Fort Benning is looking to expand by adding more than 80,000 acres of land which would be used for training.

Approval for a real estate and enviromental study has been given by the U.S. Defense Secretary and the Department of the Army.

That study would begin this summer, followed by an enviromental impact study next year.

Fort Benning currenty encompasses more than 180,000 acres around Columbus in west Georgia.

Army officials say they need expansion for more of a variety of terrain training.

Tags: expansion, Fort Benning, Army, Georiga, US Defense Secretary