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Fort Benning is located
in central Georgia, six miles southeast of Columbus and near the Chattahoochee
River which forms the border between Georgia and Alabama. Phenix City,
Alabama is directly across the river.
The Post consists
of approximately 182,000 acres of river valley terraces and rolling
terrain. The moderate climate and various terrain are well suited for
Infantry training and support missions.
Phenix City, Alabama
is located on the western banks of the Chattahoochee River and, along
with Columbus and Fort Benning, forms what is commonly called the tri-city
community. These areas are so closely knit that the eastern
time zone, which normally is drawn down the middle of the Chattahoochee
River is diverted west of Phenix City so that the tri-cities can operate
on the same clock.
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After
the regiment completed basic training at Camp Blanding near Starke,
Florida, it was relocated to Fort Benning, GA on February 5, 1943.
Basic airborne training commenced immediately. Those who endured
the rigors of training and successfully completed five jumps "from an
aircraft in flight' earned the right to pin on the coveted parachutists
wings.
