Cochran Speaks Out in Support of 155th

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Thad Cochran, chairman of the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, today acknowledged the growing budget pressures on the U.S. Army but said he is unconvinced that a highly-modernized, Mississippi-based National Guard unit should be among the first targeted for divestment.

Cochran is opposed to Army reduction in force plans that would target the 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team based in Tupelo.  This unit is one of two armored brigade combat teams that have been targeted for divestment as the Army National Guard attempts to meet a restricted force structure.

“The 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team ranks as one of the most experienced, capable and technologically-modernized brigades within the National Guard,” Cochran said.  “Given our current budget constraints, I question why there is a push to disassemble National Guard units like the 155th that cost significantly less to maintain than their active component counterparts.”

End strength for the U.S. Army and its Guard and Reserves was among the topics discussed Wednesday at a Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to review the FY2016 budget request.

“There are a number of significant proposals and budgetary issues for the Army in the budget request that require careful attention, including the consequences of upholding statutory spending caps on defense strategy, readiness and force strength,” Cochran said.  “I look forward to working with the Army to support its needs and important role in protecting our national security.”

Under the current Army total force reduction, the Army National Guard is expected to draw down its level of soldiers from 355,000 in 2015 to 335,000 by 2017.  Those personnel levels could drop to an estimated 315,000 if sequestration funding levels are upheld.

Cochran last year supported efforts to restrict the Department of Defense plans to divest the 155th Heavy Brigade Combat Team as part of the debate on appropriations and authorization bills for the Department of Defense.  The FY2015 National Defense Authorization Act included provisions to establish an independent national commission to analyze President Obama’s budget recommendations for restructuring the Army’s active-duty and reserve components.