WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today received support from General Frank Grass, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, to continue the program that supports the nation’s five National Guard Regional Counterdrug Training Academies (RCTA), including the one located in Meridian. The President’s recent budget proposal eliminates funding for the program.

“The regional training academy in Meridian is an outstanding facility with a world-class faculty,” Wicker said. “It costs roughly $5 million each year to run all five of our RCTA schools. This is an excellent value for a rather modest investment to ensure our public safety and national security.”

Sen. Wicker questioned Gen. Grass on whether the value of the program warrants further authorization by Congress. The general replied with an unequivocal “yes.”

Wicker’s comments were made during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing to review the Army Active and Reserve force mix for FY2015.