The Department of Defense has decided to deactivate the 159th Combat Aviation “Thunder” Brigade from Fort Campbell Army Base as part of its Army Aviation Force Restructure.
This will reduce Fort Campbell’s active soldier population by 2,400, which will lower to the total active soldier population to 26,500 by the end of fiscal year 2015, according to the Clarksville Leaf Chronicle. Fort Campbell leadership says the actual number of people impacted becomes greater upon inclusion of family members. They say there are roughly 3,800 dependents.
Fort Campbell Leadership says it is too early to tell the full impact of this force restructuring, but the local economy will take a hit. They say the most recognizable revenue losses could be felt in the real estate, auto sales and retail/grocery industries, in addition to the loss of students attending off-post primary schools.
Senators Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul and Congressman Ed Whitfield together in a statement blame the cut on the Obama administration, calling it a dangerous decision to cut troops so low at a time of increasing instability in the world.
