laststandonzombieisland

Paratroopers of 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne) 25th Infantry Division prepare for a crack at the skijoring course at Fort Wainwright, Alaska, during the U.S. Army Alaska Arctic Winter Games Jan. 27, 2016. Events included a written test, 2-mile ahkio pull, snowshoe ruck march, treating a cold-weather casualty, Arctic 10-man tent and stove drill, skijoring, biathlon and downhill ski. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Love)

Big Green is holding off on the planned reduction of the Spartans of 4th BCT (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, from a full 4,000 paratrooper brigade to a 1,000 member battalion, determining that such a move would continue to degrade its ability to respond to new threats in a rapidly changing global security environment.

“The 4/25 is ready to rapidly deploy and conduct decisive operations in urban and mountainous environments,” explained Acting Secretary of the Army, Patrick J. Murphy in a statement this week. “Given continued Russian aggression, the nuclear provocations of North Korea, and the continued threat from ISIL, we need this capability.”

The 4/25 Brigade completed a significant training exercise last month at one of the most realistic, rigorous combat training centers in the world, making it among the most highly-trained units in the Army.

“This is one of the most trained and ready units in the United States Army,” said Gen. Mark A. Milley, the Chief of Staff of the Army.