April 27 2018
The Honorable Mark T. Esper Secretary of the Army 1400 Defense Pentagon Washington DC 20310-1400
Dear Secretary Esper
We write regarding the conversion of the Armys 2nd Brigade 4th Infantry Division from an Infantry Brigade Combat Team to an Armored Brigade Combat Team. As this conversion occurs we also write to express our strong support for the relocation of the 2nd Brigade from Fort Carson Colorado to one of Texass premier armor installations. The conversion of an Infantry Brigade Combat Team to an Armored Brigade Combat Team is a daunting task. Nevertheless as you look across the Army Fort Hood and Fort Bliss stand out as hosts for a unit of this size and composition.
In recent years the threats facing our nation from around the globe have grown and our men and women in uniform have answered our nations call repeatedly and often with little notice. Both Fort Hood and Fort Bliss are equipped with the infrastructure necessary to support the rapid deployment and redeployment of our forces. From rail access to the strategic capability of the Robert Gray Airfield and Biggs Army Airfield both offer the advantage of handling any size aircraft needed for rapid air transportability of personnel and equipment.
As highlighted in your recent study both installations have the capacity to receive a new Armored Brigade Combat Team due to unit divestitures and reductions in the Armys overall end strength. Until 2013 Fort Hood historically hosted at least five brigade combat teams. Over the last decade the military personnel strength of Fort Hood has descended from a high of nearly 54000 Soldiers in 2008 to a low of approximately 35000 Soldiers today; well under what it can sustain as an installation.
Similarly Fort Bliss has also faced force reductions and is well positioned to effectively absorb an additional Armored Brigade Combat Team. The Army has invested over $6 billion in new construction and helped turn Fort Bliss 1.12 million acre installation into the Armys primary power-projection platform for Overseas Contingency Operations. Fort Bliss is one of two active Mobilization Force Generating Installations (MFGIs) thats able to rapidly support the deployment and redeployment of entire brigades; a testament to the bases ability to support large numbers of troops and equipment.
For families the State of Texas offers superb quality of life including affordable housing military friendly communities recreational activities and easy access to services. Over the years our installations and the surrounding communities have worked together to identify and provide the best available resources for Soldiers and their Families assigned to the region.
As the Army prepares to convert 2nd Brigade 4th Infantry Division Texas two premier armor installations stand out as the best candidates to serve as their new home. Please keep our offices informed as plans develop or if you have any questions. Thank you for all you do for our nation.
Sincerely
Ted Cruz John Cornyn United States Senator United States Senator
