Fort Carson: Difference between revisions
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'''Fort Carson''' is a [[United States Army]] [[List of United States Army installations|installation]] and a [[Census Designated Place]] located immediately south of [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] in [[El Paso County, Colorado|El Paso County]], [[Colorado]], [[United States]] and just north of [[Pueblo]] in [[Pueblo County]] Colorado. Fort Carson is the home of the Second and Third Brigade Combat Teams of the [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]], the Second Brigade Combat Team of the [[2nd Infantry Division (United States)|2nd Infantry Division]], the [[10th Special Forces Group]], the 71st Ordnance Group ([[Bomb disposal|EOD]]), the [[43rd Area Support Group]], and the [[First United States Army]] Training Support Division - West. The fort is named in honor of [[Brigadier General]] [[Kit Carson]]. |
'''Fort Carson''' is a [[United States Army]] [[List of United States Army installations|installation]] and a [[Census Designated Place]] located immediately south of [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] in [[El Paso County, Colorado|El Paso County]], [[Colorado]], [[United States]] and just north of [[Pueblo, Colorado]] in [[Pueblo County]] Colorado. Fort Carson is the home of the Second and Third Brigade Combat Teams of the [[4th Infantry Division (United States)|4th Infantry Division]], the Second Brigade Combat Team of the [[2nd Infantry Division (United States)|2nd Infantry Division]], the [[10th Special Forces Group]], the 71st Ordnance Group ([[Bomb disposal|EOD]]), the [[43rd Area Support Group]], and the [[First United States Army]] Training Support Division - West. The fort is named in honor of [[Brigadier General]] [[Kit Carson]]. |
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The post had a total population of 10,566 at the [[United States Census, 2000|U.S. Census 2000]].{{GR|2}} The [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] Post Office ([[ZIP Code]] 80913) serves Fort Carson postal addresses.<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web | year = [[December 14]] [[2006]] | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup| format = [[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] | publisher = United States Postal Service | accessdate = December 14 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> |
The post had a total population of 10,566 at the [[United States Census, 2000|U.S. Census 2000]].{{GR|2}} The [[Colorado Springs, Colorado|Colorado Springs]] Post Office ([[ZIP Code]] 80913) serves Fort Carson postal addresses.<ref name=ZIPcode>{{cite web | year = [[December 14]] [[2006]] | url = http://zip4.usps.com/zip4/citytown.jsp | title = ZIP Code Lookup| format = [[JavaScript]]/[[HTML]] | publisher = United States Postal Service | accessdate = December 14 | accessyear = 2006}}</ref> |
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Revision as of 22:45, 26 June 2007
| Fort Carson | |
|---|---|
| Outside of Colorado Springs | |
   Shoulder sleeve insignia of units stationed at Fort Carson | |
| Type | Army post |
| Site information | |
| Controlled by | United States |
| Site history | |
| Built | January 31, 1942 |
| In use | 1942-present |
| Garrison information | |
| Garrison | elements of 2nd and 4th Infantry Divisions 10th Special Forces Group |
Fort Carson is a United States Army installation and a Census Designated Place located immediately south of Colorado Springs in El Paso County, Colorado, United States and just north of Pueblo, Colorado in Pueblo County Colorado. Fort Carson is the home of the Second and Third Brigade Combat Teams of the 4th Infantry Division, the Second Brigade Combat Team of the 2nd Infantry Division, the 10th Special Forces Group, the 71st Ordnance Group (EOD), the 43rd Area Support Group, and the First United States Army Training Support Division - West. The fort is named in honor of Brigadier General Kit Carson.
The post had a total population of 10,566 at the U.S. Census 2000.Template:GR The Colorado Springs Post Office (ZIP Code 80913) serves Fort Carson postal addresses.[1]
History
Fort Carson was established in 1942, following Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor. The city of Colorado Springs, Colorado purchased land south of the city and donated it to the War Department. Construction began immediately and the first building, the camp headquarters, was completed January 31, 1942. Camp Carson was named in honor of the legendary Army scout, Gen. Christopher "Kit" Carson, who explored much of the West in the 1800s.
At the construction's peak, nearly 11,500 workers were employed on various construction projects at the new camp. Facilities were provided for 35,173 enlisted men, 1,818 officers and 592 nurses. Nearly all of the buildings were of the mobilization type construction with wood sided exteriors. The hospital was of the semi-permanent type concrete block and had space for 1,726 beds with an expansion capability of 2,000 beds. The 89th Infantry Division was the first major unit to be activated at Camp Carson. During World War II, over 100,000 soldiers trained at Camp Carson. Along with three other infantry divisions - the 71st Infantry Division, 104th Infantry Division and 10th Mountain Division - more than 125 units were activated at Camp Carson and more than 100 others were transferred to the Mountain post from other installations.
Nurses, cooks, mule packers, tank battalions, a Greek infantry battalion, and an Italian ordnance company - literally soldiers of every variety - trained at Camp Carson during the war years. Camp Carson was also home to nearly 9,000 Axis prisoners of war - mostly Italians and Germans. The internment camp at Camp Carson opened on the first day of 1943. These POWs alleviated the manpower shortage in Colorado by doing general farm work, canning tomatoes, cutting corn, and aiding in logging operations on Colorado's Western Slope.
Between 1942 and 1956, pack mules were a common sight at Camp Carson. The first shipment arrived by train from Nebraska in July 1942. The mules were used by Field artillery (Pack) battalions to carry equipment, weapons and supplies over mountainous terrain. The most famous of these animals was Hambone, the pride of the 4th Field Artillery Regiment. For 13 years, he carried First Sergeants up Ute Pass to Camp Hale. Camp Hale, located near Leadville, Colorado was where the Army conducted cold weather and mountain warfare training. Hambone died in March 1971, and was buried with full military honors.
Activity at Camp Carson was greatly reduced following the end of World War II. By April 1946, the military strength at the Mountain Post had dropped to around 600. It appeared that Camp Carson would be closed. With the onset of the Korean War however, activity once again increased. Many Reserve and National Guard units were called to active duty and stationed at Camp Carson during this time.
Camp Carson became "Fort Carson" in 1954. In the 1960s, mechanized units were assigned to the Mountain Post. At this time additional training land was purchased, bringing the post to its current size of 140,000 acres (570 km²). Throughout its history Fort Carson has been home to nine divisions. An additional training area, comprising 237,000 acres (959 km²), was purchased in September 1983. Named the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, this training area is located approximately 100 miles to the southeast, and is used for large force-on-force maneuver training. Comprehensive maneuver and live fire training also occurs down range at Fort Carson.
Exercises and deployments continually hone the skills of the Fort Carson Soldiers. When not deployed, soldiers train annually at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site and the National Training Center in California. Additionally, units participate in joint exercises around the world, including Central and South Africa, Europe, and Southwest Asia. In 2003, most Fort Carson units were deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Troops were also sent in support of the guard mission at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. President George W. Bush addressed the troops and family members on November 24, 2003, in praise of the soldier's determination and the sacrifices their families have made. Fort Carson's beautiful scenery has made it one of the most requested duty stations in the U.S. Army.
Geography
Fort Carson is located at 38°44'45" North, 104°47'6" West (38.745744, -104.784907).Template:GR
According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 24.3 km² (9.4 mi²). 24.3 km² (9.4 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 10,566 people, 1,679 households, and 1,620 families residing on base. The population density is 434.9/km² (1,126.8/mi²). There are 2,664 housing units at an average density of 75.9/km² (196.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the base is 62.75% White, 20.01% African American, 2.14% Asian, 1.67% Native American, 0.75% Pacific Islander, 7.94% from other races, and 4.75% from two or more races. 15.39% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,664 homes on base for military members and their families. 1823 of these are older, but completely renovated. 841 new homes were built between 1999 and 2004 after Fort Carson became the first Army base to privatize its housing operation. 84.9% of the households have children under the age of 18 living with them, 85.4% are married couples living together, 9.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 3.5% are non-families. 3.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 0.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.70 and the average family size is 3.74.
At the base the population is spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 37.1% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 1.2% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 22 years. For every 100 females there are 195.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 251.7 males.
The median income for a household on base is $34,883, and the median income for a family is $34,385. Males have a median income of $19,865 versus $17,582 for females. The per capita income for the base is $12,772. 9.4% of the population and 7.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 12.1% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Pinon Canyon Expansion Proposal
On 2007-02-14 the Army announced it was moving forward with a plan to expand the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in southeastern Colorado.[1] If expanded, Pinon Canyon would be the Army's largest training ground in the nation.[citation needed] At 650,000 acres (2630 km²), it would be larger than the state of Rhode Island. The Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition says that maps it has obtained from the army show a "Future Expansion area" that includes more than two million acres (8000 km²), most of the area south of La Junta, Colorado and east of Interstate 25[2].
External links
References
- ^ "ZIP Code Lookup" (JavaScript/HTML). United States Postal Service. December 14 2006. Retrieved December 14.
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