Dale County, Ala. (WDNews) – Formerly renamed Fort Novosel, the Wiregrass’s most well-known military installation may soon be called Fort Rucker once again.
President Donald Trump announced during a recent press briefing that his administration will move to reverse the renaming of several U.S. Army bases—including the 2023 name change from Fort Rucker to Fort Novosel—citing “superstition” as one reason for restoring the original names.
“These bases were known by those names for decades, and the military never had a problem with it,” Trump said. “Some people believe changing the names disrupted tradition—and I’ve heard from many who say it never felt right. Out of respect for history and, yes, even superstition, we’re changing them back.”
Fort Rucker, located in Dale County, was renamed Fort Novosel in 2023 to honor Chief Warrant Officer 4 Michael J. Novosel, a Medal of Honor recipient and Vietnam War veteran. The change was part of a broader Department of Defense effort to remove Confederate-linked names from military installations. Fort Rucker had originally been named after Confederate officer Edmund Rucker.
Trump did not specify when the changes would take effect but confirmed the process is in motion. The announcement is part of his broader rollback of prior administration policies.
The base—home of Army Aviation—continues to play a central role in helicopter training for the U.S. Army. Many in the Wiregrass still refer to the post as Fort Rucker, despite the official renaming.
The move is expected to reignite debate. Supporters of the 2023 change see it as a step toward inclusion, while critics argue it broke with longstanding tradition. Trump’s decision is likely to resonate with many veterans and local residents who never embraced the name Fort Novosel.
