FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — More than 80 Texas government officials and staff attended Texas Legislative Day Jan. 31 interacting with Soldiers and learning about some of the training conducted at the installation.
The participants received hands-on experience with a variety of military equipment and facility tours providing the opportunity to learn about operations and trainings conducted at The Great Place.
The event started with a briefing from Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of Fort Cavazos and III Armored Corps.
“I want to thank you for the support that you’re providing to us,” Admiral said to the legislators. “Every year, we get some funding here to help with our energy resiliency; the money that you provide for the local community; the airport, which is critically important for our ability to deploy; with the railhead support, for us to be able to send Bradleys and all the other combat systems.
“Thank you for your service and taking care of the people of Texas,” Admiral concluded.
From there, legislators and staff were split into four groups. Each group had opportunity to see and interact with static displays of a M1A2 Enhancement Package version 4 Abrams, M109A7 Paladin, MIM-104 Patriot, M-1070 heavy equipment transporter, M2A4 Bradley, SGT STOUT M-SHORAD, Stryker infantry carrier vehicle with dismount squad, an all-terrain vehicle outfitted for military police and an AH-64 Apache.
The groups also toured the Warrior Skills Training Center learning and experiencing some of the simulators Soldiers use to train; Medical Simulations Training Center hearing about the hands-on medical training and seeing the mannequins used for instruction; and used the Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer to see, observe and try out some of the control systems for military vehicles.
Texas State Rep. Hillary Hickland (TX-55) enjoyed the day.
“It’s great for other members at the state level, to be here to see face to face boots on the ground (and) what we’re fighting for,” she expressed. “It’s important to understand the needs and the partnership of our military with the state and how it affects our communities and statewide. So, it’s always good to get a greater understanding of those needs.”
Between tours and static displays, participants had lunch with community leaders at Phantom Warrior Center.
“Just seeing the inner workings, it’s really great that the Army has allowed us to come out here and be a part of this,” said Morgan Register, legislative director for State Rep. Joanne Shofner (TX-11). “I hope that we can also provide for the men and women who protect us.”
Scott Connell, president of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, gave remarks during the lunch, expanding upon the relationship between the installation and the city of Killeen.
“It is our pleasure to share with you something that maybe not everybody gets to see,” he said, “but it’s terribly important that you’re aware of what you have here in Fort Cavazos, in the Killeen area.
“We’re a special place in that Killeen is really adjacent to Fort Cavazos,” he continued. “We really are one community, and Killeen is here to serve that group and everybody who comes in.”
