Wednesday, February 26, 2003
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Wednesday, February 26, 2003 |
Collins returns from successful visit with troopsEnding an intense four-day tour of the Middle East and Central Asia, Congressman Mac Collins, and the other members of the Congressional Delegation, finally touched down at Andrews Air Force Base last week feeling confident that our troops in the region are ready and capable of overcoming any obstacle in their path. "Their spirits are high, they are well supplied and trained, and ready to go where they are needed until the mission is accomplished," said Collins. Collins was chosen to lead the delegation by House Speaker Dennis Hastert to gather information for Congress on the condition of the troops engaged in Operation Enduring Freedom, and to send the message to those troops that America supports them. The Congressman was joined by Representatives Bill Pascrell of New Jersey, Terry Everett of Alabama, Michael (Mike) Capuano of Massachusetts, and Joe Wilson of South Carolina. During their visits, Collins and the other delegation members delivered four banners emblazoned with a line from President Bush's State of the Union Address which says, "You Believe in America, And America Believes in You!" The banners, which were distributed around the eighth district and Capitol Hill, have been signed by the President, Vice President, Members of Congress, congressional staffers, and residents of Georgia to demonstrate support for our troops. Additionally, Collins prepared a videotape of national leaders, and residents expressing support for the men and women protecting freedom by serving in the military. The ten-minute video features messages from the President, Vice President, Speaker of the House, Members of Congress, military leaders, and Americans from all over the country; some of which have family in the units the delegation visited. On the first day, Members of the delegation met with Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev to discuss several issues including the development of democracy reforms in Kyrgyzstan as well as U.S. military presence at the Ganci Airbase located near the city of Bishkek. The delegation next went to Ganci Airbase, where they were hosted by Brigadier General Jared Kennish who is the assistant adjutant general for the Rhode Island Air National Guard and Command Chief of the 376th Expeditionary Wing. The Members then held a town hall-style meeting with the wing, which is a multinational unit of soldiers from 8 nations. The delegation spoke to the soldiers and presented them with a flag flown over the United States Capitol, a banner and a video, followed by lunch with the soldiers and airmen. The delegation then boarded a C-130 Hercules aircraft, and proceeded to Karshi Kharnabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbeksitan. There they were met by Colonel Marvin Williams, Commander, Logistics Task Force-46. The Delegation also met with Minister of Defense Kadir Gulamove regarding several issues including the development of democratic reforms in the country as well as Uzbekistan's support for the presence of U.S. military personnel at K2. Following the diplomatic meeting, Col. Williams provided a briefing on current activities of the base and the Delegation presented the Colonel and Armed Service personnel with a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Next the group toured the K2 Air Base which has provided key search and rescue operations and other support for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. After the tour, Delegation members had dinner with soldiers. The Members of Congress presented the troops one of the printed and signed banners of support and played them the video of support from home. Sunday morning, the delegation boarded a C-130 to Bagram, Air Base, Afghanistan. Weather conditions in Bagram were very severe and after two aborted attempts to land, the C-130 diverted to Bishkek, Kyrgystan where the delegation landed and immediately departed for Kuwait City, Kuwait. The inclement weather prevented the delegation from visiting Afghanistan, the main area of operation in Enduring Freedom. Upon landing in Kuwait, the delegation was escorted to the airport processing center where soldiers arriving in Kuwait are processed prior to departure for their next station assignment. Members of the delegation proceeded to the dining tent where they met with hundreds of soldiers, all recent arrivals in Kuwait. On Tuesday morning, the Delegation proceeded to the U.S. Embassy where they were briefed by embassy personnel on a variety of issues. Representatives Collins and Everett, who are both Members of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, participated in a high level top secret briefing by embassy intelligence personnel. Following the meetings at the embassy, the group departed for Camp Doha. Camp Doha has been a major U.S. facility in Kuwait since the 1991 Gulf War. The base serves as a headquarters for the Army Forces Central Command-Kuwait (ARCENT-KUWAIT). ARCENT-KUWAIT maintains a forward presence and exercises command, control and force protection over assigned and attached Army forces in Kuwait. There the delegation was greeted by Lieutenant General David D. McKiernan who assumed command of Third U.S. Army/U.S. Army Forces Central Command and the Coalition Forces Land Component Command on Sept. 4, 2002. Members of the delegation were provided an intelligence briefing on current operations and deployments in the regions. Following the briefings, the delegation departed on a Blackhawk helicopter for Camp New York, located in the desert of Kuwait. Camp New York serves as the base of operations for the Third Infantry Division. Delegation members were met by Maj. Gen. Buford "Buff" Blount, Commander, Third Infantry Division. After additional briefings and tours, the Delegation had lunch with soldiers. Collins ate Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) with several soldiers from Georgia. Collins and the delegation presented the soldiers with an American Flag flown over the Capitol, a banner with signatures of support, and the video with greetings of support for the troops. Next the delegation left via Blackhawk helicopter for a United States Marine Corps camp also located in the desert. The Members again met with several Marines to present them a flag and banner and provided them strong words of support for their mission. The delegation departed Kuwait on Tuesday evening, and after a brief stopover in Frankfurt, Germany for refueling, returned to Andrews Air Force Base, in Maryland. "I was very happy with the trip overall, although disappointed that we were unable to visit Afghanistan," said Collins. "I found our troops with high morale, and was pleased to see that the armed forces commanders and planners have gone to great pains to ensure that every essential piece of equipment and material has been provided. "Our nation is blessed to be protected by brave men and women who voluntarily serve their nation under uncomfortable circumstances, far from those they love. The determination I witnessed in these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines lifted my heart and encouraged me in a way that is difficult to describe. I am truly grateful for their dedication and resolve and know that we can overcome any aggressor because of their firm commitment and efforts. I pray for their safe return and for God's protection over them while they fulfill their mission."
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