[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 145 (Thursday, October 8, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2495-E2496]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   ARMY STRYKER FORCE IN AFGHANISTAN

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. PATRICK J. TIBERI

                                of ohio

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, October 8, 2009

  Mr. TIBERI. Madam Speaker, I rise today to submit to the Record the 
attached information concerning a constituent and a mother of a soldier 
that served in Afghanistan.

                                    Congress of the United States,


                                     House of Representatives,

                                  Washington, DC, October 8, 2009.
     Hon. Robert M. Gates,
     Secretary of Defense,
     Washington, DC.
       Dear Mr. Secretary: Last month I received a letter from a 
     constituent and mother of a soldier that served in 
     Afghanistan. She was concerned after learning that the 5th 
     Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade Combat Team) 
     had not been authorized the necessary Improvised Explosive 
     Device Detection Dogs (IEDDDs) for its mission.
       After forwarding her concerns to the U.S. Department of the 
     Army, I received a response from U.S. Army Central Command 
     dated September 30, 2009 from Chief of Staff Colonel Stephen 
     M. Twitty. The response stated ``On August 14, 2009, the 
     command submitted an urgent universal needs statement to 
     their higher headquarters, United States Forces--Afghanistan 
     for 75 IEDDDs with handlers for immediate fielding'' and that 
     the request was still pending at that time.
       It is my understanding that after fifty-six days of 
     operations since the urgent request was made by commanders in 
     the field, the 5th Brigade has yet to receive the necessary 
     IEDDDs. I am concerned that commanders on the ground are not 
     receiving resources they are requesting. Please provide an 
     explanation of the plan that is in place to ensure that our 
     troops on the ground have the assets needed to keep Americans 
     safe and detect IEDs.
       If you have any questions, please contact my district 
     director, Mark Bell. Thank you for your time and attention to 
     this matter, and I look forward to your reply.
           Sincerely,
                                                Patrick J. Tiberi,
                                       Representative to Congress.
       Enclosures.
                                  ____

         Department of the Army, Third Army, United States Army 
           Central, Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, G1.
                           Fort McPherson, GA, September 30, 2009.
     Hon. Patrick J. Tiberi,
     Representative in Congress,
     Columbus, OH.
       Dear Mr. Tiberi: Thank you for your recent letter to the 
     Department of Defense on behalf of concerns.
       The 5th Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division (Stryker Brigade 
     Combat Team) arrived in Afghanistan in July 2009 and deployed 
     into sector in August 2009 with all assigned mine detection 
     equipment. The brigade is not authorized Improvised Explosive 
     Device Detection Dogs (IEDDDs) or K9 handlers in accordance 
     with their Headquarters, Department of the Army approved 
     Modified Table of Organization and Equipment, dated April 16. 
     2009. On August 14, 2009, the command submitted an urgent 
     universal needs statement to their higher headquarters, 
     United States Forces--Afghanistan for 75 IEDDDs with handlers 
     for immediate fielding. That request is still pending at this 
     time.
       This command stands ready to provide any further assistance 
     required by your office.
           Sincerely,

                                            Stephen M. Twitty,

     Colonel (P), U.S. Army, Chief of Staff.
                                  ____

                                               September 14, 2009.
     Re Army Stryker Force In Afghanistan.

     SGT Mark Bell and Jason Dominguez in Pat Tiberi's office.
       This last week, Army Stryker Force in Afghanistan was on 
     the news. Their job is to sweep Afghan villages for IED's. 
     They've lost 9 people in the last month. The point made was 
     that they do not have bomb sniffing dogs or metal detectors. 
     I actually watched a soldier trying to visually inspect a mud 
     wall for an IED. This isn't the first time that I've seen 
     such reports on the news or shows about the military.
       If my information is correct, then those 9 lives lost cost 
     the military 9 million dollars. This is outrageous. 9 
     families lost loved ones because their unit didn't have the 
     proper equipment. Do you think that for 9 million, the Army 
     could send dogs for every unit ? Do I need to say Da.
       I wrote you about the units needing dogs quite some time 
     ago. Apparently, no one paid attention. If you're going to 
     send the military, then you MUST equip them with

[[Page E2496]]

     what they need. That includes dogs. I will be happy to raise 
     the money to pay for them but I can't ship them to any unit. 
     You can believe me when I say that I've tried. My son 
     completed one year in Afghanistan and two in Iraq. I thank 
     God every day for his return. Parents can purchase and ship 
     lots of things. I can buy a bomb sniffing dog. I just can't 
     ship the dog. And the dog needs a handler. It's not something 
     that a unit soldier can learn on the job.
       I want Stryker Force and every other unit to have two dogs 
     with handlers. And I want it now, The military can do it. 
     They just need the proper motivation. What will it take?

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