As the Army embarks on a massive restructuring effort to move away from counter-terrorism to large-scale war, Fort Carson is expecting to see changes that will last several years.

The base does not expect to see an overall reduction in personnel as new units are created and others are disbanded and their soldiers reassigned.

Nationwide the Army would like to have 470,000 active duty soldiers, a reduction of 24,000 authorizations, but an increase of 20,000 people. The Army has struggled for years to meet recruiting goals.

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The national structure includes five new Multi-Domain Task Forces that will include intelligence gathering and synchronization, delivering non-kinetic space and cyber effects, such as satellite jamming, and delivering long-range fires, such as missiles, according to an announcement from the Army.

Fort Carson expects Multi-Domain Task Force number 4 will form during the early part of fiscal year 2027 on base, a Fort Carson spokesperson said in a written response to The Gazette. The federal fiscal year starts in October of the prior year.

In fiscal year 2026, a Mobile Protected Firepower Battalion will be activated at Fort Carson. The Army has selected the m10 Booker as its mobile protected firepower vehicle, also called a light tank.

The base is also getting Counter–small Unmanned Aircraft Systems Battery number 7 in fiscal year 2028. Ariel unmanned systems, commonly called drones, have planned major role in Russia’s war on Ukraine.

Before the additions arrive, the Army is planning to disband units.

Both 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team and 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team have cavalry squadrons that will be inactivated in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, the spokesman said. Cavalry scouts will be impacted the most as the Army shifts focus from counterterrorism to a focus on counties such as Russia and China, it said.

The 4th Security Force Assistance Brigade structure will see positions eliminated in fiscal year 2025. These brigades advise, support and assist allied nations, according to the Army.

As units are disbanded, the Army expects soldiers will be reassigned.

“The Army is committed to fully supporting individuals impacted by the new force structure. Depending on their specific circumstances, every Soldier impacted by the transformation will be able to reclassify into existing or developing military occupational specialties, move to other units on Fort Carson, or move to other installations to continue their service,” the statement said.

Contact the writer at mary.shinn@gazette.com or (719) 429-9264.

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