U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for Defense, held briefings at the Pentagon Wednesday with his Military and Veterans Advisory Committee. Sen. Moran and his advisory committee – which is made up of Kansans who are either retired military leaders or civilians with insight and expertise in military and veterans’ issues – met with Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and several Assistant Secretaries to discuss all-things Army in Kansas including Fort Riley. Following the briefings, Sen. Moran who is a Manhattan resident held a conference call to share what was discussed at the Pentagon. KMAN’s Mikayla Gentine took part in that teleconference.
“Fort Riley was the primary topic of conversation during our productive meeting at the Pentagon today given the Army is assessing potential force reductions at military installations across the country as a result of the Budget Control Act of 2011,” Sen. Moran said. “I am pleased to report that the Army has a clear understanding of the military value at Fort Riley in training space, deploying capability and supporting the American soldier with an excellent quality of life. This was underscored by the Army’s investment in military construction on Fort Riley since 2005. From housing to education and health care, the $1.8 billion in investments to the infrastructure on Fort Riley over the last decade equates to half of the total Army budget on military construction today. I feel confident the Army considers Fort Riley a significant asset and will thoughtfully analyze the value Fort Riley offers soldiers, their families and the Army in defense of our nation.”
The full audio of Sen. Moran’s conference call on what was discussed at the Pentagon is available here. Also participating in the call was John Armbrust from Manhattan, the Governor’s Military Council Executive Director.
Members of Sen. Moran’s Military and Veterans Advisory Committee who attended the briefings with him at the Pentagon today include:
- John G. Montgomery, Junction City. Civilian Aide Emeritus to the Secretary of the Army;
- Mark Edwards, Junction City. Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army;
- John Armbrust, Manhattan. Colonel, U.S. Air Force (retired), Governor’s Military Council Executive Director;
- Tod Bunting, Berryton. Major General, Kansas National Guard, Adjutant General of Kansas (retired);
- Robert E. Durbin, formerly of Junction City, Kan., now of McLean, Va. Lieutenant General, U.S. Army (retired), Former Commanding General of the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley;
- Robert Ulin, Lansing. Colonel, U.S. Army (retired), former head of the Command and General Staff College Foundation; and
- Tim Rogers, Salina. Salina Airport Authority Executive Director, A.A.E.
