For Immediate Release
Contact: Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director
COLUMBUS - Volunteers from Military Families Speak Out and ProgressOhio delivered to Sen. George Voinovich's office today a national readiness report produced by ProgressOhio partner Americans Against Escalation in Iraq. The report concludes that The National Guard and Reservists of the United States are not properly equipped or trained to go into a war zone.
In fact, in a March report to Congress, the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves reported in that nearly 90 percent of National Guard units are not ready to respond to crises at home and abroad. [1]
[1] Commission on the National Guard and Reserves, Second Report to Congress, 3/1/07
"AAEI's study indicates that lack of properly equipping troops continues to be a major concern regarding escalation of the war," said Brian Rothenberg, Executive Director of ProgressOhio.org. "Ohio will spend an additional $5.6 billion dollars on troop escalation while 90% of National Guard troops nationwide are not ready to respond at home and abroad over equipment issues."
For a full review of the report, please click the link to IRAQ READINESS REPORT. (pdf)
Sen. Voinovich's office was chosen after he had expressed reservations about troop escalation and because he is a former Governor and Commander in Chief of Ohio's National Guard. "Senator Voinovich continues to blink on actions about escalation, instead of backing up his rhetoric about his concerns over the war's escalation," said Rothenberg.
The War Wire
