Governors Call Cuts In Guard Inconceivable At This time In Our History

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WASHINGTON Jan 19, 2006 — The National Governors Association urged the Pentagon on Thursday to reconsider its proposal to reduce the number of National Guard combat brigades.

"We need more Guard troops at this time, not less," association leaders wrote Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld.

"Given their performance, at this time in our history it is inconceivable that anyone would seriously consider a reduction in the National Guard force structure," they added.

The letter was signed by Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, a Republican and the chairman of the association; Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, a Democrat and vice chairman; Idaho Gov. Dirk Kempthorne, a Republican; and North Carolina Gov. Michael F. Easley, a Democrat.

On Wednesday, Army Secretary Francis Harvey told a Pentagon news conference that the Defense Department is proposing to Congress that the number of National Guard combat brigades be reduced from 34 to 28, with an offsetting increase in the number of support brigades. That would leave the total number of National Guard brigades at the current 106, he said.

article:http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=1523192