WASHINGTON (AP) - The Army is moving ahead with big troop reductions that could grow even larger unless Congress and the White House find a way to stop additional across-the-board budget cuts this fall.
This is unfolding in the midst of a war against the Islamic State group that the Obama administration says is likely to require a long-term military commitment.
Army officials were notifying members of Congress on Wednesday of details of how they intend to reduce the active-duty force from 490,000 soldiers to 450,000 within two years.
The size of this reduction was settled months ago, but congressional delegations have been waiting on word of how the cuts would be distributed and timed. The biggest cuts are expected to be made at units based in Georgia and Alaska.
