SKELTON URGES ARMY TO SEND UNITS TO FORT LEONARD WOOD
Washington, DC – In a letter to the Secretary of the Army, Congressman Ike
Skelton (D-MO) called upon the Department of Defense to select Fort Leonard Wood
as the new home for Army units relocated from bases in Europe and Korea.
As the Pentagon repositions U.S. forces, as many as 70,000 service members
and their families are expected to transfer from overseas locations to bases in the
United States.
“I was pleased to learn of the recent decision to move the 50th Engineer Multi-
Role Bridge Company, consisting of 183 soldiers, from Korea to Fort Leonard Wood.
As the Secretary of Defense’s recommendation regarding the removal of additional
Army units from Korea and Europe is implemented, I strongly urge you to consider
transferring these units to Fort Leonard Wood,” wrote Skelton.
“This Missouri Army Post has ample room for several additional missions, and
the Engineering, Chemical, and Military Police schools there would complement new
units placed at Fort Leonard Wood. As the decisions regarding unit placement within
the Continental United States are finalized, I hope that Fort Leonard Wood will receive
a substantial number of soldiers from the Korean and European Bases in the coming
months,” wrote Skelton.
Congressman Ike Skelton (D-MO) serves as Ranking Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee. For further information, please contact Lara Battles or Whitney Frost at (202)225-2876, or check Congressman Skelton's web site at http://www.house.gov/skelton.