• Military Menu                       

• Introduction
• Systems
• Facilities
• Agencies
• Industry
• Operations
• Countries
• Hot Documents
• News
• Reports
• Policy
• Budget
• Congress
• Links

• WMD
• Intelligence
• Homeland Security
• Space

Vanguards open new brigade headquarters

August 25, 2011

By Sgt. Mary S. Katzenberger, 4IBCT Public Affairs

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Third Infantry Division Commander Maj. Gen. Robert "Abe" Abrams heralded in a new era of modernity for Fort Stewart and the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, Aug. 19, by cutting the ribbon and officially announcing the completion of the "Vanguards'" new Infantry Brigade Combat Team complex- the first of its kind on Fort Stewart and the newest IBCT in the U.S. Army.

Major General Abrams cut the ribbon alongside Third Infantry Division Command Sgt. Maj. Edd Watson; Col. Kevin Milton and Command Sgt. Maj. James Ervin, the Fort Stewart garrison command team; Col. Lou Lartigue and Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Altman, the 4th IBCT command team; and Col. Jeffrey Hall, commander of the Savannah District of the Army Corps of Engineers.

The ribbon cutting ceremony highlighted the efforts of division leadership, the garrison command, the Corps of Engineers, community leadership and six different construction contractors who partnered to ensure the bulk of the construction of the new complex was completed by June to support the 4th IBCT's redeployment from Iraq.

Construction on the $350 million, state-of-the-art brigade combat team complex began in July 2009. When the remaining facilities are complete, the complex will support 4th IBCT's daily operational need by providing everything from company operation facilities and motor pools, to a physical fitness facility and a combined medical and dental facility.

"It's an incredible gift to an infantry brigade combat team," Maj. Gen. Abrams said. "This is reflective of an Army at war [and of the] sacrifices that our Soldiers and Families have been making for many, many years. We're finally making an investment across the Army to give them the facilities that are commensurate with their sacrifices."

The nucleus of the brigade combat team complex is a 147,000-square-foot combined brigade and battalion headquarters building that houses the brigade command as well as the six battalion-level command teams, administrative areas, conference rooms, classrooms, space for a sensitive compartmentalized information facility, a brigade operations center and a network operations center.

Also constructed are six company operation facilities, six tactical equipment maintenance facilities, 20 barracks buildings and a dining facility. And construction is underway for an 80,000-square-foot physical fitness facility and a Soldier Family Care Clinic, which will provide medical and dental services for Soldiers and their Families.

At the conclusion of the ribbon cutting ceremony Abrams, Watson, Lartigue and Altman cut a cake with a cavalry saber, and guests received a tour of the Combined Brigade and Battalion Headquarters and a window tour of the 4th IBCT's new home.

"It is a great day for Fort Stewart and the 3rd Inf. Div. and the Vanguard Brigade," Maj. Gen. Abrams said. "And, it's a great day for the Army because we're delivering on a promise. I couldn't be happier than to be here to officiate."