WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) is currently travelling as part of a Congressional Delegation on a trip to Africa, Eastern Europe, and the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility (CENTCOM AOR) over the Thanksgiving recess. While visiting the CENTCOM AOR the Congressman is meeting with Alabama troops currently serving there.

In Africa, the delegation will visit Mauritania, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, and Ethiopia. Discussions will center on African issues as well as the U.S. military’s Africa Command (AFRICOM). AFRICOM was created by President Bush on February 6, 2007 in acknowledgment of the emerging strategic importance of Africa, and recognizing that peace and stability on the continent impacts not only Africans, but the interests of the U.S. and international community as well.

Congressman Aderholt stated, “With the ongoing military operations in the Middle East, the importance of our allies in Africa has only increased. In recognition of this, President Bush created AFRICOM. This trip was important to gain first hand knowledge of the challenges that exist in Africa and how Congress can help overcome them.”

For security reasons, Congressman Aderholt is unable to disclose where the delegation will visit within the CENTCOM AOR, but he can say that during that stop the delegation will meet with troops and senior U.S. military commanders for briefings. CENTCOM currently oversees U.S. military operations in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

The trip will conclude with visits to Poland and Czech Republic in Eastern Europe where they will attend meetings on Missile Defense negotiations in Europe and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).

“Missile Defense is a program that I’m vitally interested in, not only because of the program’s importance to North Alabama, but also because of its ongoing importance to our national security,” concluded Congressman Aderholt. “There has been a great deal of concern reported on missile defense implementation in Europe. My hope is that by meeting with interested parties on this trip I will gain a better understanding of these concerns.”