FORT BRAGG, N.C. (June 13, 2016) ̶ The final act in the replacement effort for a critical training and readiness facility was completed here today as officials from several agencies dedicated the U.S. Army Forces Command Intelligence Readiness and Operations Center, honoring military intelligence leaders and heroes from past campaigns.
Mrs. Joan Strom, widow of Brig. Gen. (Retired) Roy M. Strom joined Col. Anthony R. Hale, FORSCOM's deputy chief of staff, G2 (Intelligence) in unveiling a plaque dedicating the facility to her husband who served as the command's fifth intelligence chief in the mid-1980's.
Construction of the 27,000-square-foot FIROC, as the facility is known, was completed in December 2015 and replaces the command's former Geospatial Readiness Center, which was destroyed when a tornado ravaged parts of the post and nearby civilian communities in 2011.
The FIROC will provide commanders, Soldiers and units with key real-time geographic information as they prepare for operations on unknown terrain and will potentially provide intelligence units and agencies with training and planning space in the future.
"Today's ceremony marks the culmination of an idea that began over a year and a half ago," said Hale. "An idea about a new and novel opportunity for the FORSCOM G2 - with the FIROC that would serve as the catalyst for collective training and growth for FORSCOM units and the intelligence community."
"Today is a great day to honor our Soldiers, their campaigns and their dedication," said Hale.
FORSCOM officials selected three named campaigns and fallen Soldiers from each as themes for conference and training rooms within the facility:
-Vietnam Advisory Campaign 1962 ̶ 1965
-Vietnam Summer ̶ Fall 1969
-Afghanistan Transition 2011 ̶ 2014
Capt. Humbert R. "Rocky" Versace, a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions as a Prisoner Of War, represents the Vietnam Advisory Campaign, while Brig. Gen. (Retired) Strom was selected to represent the Vietnam Summer ̶ Fall Campaign, largely due to his work as commander of the 519th Military Intelligence Battalion.
Finally, two Soldiers who died while serving during Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan represent the U.S. Army's actions in the Afghanistan Transition 2011 ̶ 2014.
Spc. Christopher A. Landis and Spc. John A. Pelham, who were Military Intelligence Soldiers with 2nd Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne), died as a result of enemy action during separate incidents February 2014.
Related Links:
Army FORSCOM Relaunches Intell Operations Facility in North Carolina
FORSCOM breaks ground on Geospatial Readiness Center after original fell to 2011 tornado
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