Fort Stewart Community Reacts to Halt of 5th Brigade

Bad news from Washington for the Hinesville community, as the Army announces a 5th brigade will not be coming to Fort Stewart.

The Secretary of the Army said Tuesday the Army has stopped plans for 3 new brigade combat teams at Fort Stewart, Fort Carson, CO, and Fort Bliss, TX.

The expected addition of nearly 4,000 soldiers and their families was expected to bring a huge economic boost to the area.

Third Infantry Division commander Maj. Gen. Tony Cuculo says it's simply an order they must follow. "I see nothing but a bright future for growth at Fort Stewart. Roger, got it. Fifth brigade combat team is not coming, is not growing at Fort Stewart," he says.

Millions of dollars in contracts for new facilities for the 4th brigade have been awarded. Cucolo says they hope those contracts will not be canceled.

"Let's build out that light brigade footprint at Fort Stewart, because we're forming a light brigade and we'd like to move the 4th brigade combat team," says Cucolo.

It's quiet at Sun Express Dry Cleaning and Alterations near the Fort Stewart main gate. Melissa Steidley says business has slowed a lot in recent years.

"At certain times we'd stay here way past 7:00 to help. We try to get everybody's clothes out the next day," she says.

Now this small business has seen hopes dashed for a potential revival.

"It's a little disappointing. We would have more customers if they would come here of course. If not, then we won't have as much business. But it's just a little sad," says Steidley.

Cucolo says a thousand new troops will still be coming to Fort Stewart, and there's hope for more.

"There are two brigades in Europe that may come to the United States. The three locations they might go are Fort Stewart, Fort Bliss, and Fort Carson, Colorado," says Cucolo.

Cucolo asked the Hinesville community to stay positive. "We'll get through this," he says.

The following is a news release from Fort Stewart.
Army announces brigade combat team decision

The Department of the Army announced today that Fort Stewart will not receive an additional brigade combat team. The Army delivered an information memorandum to Congress outlining how the Army will execute the Secretary of Defense's guidance pertaining to the 2010 budget today.

Fort Stewart, in addition to Fort Bliss, Texas, and Fort Carson, Colo., will not receive an additional brigade combat team as previously planned and the growth of additional brigades is on hold. The decision was characterized as intermediate.

The Army is adjusting its plans to comply with the 2010 budget guidance issued by Secretary Gates, and the leaders at Fort Stewart, both military and civilian, will continue to work to make this the best installation in the Army and a true Army Community of Excellence.

We are continuing to move forward with the military construction planned for Fort Stewart to provide the best living and work environments for our Soldiers, Family Members and Army Civilians.

The 4th Brigade Combat Team is currently transforming into a light infantry unit. The continued military construction will allow that brigade to fall in on a footprint that is designed for its units, Soldiers will occupy new barracks three years earlier than originally forecasted and needed motor pool space with new, modern facilities will help relieve congested work areas for others.

The additional brigade combat team was originally announced in December 2007.