Washington's military might

Fort Lewis

LAV III
Light Armored Vehicle
I-Corps
1st Special Forces Group
Largest Army base west of Texas, Fort Lewis is at the vanguard of the Army's "Transformation" initiative: a move away from from heavy tank battalions that are difficult to deploy and light forces that lack firepower toward agile, medium-weight combat teams that can strike anywhere in the world in 96 hours. These new forces will be trained for urban warfare and will man Light Armored Vehicles (LAVs). Sub-installations include Vancouver Barracks and Yakima Training Center.

Headquarters for I-Corps (First Corps), a contingency force with active, reserve and national guard units in 47 out of 50 states. Its primary focus is the Pacific Rim; 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division and the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. Also home to the elite 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment; and the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), one of five active-duty Green Beret groups that could play a key role in commando, intelligence and counter-terrorist missions in America's war on terrorist networks. Other units at Fort Lewis include the 593rd Corps Support Group; the 555th Engineer Group; the 1st Military Police Brigade; the I Corps NCO Academy, Headquarters, Fourth ROTC Region; the 1st Personnel Support Group; and Headquarters, 5th Army (West).

Yakima Training Center part of the Fort Lewis complex, this 26,451-acre facility of sagebrush, volcanic formations, dry gulches and rock outcroppings is well-suited for Middle East and Far East war exercises.

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