CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – Maj. Gen. Brian E. Winski, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division and Fort Campbell, gave community leaders an update this week, including on where things stand on COVID-19, deployments and improvements to the post.
Winski was the guest speaker at the Clarksville Area Chamber of Commerce Power Breakfast, Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center. The event center will usually allow around 500 people, but with concerns over COVID-19 and social distancing, only around 100 were permitted to attend the breakfast, with the wearing of masks required.
The general began by talking about how Clarksville was a great place for his soldiers to call home.
“Most of our soldiers as you all know live in Clarksville. We have on base about 4,000 sets of family quarters, but the preponderance of the 45,000 family members and 26,000 soldiers live in and amongst your community and they really thrive there,” Winski said.
On the subject of COVID-19, Winski said as of today no one is hospitalized on post with the virus. If it is found a soldier is affected, there are systems with our medical professionals to keep them quarantined to keep it under control, adding there have not been any soldier or family member fatalities from COVID-19.
Most BCT soldiers are now home
Winski covered the training and deployments of 101st Screaming Eagle soldiers that have been going on over the past couple of years involving service the Middle East, Europe, Korea and Africa as well as across the U.S.
He added that at this time all the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigade Combat Team soldiers are now home at Fort Campbell, which is something he said hasn’t happened in a while.
The general also recognized the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and 5th Special Forces Group, which he said are perpetually across the globe for national security objectives.
Talking about growth on the installation, Winski said there are units that are going to establish at Fort Campbell in the months and years ahead. One of those will be an intel and electronic warfare battalion, which will be an increase of about 500 soldiers that will call Fort Campbell home.
Return to regular events
Winski also mentioned plans for many of the traditional events returning to Fort Campbell next year, saying he hopes the pandemic is behind us by then. He spoke about Week of the Eagles and recognizing Vietnam veterans in June 2021.
Next year is also the 30th anniversary of Desert Storm and 20th anniversary of operations beginning in Iraq and Afghanistan, with plans in the works for a celebration to honor those veterans as well.
Work is also underway repairing streets and roads, $52 million will go to modernization of barracks, with $87 million in housing improvements for military families at Fort Campbell. “Lots of work, lots of jobs, and lots of money going into Fort Campbell over the next several years,” Winski said.
“Despite this year’s challenges, and 2020 has brought many, Fort Campbell and the 101st continue to excel thanks to the great community we serve in. We look forward to the future and we’re excited about all that is in store and look forward to our next Rendezvous with Destiny,” he said.