Fort Stewart

Fort Stewart. Located in the Coastal Plain region of southeastern Georgia, it is the largest United States Army installation east of the Mississippi River by geographic area. Primarily serving as the home of the 3rd Infantry Division, the "Rock of the Marne," the post is a major power projection platform and training center for the United States Armed Forces.

History

The installation's origins trace to 1940, when the United States Department of War purchased vast tracts of land for a new anti-aircraft artillery training site, initially named Camp Stewart in honor of Brigadier General Daniel Stewart, a hero of the American Revolutionary War. During World War II, it became the primary training ground for the Army Air Defense Artillery branch, with troops preparing on systems like the .50 caliber machine gun and the 90 mm anti-aircraft gun. Post-war, activity diminished until its reactivation during the Korean War. In 1956, the Secretary of the Army redesignated it as Fort Stewart, a permanent installation. Its modern strategic role was cemented in 1974 when it was selected as the new home for the 3rd Infantry Division, which had returned from West Germany following service in the Vietnam War. The post has since been a pivotal deployment hub for operations including the Gulf War, the Iraq War, and the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021).

Geography and facilities

Encompassing approximately 280,000 acres across Liberty County and Long County, the installation features a diverse landscape of pine forests, swamps, and live oak groves characteristic of the Georgia Southern Rivers. Key facilities include the expansive Catterick Range complex for live-fire exercises, the state-of-the-art Wright Army Airfield which supports C-130 Hercules and UH-60 Black Hawk aircraft, and the large-scale Marne Urban Combat Training Site. The main cantonment area houses Hunter Army Airfield in nearby Savannah, Tricare medical clinics, the Fort Stewart Museum, and the Marne Gardens community. Its vast maneuver areas provide unparalleled training realism for heavy armored and mechanized infantry brigades.

Units and training

As the home of the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters, Fort Stewart hosts several of its major subordinate commands, including the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team and the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team. Other significant tenant units include the 3rd Combat Aviation Brigade, elements of the 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 188th Infantry Brigade of the First Army which oversees United States Army Reserve and Army National Guard mobilization training. The installation's premier training events include the Exportable Combat Training Capability (XCTC) exercises and the Joint Readiness Training Center-validated Marne Focus rotations, preparing units for CENTCOM and EUCOM theaters.

Economic and community impact

Fort Stewart is the largest employer in the region, with a combined military and civilian workforce exceeding 23,000, creating a significant economic multiplier effect throughout southeastern Georgia. The adjacent cities of Hinesville and Richmond Hill have grown substantially due to the presence of military families, supporting a robust network of schools, housing developments, and retail centers. The installation's spending on contracts, salaries, and construction profoundly influences the economies of Liberty County, Chatham County, and the Savannah metropolitan area. Community relations are strengthened through partnerships with organizations like the Coastal Georgia Military Affairs Coalition and events such as the annual Fort Stewart Army Birthday Celebration.

Environmental initiatives

The installation manages one of the largest sustainable land portfolios in the United States Department of Defense, overseeing critical habitats for species like the red-cockaded woodpecker and the gopher tortoise. Fort Stewart's Environmental and Natural Resources Division runs extensive programs in prescribed fire management, longleaf pine ecosystem restoration, and wetland conservation. It holds an annual Natural Resources Youth Camp and partners with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service on recovery efforts for threatened species. These initiatives ensure military readiness is balanced with stringent stewardship under the Sikes Act and the Endangered Species Act of 1973.

Category:United States Army posts Category:1941 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)