Sill official hopes civilians move to Okla.

[unhappycamper]

Sill official hopes civilians move to Okla.
The Associated Press
Posted : Wednesday Dec 12, 2007 17:23:13 EST

LAWTON, Okla. — When the Air Defense Artillery School relocates from Fort Bliss, Texas, to Fort Sill in 2009, officials at the southwest Oklahoma Army post hope to persuade civilians connected to the school to move to the Lawton area.

Thousands of military personnel are already expected to relocate to the post during the next several years as part of the recommendations from the Base Realignment and Closure, or BRAC, Commission.

During a forum this week at the Lawton-Fort Sill Chamber of Commerce, Maj. Gen. Peter M. Vangjel said he thinks that between 20 percent to 35 percent of the civilian work force will move during the relocation. The remaining 65 percent to 80 percent will have to be recruited because of the specialized skill sets associated with the jobs.

Vangjel urged chamber officials to visit El Paso in the spring to show civilian employees what Lawton has to offer in education, business and transportation.

Among Lawton’s highlights from 2007 are the relocation of the Oklahoma Cavalry basketball team and the crowning of Lawton native Lauren Nelson as Miss America 2007, Vangjel said.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2007/12/ap_sillcivilians_071212/