Located in North Alabama, this U.S. Army post is home to the United States Army Aviation and Missile Command and the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center. Redstone Arsenal was created in 1941 as part of a massive build-up of U.S. troops prior to the United States entering World War II. Families were relocated off the land and most of it was razed to allow for building of the army base. The Redstone Arsenal proved very useful, however. Then, after the surrender of the Japanese during WW II, things began to ramp down.
Redstone Arsenal was leased out to local farmers and business owners. The land was almost sold until it was found that it was needed to test new rocket systems being developed. To this day, Redstone Arsenal is the main location for testing of Army missile systems. Just under 40,000 acres, the complex is still a very important part of the Army's missile program. Redstone Arsenal serves over a hundred thousand military and civilian personnel, although not that many reside on the base.
The Tactical UAV Project Office, Ordnance Munitions and Electronic Maintenance School, and the Redstone Technical Test Center (RTTC) are just a few of the operations that are housed at Redstone Arsenal in the early 21st century. With a rich and varied past, Redstone Arsenal almost didn't last as an army base, but today it is still an important part of the process.