Senior installations, energy and environment leader visits Fort Carson

FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Honorable W. Jordan Gillis, the assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment, visited Fort Carson, Nov. 4-5, 2026, to review the installation's infrastructure and energy priorities, while also evaluating ongoing quality-of-life initiatives designed to support Soldiers and their Families.

Gillis is responsible for the modernization of infrastructure and efficiencies that directly impact readiness across the Department of War.

His two-day visit began at the Army Field Support Battalion (AFSBn)-Carson Railhead where he met with key leaders.

“Every Army installation is different with unique missions, unique facilities, unique infrastructure,” Gillis said. “You really have to get out of the Pentagon and on the ground to see what impact policies we make and dollars that we budget at the Pentagon have for Soldiers and units on the ground, where they live and where they train.”

The group discussed local environmental conservation efforts and challenges the terrain plays in containing wildland fires.

“Carson is unique in that it is one of the installations that deals a lot with the threat of wildland fire and the impact that that can have on training,” he said. “I think one of my takeaways is that Carson has done a great job, both with the installation resources and also with mutual aid agreements with the local communities to get after wildland fires and minimize the impact that they have on the installation, grasslands and training.”

Transitioning to community-focused support, the group then visited the Carson Connector Headquarters. There, David Tookmanian, Fort Carson Plans, Analysis and Integration Office (PAIO), spoke to Gillis about the rapid adoption and success of the Carson Connector transportation service, which offers free on-demand rides to service members, Families, civilians and contractors.

“I think that the Carson Connector shuttle is an awesome asset that Soldiers can take advantage of,” said Gillis. “I love seeing what the garrison has done with that.”

Tookmanian shared how the microtransit system was sustained through an Intergovernmental Service Agreement (IGSA) between Fort Carson and the City of Fountain. Building on this model, he highlighted IGSAs as vehicles for securing future community-partnered project funding. Fort Carson currently maintains nine active IGSAs with several additional agreements under development.

A drive through post residential areas offered a stark visual contrast between legacy housing units dating back to the late 1950s and newly constructed housing developments. Since 2022, Fort Carson has systematically demolished legacy neighborhoods to clear land for modern, energy-efficient family housing.

“We’ve got to acknowledge that quality of life includes places where Soldiers train, where Soldiers work, and where Soldiers have recreation opportunities,” he said. “Investments across the board are important to enable the force and to enable Soldiers to adequately carry out their missions and not have to worry about conditions at their home.”

The group traveled to the summit of Signal Hill after touring neighborhoods, to see the installation footprint from a higher point. Garrison leaders used the view to explain historical context, logistical hurdles, and potential solutions associated with the post's barracks renovation initiatives.

Fort Carson leaders compared the infrastructure of post's legacy barracks against the design of the modern barracks constructed in 2009.

“We saw significant investment out of the first iteration of the Barracks Task Force,” Gillis said. “Here at Carson, where those dollars are still being executed, are lighting upgrades in the barracks. We wanted better quality, more reliable lighting for Soldiers just to have a better environment. So that is an artifact of the first Barracks Task Force.”

Gillis said the Office of the Secretary of War (OSW) has reinvigorated the Barracks Task Force, and Fort Carson is an installation on the minds of senior Army leaders.

“You'll see OSW leadership out visiting Army installations,” Gillis said. “Carson is on the docket. And I believe they'll be impressed with what they see at Carson barracks. Unit leadership at Fort Carson is appropriately engaged in the barracks. I think that the garrison team is focused on barracks and developing a plan for long-term reinvestment in the barracks infrastructure, which is great."

Gillis toured a barracks building, visiting laundry rooms and talking to Soldiers about facility management and common issues. Gillis and his party walked across the street to The Stack House Bistro, Fort Carson’s newest Campus-Style Dining Venue which opened in 2026.

Following lunch with the Fort Carson leaders and directors, Gillis recognized 14 garrison employees with coins for their organizational contributions and service excellence.

The visit concluded at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters, where Gillis had an office call with Maj. Gen. Patrick Ellis, the commanding general of 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, and was briefed on the strategic utility of the Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site.

“Piñon Canyon is a great asset for Fort Carson,” said Gillis. “To have maneuver space like that now coupled with the expanded impact area and to be able to conduct live fire training out there in a realistic way is an outstanding asset. All of that contributes directly to unit readiness and to realistic training, which is exactly what we want to see.”

During the meeting they discussed the history of the land, community partnerships, and future training opportunities designed to project combat-ready forces.

“I really applaud the team at Carson for everything they've done to be able to expand training opportunities at Piñon Canyon,” he said.

Fort Carson Deputy Garrison Commander Joe Wyka said the visit allowed installation staff to highlight the progress towards quality-of-life goals and initiatives.

“It was a privilege to host the Honorable W. Jordan Gillis, providing an opportunity to showcase our programs, facilities and the substantial advancements we have achieved towards elevating the quality-of-life for Soldiers and Families on Fort Carson,” said Wyka.

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