ND Guard Closing Two Armories

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — The North Dakota Army National Guard is shutting down two of its 23 armories.

The Guard says armories in Hazen and Cavalier will close by December.

State Guard Commander David Sprynczynatyk says the move is due to several factors, including federal spending cuts. He says many states are moving toward regionalized armories, with larger and more efficient facilities in key population centers.

In North Dakota, nearly three-fourths of Army Guard soldiers live within 10 miles of the state's 10 biggest cities.

The Hazen armory has operated since 1977, and the Cavalier armory since 1946. The Hazen soldiers will now be based in Minot, and the Cavalier soldiers in Grand Forks.