Murkowski: JBER’s 4-25 Army Brigade Combat Team Intact
AK Delegation Successfully Wins Fight to Reverse Proposed Cuts
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) released the following statement after the Army announced its intent to keep the 4th Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division (4/25 BCT) home-based at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, intact.
“Alaskans are waking up today to news we’ve been waiting to hear for years now – the 4/25 Army Brigade Combat Team at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson remains intact.
As General Milley, Chief of Staff of the Army, previously told me – it would be contrary to our national security interest to cut the only Arctic-trained military units that is also ready to deploy anywhere in the Pacific. I’ve been working tirelessly along with Senator Sullivan and Congressman Young to reverse the proposed downsize of the 4/25 since it was first announced in 2014. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I will work to ensure the 4-25 is adequately funded.”
The Army also announced approximately 1,500 members of the 4-25 will deploy to Afghanistan in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
“Today is a victory for Anchorage, for our state, and for our national security as a whole. But we must have perspective regarding today’s announcement – while the 4/25 remains intact, keeping some of the Army’s best in Alaska – it means that many of the brave members of the 4/25 are being sent overseas into combat later this year. Please join me in supporting their families during this time.”
