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Army cutting a Stryker brigade at Joint Base Lewis-McChord

Ted S. Warren
/
Associated Press

The Army plans to eliminate one of the Stryker brigades at Joint Base Lewis-McChord as part of the reduction in forces as the war in Afghanistan comes to a close.

Congressman Denny Heck was briefed on the plan Tuesday and announced the 4th Stryker Brigade would be deactivated.

Heck says Lewis-McChord will retain its status as the Army's West Coast force projection base, an important role as national security strategy turns to the Asia-Pacific region.

Heck says about 26,500 soldiers will be station at Lewis-McChord once the reductions are completed in 2017. That compares to 16,300 who were stationed there before Sept. 11, 2001.

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