Lawton Constitution: Lawton Fort Sill will grow from Army restructuring

Lawton Constitution - Mitch Meador

The sun popped out at Fort Sill on Thursday after Army officials announced where the 40,000 cuts to its active force would be.

Fort Sill will have zero job cuts, according to Joe Gallagher, deputy to the commanding general of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill.

It’s one of only four installations that will see gains from the Army’s force structure decisions and stationing plan — and the only one seeing triple-digit growth, he added.

“Across Lawton-Fort Sill, and as a matter of fact across the state of Oklahoma, we share great economic news,” Lawton Mayor Fred Fitch said. “This news brings us reason to celebrate, to feel a pride, relief and immense gratitude ... We are truly, truly blessed, and we are humbled by this decision.”

Gray skies reigned elsewhere as the Department of the Army unveiled how it will reduce the regular Army from 490,000 to 450,000 soldiers. This reduction of 40,000 soldiers will occur in fiscal years 2016 and 2017. Of the 30 installations reviewed during the 2015 Supplemental Programmatic Environmental Analysis (SPEA), six domestic bases will lose 1,200 or more soldiers.

“Let me say that we empathize with those military communities and those soldiers and their families that are affected by (Thursday’s) decisions. As a military community, we understand the value of our soldiers and their families, and realize how reductions profoundly affect our national defense and individual lives,” Fitch said.

Gallagher reminded a gathering of community leaders that 18 months ago, Fort Sill was asked to look at the impact of losing 6,000 soldiers and 800 civilians.

“Most importantly, the town really jumped on board, put a campaign together led by the chamber, led by the city leadership, to get after telling the Army Lawton-Fort Sill’s story. Based on that, we have zero cuts,” Gallagher said to applause from the crowd.

Not only does Fort Sill escape the budget ax, but it is expected to gain 219 spaces as a result of decisions based on the 2013 Programmatic Environmental Analysis (PEA).

Two battalions will be relocating here by the summer of 2016 — 5th Battalion, 5th Air Defense Artillery (ADA), is coming to 31st ADA Brigade from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and the 2nd Battalion, 20th Field Artillery, will move up from Fort Hood, Texas, to become part of the 75th Field Artillery Brigade. Gallagher said an advance party from 2-20 FA has already visited Fort Sill to look at facilities. Leadership from 31st ADA Brigade has already gone to Joint Base Lewis-McChord to prep 5-5 ADA.

“We are happy the Army recognized what we have to offer the country here in the Lawton-Fort Sill community,” Gallagher said. “Adding both an air defense and a field artillery battalion will help Fort Sill continue to lead the future of Fires for the Army into the 21st century.”

“The great news that we are sharing this afternoon provides high-octane ‘economic fuel’ for local businesses,” said Jacob Brox, chairman of the Lawton Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce. “Many Lawton Fort Sill businesses have been anxiously waiting for today’s news — anticipating — on the sidelines — playing the guessing game — before making additional investments. Well, the wait is over!

“We wholeheartedly welcome additional soldiers and their families. Lawton-Fort Sill is ready to move forward with our economic development efforts,” Brox said.

"I’ve never been prouder of the chamber than for its leadership throughout this process. It led the charge. It unified, energized and inspired our community. I know that it will stay engaged on behalf of our members and on behalf of Lawton-Fort Sill.”

“While I am grateful that Oklahoma installations are unaffected during this round, the president needs to come to the negotiating table to reverse long-term funding restrictions on our national security,” U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Okla., said in response to the announcement.

Fourth District U.S. Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., said, “Any member would be proud to represent Fort Sill and the surrounding community that is so supportive of its mission and dedicated personnel. In the midst of force reductions at many other military installations, I am pleased that Fort Sill will experience a slight increase in the days ahead. Certainly, this gain is a testament to the quality of the missions, importance of the training and excellence of both the active duty and civilian workforce based out of Fort Sill.

“Fort Sill being spared cuts is certainly great news for Lawton, Fort Sill and the entire state,” Gov. Mary Fallin said. “Fort Sill is more than just an employer here in Oklahoma — the men and women of Fort Sill are part of our Oklahoma family. The citizens of Lawton are to be commended for their longstanding support of Fort Sill.”

Largest single-site employer in Oklahoma

According to Fort Sill Economic Perspective 2014, Fort Sill is the largest single-site employer in Oklahoma, bringing more than $22.5 billion into Oklahoma over the course of the last 12 years, averaging out to roughly $2 billion in outlays each year. The economic impact includes high-dollar items such as contractor construction and workforce salaries as well as the infusion of cash into local surrounding community businesses. In 2014, the soldiers, students, civilians, families and retirees associated with Fort Sill impacted Lawton’s economy directly by spending over $1.7 billion in areas such as housing, dining and retail.

In 2014, the post’s permanent party military population was 8,797, which, added to the 953 National Guard and Reserve personnel who work here full time, totaled 9,750. Civilian employees and contractors totaled 6,444. In addition, there were 25,027 family members and 28,473 military retirees or survivor dependents associated with the post.

On the training side of post, 434th Field Artillery Brigade grows the Army by transforming nearly 18,000 volunteers into soldiers every year. The schoolhouse brigades, 30th ADA Brigade and 428th Field Artillery Brigade, and the Marine Corps Artillery Detachment provide schooling to thousands each year. Fort Sill is also home to two Forces Command brigades, 75th Field Artillery Brigade and 31st ADA Brigade.

Online:Lawton Constitution