06.25.13

Murkowski: U.S. Army Cuts Send “Mixed Signals” to Last Frontier

Senator Lauds Troop Additions at Ft. Wainwright, Doubts Reasoning for Ft. Richardson Cuts

Washington, dc – Senator Lisa Murkowski today shared the following response to the United States Army decision to cut Fort Richardson manpower while adding troops to Fort Wainwright – resulting in 342 fewer U.S. Army soldiers in Alaska:

“Alaska supports our men and women in uniform, as well as our veterans who have served valiantly in defense of our nation.  Our connection to the military community is why our entire state stands ready to step up now that the Pentagon has declared the Asia-Pacific region the focal point of our military attention for the near term.

“This is why, while I appreciate the U.S. Army’s decision to beef up its Fort Wainwright troop level, I believe it sends mixed signals to announce their drawdown of troops at Fort Richardson and our overall Alaskan Army footprint.  I look forward to engaging with the U.S. Army to better understand its rationale for making this decision and working to continue our state’s robust military tradition.”

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