FORT KNOX, Ky. — Commander of U.S. Army Installation Management Command Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram stopped by Fort Knox Aug. 4-5 for a visit of the installation’s support operations.
While here, Gabram said he liked what he saw.
“I couldn’t be happier to be at Fort Knox and see the Garrison Command team,” said Gabram. “Whether that’s in terms of housing, barracks, MWR — all the things that the Garrison team touches is really well done.”
Fort Knox leaders took Gabram on a tour of some housing construction sites the first day, as well as a visit of what local power company Nolin RECC commonly calls the energy bunker. While there, he learned more in-depth about the installation’s many overlapping energy systems in place that make Fort Knox one of the only locations in the Defense of Department with energy independence.
Gabram said he has witnessed Fort Knox’s successes from afar over the past 18 months since taking command of IMCOM, headquartered at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Now was the time to see those successes up close and personal.
“The professionalism of the civilian workforce has been evident as we all worked through COVID and the pandemic over the past months, and now as we face another challenge here with the delta variant,” said Gabram. “I know everybody is doing the best they can to accomplish the mission, and it’s evident.”
Gabram said he recognizes that the installation’s housing successes have come about due in large part to the partnership Fort Knox officials have with Lendlease and its local management company Knox Hills.
“They are a partner, and that’s really evident here,” said Gabram. “The Garrison team, partnered with Lendlease, is 100% all in. They’re taking care of Soldiers and Families. The big win is a capital investment of over $1 billion that Lendlease went out and got, some of which is coming right here. We’re really proud of that as we move forward in building new houses and also renovating.”
Another quality of life issue that has meant a lot to Gabram is child care.
“I’ve watched this now through the pandemic, and I have the utmost respect for [child development center] workers,” said Gabram. “I would love to pay them more for the work they do every day taking care of our children in a pandemic, putting themselves at risk every day.”
Gabram took extra time during the visit to talk to key leaders from the Garrison Command team. He said he can’t commend them enough.
“This is a tough job that they do,” said Gabram, “and they do it with ease.”
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