March 06, 2019

Duckworth: Investments in Transportation and Logistics Infrastructure Essential for Military Readiness in Europe

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – U.S. Senator and combat Veteran Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) discussed the importance of transportation and logistics readiness in the United States European Command (EUCOM) region with EUCOM Commander Curtis Scaparrotti and the Commander of the United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) Stephen Lyons at yesterday’s Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing. Duckworth asked Commander Scaparrotti for an update on the status of the NATO Joint Supporting and Enabling Command and Commander Lyons for a summary of USTRANSCOM’s role in the new center. Duckworth also requested a description of the amount of sealift required to move significant U.S. forces to Europe in the event of a conflict from Commander Scaparrotti. Video of Duckworth’s questions during the hearing is available here.

“I want to return to the discussion about logistics challenges, especially in the Eastern European area. Illinois National Guard has been the sponsor in the State Partnership Program with the nation of Poland for 28 years now,” Duckworth said. “Through my service, I’m familiar with the challenges we face there.”

EUCOM is a unified combatant command of the United States Armed Forces responsible for the European region. The area of responsibility compromises 28 nations, and the command directors the operations of more than 50,000 military and civilian personnel. EUCOM’s mission is to prepare ready forces, ensure strategic access, deter conflict, enable the NATO Alliance, strengthen partnerships and counter transnational threats in order to protect and defend the United States.

Duckworth is a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), which has jurisdiction over the nation’s common defense, military operations, servicemember pay and retirement, military family benefits and the selective service system. SASC also oversees the Department of Defense, the United States Armed Services and several other national security-related issues at home and abroad. Duckworth served on the U.S. House Armed Services Committee for four years before joining the Senate.

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