Fort Bragg (North Carolina)

:"The article is about the US Army post in North Carolina. For the City in California with the same name, see Fort Bragg, California"Infobox Military Structure
name=Fort Bragg
location=Near Fayetteville, North Carolina


caption=Shoulder sleeve insignia of units stationed at Fort Bragg
type=Military Base
built=1918
materials=
used=1918-Present
controlledby=United States
garrison=XVIII Airborne Corps
82nd Airborne Division
1st Special Forces Operational Detachment-Delta
John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
commanders=
battles=Infobox Settlement
official_name = Fort Bragg, North Carolina
settlement_type = CDP
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location of Fort Bragg, North Carolina


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = North Carolina
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Cumberland
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 49.2
area_land_km2 = 49.1
area_water_km2 = 0.2
area_total_sq_mi = 19.0
area_land_sq_mi = 18.9
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 29183
population_density_km2 = 594.6
population_density_sq_mi = 1540.0

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m =
elevation_ft =
latd = 35 |latm = 8 |lats = 21 |latNS = N
longd = 78 |longm = 59 |longs = 57 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 28307, 28310
area_code = 910
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 37-24260GR|2
blank1_name =
blank1_info =
website =
footnotes =

Fort Bragg is a major United States Army installation, in Harnett, Cumberland, and Hoke Counties, North Carolina, U.S., near Fayetteville. It is also a census-designated place and as of 2000, had a population of 29,183. The fort is named for Confederate Army General Braxton Bragg.

History

Camp Bragg was established on September 4th, 1918, as an artillery training ground. It was named for a native North Carolinian, Gen. Braxton Bragg, who fought in the Civil War. In early 1921, two field artillery units, the 13th and 17th Field Artillery Brigades, began training at Camp Bragg.

Camp Bragg was renamed Fort Bragg, to signify becoming a permanent Army post, on September 30th, 1922. The Field Artillery Board was transferred to Fort Bragg on February 1st, 1922. From 1923 to 1924, permanent structures were constructed on Fort Bragg, including four brick barracks, which still stand. [cite web | title=History of Fort Bragg, 1919-1939 |url=http://www.bragg.army.mil/history/HistoryPage/History%20of%20Fort%20Bragg/Founding1919through1939.htm| work=http://www.bragg.army.mil/ Fort Bragg’s online website| accessdate=January 25 | accessyear=2007]

World War II

By 1940, the population of Fort Bragg had reached 5,400, but in the following year, that number ballooned to 67,000. Various units trained at Fort Bragg during World War II, including the 9th Infantry Division, 2nd Armored Division, 82nd Airborne Division, 100th Infantry Division, and various field artillery groups. The population reached a peak of 159,000 during the war years. [cite web | title=History of Fort Bragg, 1940s |url=http://www.bragg.army.mil/history/HistoryPage/History%20of%20Fort%20Bragg/FortBragginthe1940s.htm| work=http://www.bragg.army.mil/ Fort Bragg’s online website| accessdate=January 25 | accessyear=2007]

Postwar

Following World War II, the 82nd Airborne Division was permanently stationed at Fort Bragg, the only large unit there for some time. In July 1951, the XVIII Airborne Corps was reactivated at Fort Bragg. Fort Bragg became a center for unconventional warfare, with the creation of the Psychological Warfare Center in April 1952, followed by the 10th Special Forces Group. [cite web | title=History of Fort Bragg, 1950s |url=http://www.bragg.army.mil/history/HistoryPage/History%20of%20Fort%20Bragg/FortBragginthe1950s.htm| work=http://www.bragg.army.mil/ Fort Bragg’s online website| accessdate=January 25 | accessyear=2007]

Vietnam War

In 1961, the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) & The 29th Artillery was activated at Fort Bragg, with the mission of training counter-insurgency forces in Southeast Asia. Also in 1961, the "Iron Mike" statue, a tribute to all Airborne soldiers, past, present and future, was dedicated. [cite web | title=History of Fort Bragg, 1960s |url=http://www.bragg.army.mil/history/HistoryPage/History%20of%20Fort%20Bragg/FortBragginthe1960s.htm| work=http://www.bragg.army.mil/ Fort Bragg’s online website| accessdate=January 25 | accessyear=2007] In June of 1972, the 1st Corps Support Command arrived at Fort Bragg. [cite web | title=History of Fort Bragg, 1970s |url=http://www.bragg.army.mil/history/HistoryPage/History%20of%20Fort%20Bragg/FortBragginthe1970s.htm| work=http://www.bragg.army.mil/ Fort Bragg’s online website| accessdate=January 25 | accessyear=2007]

1980s

The 1980s saw a series of deployments of tenant units to the Caribbean, first to Grenada in 1983, Honduras in 1988, and to Panama in 1989. The 5th Special Forces Group departed Fort Bragg in the late 1980s. [cite web | title=History of Fort Bragg |url=http://www.bragg.army.mil/history/HistoryPage/History%20of%20Fort%20Bragg/FortBragginthe1980s.htm| work=http://www.bragg.army.mil/ Fort Bragg’s online website| accessdate=January 25 | accessyear=2007]

1990s

In 1990, the XVIII Airborne Corps along with 82nd Airborne Division deployed to Kuwait in support of Operation Desert Storm. The mid and late 90s saw increased modernization of the facilities on Fort Bragg. The World War II wooden barracks were largely removed, a new main post exchange was built, and the Devers Elementary School was opened, along with several other projects. [cite web | title=History of Fort Bragg, 1990s |url=http://www.bragg.army.mil/history/HistoryPage/History%20of%20Fort%20Bragg/FortBragginthe1990s.htm| work=http://www.bragg.army.mil/ Fort Bragg’s online website| accessdate=January 25 | accessyear=2007]

21st century

Following the invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, the units on Fort Bragg have seen a sizeable increase to their OPTEMPO, with units conducting two, three, or even four or more deployments to combat zones. The Korean War-era barracks that house the 82nd Airborne Division are currently (as of time of writing: January 2007) being torn down and replaced. FORSCOM is scheduled to relocate to Fort Bragg by 2011.

Tenant units

Several airborne units of the U.S. Army are stationed at Fort Bragg, notably the XVIII Airborne Corps HQ, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC). In addition to these and other tenant units, Pope Air Force Base is also adjacent to Fort Bragg.

Other units stationed at Fort Bragg include the:
*1st Sustainment Command (Theater)
*1st SFOD-D
*3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne)
*3rd Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment
*4th Psychological Operations Group
*7th Special Forces Group (Airborne)
*16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne)
*18th Aviation Brigade (inactivated in 2006)
*18th Fires Brigade
*20th Engineer Brigade (Airborne)
*35th Signal Brigade (deactivated and colors moved to Fort Gordon, GA, as a non-Airborne unit)
*44th Medical Command
*95th Civil Affairs Brigade (Airborne)
*101st Chemical Company
*112th Special Operations Signal Battalion (Airborne)
*B Company, 249th Engineer Battalion (Prime Power)
* 270th Signal Company (Airborne)
*525th Battlefield Surveillance Brigade
*722nd Ordnance Company (EOD)
*108th ADA Brigade
*John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School
*Joint Communications Unit
*U.S. Army Parachute Team
*Womack Army Medical Center

Geography

Fort Bragg is at 35°8'21" North, 78°59'57" West (35.139064, -78.999143)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the base has a total area of 19.0 square miles (49.2 km²), of which, 19.0 square miles (49.1 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.2 km²) of it is water. The total area is 0.32% water.

According to the Army Officer's Guide by LTC(R) Keith E. Bonn, Fort Bragg occupies 148,609 acres (232.2 sq mi). The main gate is located 10 miles northwest of Fayetteville, adjacent to Highway 24.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there are 29,183 people, 4,315 households, and 4,215 families residing on the base. The population density is 1,540.0 people per square mile (594.6/km²). There are 4,420 housing units at an average density of 233.3/sq mi (90.1/km²).

Racial makeup

The racial makeup of the base is 58.05% white, 25.25% African-American, 1.15% Native American, 1.84% Asian, 0.87% Pacific Islander, 8.29% from other races, and 4.55% from two or more races. 15.77% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Households

There are 4,315 households out of which 85.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 88.9% are married couples living together, 7.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 2.3% are non-families. 2.1% of all households are made up of individuals and 0.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 3.72 and the average family size is 3.74.

Ages

The age distribution is 25.8% under the age of 18, 40.9% from 18 to 24, 32.3% from 25 to 44, 1.1% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 22 years. For every 100 females there are 217.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 293.5 males. All of these statistics are typical for military bases.

Income

The median income for a household on the base is $30,106, and the median income for a family is $29,836. 10.0% of the population and 9.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.4% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Events of note

* In 1967, Manuel Noriega, who would later go on to become the dictator of Panama, received Psyop training at this location.
* On February 17th, 1970, the pregnant wife and two daughters of Jeffrey R. MacDonald were murdered. The events surrounding the murders were retold in the book Fatal Vision, itself made into a television miniseries of the same name.
* On October 27th, 1995, William Kreutzer Jr. opened fire at Fort Bragg, killing an officer and wounding 18 other soldiers.
* On June 28, 2005, President George W. Bush gave a nationally televised speech at Fort Bragg to reaffirm the United States' mission in Iraq.
*On April 2008, after YouTube video posting video over the living condition in Fort Bragg barracks, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Dick Cody describe "there's no excuse." Officials at the base acknowledged there are serious problems. Ed Frawley said the Army had promised to have new barracks ready when his son's unit, part of the 82nd Airborne Division, returned. However, the construction was behind schedule, so the unit lived in the 50-year-old buildings after the unit's return. [ [http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/04/28/barracks.bragg/index.html Dad's video of run-down barracks sparks military response] ] The video triggered response from US senator Elizabeth Dole to contact the secretary of the Army. [ [http://www.wral.com/news/state/story/2795856/ Dole: Army Looking Into Bragg Barracks Conditions] ]
* On July 28, 2008, President Bush approved of the execution of dishonerably discharged former Ft Bragg Army Specialist subsequently demoted to private, Ronald A. Gray, after he was court-martialed by a Ft. Bragg military court, found guilty and sentenced to death, in 1988, for multiple, brutal rapes and murders and attempted murders of military and civilian women. He is being housed in the prison at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. The last such approval of a military execution was given by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, in 1957. The execution was carried out in 1961.
*Richard David Smith (age 26) is an American Soldier in the United States Army. He is currently being held without bail at the Cumberland County Dentention Center in Fayetteville, NC. He is charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, for the stabbing death of his wife Sgt. Christina E. (Loehrke) Smith, also in the United States Army. [ [http://www.fayobserver.com/article?id=306413 Fayetteville Observer] ]

See also

* The Special Warfare Memorial Statue ("Bronze Bruce")
* Pathfinder
* Pope Air Force Base
* Camp Mackall

References