Udall seeks helicopter or artillery brigade for Fort Carson

While Fort Carson my not get a fifth combat brigade under a Defense Department spending plan, it could get a different type of unit, U.S. Sen. Mark Udall said Tuesday.
Udall, a first-term Democrat, visited the post Monday and said he'll be working to get Fort Carson a brigade of helicopters or artillery to fill the void left when the Pentagon pulled its support of bringing a 3,500-soldier infantry brigade to Colorado Springs.
"The idea that's very compelling is bringing an aviation brigade to Fort Carson," Udall said in a telephone interview.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates last week said he wants to stop Army plans to add three more brigades to its forces, including one pledged to Fort Carson.
Udall said he agrees in principal with Gates' reasoning. By having 45 rather than 48 brigades, the Army will be better able to keep its units at full strength without keeping soldiers in the Army involuntarily under "stop-loss" rules.
Now, Udall said, he wants to turn Gates' plan "into an opportunity."
Fort Carson has been screaming for more helicopters for more than three years. Commanders say they need them to adequately train troops for Iraq and especially for Afghanistan, where helicopters are a prime means for transporting soldiers in the roadless mountains.
The post did get a 500-soldier helicopter squadron this year, but it is equipped with tank-killing AH-64 Apaches rather than transport craft.
Udall's push for helicopters could help change that. While Udall lacks seniority in the chamber, he is a member of the majority party and sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee, giving his arguments a degree of clout.
Udall also said Colorado Springs should be pleased with what it has, no matter the outcome of the fifth brigade argument. This summer, the post will add the 4th Infantry Division headquarters and the division's 1st Brigade Combat Team, boosting Fort Carson's population of soldiers from 18,100 to 24,600.
"There's going to be plenty of activity in the Springs and Fort Carson," Udall said.