Local military officials react to Fort Hood shootings

Shock and sadness, but no increased security were evident at Fort Carson, home to more than 2,000 soldiers in the 4^th Infantry Division who moved from Fort Hood to Colorado this summer.

Lt. Col. Steve Wollman, spokesman for the division offered his “deepest sympathy and condolences.”

“When an incident this tragic happens, it affects us all. It is a somber mood,” he said.

Fort Carson has taken “appropriate force protection measures” to ensure soldiers are safe, Wollman said, but he declined to be specific. As he spoke, a constant traffic of cars zipped through the main gate, suggesting that Fort Carson is not on lockdown.

Wollman said all ammunition is carefully controlled, and loaded weapons are almost never allowed in the main areas of the post. Soldiers who live on post are also required to store personal weapons at the armory. However, many soldiers do not keep their weapons in the armory.

Some soldiers at a local coffee shop near the post say it is not difficult for soldiers to bring a loaded weapon onto Fort Carson, even an assault rifle, despite the rules.

While visiting vehicles are subjected to intensive searches at all local military bases, those registered to military owners are waved through after a speedy identification check.

At Schriever Air Force Base, public affairs officer Denise Curtis said: “Everything is normal. We do not anticipate any changes.”

Peterson Air Force Base issued this statement: “The unfortunate events at Fort Hood, Texas today have not affected the security posture at Peterson Air Force Base. Our security experts constantly monitor all available intelligence and adapt security measures to provide appropriate protection for Peterson Air Force Base, including our 53 mission partners. Our thoughts and prayers are with those at Fort Hood who are affected by this tragedy.”

U.S. Northern Command at Peterson, responsible for defending against terrorist attacks on American soil, said leaders were monitoring the situation but "it has become apparent it has nothing to do with us."

A pair of fighter jets that flew over Colorado Springs were on routine training and not part of any heightened alert, the command said. 

The incident sent shockwaves through the community.

Retired Army Lt. Gen. Ed Soriano summed it up. "It's a tragedy," he said. "This is crazy."

Check back at gazette.com for updates.