## Overview Fort Stewart, located about forty miles west of Savannah, Georgia, is the largest U.S. Army installation east of the Mississippi River, encompassing approximately 280,000 acres across five counties[1][2][5]. It serves as a major power projection platform for the U.S. military, specializing in training, equipping, and deploying active and reserve Army units, and is the home of the historic 3rd Infantry Division[3][6]. Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, which supports rapid global deployment of troops and equipment, is operationally linked to Fort Stewart, enhancing its strategic reach[1][3]. ## History Established in 1940 as an antiaircraft training facility, Fort Stewart was named after Brigadier General Daniel Stewart, a Revolutionary War hero from Liberty County[1][2]. The installation’s creation involved the acquisition of vast tracts of land, displacing over 1,500 families and several small villages, and was spearheaded by U.S. Congressman Hugh Peterson Sr.[1]. During World War II, the camp could billet tens of thousands of soldiers, reflecting its importance in national defense[2]. Over the decades, Fort Stewart has evolved into a premier joint training site for all military branches, offering extensive live-fire, maneuver, and aviation training capabilities[3]. ## Key Achievements Fort Stewart is recognized for its advanced training infrastructure, including seven major drop zones, multiple tank and helicopter gunnery ranges, and three live-fire maneuver areas—facilities that support year-round, all-weather training for joint forces[3]. The base is also a leader in environmental stewardship, operating one of the nation’s most active prescribed fire management programs. In fiscal year 2023 alone, it conducted prescribed burns on over 115,000 acres to reduce wildfire risk and sustain natural ecosystems, while also hosting cutting-edge fire science research[4]. ## Current Status Today, Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield employs