Fort Eisenhower (Fort Gordon)

Fort Eisenhower is an active U.S. Army installation near Augusta, Georgia, covering roughly 56,000 acres. It was established in 1941 as Camp Gordon during World War II, when it served as a training center for several Army divisions, and it became a permanent installation in 1956. In October 2023 the post was redesignated Fort Eisenhower in honor of General and President Dwight D. Eisenhower, replacing its earlier name. (In June 2025 the installation was renamed Fort Gordon again, this time honoring Master Sgt. Gary I. Gordon, a Medal of Honor recipient.) Today the post serves as a hub for Army communications and cyber operations, hosting the U.S. Army Signal Corps, U.S. Army Cyber Command, the Cyber Center of Excellence, and the Georgia Cryptologic Center.

Like many long-serving military installations, the base has been the subject of concerns about potential exposure to environmental contaminants in soil and groundwater. Sampling conducted in November 2023 found elevated levels of certain compounds at several locations on the installation, prompting ongoing investigation by the Army.

1. PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are a large family of synthetic chemicals valued for their resistance to heat, water, and oil, and they are often called "forever chemicals" because they break down very slowly in the environment. At Fort Eisenhower, PFAS were detected in groundwater during the November 2023 sampling at locations including a former fire station, a former fire training area, and a solid waste management unit. PFAS exposure has been associated in some studies with a range of potential health effects, which is why these findings have drawn attention.
2. PFOS (perfluorooctane sulfonate) is one of the most studied individual PFAS compounds and was a common ingredient in older firefighting foams. At the base, PFOS in groundwater exceeded Department of Defense risk screening levels at the affected sites. PFOS has been associated with concerns about potential effects on the immune system and other outcomes in scientific literature.
3. PFOA (perfluorooctanoic acid) is another widely used legacy PFAS compound. At Fort Eisenhower, PFOA was among the substances reported above DoD risk screening levels in the sampled groundwater. PFOA has been the subject of ongoing research into its possible long-term health effects.
4. AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) is a firefighting foam historically used to suppress fuel fires and during training exercises, and it was a primary source of PFAS at many military sites. At this installation, the contamination has been attributed to runoff from past AFFF use, particularly around the former fire station and fire training area. Because AFFF contains PFAS, concerns about it relate to the same potential exposure pathways noted above.

The base has been identified as having groundwater contamination, but it is not listed on the National Priorities List as a federal Superfund site. Cleanup is being addressed through the Department of Defense environmental restoration process. According to available information, the Army has continued to test and monitor finished water on the installation and has initiated a remedial investigation, with corrective measures expected to take several years to fully implement.

Veterans, family members, and civilians who lived or worked at Fort Eisenhower (formerly and again Fort Gordon) and have questions about possible exposure may wish to stay informed as the investigation and cleanup continue. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers resources and guidance on environmental exposures, and reviewing current VA information at va.gov can help individuals understand any benefits, screenings, or health programs that may apply to their situation.