The plan results in an increase of more than 74,000 troops within the Army’s ranks, and a surge in Fort Hood’s troop numbers by more than 3,000 soldiers.
The Army’s plan for integrated future growth and restructuring was unveiled in Washington, D.C., by U.S. Army Secretary Pete Geren and Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard Cody.
Brig. Gen. Frederick Rudeshiem, III Corps commander at Fort Hood, announced the plan and the anticipated changes that will take place before the end of 2011.
“This will bring Fort Hood just shy of the 50,000 troop mark that we’ve always known to be the optimal end strength for this installation,” Rudeshiem said.
Fort Hood will become home to the 69th Air Defense Brigade, and a logistics brigade.
The increase is aimed to relieve the strain on forces already stretched thin by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Originally the growth was to take place over five years. Now it will be done in three, the Associated Press reported.
The increase - which will boost the number of combat brigades from the 2006 level of 42 to 48 - will cost $2.63 billion. Roughly half of the 65,000 increase has already been achieved.
“The 3,000 number also represents additional troops that will be assigned to existing units as a result of transformation and modularity,” Rudeshiem said.
The plan to increase U.S. Army troop strength was authorized by President Bush in January and since that time, Army planners have been formulating a plan, based on socio-economic effects on communities, infrastructure support capabilities and ongoing operational requirements to support the Global War on Terror.
Along with Fort Hood, other Army installations, such as Fort Bliss in El Paso; Fort Carson, Colo.; and Fort Stewart, Ga., will see a substantial increase in troops because of increases and unit realignment, according to a U.S. Army press release.
“The decision to make Fort Bliss and Fort Hood their homes is another indication that Texas presents ideal conditions for our military. Our level of community support, space and climate for training are second to none,” said U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, a member of the Armed Services Committee. “The influx of new soldiers to Fort Hood will boost the importance of what is already the largest military installation in the free world.”
Cornyn added that the expansion of the Army’s ranks was critical to winning the Global War on Terror.
Meanwhile, Gen. Cody was among those who helped spread the news, which left Capitol Hill buzzing. “I spoke with Gen. Cody this morning about the Army’s plans to grow the Army and what that will mean for our Texas bases,” said Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchinson, R-Texas.
Rudeshiem said Fort Hood leadership has anticipated the potential growth since President Bush gave his approval to the Army nearly a year ago.
“Together, with the tremendous support of the Central Texas community, we have continuously shown that we can provide an unprecedented level of support and quality of life for our soldiers and their families,” Rudeshiem said. “As we continue to grow and expand, we are cognizant of the needs and requirements that our growth will generate, and we are proactively addressing those future expectations.”
Rudeshiem said he was confident Fort Hood and the surrounding communities would embrace the arrival of new soldiers to the area.
“This is a good news story for Fort Hood and our neighboring communities,” he said.
- The Associated Press contributed to this report.
