Katie Britt

U.S. Army Aviation leaders and elected officials cut the ribbon of a new training facility and barracks at Fort Rucker in Dothan Thursday, saying it offers a much-needed update for soliers going through training.

Sen. Katie Britt secured $41.2 million in federal funding in a 2024 defense budget for the complex at Fort Rucker, which will be used to house and train more than 300 soldiers going through advanced individual training.

“Fort Rucker is special,” Britt said in remarks Thursday. “I’m looking at many men and women who have answered the call.”

“I remain committed to ensuring that our war fighter is best trained, equipped, and ready across the planet,” she said.

Maj. Gen. Clair Gill thanked elected officials for securing the funding, saying the new buildings will improve soldiers’ quality of life as they go through training.

The facility is named for Pvt. 1st Class Garfield Langhorn, an aviator who was awarded the Medal of Honor and died in combat in Vietnam.

Sen. Tommy Tuberville and Rep. Barry Moore also were present.

“This is a dream, but it’s a dream that’s going to catch on all over the country and all over the world,” Tuberville said. “Any military base has to have housing that’s worth living in. And again, we’ve got a lot of them like this.”

Moore, who along with Britt grew up near the base, also thanked military families for their contributions to local comunities.

“It’s not just financial investment the military makes in our communities,” he said. “You bring so much more to our communities than just the financial investment. So it’s important that we take care of the families.”