The Army is proposing a cut of 2,600 paratrooper positions at the Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.
In a statement today, Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz said he disagrees with the proposed reduction of Alaska-based soldiers, which is part of a nationwide plan to reduce the size of the Army by 40,000 soldiers to about 450,000 total.
Alaska’s national delegation has also issued a variety of disapproving responses including Representative Don Young.
Rep. Young(R-Alaska): “In these times of growing global threats, especially in the Asia-Pacific and Arctic regions, the Army should be increasing its presence in Alaska – not cutting it by more than 2,600 soldiers. While the Army masks its decision as a budgetary issue, they’ve failed to fully consider the strategic interests of the nation. Losing the only airborne brigade in the Pacific Theater – the only airborne brigade with cold-weather, mountainous, and Arctic training – will negatively affect the Army’s ability to operate in the Pacific region for years to come. As the Alaska delegation has done in the past, we will continue to fight this decision to ensure there is a strong Army presence in the most strategic location in the world: Alaska.”
Governor Bill Walker also issued a release stating, “The decision to eliminate thousands of soldiers from JBER and Fort Wainwright will have harmful impacts on Alaska and the entire United States. I am by no means done fighting to keep these troops here. The military plays an integral role in Alaska’s safety and economic stability, and I will do whatever I can to make sure that doesn’t change.”
Mayor Berkowitz said he’s contacted the Department of Defense to investigate local aid options and to analyze the impact from the loss of 2,600 positions.