FORT KNOX, Ky. (AP) — The Army has selected Fort Knox for a new corps headquarters, which will bring 635 additional soldiers to the central Kentucky post, federal officials announced.
The Army plans to activate V Corps Headquarters by October 2020, officials said.
“Fort Knox was chosen based on time required to facilitate activation of the headquarters, cost, the ability to facilitate future expansion if required and minimizing disruption to other, current missions at the installation,” according to a letter of notification from the Pentagon, The News-Enterprise reported.
The move came at the request U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, Sen. Rand Paul and U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, according to a joint statement from the three Tuesday that said the headquarters is needed for national defense and to support U.S. forces and operations in Europe.
“As the Army continues modernizing its force structure to counter evolving global threats, Fort Knox is best choice to meet our urgent national defense needs,” McConnell said. “With its unmatched level of community support, Fort Knox will offer V Corps a warm welcome.”
In addition to boosting the post, the headquarters is expected to have a positive effect on nearby towns.
“Because of what this is, it will mean growth and contractors interested in locating here,” Radcliff Mayor J.J. Duvall told the newspaper. “This will be huge for the community around the post.”
