Fort Rucker barracks built to house more than 300 Army Aviation soldiers officially opened this week after U.S. Senator Katie Britt secured $41.2 million to finish the long-awaited project.
Britt (R-Montgomery) was joined by military and community leaders, as well as U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-Auburn) and U.S. Rep. Barry Moore (R-Enterprise), for the ribbon cutting of the new PFC Garfield M. Langhorn Training Complex, which will provide housing and support facilities for soldiers completing Advanced Individual Training at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence.
The complex represents Fort Rucker’s first new barracks since 1998 and will house approximately 320 soldiers. Britt secured the final $41.2 million needed for construction through the Fiscal Year 2024 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill.
“The men and women that serve here are heroes,” Britt said during the ceremony. “They deserve the quality of life and experience that their sacrifice put forth.”
Britt said the new facility will finally provide aviation soldiers with the modern living conditions they have needed for years.
“I know that this is going to modernize the living conditions for aviation soldiers in training, and it’s going to provide them with the facilities they have long awaited,” she said. “Look, this has been a long time coming. I’m grateful to our military leaders and grateful to our communities, and grateful to those who continue to bring attention to this.”
The project became Fort Rucker’s top Military Construction, Army priority in Fiscal Year 2019 after soldiers dealt with failed sanitary sewer infrastructure, electrical hazards, gas leaks, HVAC failures, mold mitigation issues, and aging fire protection systems.
The Army expects soldiers to begin moving into the new complex later this fall.
Britt also used the ceremony to place the project within the broader history of the Army and the country’s national defense.
“This year, America celebrates 250 years of freedom as a land of enduring opportunity,” Britt said. “We also recently celebrated 251 years of the United States Army.”
“For longer than our nation has existed, American soldiers have answered the call to defend our freedoms, to preserve peace through strength, and to protect our nation.”
U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville also attended the ribbon cutting and toured the first phase of the barracks.
Tuberville helped secure an earlier portion of funding for the project through the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act, his first defense authorization bill after joining the Senate Armed Services Committee.
Britt, who grew up near Fort Rucker in Enterprise, has made support for the installation a priority during her time in the Senate.
In addition to the $41.2 million used to complete the barracks, Britt secured another $28.4 million for Fort Rucker in the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
Those projects include flight control towers, a medical evacuation support facility, and an aircraft maintenance hangar. Britt’s office said she has directly secured $86.55 million for Fort Rucker.
“There has never been a more important time to invest in America’s military and national defense,” Britt said. “I remain committed to ensuring that our warfighter is the best trained, equipped, and ready across the planet.”
She also emphasized the importance of keeping Army Aviation and its personnel rooted in the Wiregrass.
“I look forward to seeing our soldiers move into these new barracks and in the next chapter of Army Aviation, maintaining and staying here in the Wiregrass,” Britt said. “Thank you for what you do. It is an honor to represent you and work shoulder to shoulder with so many of you here.”
The Army named the training complex for PFC Garfield M. Langhorn, a Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipient and member of the Army Aviation Hall of Fame.
Sawyer Knowles is a state and political reporter for Yellowhammer News. You may contact him at [email protected].
