The troop reductions planned by the Army are relatively minor at Kansas installations.

The Executive Director of the Governor’s Military Council John Armbrust said Thursday he expected Army troop reductions at Fort Riley to be in the 800 or a little bit less range.

Armbrust and members of the state’s congressional delegation have confirmed the reduction by the Army will total 615 soldiers from fiscal year 2015 until fiscal year 2017.  Fort Leavenworth in Kansas will lose 60 soldiers.  “I think this is very good news. Certainly shows the value of Fort Riley and Fort Leavenworth to the Army.”

On the units where the cuts might occur Armbrust did not know specific information. “I understand that it’s going to be various units that may take small cuts. There may be  some realignment in administratives areas. There may be some realignment in a brigade. I think it’s not one unit. I think it’s going to be several places that will actually end up taking some cuts.”

Armbrust felt the February community listening session in Junction City made a different in the Army decision. But our listening session showed not only the importance of Fort Riley, but as you well locally, but as you well know the focus was on the value of Fort Riley to the Army. I think that sent a very strong message.”

More than 4,200 people from the region attended the community listening session at the convention center in Junction City on Feb. 9 to show their support for Fort Riley.