Army names two Futures Command location finalists

Two cities so far are confirmed as top contenders for the location of Army Futures Command -- Raleigh, NC, and Boston.

Col. Patrick Seiber, spokesman for the AFC task force, said today that the stationing team, which does not include senior leaders, is visiting Boston this week to scope out a site for the new command.

Following a press release from Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) expressing gratitude for the selection as "one of five finalists," Seiber confirmed the stationing team was in the Raleigh-Durham area last week.

The remaining finalists have not yet been announced, but could be any one of the 13 cities left under consideration -- Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New York City, Philadelphia, San Diego, San Francisco and Seattle.

Lt. Gen. Mike Murray has been selected to lead AFC, which would earn him his fourth star, as Inside Defense reported in May.

Under Secretary Ryan McCarthy and Vice Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville will visit the top four locations once they have been chosen.

The Army will make a final decision on the location by the end of June and expects to stand up the new command in July.