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 Directions |
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| An excellent road network makes it easy to drive to the post from any direction. Entry to the post is through three main gates: the Ozark Gate from the east, the Daleville Gate from the south and the Enterprise Gate from the west. |
| If you are coming from Ozark via Highway 231, turn onto Alabama 249 westbound (also known as Andrews Ave.) and continue driving until you reach the Ozark Gate. |
| If you are traveling from Enterprise, take Rucker Blvd., to the Enterprise Gate. |
From Dothan, take Highway 84 West, turn right at the Daleville exit, continue driving on Daleville Ave. for about two miles and then enter the post at the Daleville Gate.
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(Note: The Area code for the Fort Rucker Area is 334 and the DSN is prefix 558.)
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| Fort Rucker Quick Facts |
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Fort Rucker covers about 63,100 acres of southeast Alabama countryside in an area known as the Wiregrass, named for a wild grass peculiar to the region.
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Fort Rucker became Army Aviation’s centerpiece when flight training was consolidated here in 1973. U.S. Air Force helicopter pilots have also trained here since 1971. Fort Rucker instructors teach U.S. and foreign aviators everything from initial rotary-wing courses to advanced courses in aviation safety.
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| Much of the main post is in Dale County, with the remaining government-owned and leased acreage in Coffee, Geneva and Houston counties. Most of the countryside is rolling and wooded. An abundance of lakes |
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and streams and proximity to the Gulf of Mexico make this area a fisherman’s paradise.
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To carry out our mission, Fort Rucker supports a daytime population of about 13,885, including about 5,800 people in uniform, 7,600 civilian and contract employees and 3,300 military Family member residents.
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Fort Rucker is about 80 miles south of Montgomery, the Alabama state capital. It is just 20 miles northwest of the city of Dothan, home of the National Peanut Festival. Fort Rucker is surrounded by the communities of Enterprise, Daleville and Ozark that have long, warm and strong ties to the post.
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| Nearby Air Transportation |
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| The Dothan Regional Airport (DHN), located on the north side of the city in Houston County, provides regional airline service. Those moving on a government transportation request can obtain |
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transportation from the Dothan airport to Fort Rucker. The pick up point is in the main terminal. For further assistance, contact the staff duty officer at 255-3100 or 255-9777.
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| Communities of Excellence |
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| In keeping with the Army Community Covenant, Fort Rucker maintains strong ties to its neighboring Wiregrass communities. |
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| Daleville |
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| Daleville, the “Gateway City,” situated in southwest Dale County, is the main entrance to Fort Rucker. |
| The recreational facility, Culpepper Park, includes two softball fields, walking track, tennis courts, picnic pavilion, and playground. |
| Daleville’s unique blend of shopping centers and home-owned and operated shops present a warm, friendly welcome to all visitors. Modern housing developments are expanding and improving living conditions, with many homes available for sale or rent at reasonable prices. |
| The Daleville school system is fully accredited by the Association of Southern Schools and Colleges and provides an excellent program for area students in grades kindergarten through 12th. Among the many outstanding extracurricular activities are a complete sports program and the award-winning JROTC and band programs. |
| Daleville also has an extremely active Community Center. It offers multiple activities for all ages and includes a four-season sports program and swimming pool. Many civic and community groups meet here. |
| The Daleville Public Library offers a wide selection of reading, video, and audio |
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Daleville is the “Gateway City” to Fort Rucker.
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| materials for recreational and research purposes for all age groups. It has internet access available to all patrons with remote access to the Virtual Library. |
| The Senior Citizens Center also houses a nutrition site that offers a diversified program to senior citizens, including daily meals, arts and crafts, games, meals on wheels for the homebound, group trips, and many other functions of interest. Daily transportation to the Center for the elderly and disabled is provided free, and vans are equipped with lifts for wheelchairs. |
Daleville is proud of its outstanding churches, excellent public utilities, and the nicest people you would ever want to know.
The city of Daleville enjoys an active relationship with its liaison unit, the 1st battalion223rd Aviation Regiment. |
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| Dothan |
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Dothan murals depict the history of the city.
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| Located just 20 miles southeast of Fort Rucker, Dothan, with its population of more than 56,000, is the largest city in the Wiregrass. It serves a trade area of some half million people from Alabama, Georgia, and Florida. |
| Dothan’s retail market, one of the healthiest in the state, boasts the Wiregrass Commons Mall and the new “Shops on the Circle.” In addition, there are a wide variety of locally owned stores, boutiques, and many convenient plazas. |
| Each season brings its own special events. Springtime arrives in a blaze of color with blooming azaleas, dogwoods, tulips, and daffodils. The Azalea Dogwood Trail, usually in mid-March, is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. For over half a century Dothan has hosted the Future Masters Golf Tournament each July. |
| Such old Southern-style of gardening and beauty can be seen at the Dothan Area Botanical Gardens just off Highway 431 near Landmark Park. Personnel at the gardens are committed to the conservation of natural resources, as well as education and research. Its programs include environmental seminars, speakers programs, and gardening programs, tours, and meetings throughout the year. |
| A tranquil, paved nature trail meanders through a beautiful garden of roses, herbs, daylilies, camellias, and native azaleas. The pond, Victorian gazebo, butterfly garden, green house, and a demonstration garden add to the gardens vibrant rhythm of nature and natural beauty. Operating hours are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. Admission is free. Call 793-3224 for more information. |
| By early November, when the peanut crop is harvested, Dothan celebrates with the National Peanut Festival. This weeklong celebration is packed with popular recording stars, carnival attractions, traditional folklore events, and a spectacular parade. |
| Dothan has many recreational opportunities for all ages and the facilities are outstanding. Area recreation departments oversee 20 parks, six public swimming pools, seasonal water park, 40 public tennis courts, a new 16-court fast-dry tennis facility boasting a Championship court build to professional standards, four recreational centers, a five diamond softball complex and numerous organized team sports including soccer. Nearby lakes, rivers, and streams provide some of the(^top of section) |
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| finest fresh water fishing in the world. Hunting abounds as well. |
A number of celebrity-themed venues will be featured at Country Crossing. Country music artists who have already committed are George Jones, Tracy Lawrence, Darryl Worley, Lorrie Morgan and John Anderson, with more country acts and celebrity-endorsed venues being added.
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Dothan is also one of the stops on Alabama’s famed Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, featuring 36 holes of world-class golf at Highland Oaks.
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| Landmark Park, the state’s agricultural museum, consists of 60 acres of shady nature trails and a boardwalk, picnic sites, historic restorations, special events, educational opportunities for adults and children, a planetarium, and an interpretive center. |
| A love of elegance, culture, art, and recreation are alive and well in Dothan. The Opera House, a historic downtown landmark built in 1903, represents the elegance of turn-of-the-century southern life. It opens its doors for professional and community theatre productions, including the Southeast Alabama Community Theatre performances, spectacular concerts, symphonies, ballet performances, and many other cultural events each year. |
| MUSICSOUTH, formerly the Southeast Alabama Symphony Association, Understudy Dinner Theater, Southeast Alabama Dancing Arts Council, and the Houston County Arts Alliance, all contribute to cultural life in Dothan. |
| A variety of art experiences are offered at the Wiregrass Museum of Art. Located across the street from the Dothan Civic Center in a renovated building that is on the National Register of Historic Buildings, the museum offers a collection of paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and African cultural objects. The museum’s seven galleries include an interactive gallery, a hands-on exhibit for children, called Artventures, and a gift gallery for shopping. |
| The museum sponsors art displays for different interest groups. For example, the “Art of Soldiering” displays military works of art that attract Fort Rucker Soldiers. Admission to the Wiregrass Museum of Art is free. |
Complimenting its collection of art, the museum’s elegant Conference Center, with its meeting rooms and multimedia equipment, is perfect for receptions, business meetings, and seminars.
All this, combined with quality education, medical services, sophisticated and technologically advanced medical treatment and services, commercial air service, over 140 places of worship representing more than 25 denominations, and friendly, gracious people attract many to Dothan to live and visit. |
Dothan appreciates and honors its Fort Rucker liaison unit, the 1st Battalion, 145th Aviation Regiment.
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| Enterprise |
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| Enterprise, a growth community, is not just a town; it is a team working together to improve the community spiritually, culturally, socially, and economically. |
| It is a progressive city whose birth actually took place in l88l when Mr. J. Henry Carmichael built the first residence. He is recognized as the founder of Enterprise, which was officially incorporated in l896 with a population of 250. In l898, the railroad came to Enterprise, bringing with it much growth and progress. In l90l, the Atlantic Coast Line acquired the railroad and currently it is operated by CSX Transportation. After the turn of the century, the first hospital was built. |
| Primarily an agricultural town, Enterprise was especially hard hit with the arrival of the unwelcome boll weevil. Shortly after l9l0, this destructive insect invaded the cotton fields. In an effort to offset the resultant devastating effect brought on by this infestation, systematic reduction of cotton acreage and diversification of crops were initiated statewide. |
| Because of the tremendous economic success Coffee County farmers had with their peanut crops, they decided to build a monument to the boll weevil that had been responsible for the change from cotton. On December ll, l9l9, the monument was unveiled and still stands in downtown Enterprise, the only city in the world with a monument glorifying a pest. |
| Another one-of-a-kind monument, which commemorates and is dedicated to Army aviators, was erected by a local garden club in l972. Enterprise today is a progressive city with a population of more than 22,000. It is continuously gaining new and outstanding leadership in facets of community life, thus offering challenges and opportunities to its residents. The citizens of Enterprise are dedicated to “Quality of Life.” |
| Enterprise City School System is comprised of six elementary schools, three junior high schools, and one high school with a total enrollment of about 5,300 students. Students have consistently scored higher than state and national averages on tests such as the Stanford Achievement Test and the American College Test. |
| The system is currently rated as one of the top school systems in Alabama with about $2.5 to 3 million worth of scholarships awarded annually to graduating seniors. |
| Enterprise Ozark Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the Associate Degree. EOCC has established and maintained a superior academic reputation with more than 2,000 students enrolled in credit courses and an additional 3,000 adults registered in various continuing education programs. Many military service members and their Families (^top of section) |
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Enterprise is the only city in the world
with a monument glorifying a pest.
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| take advantage of the Service Members’ Opportunities College Associate Degree network that allows students to transfer credits throughout the nation. |
| Enterprise has an outstanding public library, an active art alliance, country club, golf course, and 80 acres of developed parks for use by people of all ages. “Don” Donaldson Park has modern facilities that feature six lighted tennis courts, two softball fields, and a baseball field. |
| The Enterprise Recreational Complex is complete with a lake, walking trails, playground, and a Family picnic area. |
| Several shopping centers and a large variety of locally-owned businesses make one-stop shopping a reality in Enterprise. |
| Community members have access to modern health care services at Medical Center Enterprise. The 135-bed hospital provides the latest technology in Labor and Delivery, ENT, Orthopedic, Urology, Internal Medicine and Diagnostic services and outpatient surgery center. |
| Religious worship is an integral part of the Enterprise community. The many faiths represented are more than just religious centers; they are active in all facets of the community. |
| Enterprise, adjacent to the west gate of Fort Rucker, is a city of a new generation of Southerners, where gracious living blends easily with a modern way of life. |
| The city of Enterprise appreciates its Fort Rucker liaison unit, 1st Battalion 212th Aviation Regiment. |
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| Geneva |
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Located on the Choctawhatchee and Pea Rivers about 35 miles south of Fort Rucker on Highway 85 is the city of Geneva.
Geneva, with its exciting recreational opportunities, historic landmarks, and relaxing Family experiences, is full of exciting recreational opportunities, historic landmarks, and relaxing Family experiences. |
Downtown Geneva reflects small town atmosphere.
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| This southern Alabama community boasts its annual Festival on the Rivers, an event nationally recognized as one of the top 20 events in the Southeast. This two-day “down home” festival features food, arts and crafts, fishing contest, road races, canoe races, worm fiddling contest, tug-of-war, car shows, beauty contest, talent contest, gospel singing, nationally-known entertainment and a parade downtown. An added popular feature in 2004 was helicopter rides, sponsored by the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation that gave participants an aerial view of Geneva. |
Geneva honors its Fort Rucker liaison unit, the 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment, at its annual “The Great American Fish Fry” where Geneva shows off its great talent for cooking southern fried catfish.
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| Ozark |
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| One will find in Ozark, a gentler climate and culture. A community where “neighbor” means more than someone living next door. Ozark is a Family sort of place, a community safe and secure where residents care and share with other Families. Ozark is away from the rush, yet in pace with the times. |
| The moment you arrive, you’ll notice life is different here. Beautiful antebellum homes built when “cotton was king” still grace streets lined with majestic oaks draped with Spanish moss. You’ll experience the quaint atmosphere of “small town” Main Street when Ozark ushers in the Claybank Jamboree. Named for the log-hewed Claybank Church built in 1852, the Jamboree offers a chance to browse for bargains among exquisite antiques, vintage furniture, homemade quilts, and other special keepsakes from days gone by. The arts and crafts sale is held the first weekend in October. |
A well-staffed recreational department maintains parks, ball fields, picnic areas, playgrounds, and tennis courts. An 18-hole golf course provides a challenge to golfers.
The sportsman knows no off-season. The 92-acre Dale County Lake and the many other lakes, rivers, and creeks around the area provide the fisherman with bass, bluegill, and catfish. For the hunter, deer, wild turkey, quail, and dove abound in the underbrush, woods, and fields surrounding Ozark. |
| For those who enjoy other kinds of entertainment, the Ozark Civic Center can accommodate up to 4,100 people, hosting a year-round lineup of national stars. The Flowers Center for Performing Arts can seat 500 people for community, school, and civic events. The library has a large circulation and year-round programs. |
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The Ozark City School system has a student population of about 3,400, maintaining two elementary, two middle, one vocational and one high school with athletics and band programs. Citizens of the community have access to continued education through Wallace College and Enterprise Ozark Community College campus. The Vivian B.
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Ozark’s past is depicted by its
many atebellum homes.
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| Adams School for exceptional children, located in Ozark, operates year-round and provides education of the trainable mentally handicapped and the severely and profoundly mentally handicapped. |
| The major agricultural industry remains to be the peanut with poultry a second fast-growing business. Ozark comprises many businesses and industries—retail, manufacturing, and restaurants rank high in the business composition. |
Dale Medical Center offers the finest quality health care with an 89-bed acute care facility and a staff of more than 300 that oversees a full range of care specialties.
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| Religious worship runs deep within the fabric, which is reflected in the many denominations represented in the area. The churches are at the forefront of the community, promoting youth and Family activities. |
| History, recreation, festivities, education, entertainment, beauty, climate, security, and fun can be found in Ozark, a Family sort of place, out of the rush, yet in pace with the times. |
| Ozark honors and appreciates its Fort Rucker liaison unit, the 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment. |
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| Installation Structure: Garrison |
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The Installation Management Agency, consisting of seven regions worldwide, was established in October 2002. The Fort Rucker garrison is aligned with the Southeast IMA Region headquartered in Atlanta.
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To ensure the well-being of Soldiers, civilians and Family members, IMA’s mission is to provide equitable, efficient, and effective management of Army installations worldwide. This mission plan includes maintenance for various projects on post.
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The creation of IMA is based on the concept by Department of the Army to separate the base (garrison) support from mission funding. The Fort Rucker garrison operates much like any small city.
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The garrison command functions much like a city manager’s office by overseeing the services and support necessary for daily operations.
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Police and fire departments, engineers, housing, contracting, grocery and retail enterprises, banks and other services are all managed with garrison command oversight. These include the main post exchange and commissary; Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (DFMWR) child and youth services programs; Army Community Service ; arts and crafts; and the post library. Discover all that DFMWR has to offer at http://www.ftruckermwr.com/.
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The Garrison Commander and the Garrison Command Sgt. Major are also actively involved with installation beautification programs, school programs, special local and federal observances, union and civil grievances, reports of survey, and membership on a number of boards and councils.
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In keeping with the Army Community Covenant, the Garrison Command is the installation’s immediate link with the surrounding communities, working with the mayors and Chambers of Commerce in the Wiregrass.
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| The command provides leadership and support to many worthwhile programs on the installation, such as the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers, Combined Federal Campaign, Army Emergency Relief, Support the Strong campaign and the Fort Rucker Volunteer program. |
The Garrison Command also oversees services provided by the Aviation Center Chaplain, Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, Equal Employment Opportunity, Public Affairs, the Military Personnel Division and Adjutant General, Army Career and Alumni program, Internal Review and Audit Compliance, and Army Substance Abuse.
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| U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence |
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Fort Rucker, named Army Aviation’s Center of Excellence in 2008, serves as the headquarters for Army Aviation. While the garrison command manages the daily operations of the Fort Rucker community, the Aviation branch headquarters develops, coordinates and deploys Aviation operations, training and doctrine. The U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence also hosts various Army tenant organizations.
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Family-centered activities are a
command priority at Fort Rucker.
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