Washington, DC – Today, U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, and U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik wrote a letter to urge Secretary of the Army Mark Esper and Chief of Staff of the Army General Mark Milley to choose Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division as the next location for the newest U.S. Army Security Force Assistance Brigade (SFAB). Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division have the capacity and expertise to support the SFAB’s train and assist mission. The 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum has provided a number of personnel to fill the ranks of the 1st SFAB from Fort Benning and has deployed thousands more soldiers to Fort Polk to support training and certification requirements for the 1st SFAB. Fort Drum, the largest single-site employer in New York, is home to the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division, the Army’s most deployed light infantry division. Fort Drum has a long and proud tradition of defending America, training our troops since 1908.
“We write in regard to the forthcoming assignment of the U.S. Army’s new Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB). As the Congressional delegation representing Fort Drum and the surrounding community, we have heard that the Army is nearing a decision on the placement of its newest SFABs and we would like to draw your attention to the benefits of locating one of them at Fort Drum,” the members wrote. “Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division have the existing capacity, experience and infrastructure to support a new SFAB. Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division have supported a variety of Security Force Assistance and Advise and Assist missions during the past several years—sending Brigade Combat Teams around the world to accomplish complex missions.”
Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, was joined on the letter by U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-NY) and U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY-21).
The full text of the letter is available here and below:
February 26, 2018
The Honorable Mark T. Esper
Secretary of the Army
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 22202
General Mark A. Milley, USA
Chief of Staff of the Army
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 22202
Dear Secretary Esper and General Milley,
We write in regard to the forthcoming assignment of the U.S. Army’s new Security Force Assistance Brigades (SFAB). As the Congressional delegation representing Fort Drum and the surrounding community, we have heard that the Army is nearing a decision on the placement of its newest SFABs and we would like to draw your attention to the benefits of locating one of them at Fort Drum.
In placing the third and fourth SFABs, we believe the Army will benefit from stationing them at Divisional units best capable of providing the necessary level of support and training and that an experienced unit like the 10th Mountain Division is well suited for these requirements.
Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division have the existing capacity, experience and infrastructure to support a new SFAB. Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division have supported a variety of Security Force Assistance and Advise and Assist missions during the past several years—sending Brigade Combat Teams around the world to accomplish complex missions. Further, the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum has provided a number of personnel to fill the ranks of the 1st SFAB from Fort Benning and deployed thousands more soldiers to Fort Polk to support training and certification requirements for the 1st SFAB. Finally, with the loss of a BCT several years ago, Fort Drum has the existing infrastructure available to absorb a new SFAB.
As you consider where to place the final SFABs, we hope you will seriously consider Fort Drum. We are grateful for the strong partnership we have with the Army. The servicemembers, military families, and civilians stationed at Fort Drum perform incredible work in support of our national defense. Fort Drum is a critical part of the local community, which has long-welcomed new service members and missions. We look forward to your response and continued collaboration in enabling Fort Drum’s role in serving the American people.
Sincerely,