulting in an increase of approximately 1,400 new soldiers and 44 helicopters at Joint Base Lewis-McChord near Tacoma, WA. This action for the split-based CAB at Joint Base Lewis-McChord will begin in fiscal year 2012 and is expected to be completed by fiscal year 2014.

The Army recognizes Alaska as a strategic location and will continue to maintain a significant aviation presence there. This stationing increases the invaluable medical evacuation strength in Alaska by three additional aircraft in fiscal year 2013. It also validates the Army's commitment and support to the aviation infrastructure through military construction programmed for replacement and upgrade of the aviation facilities.

The new brigade activation at Fort Carson will result in a total growth in Army forces and equipment by approximately 2,700 soldiers and 113 helicopters. Fort Carson establishes the new brigade beginning fiscal year 2013 and is expected to be completed by fiscal year 2014.

The activation of these brigades will increase the capabilities of the active component of the U.S. Army and increase dwell time for aviation units between deployments in support of overseas contingency operations. These combined force structure actions represent integrated changes that support the Army's transformation requirements.

FMI: www.army.mil