Market Segments | First Responders

Skelton: Iraq war strips homeland security resources

Ike Skelton (D-MO), the powerful chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, warned that the demands to maintain military combat levels in Iraq are endangering the nation’s ability to supply first responders and the National Guard with equipment and personnel to respond to terrorist attacks on the homeland.

"Our equipment is focused on the units next to deploy to Iraq and the ones in theater, leaving gaps for training and for those who should be our strategic reserve," Skelton said. "This also extends to the National Guard, which has an average of 61 percent of the equipment needed to be ready for disasters or attacks on the homeland."

Skelton added: "We must have a trained and properly-equipped force ready to handle whatever comes. But my strong concern is that our readiness shortfalls and the limitations on our ability to deploy trained and ready ground forces have reached a point where these [armed] services would have a very steep uphill climb with increased casualties to respond effectively to an emerging contingency."

Skelton made his comments at the opening of the April 9 Armed Services Committee hearing on the state of ground force readiness.

The committee heard testimony from General Richard Cody, vice chief of staff for the U.S. Army and General Robert Magnus, assistant commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps.

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