Editing Fort Carson (section)

===Designated Fort Carson===
Camp Carson was designated '''Fort Carson''' in 1954. In the 1960s, mechanized units were assigned to the fort and it was expanded to the present {{convert|137000|acre|abbr=on}}. Butts Army Air Field at the fort was constructed between 1963 and 1966 with a {{convert|4573|ft|m|adj=on}} runway for light fixed-wing aircraft ([[cf.]] USAF [[Lockheed C-130 Hercules|C-130s]] at the nearby [[Peterson Air Force Base]].)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pilotoutlook.com/airport/colorado/fcs |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715084134/http://www.pilotoutlook.com/airport/colorado/fcs |url-status=usurped |archive-date=July 15, 2011 |title=Butts Aaf (Fort Carson) Airport(Fcs) &#124; Fort Carson Airports |publisher=PilotOutlook |access-date=2013-09-04}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/butts.htm |title=Butts Army Air Field (AAF) |publisher=Globalsecurity.org |access-date=2013-09-04}}</ref>

Throughout its history Fort Carson has been home to nine divisions. An additional training area, comprising {{convert|235,000|acre|ha|abbr=off}}, was purchased in September 1983. Named the [[Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site]], this training area is located approximately {{convert|150|mi|km}} road miles to the southeast, and is used for large force-on-force maneuver training. Comprehensive maneuver and live fire training also occurs downrange at Fort Carson.

Exercises and deployments continually hone the skills of Fort Carson soldiers. When not deployed, soldiers train annually at Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site and the National Training Center near Barstow, California. Additionally, units participate in joint exercises around the world, including Central and South Africa, Europe, and Southwest Asia. In 2003, most Fort Carson units were deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Troops from the 984th Military Police CO, 759th Military Police BN were also sent in support of the guard mission at [[Guantanamo Bay Naval Base]], Cuba. President George W. Bush addressed soldiers and family members at the post on November 24, 2003, in praise of the soldiers' determination and the sacrifices their families have made.

Construction in 2007 and 2008 preceded the return of the 4th Infantry Division (4ID) from Fort Hood after their 2008 [[Operation Iraqi Freedom]] deployment (~5,000 additional soldiers).