Ohio, Hawaii Army National Guards postponing training drills, citing national budget shortfall

The Ohio Army National Guard is postponing most of its planned training in early September because of federal budget issues.

Ohio Guard leader Maj. Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst made the announcement Friday evening in videos posted on the Guard's website and on social media. She says drills are being rescheduled to the end of the month for now in hopes of congressional action on funding.

She says guards across the country are facing cutbacks because of a federal budget shortfall. The Army National Guards of Hawaii and Guam also said Friday they are postponing upcoming drills.

There was no immediate response Saturday to messages left seeking comment from the Ohio National Guard and the Pentagon.

Ashenhurst says the training being rescheduled could be canceled outright if funding doesn't become available.