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Alabama Lieutenant Governor visits the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Novosel

By Leslie Herlick, Fort Novosel Public AffairsOctober 17, 2023

Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry greets Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth as he arrives at Fort Novosel on October 16, 2023. The two Leaders discussed compatible land usage, the shortage of rural healthcare availability and childcare in the Wiregrass.
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry greets Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth as he arrives at Fort Novosel on October 16, 2023. The two Leaders discussed compatible land usage, the shortage of rural healthcare availability and childcare in the Wiregrass. (Photo Credit: Leslie Herlick) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry, Wiregrass mayors, Fort Novosel leaders and Alabama lawmakers pose in front of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter after a visit to Fort Novosel on October 16, 2023.
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth, Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry, Wiregrass mayors, Fort Novosel leaders and Alabama lawmakers pose in front of a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter after a visit to Fort Novosel on October 16, 2023. (Photo Credit: Leslie Herlick) VIEW ORIGINAL
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and Mr. John Mitchell, Military Stability Foundation, prepare to tour Fort Novosel and the local training area on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on October 16, 2023.
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and Mr. John Mitchell, Military Stability Foundation, prepare to tour Fort Novosel and the local training area on a UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter on October 16, 2023. (Photo Credit: Kelly Morris) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Richard Tucker, USAACE Chief of Staff, and Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth receive a pre-flight brief from their crew chief before their aerial tour of Fort Novosel on October 16, 2023.
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Richard Tucker, USAACE Chief of Staff, and Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth receive a pre-flight brief from their crew chief before their aerial tour of Fort Novosel on October 16, 2023. (Photo Credit: Kelly Morris) VIEW ORIGINAL
LT. Col. Garrett Holt, Lyster Army Health Clinic Commander briefs Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and his delegation during a site visit to Lyster on October 16, 2023.
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – LT. Col. Garrett Holt, Lyster Army Health Clinic Commander briefs Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and his delegation during a site visit to Lyster on October 16, 2023. (Photo Credit: Leslie Herlick) VIEW ORIGINAL
Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth addresses a group of Wiregrass mayors, Fort Novosel leaders, and Alabama lawmakers during a site visit to Fort Novosel on October 16, 2023.
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth addresses a group of Wiregrass mayors, Fort Novosel leaders, and Alabama lawmakers during a site visit to Fort Novosel on October 16, 2023. (Photo Credit: Leslie Herlick) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Novosel, Ala.-- Alabama Lieutenant Governor Will Ainsworth, accompanied by members of the Alabama legislature and Military Stability Commission, visited the US Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) and Fort Novosel on Monday, October 16, 2023.

Maj. Gen. Michael C. McCurry, the commanding general of USAACE and Fort Novosel, welcomed the delegation at Fort Novosel’s headquarters - McNair Hall. The group then departed on an aerial tour focused on compatible land use, rural healthcare, childcare, and associated impacts to aviation training and readiness.

“I think its real important we continue to support this area with infrastructure, with broadband, and make sure we continue to stay ahead of the growth.” Lt. Gov. Ainsworth said.

The group toured Lyster Army Health Clinic, where the commander, Lt. Col. Garrett W. Holt, highlighted not only active-duty Service Members, but also Family members, Reservists, and Retirees depend on Lyster. The shortage of rural healthcare availability in the Wiregrass increases the demand on Fort Novosel medical facilities.

“Our mission is to keep aviators in the air, “Holt said, “but what is also just as important is taking care of their family members and ensuring they are receiving the needed care.” Currently, because of capacity issues, Family members must travel 3-5 hours to Birmingham, Pensacola, or Mobile, especially for specialty care.

Local mayors from across the Wiregrass, the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army Michael Schmitz, and staff members from Alabama’s US Senators offices conducted a working lunch and discussion lead by Maj. Gen. McCurry on enhancing readiness through compatible land use and availability of rural healthcare.

“I am blown away by the passion everyone has for what they are doing. I walked away super impressed. The leadership is doing a great job. We want to continue as a state to make sure we support Fort Novosel,” Ainsworth said.

McCurry wrapped up the day by stating, “It doesn’t get any better than this. This is the beauty of our form of government. We have the federal government here represented by the Army. We have our state hosts and sponsors here looking to make our training mission easier so we can help defend them.”

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