As the U.S. Army launches a massive reduction in its troop levels, Alaska’s congressional delegation is arguing the state deserves more, not fewer, soldiers.
In a letter sent Friday to Secretary of the Army John McHugh and Army Chief of Staff Raymond T. Odierno, the delegation argued recent developments in Asia, Russia and the Pacific region have strengthened the case for more troops in the north.
“Instead of reducing the Army presence, in Alaska we would suggest that the Army should consider increasing that presence in the coming years,” stated the letter, which was signed by Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Dan Sullivan and Rep. Don Young. “Sound military strategy demands no less.”
The Budget Control Act of 2011 is requiring the Army to cut troop strength from 570,000 to 450,000 by 2017, and possibly down to 420,000 if the levels used in that budget-cutting bill continue. About 80,000 of those positions already have been eliminated, with the remaining targeted for cuts in the next few years.
The delegation specifically noted Russia’s decision to activate four new brigades in the Arctic as a reason to bolster Alaska’s troop levels.
“Alaska’s geographic proximity, over the pole from most of the world’s conflict zones, is the principal reason military planners have long regarded Alaska as a highly desirable — if not necessary — forward base for U.S. power projection,” the letter stated.
Via newsminer.com
