Returning troops expected to boost economy

Sign of the times in Columbus: a dry cleaning service near Fort Benning welcomes the 3rd ID home. (Dave Bender)

The return of several thousand troops from Iraq in coming weeks, is expected to give a boost to businesses around Columbus in western Georgia. The hoped-for economic shot-in-the-arm will come from some 3,800 combat soldiers of the US Army's Third Brigade, who served in the Baghdad area.

Several units recently redeployed to nearby Fort Benning, in order to prepare families and the post for the main force. But the brigade's year-long absence was felt far beyond the gates of the base.

Mike Gaymon of the Greater Columbus Chamber of Commerce:

“When the Third Brigade left, the growth of Chattahoochee County became the worst in the 159 counties in Georgia, and then when the third comes back, they will lead the state in growth.”

Gaymon says apartments complexes, car dealerships, and furniture and appliance stores are among those eagerly awaiting the “boots on the ground.”

Billboard near Ft. Benning pitches studies at Columbus State University for returning troops. (Dave Bender)

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Ft. Benning units return, as others set to deploy

Relieved family and friends joyously greeted over 250 US Army soldiers of the 598th Maintenance Company, and an advance force of the Third Brigade as they stepped off the plane at the post's Lawson Airfield, close to midnight on Wednesday.

Both units served 15-months in the Baghdad area. The advance troops will prepare for the main force of 3,000 troops, who are due back in several planeloads in the next few weeks.

Meanwhile, over 160 soldiers of the 63rd Engineering Company are preparing for a similar combat tour in Iraq. Specialist Adam Wilson says he's grateful the army will look after his wife and children while he's gone:

"If she gets run down, or gets in a predicament, then hope is close by; that's a huge load of my shoulders to know that she's not alone."

Wilson's unit is to leave on Sunday, and will serve 15-months.

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