U.S. Sen. David Vitter yesterday secured $29 million for Fort Polk during the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee markup of the Military Construction Appropriations Bill.
“This federal money will strengthen Fort Polk’s standing as an asset to our military and provide a permanent home for the Fourth Brigade/10th Mountain Division,” said Vitter.
The $29 million will go toward the construction of unit operations facilities that benefit the Fourth Brigade/10th Mountain Division at Fort Polk. These new facilities have been identified as essential to support the continuing transformation to Army Modular Force.  Fort Polk estimates that this transformation will result in an additional 1438 soldiers being stationed there.  This unit was activated in January 2005, and since that time the brigade combat team has operated out of a 30-year-old facility.
“It is crucial that we get this money for Fort Polk passed this year,” added Vitter.  I will continue to work with Congressmen Jim McCrery and Rodney Alexander to ensure that this becomes a reality.”
The Military Construction Appropriations Bill is expected to move to the U.S. Senate floor for a vote later this year.