FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. - The U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence (USAICoE) celebrated its 50th anniversary Wednesday with a mayoral proclamation designating October 6 as USAICoE Day, along with the dedication of two conference rooms in Alvarado Hall here.
This year marks 50 years since Army military intelligence training moved from Fort Holabird, Maryland, to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. In March 1971, the Army Intelligence School was officially redesignated as the U.S. Army Intelligence Center & School, or USAICS, and Fort Huachuca was declared the Home of Military Intelligence. USAICS was later renamed the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence, or USAICoE.
Today, USAICoE hosts 81 active- and reserve-component military intelligence courses utilizing Fort Huachuca’s 33 training areas, 946 square miles of restricted airspace and 2,500 square miles of protected electronic ranges – key components to the national defense mission.
"[USAICoE is] more than just a schoolhouse; we are the center of gravity for Army intelligence," said Maj. Gen. Anthony ‘Tony’ Hale, commanding general of USAICoE & Fort Huachuca and chief of the Military Intelligence Corps.
City, state and congressional leaders officially recognized the 50th anniversary commemoration across the state of Arizona.
The City of Sierra Vista, Arizona, Mayor, Rick Mueller, read a proclamation during the anniversary ceremony designating October 6 as U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence Day in the city. Arizona Governor Doug Ducey, who was not present at the celebration, made a similar declaration at the state level. In Washington, D.C., Arizona senators Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Kelly also read a statement into the congressional record honoring USAICoE's 50th anniversary.
The anniversary ceremony also featured the naming of two USAICoE headquarters conference rooms in honor of Col. Elvin "Jack" Dalton and Brig. Gen. Harry M. Hiestand.
"The proud reputation we enjoy today began with the dedication, hard work and accomplishments of two trailblazers – our first two commanders," Hale said.
Three of Dalton's grandchildren attended the ceremony and accepted honors on behalf of their grandfather who died in 2003.
Hiestand passed away in 2008, and Lori Stewart, MI Corps historian, read remarks provided by his daughter.
"As we celebrate our past fifty years as the Home of Military intelligence at Fort Huachuca, we look forward to the next fifty years,” Hale said. “We will continue to drive change and build upon our 'Proud Past' to ensure our 'Strong Future.'"
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