Mayor Berkowitz: Army Decision To Cut 2,600 Troops From the 4-25 Contrary To National Security

Mayor's Office

7/8/2015

ANCHORAGE - This morning the Army announced proposed cuts of 2,600 troops from the 4th Airborne Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division (4-25) at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Mayor Berkowitz contacted the Department of Defense Office of Economic Adjustment Director Patrick O’Brien to begin evaluating local aid options to mitigate effects from the troop reduction. The Office of Economic Adjustment will dedicate a project manager and begin a comprehensive analysis of the economic impacts felt from the proposed cuts.

Additionally, Mayor Berkowitz plans to create a Force Reduction Economic Impact Working Group to protect the local economy and formulate strategies to best assist the affected troops and families.

“The reduction in JBER troops threatens US Arctic capabilities and the US response capacity in the Asia-Pacific theater. I stand ready to work with our state leadership and federal delegation to correct this wrong and provide any affected troops and families with the support and assistance they need if this short-sighted decision stands,” stated Mayor Berkowitz.

For more information contact Myer Hutchinson at (907) 343-7133.

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