December 6, 2019 / Modified dec 6, 2019 4:22 p.m.

Fort Huachuca and the military’s economic impact

Arizona 360 hears from post leaders and explores the significance of Arizona's military industry.

This week, Arizona 360 visited Fort Huachuca, the state’s largest military installation, to learn more about its mission and economic impact in Southern Arizona. The Army established it in 1877 and it has since developed into a hub for intelligence training and development. In July, Maj. Gen. Laura Potter assumed command of Fort Huachuca and the U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence. She discussed the post’s role in helping the Army train the next generation of intelligence soldiers.


More than 6,000 enlisted individuals serve at Fort Huachuca. Arizona 360 saw firsthand how the post’s largest training battalion, the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion, is being prepared for active duty.

Featured in this story: Lt. Col. TJ Fearnow; Capt. Aaron Reibel; Spc. Austin Olson.


For about a thousand service members and their families, Fort Huachuca is home. The post has about 1,100 housing units. While living conditions at privatized military housing has come under national scrutiny, the widespread concerns have not extended to Fort Huachuca. Lorraine Rivera learned more about how the post manages housing and spoke to one family about their experiences.


Fort Huachuca’s estimated economic impact in Arizona nears $2.9 billion annually. Since opening in the late 19th century, as its foothold strengthened, it helped give rise to the city of Sierra Vista. The city’s economy depends on the post’s success. The Fort Huachuca 50 is a community group focused on protecting that relationship. Larry Portouw, a retired Army colonel and president of the nonprofit, explained how it advocates for the post.


Arizona is home to several large military installations, National Guard operations and more than a dozen smaller military assets. According to a 2017 study from the Maguire Company, the military supports tens of thousands of jobs and generates hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue annually in Arizona. The Maguire Company is a Phoenix-based consulting firm. Company president Alan Maguire discussed the study’s findings with Lorraine Rivera.

Arizona 360
Arizona 360 airs Fridays at 8:30 p.m. on PBS 6 and Saturdays at 8 p.m. on PBS 6 PLUS. See more from Arizona 360.
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