story info and photo from the Arkansas National Guard
Rental of more than 2,000 Fort Smith area hotel rooms and more than $250,000 spent locally by the U.S. Army are just two examples of the economic impact of a large three-week training exercise at Fort Chaffee.
Going on now is the “eXportable Combat Training Capability” exercise hosted at Fort Chaffee by the Army National Guard. The program is one the Army National Guard has used since 2005 to train its brigades. This is the first year Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center will host the exercise and the economic benefit is being felt well outside installation’s front gate, according to a press release from the Arkansas National Guard.
Lt. Col. Dwight Ikenberry, Chaffee operations officer, said prep for the event began several months ago. He said more than 250 local people have been hired to perform jobs such as role-players, special effects coordinators, fuel and logistical personnel, equipment maintainers and other specialized positions. Some of the jobs were hired in April with salaries ranging from $12 an hour up to $28 an hour.
“It takes a lot of additional people and equipment to make this happen,” said Col. Troy Galloway, commander of Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center. “This is a tough, but realistic training exercise that is very beneficial to our Soldiers.”
The Arkansas Army National Guard’s 39th Infantry Brigade Combat Team is the focus of the training but an additional 500 active duty and National Guard Soldiers from other units are at Chaffee to support XCTC.
“At its peak we will host almost 4,500 soldiers, civilians and contractors. All the uniformed Soldiers are staying on Fort Chaffee,” Galloway said. “It will stress our infrastructure but we are up to the Challenge.”
The unusually large number of additional people at Fort Chaffee means additional life support areas are needed. Tents and shower and laundry facilities were brought in to support the Soldiers during the exercise.
“Rentals are huge,” said Ikenberry. “Light sets, trucks and vans, generators, tents and other equipment rentals were brought in for this. I would estimate over 250 thousand dollars easily on local purchases.”
Local purchases are a big part of the impact to the Fort Smith-area economy. Money spent at businesses in Barling, Charleston and other towns are filling the accounts of business owners.
“This exercise is giving a substantial economic benefit to the city,” Fort Smith Mayor Sandy Sanders said in the Army statement. “It’s like having several conventions in the city all at one time.”
Sanders estimated that more than 2,000 hotel rooms have been booked by contractors during their 4- to 6-week stay and contractors are eating in local restaurants while they stay here.
“Fort Chaffee is a key part of the City,” Sanders said. “Chaffee has so many assets. It’s a great opportunity for our warfighters and Fort Smith is pretty pleased with the increase in traffic.”
Continuing, he said: “This first XCTC exercise is a great benefit for our Soldiers and our businesses too. When this is over Fort Smith will be ready for XCTC #2.”
Galloway hopes the people involved with XCTC will view Chaffee in a whole new way and see the post for the excellent training base that it is.
“The Guard benefits from great training and the economic benefit is significant.” Galloway said. “When it is over we estimate almost $8 million will have been spent for XCTC.”