Editing Fort Novosel

{{Short description|U.S. Army base in Alabama}}
{{Use American English|date=September 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2023}}<!-- PER US MILITARYUSAGE-->
{{infobox military installation
| name            = Fort Novosel
| native_name     =
| partof          =
| location        = Fort Novosel, Alabama
| image           = Fortrucker.png
| image_size      = 288px
| caption         =
| pushpin_map     = Alabama
| pushpin_mapsize = 150
| coordinates     = {{coord|31|20|15|N|85|42|40|W|type:landmark_region:US-AL_dim:5000|display=inline,title}}
| type            = Army post
| code            =
| height          =
| ownership       =
| controlledby    = United States Army
| open_to_public  = No (The Army Aviation Museum is open to the public. ID and proof of auto insurance are required to enter the installation.)
| condition       = Operational
| built           = {{Start date|1942|05|1|df=yes}}
| builder         =
| used            = 1942–present
| materials       =
| demolished      =
| battles         =
| events          =
| current_commander = Major General [[Clair A. Gill]]
| past_commanders = Brigadier General [[Michael D. Lundy]]
Maj. Gen. [[James O. Barclay III]], 2008–2010<ref name="Tony">{{cite web |url=https://www.army.mil/-news/2010/08/19/43970-crutchfield-assumes-command-of-usaace-fort-rucker/ |title=Crutchfield assumes command of USAACE, Fort Rucker |first=Emily |last=Brainard |author2=Russell Sellers |date             = 19 August 2010 |publisher=United States Army |access-date=13 December 2010}}</ref>
| garrison        = 1st Aviation Brigade<br />110th Aviation Brigade<br />23rd Flying Training Squadron
| occupants       = 1st Aviation Brigade
}}
'''Fort Novosel''' (formerly '''Fort Rucker''') is a [[United States Army]] post located primarily in [[Dale County, Alabama]], United States.  It is named in honor of Chief Warrant Officer [[Michael J. Novosel]], an Army aviator and Medal of Honor recipient.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Gore |first=Leada |date=24 May 2022 |title=Fort Rucker to be renamed to honor Alabama man, Medal of Honor recipient Michael Novosel |url=https://www.al.com/news/2022/05/fort-rucker-to-be-renamed-to-honor-alabama-native-medal-of-honor-recipient-michael-novosel.html |access-date=11 April 2023 |website=al |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Home of Army Aviation to be redesignated Fort Novosel |date=27 March 2023 |url=https://www.army.mil/article/265188/home_of_army_aviation_to_be_redesignated_fort_novosel |access-date=11 April 2023 |publisher=United States Army |language=en}}</ref> It was previously named for a [[American Civil War|Civil War]] officer, [[Confederate States Army|Confederate]] Colonel [[Edmund Rucker]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Levenson|first=Michael|title=These Are the 10 U.S. Army Installations Named for Confederates|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/11/us/military-bases-confederates.html|access-date=14 June 2020|newspaper=The New York Times|date=11 June 2020}}</ref> The post is the primary flight training installation for [[United States Army Aviation Branch|U.S. Army Aviators]] and is home to the [[United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence]] (USAACE) and the [[United States Army Aviation Museum]]. Small sections of the post also lie in [[Coffee County, Alabama|Coffee]], [[Geneva County, Alabama|Geneva]], and [[Houston County, Alabama|Houston]] counties.  Part of the Dale County section of the base is a [[census-designated place]]; its population was 4,636 at the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]].<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=14 May 2011 |title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>

The main post has entrances from three bordering cities, [[Daleville, Alabama|Daleville]], [[Ozark, Alabama|Ozark]] and [[Enterprise, Alabama|Enterprise]].  In the years before the [[September 11, 2001 attacks]], the main post (except airfields and other restricted areas) was an open post with unmanned gates allowing civilians to drive through.  Following the attacks, this policy was changed, and the post is now closed to unauthorized traffic and visitors.

It was one of the [[List of U.S. Army installations named for Confederate soldiers|U.S. Army installations named for Confederate soldiers]] that was recommended for renaming by [[The Naming Commission]]. Their recommendation was that the post be renamed Fort Novosel.<ref name=recommendations>[[The Naming Commission]] (Aug 2022) [https://www.thenamingcommission.gov/faqs Recommendation] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009095243/https://www.thenamingcommission.gov/faqs |date=9 October 2022 }}</ref> On 5 January 2023 William A. LaPlante, U.S. under-secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment ([[Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment|USD (A&S)]]) directed the full implementation of the recommendations of the Naming Commission, DoD-wide.<ref name= namingBegins >[https://www.defense.gov/News/Transcripts/Transcript/Article/3260496/pentagon-press-secretary-air-force-brig-gen-pat-ryder-holds-an-on-camera-press/ (5 January 2023) Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder Holds an On-Camera Press Briefing]</ref> The post was redesignated Fort Novosel on 10 April 2023.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Gast |first1=Phil |title=Fort Rucker was named for a Confederate. The Army post will now be called Fort Novosel, for a Medal of Honor recipient who rescued thousands |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/10/us/fort-rucker-name-change-novosel/index.html |publisher=CNN |date=10 April 2023}}</ref>

== Military facilities ==
{| class="wikitable floatright"
|-
|'''Coordinates:'''
* Fort Novosel: {{coord|31|20|12.29|N|85|42|41.53|W}}
* [[Cairns Army Airfield]]: {{coord|31|16|37.77|N|85|42|47.27|W}}
* [[Hanchey Army Heliport]]: {{coord|31|20|37.62|N|85|39|11.88|W}}
* [[Knox Army Heliport]]: {{coord|31|19|7.65|N|85|40|25.16|W}}
* [[Lowe Army Heliport]]: {{coord|31|21|17.63|N|85|44|55.35|W}}
* [[Shell Army Heliport]]: {{coord|31|21|45.14|N|85|50|56.09|W}}
* [[Echo Army Heliport]]: {{coord|31|23|33.00|N|85|45|8.96|W}}
|}
The [[U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence]] is the dominant military facility at Fort Novosel.  Training, [[doctrine]], and testing are all key parts of the center's mission to develop Army Aviation's capabilities.  All Army Aviation training has been undertaken at Fort Novosel since 1973, as well as training of [[United States Air Force]] (USAF) and ally helicopter pilots and air crew.  The center was home to the [[U.S. Army Aviation Technical Test Center]] (ATTC), which conducts developmental aircraft testing for Army Aviation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.atec.army.mil/DTC/who_attc_is.htm|title=The Aviation Technical Test Center|publisher=United States Army|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427142838/http://www.atec.army.mil/DTC/who_attc_is.htm|archive-date=27 April 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2005, as part of the Base Re-alignment and Closure ([[Base Realignment and Closure|BRAC]]) decision, ATTC was moved north to Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, and combined with the [[Redstone Technical Test Center]] to form the [[U.S. Army Redstone Test Center|Redstone Test Center]].  The United States Army Operational Test and Evaluation Command's Test and Evaluation Coordination Office and [[Bell 206#Military|TH-67 Creek]] primary and instrument training are both located at [[Cairns Army Airfield]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.armyfleetsupport.com/cairns.htm|title=Information about Cairns Army Airfield|website=armyfleetsupport.com|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/cairns.htm|title=Cairns Army Airfield|first=John|last=Pike|publisher=GlobalSecurity.org|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> The last TH-67 was retired in 2021 as the Army moved to the [[Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota]] as its trainer aircraft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rotorcraft |first=Mark Huber • Contributor- |title=U.S. Army Retires Bell TH-67 Trainers {{!}} AIN |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2021-02-19/us-army-retires-bell-th-67-trainers |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=Aviation International News}}</ref>

Operational units on the post include the [[1st Aviation Brigade]] and the [[110th Aviation Brigade]] handling Army Aviation training,<ref>[http://www-rucker.army.mil/1AB/1AB.htm Reference to 1st Aviation Brigade references on Ft. Rucker Website] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080603162816/http://www-rucker.army.mil/1AB/1AB.htm |date=3 June 2008 }}</ref> and the [[United States Air Force|USAF]] [[23d Flying Training Squadron]] for the training of Air Force helicopter pilots and air crew.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.militarymediainc.com/rucker/tenants.html#_23fts|title=Reference to summary of 23d Flying Training Squadron activities at Fort Rucker|website=militarymediainc.com|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref>

The [[110th Aviation Brigade (United States)|110th Aviation Brigade]] consists of four battalions using three different sites. 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment, operates and manages air traffic control services for USAACe/Fort Novosel and the [[National Airspace System]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.militarymediainc.com/rucker/command.html#_1b11ar|title=Describes duties of The 1st Battalion, 11th Aviation Regiment|website=militarymediainc.com|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227084252/http://www.militarymediainc.com/rucker/command.html#_1b11ar|archive-date=27 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1st Battalion, 13th Aviation Regiment trains future air traffic controllers and aviation operations specialists who have recently graduated [[United States Army Basic Training]], or are transferring from another [[List of United States Army careers|Military Occupational Specialty]]. 1st Battalion, 14th Aviation Regiment operates from [[Hanchey Army Heliport]] and conducts graduate level training using the [[AH-64 Apache|AH-64E Apache Longbow]] helicopters.  1st Battalion, 212th Aviation Regiment operates from [[Lowe Army Heliport]] and [[Shell Army Heliport]] and conducts combat and night operational training, using the [[Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk|UH-60 Black Hawk]] helicopters.  1st Battalion, 223d Aviation Regiment operates from Cairns Army Airfield and Shell Army Heliport flying the [[UH-72|Eurocopter UH-72 Lakota]] for introductory helicopter pilot training, and Knox Army Heliport for training pilots who fly the [[CH-47 Chinook]] helicopter.<ref name=RuckerCommand>{{cite web|url=http://www.militarymediainc.com/rucker/command.html|title=List of Aviation Regiments|website=militarymediainc.com|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227084252/http://www.militarymediainc.com/rucker/command.html|archive-date=27 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.militarymediainc.com/rucker/command.html#agft|title=Activities of each Aviation Regiment|website=militarymediainc.com|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081227084252/http://www.militarymediainc.com/rucker/command.html#agft|archive-date=27 December 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www-rucker.army.mil/atb/1-223/bnv2.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030311063329/http://www-rucker.army.mil/atb/1-223/bnv2.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=11 March 2003|title=Homepage for 1st Battalion, 223d Aviation Regiment|publisher=United States Army|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref>

Additionally, due to the large number of [[Warrant Officer (United States)|warrant officers]] stationed there, the [[Warrant Officer Candidate School (U.S. Army)|Warrant Officer Candidate School]] and [[Warrant Officer Career College (U.S. Army)|Warrant Officer Career College]] are both located at Fort Novosel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nationalguard.com/search?q=explore%20warrant%20woc.php|title=National Guard|website=nationalguard.com|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://usawocc.army.mil/woes/WOCS_Ltr.pdf |title=Link to support Warrant Officer Candidate School location at Fort Rucker |access-date=3 January 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090326061419/http://usawocc.army.mil/woes/WOCS_Ltr.pdf |archive-date=26 March 2009 |url-status=dead }}</ref> [[United States Army Aviation Branch|Aviation]] branched warrant officers remain at Fort Novosel to complete flight training and the Aviation [[Warrant Officer Basic Course]]. Upon completion of their training, aviation warrant officers receive the [[Aviator badge|Army Aviator Badge]].

Support and other facilities at Fort Novosel include the [[Theodore C. Lyster|Lyster]] Army Health Clinic,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rucker.amedd.army.mil/|title=US Army Aeromedical Center|publisher=United States Army|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090827083420/https://www.rucker.amedd.army.mil/|archive-date=27 August 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[United States Army Aeromedical Research Lab]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.usaarl.army.mil/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120805193517/http://www.usaarl.army.mil/|url-status=dead|archive-date=5 August 2012|title=U.S. Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory|publisher=United States Army|access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref> [[United States Army School of Aviation Medicine]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://usasam.amedd.army.mil/|title=United States Army School of Aviation Medicine|publisher=United States Army|access-date=5 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120923064447/http://usasam.amedd.army.mil/|archive-date=23 September 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[United States Army Combat Readiness/Safety Center]] and [[Army Aviation Museum]].

== History ==
The original name of the post was Ozark Triangular Division Camp, but before the camp was officially opened during [[World War II]] on 1 May 1942, the [[United States Department of War|War Department]] named it Camp Rucker. The post was named in honor of Colonel [[Edmund W. Rucker]], a Civil War Confederate officer, who was given the honorary title of "General," and who became an industrial leader in [[Birmingham, Alabama|Birmingham]] after the war.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://yellowhammernews.com/politics-2/pentagon-wont-rename-alabamas-ft-rucker-named-after-confederate-officer/|title=Pentagon won't rename Alabama's Ft. Rucker, named after Confederate officer – Yellowhammer News – Yellowhammer News |website=yellowhammernews.com|date=July 2015 |access-date=5 April 2018}}</ref>
Fort Novosel (situated on {{convert|58000|acre|km2|0}} of sub-marginal farmland, and formerly a wildlife refuge) was opened on 1 May 1942 as "Camp Rucker". It had quarters for 3,280 officers and 39,461 enlisted personnel.<ref>{{cite book |last=Stanton |first=Shelby L. |title=Order of Battle: U.S. Army World War II |year=1984 |publisher=Presidio Press |location=[[Novato, California]] |isbn=0-89141-195-X |page=[https://archive.org/details/orderofbattleusa00stan/page/602 602] |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/orderofbattleusa00stan/page/602 }}</ref>

In September 1942, 1,259 additional acres south of Daleville were acquired to construct an airfield to support the training camp. It was known as Ozark Army Airfield until January 1959, when the name was changed to Cairns Army Airfield. The first troops to train at Camp Rucker were those of the [[81st Infantry Division (United States)|81st Infantry Division]]; the 81st Division left Rucker for action in the [[Pacific Ocean theater of World War II|Pacific Theater]] in March 1943. Three other infantry divisions received training at Camp Rucker during the war—the [[35th Infantry Division (United States)|35th]], the [[98th Division (United States)|98th]], and the 66th. The [[66th Infantry Division (United States)|66th (Panther) Division]] was the last division to train at the post during WW II, and left for the [[European theater of World War II|European Theater]] in October 1944.

Camp Rucker was also used to train dozens of units of less than division size; these included tank, infantry replacement, and [[Women's Army Corps]] units. During the latter part of World War II, several hundred [[German prisoners of war in the United States|German]] and a few Italian prisoners of war were housed in stockades near the railroad east of the warehouse area, on the southern edge of the post. The 91st Infantry Division was sent to Camp Rucker at the war's end, inactivating in December 1945.

Camp Rucker was inactive from March 1946 until August 1950. It was reopened during the [[Korean War]]. The [[Minnesota Army National Guard]]'s [[47th Infantry Division (United States)|47th Infantry Division]] was mobilized and sent to Camp Rucker in the fall of 1950; the division provided cadre that would conduct basic training of soldiers, who would later on, be sent as replacements to units in Korea. The 47th Infantry Division would remain at Camp Rucker throughout the war. After another short deactivation, it reopened and expanded when it became a helicopter training base.  The name was changed to "Fort Rucker" in October 1955.

The Hanchey Army Airfield became the home of the Department of Rotary Wing Training of the [[United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence|Army Aviation School]] on 5 October 1959, marking the first time the department was centralized.

Fort Rucker suffered damage from three significant [[tornado]]es within two years in 1972 and 1973. The first, rated [[Fujita scale|F2]], struck on 13 January 1972. It damaged buildings and helicopters on the post and devastated two nearby trailer parks, killing four people and injuring 88, all army dependents. An F3 tornado struck the post on 29 December 1973, causing minor damage to residences and striking a tank storage area. Most of the significant damage from this storm was in the Enterprise area. A second F3 tornado hit a day later, heavily damaging 30 government and residential buildings at Fort Rucker, 5 of which were destroyed. Twenty-three people were injured.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Grazulis |first1=Thomas P. |title=Significant tornadoes, 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events |date=1993 |publisher=Environmental Films |location=St. Johnsbury, Vermont |isbn=1-879362-03-1 |pages=1129, 1147}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Storm Data: December 1973 Volume 15 No. 12 |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-7B2F2B2F-3537-4625-A341-9E7FB4063B3F.pdf |website=National Centers for Environmental Information |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |access-date=15 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215051013/https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/pub/orders/IPS/IPS-7B2F2B2F-3537-4625-A341-9E7FB4063B3F.pdf |archive-date=15 December 2020 |page=2}}</ref>

=== Renaming ===

The [[William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021|2021 National Defense Authorization Act]] calls for the establishment of an eight-person committee to develop a plan to remove all names, symbols, displays, and monuments that honor or commemorate the [[Confederated States of America|Confederacy]] from all [[Department of Defense]] assets, including the former Fort Rucker.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/116th-congress/house-bill/6395/text|title = Text – H.R.6395 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021|date = January 2021}}</ref> In 2021, the family of [[Hal Moore]] started a petition to rename the fort in honor of [[Benjamin O. Davis Jr.]], the first black brigadier general in the USAF.<ref>https://www.fortmoore.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Rename-Fort-Rucker-to-Fort-Davis-generic-address.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref>

[[The Naming Commission]] later recommended that the fort be renamed in honor of Chief Warrant Officer [[Michael J. Novosel]], an Army aviator. The post was officially renamed on 10 April 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home of Army Aviation to be redesignated Fort Novosel |date=27 March 2023 |url=https://www.army.mil/article/265188/home_of_army_aviation_to_be_redesignated_fort_novosel |access-date=11 April 2023 |publisher=United States Army |language=en}}</ref>

== Geography ==
Fort Novosel is located at 31°20'37" north, 85°42'29" west (31.343654, -85.707995).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=23 April 2011|date=12 February 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the CDP area of the base has a total area of 10.9&nbsp;square miles (28.2&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}), of which 10.9&nbsp;square miles (28.2&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) is land and 0.04&nbsp;square mile (0.1&nbsp;km{{sup|2}}) (0.18%) is water.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1970= 14242
|1980= 8932
|1990= 7593
|2000= 6052
|2010= 4636
|2020= 4464
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=6 June 2013}}</ref>
}}

As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=31 January 2008 |title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 6,052 people, 1,399 households, and 1,347 families residing on the base.  The population density was {{convert|556.8|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  There were 1,544 housing units at an average density of {{convert|142.0|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}.  The racial makeup of the base was 68.5% White, 18.1% Black or African American, 0.9% Native American, 2.1% Asian, 0.7% Pacific Islander, 5.3% from other races, and 4.4% from two or more races.  Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 11.7% of the population.

There were 1,399 households, out of which 79.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 85.4% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 3.7% were non-families. 3.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 0.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.  The average household size was 3.47 and the average family size was 3.51.

On the base the population was spread out, with 35.3% under the age of 18, 15.9% from 18 to 24, 46.2% from 25 to 44, 2.4% from 45 to 64, and 0.1% who were 65 years of age or older.  The median age was 24 years.  For every 100 females, there were 131.6 males.  For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 145.1 males.

The median income for a household on the base was $34,603, and the median income for a family was $33,664. Males had a median income of $29,321 versus $18,750 for females. The per capita income was $14,495.  About 6.1% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.3% of those under the age of 18 and 16.7% of those 65 and older.

==Education==
[[File:Ellis D Parker ES Alabama.webp|thumb|Ellis D. Parker Elementary School]]
Fort Novosel is in the [[Department of Defense Education Activity]] (DoDEA) as its local school district.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01045_dale/DC20SD_C01045.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS – SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Dale County, AL|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=4 July 2022}} – [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st01_al/schooldistrict_maps/c01045_dale/DC20SD_C01045_SD2MS.txt Text list] – "Fort Rucker School District" refers to DoDEA schools.</ref> Ellis D. Parker Elementary School is the on-post school.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dodea.edu/parkeres/index.cfm|title=Home|publisher=Parker Elementary School|accessdate=5 July 2022}}</ref> The school opened in 2020, and is named after [[Ellis D. Parker]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Jim|url=https://dothaneagle.com:443/news/community/enterprise-ledger/news/fort-rucker-names-new-school-ellis-d-parker-elementary/article_5a519bc6-dcb5-11ea-bb47-3334875b4e48.html|title=Fort Rucker names new school Ellis D. Parker Elementary|newspaper=[[Dothan Eagle]]|date=2020-08-12|access-date=2024-10-26}} – Author is credited as "Fort Rucker Public Affairs"<!--See also https://www.army.mil:443/article/239534/go_patriots_fort_rucker_cuts_ribbon_on_ellis_d_parker_elementary_school--></ref> The 2020 building replaced a previous school building.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nelson|first=Abby|url=https://www.wtvy.com/2020/07/30/fort-ruckers-elementary-school-is-ready-to-reopen-after-construction/|title=Fort Rucker's elementary school is ready to reopen after construction|publisher=[[WTVY-TV]]|date=2020-07-30|access-date=2024-10-26}}</ref> The 2020 facility has three stories.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wdhn.com/news/local-news/fort-rucker-to-open-cutting-edge-elementary-school-named-after-late-lt-general/|title=Fort Rucker to open cutting edge elementary school named after 'godfather of Army aviation' |work=WDHN - wdhn.com |publisher=[[WDHN]]|date=2020-07-31|access-date=2024-10-26}}</ref>

Students beyond the elementary level may attend non-DoDEA schools for secondary levels, with an on-post family choosing one of the following three options: [[Daleville City School System]], [[Enterprise City School System]], or [[Ozark City Schools]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://installations.militaryonesource.mil/military-installation/fort-rucker/education/education|title=Fort Rucker Education|publisher=[[Military One Source]]|accessdate=5 July 2022}} – From a .mil site.</ref> Enterprise operates [[Enterprise High School (Alabama)|Enterprise High School]] and Ozark operates [[Carroll High School (Alabama)|Carroll High School]].

==Notable people==
* [[Leonard Byrd]], sprinter
* [[Mayte Garcia]], dancer and singer, ex-wife of [[Prince (musician)|Prince]]
* [[Brian Gay]], [[professional golfer]]
* [[James Forbes (basketball)|James Forbes]], basketball player
* [[Al Gore]], former [[Vice President of the United States]]; spent time as an enlisted man assigned to Fort Rucker
* [[Rusty Greer]], former [[Major League Baseball]] [[outfielder]]
* [[James Hong]], Army National Guard, [[Special Services (entertainment)]] 1952–53
* [[Edgar Jones (basketball)|Edgar Jones]], former [[National Basketball Association]] player
* [[Kris Kristofferson]], American singer, songwriter and actor. "After joining the Army, Kristofferson received flight instruction at Fort Rucker, Alabama, and became a helicopter pilot. He also successfully completed one of the military's most physically challenging courses: Ranger School."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.defense.gov/News/Feature-Stories/story/Article/2538793/sports-heroes-who-served-singer-songwriter-actor-kris-kristofferson-is-also-an/|title=Sports Heroes Who Served: Singer, Songwriter, Actor Kris Kristofferson Is Also an Army Veteran|first=David|last=Vergun|website=defense.gov|date=23 March 2021|access-date=17 June 2022}}</ref>
* [[Hal Morris]], former Major League Baseball [[first baseman]]
* [[Blake Percival]], whistleblower; spent time as an enlisted man assigned to Fort Rucker
* [[Jeffrey N. Steenson]], [[prelate]] of the Roman [[Catholic Church]]; currently serves as the first [[Ordinary (officer)|ordinary]] of the [[Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of Saint Peter]]

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{commons category|Fort Novosel}}
* {{Official website|https://home.army.mil/novosel/index.php/|Ft. Novosel official website}}
* [http://www.armyflier.com Ft. Novosel authorized military newspaper website]
* [http://www.armyaviationmuseum.org// Army Aviation Museum]
* [http://www.united-publishers.com/rucker/history.html Fort Rucker Guide – History] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060810202808/http://www.united-publishers.com/rucker/history.html |date=10 August 2006 }}
* [https://www.loc.gov/item/sn88080923/ Das Pw-Echo (Camp Rucker, Ala.) 1945-194?] prisoner of war newspaper circulated at Camp Rucker

{{ALMilitary|state=autocollapse}}
{{TRADOC}}
{{Dale County, Alabama}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Fort Novosel|*]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in Alabama]]
[[Category:United States Army posts|Novosel]]
[[Category:United States Army airfields|Novosel]]
[[Category:Training installations of the United States Army|Novosel]]
[[Category:Forts in Alabama|Novosel]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Coffee County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Dale County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Enterprise–Ozark micropolitan area]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Geneva County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Houston County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Alabama]]
[[Category:Census-designated places in Dale County, Alabama]]
[[Category:Military installations established in 1942|Novosel]]