Defense
Rep. Whitfield visits with Marines from Kentucky while visiting Iraq.
I have always been a vocal proponent of maintaining a strong national defense. Since first being elected to Congress, I have fought to provide the men and women of our armed forces with the resources they need to protect the American people and confront those who wish to threaten our national interests. With our country currently engaged in military operations on multiple battlefields around the globe, that support is now more important than ever. While I encourage alternatives to conflict that do not put our troops in harm’s way whenever possible, I will never support any actions that may deprive our commanders and troops of the resources they need to accomplish their mission.
The First District of Kentucky is home to Fort Campbell and the more than 30,000 active duty soldiers it supports, including elite units like the 101st Airborne, the 5th Special Forces Group, and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. These units have seen multiple deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation New Dawn. I have made repeated visits to Fort Campbell and military installations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and had many conversations with wounded soldiers at Walter Reed Military Hospital. Through these interactions, I have become firmly aware of the needs of not only our soldiers on the field, but the families that support them back home.
As this session of Congress moves forward, I remain committed to ensuring that our troops and their families have everything they need to accomplish the tasks that have been entrusted to them. I intend to do everything possible to support projects at Fort Campbell that are essential to the operations of soldiers posted there. Additionally, I look forward to supporting and sponsoring legislation that seeks to improve quality of life for soldiers and their families.
Related Links:
Click here to visit the homepage for Fort Campbell
Click here to visit the homepage for the Department of Defense
Click here to visit the homepage for Tricare
Click here for the homepage of the National Military Family Association