May 8, 2008
Walking Off the Worry
May 8, 2008 5:32 PM
Troops from Ft. Carson have been busy in recent weeks in Iraq. They've been seeing combat every day after a period of relative calm.
Families back home are ticking off the fifth month that their loved ones have been away. It will be another ten months before they come home.
Recently some soldiers families got together to celebrate a new program that helps them fight the long deployment blues, and keep them in shape at the same time. KCFR Health Reporter Eric Whitney has the story.
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 5:32 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Ft. Carson , Health , Military
December 11, 2007
Ft. Carson Continues Preparing to Care for Wounded Troops
December 11, 2007 6:11 PM
Col. Kelly Wolgast is the chief medical officer at Ft. Carson
As Fort Carson prepares to welcome home about 4,000 soldiers from a 15 month tour in Iraq, it continues to ramp up it ability to care for those wounded in action.The Mountain Post on Tuesday formally formally activated a special battalion for battle-injured soldiers only. The so-called "Warrior Transition Unit" was launched four months ago.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military , Regional
November 23, 2007
Ft. Carson Families Talk About Multiple Deployments, Part III
November 23, 2007 4:01 PM
Cannons are fired in honor of deploying troops at Ft. Carson Nov. 20, 2007
The third of three stories in which members of Ft. Carson's 3rd Brigade and their families talk about deploying to Iraq, many for the third time. The brigade has just begun to deploy, and all 3,800 members should be on the ground in Iraq by mid-December.
[LISTEN]
To hear part two, CLICK HERE
To hear part one, CLICK HERE
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:01 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military
November 21, 2007
Broadmoor Offers "Spa for the Troops"
November 21, 2007 4:48 PM
image from Broadmoor.com
This week on KRCC we've been hearing from soldiers about to deploy to Iraq and their families. Some listeners may feel moved to do something for the troops, well, the spa at the Broadmoor has an answer: Go get a massage and a pedicure. The Spa has launched what it's calling "Spa for the Troops," in which the facility donates a portion of it's fees to a fund that will allow military members returning from war zones to get Broadmoor spa treatments for free.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:48 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
November 20, 2007
Commanders of Deploying Troops Speak
November 20, 2007 5:46 PM
Col. John Hort is the commander of the 4th Infantry Division's 3rd Brigade
This week we're hearing from the soldiers and families of Ft. Carson's 3rd Brigade, which is currently deploying to Iraq for the 3rd time in five years. In this segment we hear from two of the unit's leaders.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:46 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics
November 19, 2007
Carson Soldiers Prepare to Deploy - Again
November 19, 2007 5:17 PM
R to L, 1st Sgt. Richard Weldon and his wife Natalie talk with KRCC's Eric Whitney
This week one of Ft. Carson's three combat brigades starts heading to Iraq. For most, it won't be their first trip into the danger zone.Throughout the week, we'll be hearing from deploying soldiers and their spouses.
In this piece, 1st. Sgt. Richard Weldon and his wife Natalie talk about the challenges of multiple deployments.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:17 PM| Permalink | Comments (1) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
November 8, 2007
Ft. Carson: Troops Return, Prepare to Leave, and Remember Fallen Comrades
November 8, 2007 5:35 PM
Ft. Carson is preparing for a lot of turnover in the next couple of months. By the end of December two different brigades of about 4,000 soldiers each are going to switch places. One will be coming home from Iraq, the other will leaving to go there. This story takes us to a "pre-deployment fair" held this week, and the memorial service for two Ft. Carson soldiers killed in Iraq in October.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:35 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Memorial , Military , Regional
October 17, 2007
Local News Roundup for Wed., Oct. 17, 2007
October 17, 2007 6:06 PM
Photo courtesy of Colorado Environmental Coalition
Industry Says Roan Platau Gas Worth $1 Billion
Ranchers: Army Hardly Uses Pinon Canyon
2nd Bear Attack in Aspen
Teacher at Christian High School Arrested on Sex Charges
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:06 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Animal Rights/Wellfare , Business , Children & Youth , Colorado , Crime , Education , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics , Regional
October 16, 2007
$13 Million Solar Project Under Construction at Ft. Carson
October 16, 2007 5:22 PM
These are the types of solar panels that will be built at Fort Carson.
Photo courtesy Orea Renewable Energies
Construction has started on one of the largest solar power projects in the state, and it's at Ft. Carson. The $13 million project got underway at the beginning of the month and, when finished, will cover nearly 12 acres at Ft. Carson with photovoltaic solar panels. At maximum capacity it will generate 2 megawatts of electricity, that's a little less than seven percent of the Army base's total electricity needs.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:22 PM| Permalink | Comments (2) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Science , Utilities
October 15, 2007
Army Offers $10,000 Reward in Soldier's Death
October 15, 2007 5:28 PM
The Army is offering a cash reward in the case of former soldier Joe Baker who was found dead at Ft. Carson almost two years ago.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:28 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Crime , Ft. Carson , Military
October 12, 2007
Local News Roundup for Fri, October 12, 2007
October 12, 2007 5:43 PM
Foster Mother Jailed in Death of Two-Year-Old
222nd Ft. Carson Soldier Killed in Iraq
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:43 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Crime , Ft. Carson , Military , Regional
October 2, 2007
Sen. Salazar Will Talk Military and Water Storage in Springs On Saturday
October 2, 2007 5:48 PM
EVENT 1: Meeting on Military Issues Affecting the Pikes Peak Region, 11:00 AM MST, Saturday, October 6, 2007 at the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce, 2 North Cascade Avenue, Chamber Conference Room, Colorado Springs, CO
EVENT 2: Meeting on Water Storage Issues, 12:30 PM MST, at the Worner Campus Center, room 213, Colorado College, Colorado Springs (NW corner of Cache La Poudre and Cascade)
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:48 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics , Regional , Visiting CC
September 10, 2007
Analysis: Ranchers the Big Winners in Senate Pinon Canyon Vote
September 10, 2007 6:11 PM
A couple of veteran Colorado political analysts agree last week represented a major victory for the ranchers opposing expansion at the Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. We talked to Bob Loevy, a political science professor at Colorado College and Cara DeGette, columnist for the Colorado Springs Independent and ColoradoConfidential.com.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (2) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics
KRCC on NPR
September 10, 2007 5:08 PM
KRCC News Director Eric Whitney reports that Fort Carson is one of dozens of Army posts across the country that have recently created a Warrior Transition Unit to help wounded soldiers deal with the mental and physical health issues of their post-deployment. This story aired on Weekend Edition Sunday, September 9, 2007.
Click on the links below for other KRCC pieces that have been broadcast nationwide on NPR:
Remembrance of USAF Master Sgt. Randy Gillespie
Fort Carson Mourns Still More War Casualties
Group Challenges Evangelicals to Adopt Foster Kids
Late Col. Brian Allgood Led Iraq Medical Care
Soldier Spent Half His Life Serving His Country
Colorado Marine Chose to Lead, Serve in Iraq
Colorado Troops Spend Thanksgiving at Home
Colorado Ranchers Fight Ft. Carson Expansion Plans
Haggard Admits Buying Drugs, Getting Massage
American Soldiers Explain Decision to Re-Up
Raising Funds with Rocky Mountain 'Oysters'
Colorado Loses 'Best and Brightest' in Iraq
Three U.S. Army Officers Killed in Black Hawk Crash
All Aboard the Snow Train: Colorado's Slopes
A Marine Felled in Iraq
Remembering an Army Sniper and Colorado Boy
Online Learning Helps Rural Communities
Military Moms Mark Their Special Day Overseas
Honoring a Fallen Marine Reservist
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Ft. Carson , Health
September 7, 2007
Local News Roundup- Sept. 7, 2007
September 7, 2007 5:08 PM
Local Soldier Arrested As Internet Predator
Hsu Arrested in Grand Junction
Exxon Mobil Expanding Colorado Natural Gas Production
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:08 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado Springs , Crime , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Regional
September 5, 2007
BREAKING NEWS: Senate Passes Salazar Amendment
September 5, 2007 5:53 PM
On Thursday the Senate approved a military spending bill that includes an amendment to stop for one year all progress towards expanding the Army's Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site between Trinidad and La Junta. The amendment mirrors one passed in the U.S. House in June, which blocks all funding for studies related to expansion of the 235,000 acre training area. The Army says it needs 415,000 acres added to the site to meet future training needs.
The amendement itself narrowly passed, on a 47-45 vote.
[LISTEN]
The bill the Senate passed now goes to a conference committee to reconcile it with a very similar bill passed by the House. The bill that comes out of that committee will then go to President Bush. Sen. Salazar said today (Thurs., 9/6/07) that he expects President Bush to sign the bill into law.
Senator Allard voted against the amendment, but for the larger bill. He has also been appointed to the conference committee to reconcile the bill with the House.
To listen to Senator Salazar's press conference discussing the vote (13 minutes) [CLICK HERE]
Listen for our radio Coverage tonight at 5:30.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:53 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics , Regional
August 30, 2007
Local News Round-up, Aug. 30, 2007
August 30, 2007 5:14 PM
Pinon Canyon expansion opponents win withheld Army documents.
The state Housing Division reports that home foreclosure filings in Colorado are on track to rise 25 percent this year.
Two Indiana women are believed to be the first to adopt children under a new Colorado law that allows same-sex couples to adopt jointly.
Uranium mine near Gateway to reopen.
Summit County pays homeowners to reduce fire danger.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:14 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Energy , Environment , Forest Plans , Ft. Carson , Gay & Lesbian , Poverty , Regional , Wildfires
August 29, 2007
Springs Leaders Lobby Sen. Salazar on Pinon Canyon Expansion
August 29, 2007 5:27 PM
Military, economic and political heavyweights from Colorado Springs met with Senator Ken Salazar Aug. 29 to lobby for expansion of the Pinon Canyon Army training site in southeastern Colorado. Ft. Carson wants to nearly triple the size of the site to some 650 square miles. That would mean buying or condemning more than 400,000 acres of private land, something landowners and local governments in southeastern Colorado vehemently oppose. That sentiment was made evident three weeks ago when Senator Salazar visited Trinidad. He got very different opinion in the Springs.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:27 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado Springs , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military , Pueblo , Regional
August 28, 2007
Local News Round-Up, Aug. 27, 2007
August 28, 2007 3:05 PM
A freshman at the University of Colorado's Boulder campus is recovering following surgery after he was slashed in the throat by a man school officials called incoherent.
A Fort Carson soldier is behind bars and another man is in critical condition after a weekend shooting in Colorado Springs. Police say 23-year-old Private First Class Matthew Kyle Moore was arrested Saturday evening, a few hours after he allegedly shot Leo Garcia twice in the chest.
Congressman Doug Lamborn doesn't want to talk about the 2008 election. In an interview with the Canon Daily Record Newspaper in Canon City, 5th District Rep. Lamborn said he's "busy concentrating (his) efforts on serving" his constituents and hasn't even officially declared as a candidate for a year from November. "At this point, I'm not concerned about any potential candidate," Lamborn said.
[CU LISTEN]
[CS SHOOTING LISTEN]
[LAMBORN LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 3:05 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Crime , Education , Elections , Ft. Carson , Military , Politics
August 20, 2007
Critic Cautiously Optimistic About Changes In Army Medical Care
August 20, 2007 5:42 PM
Andrew Pogany, an investigator with the national non-profit group Veterans For America, has vocally and persistently complained that soldiers with combat-related mental health problems at Ft. Carson have been mistreated and received sub-standard care. Some, he says, have been kicked out of the army on trumped up charges when what they really needed was behavior health treatment.
But he says recent changes at Ft. Carson have good potential to help rectify the situation.
"I think it's probably one of the best things that has come up out of this entire dilemma and all these problematic issues that have surfaced over the past 4 years," says Pogany.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:42 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
August 17, 2007
Nurse Takes Command of Ft. Carson's Hospital
August 17, 2007 2:14 PM
Col. Kelly Wolgast took command of Evans Army Community Hospital at Ft. Carson in June. She takes the reins at a time when Army health care has been taking a beating in the media. Col. Wolgast talks to KRCC about the challenges she faces.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:14 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
August 14, 2007
Ft. Carson Stands-up "Warrior Transition Unit"
August 14, 2007 5:13 PM
The Army is trying out a new way of taking care of wounded soldiers.It comes in the wake of the scandal earlier this year at Walter Reed Army hospital, where soldiers were found languishing in substandard housing and mired in paperwork and mismanagement that made it difficult for them to get the care they needed. Now, returning soldiers are being assigned to what are being called "Warrior Transition Units."
Read More --> Continue reading "Ft. Carson Stands-up "Warrior Transition Unit"" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:13 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
August 2, 2007
Kids of Deployed Troops Get Their Own Summer Camp
August 2, 2007 5:18 PM
With U.S. Troop deployment in Iraq and Afghanistan now well into its
fifth year, American military families are being stretched to their
limits. Tens of thousands of troops have already done two yearlong
combat tours, many have done three. Long deployments to dangerous places
can be especially hard on children of soldiers. A national program aims
to give these kids a chance to take a week off from their worries at
special summer camps for military kids only. Last week, we visited the
first one in Colorado.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:18 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Children & Youth , Colorado , Ft. Carson , Indoor/Outdoor Recreation , Military
July 26, 2007
Victims of Single Deadliest Attack on Carson Soldiers Remembered
July 26, 2007 4:46 PM
Fort Carson held a memorial service for five soldiers killed in an attack in Iraq last month. It was the single deadliest incident involving Ft. Carson soldiers since the war began. Bente Birkeland reports from Colorado Springs.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:46 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Memorial , Military
July 24, 2007
Ft. Carson Remembers 7 Fallen Soldiers This Week
July 24, 2007 5:46 PM
This week Ft. Carson is honoring seven soldiers from the 2nd Infantry's 2nd Brigade. Five were killed in the single deadliest incident for troops from the post since the war began.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:46 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Memorial , Military
July 19, 2007
Army: "Back to the Drawing Board" on Pinon Canyon
July 19, 2007 4:59 PM
The Army told Colorado's senators that it will go "back to the drawing board" on its plans to triple the size of its Pinon Canyon training site between Trinidad and La Junta.
In a letter, Acting Secretary of the Army Pete Geren says he shares Democratic Senator Ken Salazar's desire for a win-win solution to expanding Pinon Canyon.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:59 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military , Regional
July 17, 2007
National Guard Chinooks Training at Ft. Carson
July 17, 2007 6:26 PM
If you live south of Ft. Carson, or west, up in the mountains all they way to Leadville and Eagle, you may have noticed some of the Army’s biggest helicopters flying around lately.
They’re the twin-rotor Chinook helicopters that can haul more than 25,000 pounds of cargo, like a pair of humvees, or up to 33 soldiers plus an air crew of three. Chinooks can operate at higher altitudes than any other chopper in the Army, and are a mainstay of operations in Afghanistan, moving troops and gear around the high mountain areas that are often roadless.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 6:26 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military
July 11, 2007
Soldiers, Wives Talk About Recent Deaths in Iraq
July 11, 2007 4:46 PM
The Department of Defense says a 44-year-old man from Colorado has been killed in combat in Afghanistan. Air Force Master Sgt. Randy J. Gillespie, of Coaldale, was killed by small arms fire near Herat.
Gillespie is the 9th servicemember with ties to Colorado to die in the last two weeks. Yesterday, we heard from soldiers at Ft. Carson who are preparing to deploy to Iraq. Today, we'll hear from one more, and a couple of Army wives. We wanted to know if soldiers and their families are being affected by recent news of U.S. troops being killed in combat.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:46 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Memorial , Military
July 10, 2007
Soldiers Talk About Recent Deaths In Iraq
July 10, 2007 4:25 PM
The Colorado Springs Gazette is reporting the death of Ft. Carson Soldier Specialist Eric Lill. A 28-year-old from Chicago, Lill is the 8th soldier from Ft. Carson to die in the last two weeks. Seven of them were from the same unit, the 2nd Infantry's 2nd Brigade Combat Team.
We wanted to know if the high frequency of recent combat deaths weighs on the minds of soldiers who expect to depart for Iraq soon. We got a chance at a picnic for the 4th Infantry's 2nd Heavy Brigade last Friday.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:25 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Memorial , Military
July 9, 2007
NPR Profiles Springs Vet Health Activist
July 9, 2007 4:22 PM
Thirty-six-year-old former soldier Andrew Pogany has become a driving force behind efforts to force the Army to revise its response to soldiers suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Pogany's saga shows how an advocate can overcome enormous obstacles and battle a powerful institution -- and help shine the national spotlight on what had largely been a hidden problem.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:22 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military , Politics
July 6, 2007
Colin Powell Speech
July 6, 2007 4:45 PM
General Colin Powell says the Bush administration has mishandled and misjudged the Iraq war, and the country needs to scale back the number of troops overseas. But Powell defends his decision to help President Bush make the case for invading Iraq. He spoke with PBS's Jim Lehrer at the Aspen Institute's Ideas Festival. Bente Birkeland reports from Aspen.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 4:45 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Ft. Carson , History , Military , Politics
Ft. Carson Releases New Piñon Canyon Map
July 6, 2007 1:52 PM
Click here for a direct link to the new map.
A press release from Ft. Carson July 6, 2007 reads: "The Army has posted the updated area of interest map with additional terrain features included for the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site proposed expansion on the main website for Fort Carson.
Other information relevant to the proposed expansion will also be posted at the site as it becomes available to update the public. The link is located at www.carson.army.mil. Click on the Piñon Canyon tab to locate the "Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site Proposed Expansion Information."
For more information contact the Fort Carson Public Affairs Office at (719) 526-4143/3420. After hours please contact the 24-hour Emergency Operation Center at 526-5500 and ask for the On-Call Public Affairs Officer.
Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:52 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military , Regional
July 4, 2007
Army Vice Chief of Staff Says Maybe to Permanent Troops at Piñon Canyon
July 4, 2007 2:57 PM
On Tuesday four-star General Richard Cody visited Ft. Carson. At a press conference, he was asked about Senator Ken Salazar's proposed compromise on expanding the Piñon Canyon maneuver site between Trinidad and La Junta. The army wants to nearly triple its size. Ranchers and nearby towns oppose it, both because private property owners would have to give up some land, and because even the Army admits there would be no economic benefits for Trindad, La Junta or southeastern Colorado. Troops are brought to Piñon Canyon to train, and then leave immediately, there are no barracks or facilities, and soldiers don't shop or do business in the area.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:57 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Agriculture/Ranching , Business , Colorado , Colorado Springs , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military
July 3, 2007
Army Checks-Up on Healthcare at Ft. Carson
July 3, 2007 1:45 PM
A four-star general visiting Ft. Carson today told family members of deployed soldiers to hold on, relief is coming.
General Richard Cody, who is the vice chief of staff for the Army came to the mountain post "to check on" it's hospital as part of the Army's medical action plan. Last month a Department of Defense report said that the Army's response to soldiers' mental health needs is "woefully inadequate," and issued a list of recommended fixes.
L to R
Brig. Gen. James Milano, Deptuty Commander, Ft. Carson.
Maj. Gen. Robert Mixon, Post Commander, Ft. Carson.
Gen. Richard Cody, U.S. Army vice-chief of staff.
Col. Kelly Wolgast, commander of Evans Army Community Hospital,
since June 12.
All photos by Lindsay Foat
Cody and his wife also came to talk to the family readiness groups at Ft. Carson and two other bases with significant numbers of soldiers deployed. In the last week, six soldiers from Ft. Carson have been killed in Iraq, include 5 from one unit in one incident. General Cody met with the family readiness group for that unit, the 2nd Division's 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and told them the Pentagon is doing everything it can to shorten deployments to battle zones, but it's going to take some time.
[LISTEN]
To read the June, 2007 report from the special Task Force on Mental Health convened by the Department of Defense, [CLICK HERE.]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 1:45 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Health , Military
July 2, 2007
Five Carson Soldiers Killed in Iraq
July 2, 2007 5:11 PM
Five soldiers from Ft. Carson were killed in the deadliest incident for troops from the Mountain Post since the war began.
Four of the soliders were from California, the fifth from Greenwood, Nebraska. That soldier, Specialist Dustin L. Workman, was the youngest killed at 19. The other soldiers were 20, 23, 24 and 27 years old. Ft. Carson spokeswoman Karen Linne says the incident in which the five were killed resulted in substantial injuries, as well.
[LISTEN]
Read More --> Continue reading "Five Carson Soldiers Killed in Iraq" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:11 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Military
June 28, 2007
Follow Up: Frontline Features Maj. Thomas Mowle
June 28, 2007 9:02 AM
Earlier in June KRCC ran a series of interivews with Maj. Thomas Mowle, a Ph.D. political science professor at the Air Force Academy. We talked to him about his new book, "Hope Is Not A Plan: The War In Iraq From Inside the Green Zone."
Now, PBS television has released a program online that features Maj. Mowle, as well as Army Col. H.R. McMaster, former commander of the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment when it was stationed at Ft. Carson.
The PBS special is available [HERE]
KRCC's interviews with Maj. Mowle are available [HERE]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 9:02 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Ft. Carson , History , KRCC Programs , Media , Military , Politics
June 26, 2007
Colo. Senators Split on Immigration Vote, other news
June 26, 2007 5:30 PM
Colorado's senators split their votes on whether to go forward with an immigration reform bill that the White House favors. Those wanting to continue work on the bill carried the day. Twenty-four Republicans joined 39 Democrats and one Independent.
Colorado Democrat Ken Salazar voted to continue with the bill, while his Republican counterpart Wayne Allard voted not to. Allard said he "could not in good conscience support this flawed process," and that lawmakers can do better than the bill currently before them. He says he will now do all that he can to focus on supporting amendments to address what he calls "serious flaws" in the legislation. There are currently some 26 proposed amendments that the Senate is considering, the bill faces another make or break vote in the chamber as early as Thursday.
The bill in question would provide a pathway to citizenship for millions of undocumented workers already in the country, and proposes a guest worker program. Supporters say it has many practical provisions, critics call it amnesty.
More local news after the jump: Ft. Carson Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Dust is Depleting Snowpack Faster, Greens Skeptical of Oil Shale Study and Granby Fire Now Contained....
Read More --> Continue reading "Colo. Senators Split on Immigration Vote, other news" »
Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:30 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Business , Colorado , Energy , Environment , Ft. Carson , Immigration , Military , Politics , Regional , Science , Wildfires
June 8, 2007
New Pinon Canyon Map
June 8, 2007 11:15 PM
Photo:
www.carson.army.milFor the first time since announcing plans to expand the Pinon Canyon military training site in southeast Colorado, the U.S. army has released a detailed map of the land it plans to buy. Ranchers are trying to block the proposal and several hundred landowners attended a meeting with the army in Trinidad last night. Bente Birkeland has more.
[LISTEN]
Posted by Delaney Utterback at 11:15 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Colorado , Environment , Ft. Carson , Military
"Hope Is Not A Plan," Author Talks About Iraq War From Inside the Green Zone, Part 3
June 8, 2007 7:00 AM
You can listen to part one [HERE].
Part Two is [HERE]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 7:00 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , History , Media , Military , Politics
June 6, 2007
"Hope Is Not A Plan," Author Interview, Part 2
June 6, 2007 7:00 AM
In 2004, Air Force Major Thomas Mowle went to Iraq at the request of a general who wanted "strategic thinkers" to help evaluate decision-making.
Mowle spent a year there and, with five other similarly tasked experts, wrote a book about the expereience called "Hope Is Not A Plan."
Major Mowle is a Ph.D. political science professor at the Air Force Academy, and his book is remarkably canddid for one written by an active duty officer.
[THIS] is the second of a three-part interview with Mowle about his book. Part three airs Friday, you can listen to part one [HERE].
More about the book from its publisher, can be found [HERE]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 7:00 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Education , Ft. Carson , History , Military , Politics
June 4, 2007
"Hope Is Not A Plan," Author Talks About Iraq War From Inside the Green Zone, Part 1
June 4, 2007 7:00 AM
These days, it's not hard to find critics of the war in Iraq. But few can speak with the same level of knowledge as Air Force Major Thomas Mowle. Mowle has a Ph.D. in political science, and teaches it at the Air Force Academy. He's just published a new book about the year he spent in the so-called Green Zone in Baghdad, where most of the decisions about the future of Iraq are made. Mowle's book is called "Hope is Not A Plan," and tonight we're bringing you the first of a three part interview with Major Mowle.
He went to Iraq at the special request of an American general. The general asked the Academy to send some "strategic thinkers" to evaluate America's efforts to stabilize Iraq and plant democracy there. "Hope is Not a Plan" is an analysis of those efforts by Mowle and five other military and political strategy specialists.
[LISTEN].
More about the book from its publisher, can be found [HERE]
Posted by Eric Whitney at 7:00 AM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Ft. Carson , Interview , Military , Politics
May 25, 2007
Gaps in Mental Care Persist for Ft. Carson Soldiers
May 25, 2007 2:35 PM
Photo: Daniel Zwerdling, NPRSix months ago, an NPR investigation found that leaders at Fort Carson, Colo., were punishing some soldiers who returned from war with serious mental health problems - and were preventing them from getting the treatment they needed. In some cases, officers kicked the soldiers out of the Army.
Those stories sparked ongoing investigations of the post, including one by a bipartisan group of U.S. senators and another by Pentagon officials.
Early this year, commanders at Fort Carson responded by launching what they described as an important new program: They required every leader, from sergeants up to generals, to attend a training course on how to spot and help soldiers who potentially have post-traumatic stress disorder. Officials say more than 2,200 leaders have taken the course so far, most of them early this year.
But during a recent return trip to Fort Carson to see whether conditions for troubled soldiers had improved, the most significant changes appeared to be rhetorical.
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 2:35 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Drug Use , Ft. Carson , Health , Legal Affairs , Media , Military , Politics
May 22, 2007
Colorado Congressional Delegation Praises Ft. Carson
May 22, 2007 5:19 PM
Last week we reported that a delegation of staffers from the U.S. House and Senate visited Ft. Carson to look into allegations that the Army is mistreating soldiers with mental health problems.
Today, members of Colorado's congressional delegation who sent staffers on the visit sent a letter to the Army to follow up.
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:19 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado , Ft. Carson , Health , Military , Politics
May 16, 2007
Congressional Delegation Visits Carson, Investigates Mental Health
May 16, 2007 5:43 PM
Soldiers and Army families unhappy with the mental health treatment Ft. Carson provides had a chance to sound off to Congress this week. A bipartisan group of nine U.S. senators and congressmen sent a team of their staffers to Ft. Carson Monday for two days of fact-finding about mental health problems being reported at the base. Carson has come under fire in the media following allegations by soldiers that leaders there mistreat troops with Post Traumatic Sttress disorder, or PTSD.
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:43 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Colorado Springs , Drug Use , Ft. Carson , Legal Affairs , Military , Politics
May 15, 2007
Springs Super would be First Black State Education Commissioner
May 15, 2007 5:35 PM
The sole candidate for Colorado's top education job is already thinking about what legacy he would want to leave. For starters he says a kinder friendlier education department. The state's current education commissioner is retiring and often had a contentious relationship with superintendents and school boards. Lawmakers say they're hopeful the next commissioner can turn that around. Bente Birkeland reports from Colorado Springs.
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Posted by Eric Whitney at 5:35 PM| Permalink | Comments (0) | Posted to Capitol Coverage , Children & Youth , Colorado Springs , Education , Ft. Carson , Politics