U.S. Senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., and David Perdue, R-Ga., applauded the decision by the U.S. Army to locate two new missions at Fort Benning that would bring 85 positions to Columbus, Ga., with room for additional significant growth.
 
“Fort Benning is well positioned to accept these new missions, and our Columbus community stands ready to welcome with open arms the military personnel and their families who will carry out those missions,” said Isakson, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. “I appreciate the confidence the U.S. Army continues to place in our Georgia installations as platforms to project power around the world, and I look forward to more positive announcements as the new administration continues to rebuild our armed forces and strengthen our national security.”
 
“Fort Benning continues to prove it is our nation’s premier training installation,” said Perdue, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. “This decision is great news for our Army and for the women and men who live and work in the Chattahoochee Valley Region‎. I’m proud to see Fort Benning emerge as the center of gravity for the Army’s increasingly vital train, advise and assist missions.”
 
With this basing decision, Fort Benning will become the U.S. Army’s headquarter element for the Security Force Assistance mission to “train, advise, and assist” with the security forces of partner nation militaries. Fort Benning is home to the Maneuver Center of Excellence.
 
The Maneuver Center of Excellence includes both the U.S. Army Infantry School and the U.S. Army Armor School, which serves as the initial and advanced level of military education and training centers for both maneuver elements. The new Security Force Assistance headquarter element will include approximately 15 personnel.
 
Fort Benning will also receive the Military Advisor Training Academy, where U.S. soldiers both enlisted and officers, will be trained to perform the Security Force Assistance mission. This component will include approximately 70 personnel, in addition to students that will rotate through the program.