Budget cuts shutter two National Guard armories

YAKIMA, Wash. -- National Guard armories in Ellensburg and Toppenish will be closed immediately to help deal with budget cutbacks, the state Military Department announced Thursday.

The units assigned to those locations will be reassigned to Yakima. The Yakima Training Center, the Marine Corps Reserve Center and the Armed Forces Reserve Center are all available here.

A new joint center is expected to be completed in 2010 at the training center, allowing reassignment of some National Guard and Army assets as part of the nationwide base realignment process.

Detachment One of the 286th Engineering Company was based in Ellensburg. Its Yakima destination was not available Thursday afternoon.

Detachment One, of the headquarters company of 1st Battalion of the 81st Brigade's 161st Infantry, was based in Toppenish. The unit will move to the Marine Corps center in Yakima.

The state owns the Toppenish property; details about the Ellensburg armory's ownership also
were not available Thursday.

Disposition of the properties depends on title requirements and congressional rules governing the realignment process, National Guard officials said.

The moves were designed to save money on maintenance and construction costs in light of budget cuts by the state Legislature, according to a National Guard news release.

The Poulsbo armory also will be shut down as part of the cuts announced Thursday.