The US Army announced today its decision to permanently station the 2/25th Stryker Brigade Combat Team (SBCT) at Schofield Barracks Military Reservation upon completion of its current deployment to Iraq.

Hawaii was selected after careful consideration of significant factors primarily because it is best able to meet the Army’s strategic defense and national security needs in the Pacific theater. This decision considered the limitations in Hawaii in terms of training ranges, maneuver land, and impacts to sensitive environmental resources as well as the other considered locations.

“Stationing the 2/25th SBCT in Hawaii sends a powerful signal to our friends and our enemies that we are committed to US interests in this vital region. The Stryker brigade’s capabilities significantly increase our ability to win any conflict in the Pacific. We know that Hawaii has limited space and beautiful natural resources. We will continue to protect them,” said Lt. Gen. Benjamin R. Mixon, Commander, US Army, Pacific.

This decision was based on detailed analysis of the final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), public comments, and the ability of each alternative to meet the Army’s requirements. The Army will continue to protect and manage its training activities and ranges to avoid or minimize any environmental harm. Historically, the Army’s activities are less destructive than other common land uses.

The Stryker vehicle is the most advanced weapon system used by any country in the southeastern Pacific Rim. It can provide a dominant force for contingency deployments such as our commitment to the defense of Taiwan, Japan and South Korea, and deterring sanctuary for terrorist organizations in areas of growing unrest in Southeast Asia.

Stationing the 2/25th in Hawaii provides strategic flexibility to deploy two SBCTs simultaneously, if necessary. The Army now has a second forward-positioned SBCT in the Pacific Theater from which we can deploy Stryker units to respond to any threat. This ensures strategic redundancy even during Alaska’s harsh winter season when weather and other factors could make deployment difficult. In addition, the Army could respond more rapidly to countries in the Pacific than forces stationed at bases in the continental U.S.

“This is the right decision for our Army and especially the Soldiers and families of our deployed Stryker Brigade Combat Team in harm’s way,” said Brig. Gen. Mick Bednarek, acting commander of the 25th Infantry Division. “The actions that we take now in support of our Soldiers and families provide a tremendous amount of relief during a difficult period. We will continue the strong partnership with our Hawaii community, and our continued dialog with everyone remains key to this progress, he continued.”

SBCT training has similar demands on the environment to other Army training. Most of its weapons and training events are common to other Army Infantry units. The main difference is the enhanced protection the Stryker vehicle provides Soldiers.

The 2/25th SBCT will conduct training at a number of training areas in Hawaii including Schofield Barracks Military Reservation, Dillingham Military Reservation, Kahuku Training Area, Kawailoa Training Area, and Wheeler Army Airfield on Oahu, and at Pohakuloa Training Area on the Island of Hawaii.

“We look forward to providing the best possible facilities, training support, and quality of life for the Soldiers and Families of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team,” said Col. Matthew Margotta, U.S. Army Garrison Hawaii Commander.

There are approximately $250 million dollars worth of construction projects on Oahu and Hawaii which the Army can now complete to support of the 2nd SBCT and other units training in Hawaii.

The Stryker stationing decision is an independent decision to the future use of Makua Military Reservation (MMR). The use of MMR is dependent upon the completion of a separate EIS.