U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., and U.S. Representative Buddy Carter, R-Ga.-01, applauded the decision by the U.S. Army to create a new Armor Brigade Combat Team at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Ga.
 
The Army will convert 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Combat Team to an Armor Brigade Combat team. The conversion is set to begin in summer 2017. This will be the second Armor Brigade Combat team located at Fort Stewart. Currently there are nine active duty Armor Brigade Combat Teams and five National Guard Armor Brigade Combat Teams stationed throughout the United States.
 
“The addition of another Armor Brigade Combat Team to Fort Stewart’s 3rd Infantry Division continues to highlight Georgia’s role in our nation’s ability to project power and provide security assurance to our allies,” said Isakson. “This decision by the U.S. Army underscores our ability to host critical strategic assets capable of deterrence around the world.”
 
“The Army’s announcement is great news and exhibits a continued commitment to our nation’s defense capabilities in Georgia,” said Perdue. “The additional armored brigade at Fort Stewart provides us with a more lethal army, increasing our ability to counter the rise of Russian aggression against our European allies as well as other threats around the globe. This is a testament to the proficiency and growing capability of all the dedicated military and civilian personnel at Fort Stewart.”
 
“This announcement is great news for our community as well as our national security as it strengthens the capabilities of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart,” said Carter. "As the threats we face around the world continue to increase and evolve, the additional Armored Brigade Combat team will be critical in addressing them. Without question, this decision is a direct reflection of the great work of the fine men and women on post. Fort Stewart remains one of the premier Army installations in the nation, and I will continue to work to ensure Fort Stewart keeps growing.”
 
As the security situation in Europe continues to deteriorate, the U.S. Department of Defense is reassessing its posture and ability to respond to those threats. Due to basing decisions and budget constraints, the U.S. no longer has permanent armor assets, such as tanks, stationed in Europe.
 
To accommodate for this deficit, Regionally Aligned Forces were established to provide the United States and our allies with additional security assurance by rotating forces through Europe and other areas of the world. The 1st Armor Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, at Fort Stewart recently returned home from the Regionally Aligned Forces mission in October where they participated in joint exercises with NATO partner nations in response to Russia’s actions in the Ukraine.
 
Growing threats from near-peer adversaries in Europe and elsewhere around the world have increased the demand for additional armored units to defend U.S. interests and our allies. The Army’s conversion of the Armor Brigade Combat team at Fort Stewart brings the total number of Armor Brigade Combat units located throughout the United States to 15.