Johnny Isakson, United States Senator from Georgia Georgia photos

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Senator Johnny Isakson gives out some gifts from home to Georgia soldiers during his trip to Iraq.The September 11th terrorist attacks against the United States provided a stark reminder that America must be able to defend itself against a broad range of threats, including potential terrorist attacks from nuclear, chemical or biological weapons as well as missile attacks.

Thankfully, our nation’s strong response to the September 11th terrorist attacks and our military performance in Afghanistan and Iraq have sent the message to the rest of the world that America will not waiver when it comes to defending this nation.

War in Iraq

I believe that it was right to invade Iraq and to eliminate Saddam Hussein as a threat so that the Iraqi people, the Middle East and the entire world will no longer be terrorized by the ruthless dictator. I have traveled to Iraq three times since my election to the U.S. Senate and I have seen the great progress that has been made by the Iraqi people and by the U.S. troops stationed there. However, I do believe we need a comprehensive plan in Iraq. While most Georgians have been very supportive of our efforts in Iraq, they are looking for a resolution and a way forward.

I applauded the decision to appoint new members to the strategic military team, including Robert Gates to be Secretary of Defense and General David Petraeus to lead the Multinational Forces-Iraq Command. In 2007, a plan was implemented to increase the number of American troops in Baghdad and al-Anbar province to serve in conjunction with Iraqi security forces. Their mission is to provide a secure environment for the Iraqi government. Only when security is established will the Iraqi government have a better chance of reaching the political compromise necessary to unify the country and end sectarian violence.

In both September 2007 and April 2008, I heard testimony from General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker on the progress in Iraq. General Petraeus proposed troop reductions phased in over time based on actual circumstances on the ground. The General clearly articulated a vision for both success and phased withdrawal in Iraq. Ambassador Crocker’s testimony pointed out numerous difficulties the Iraqi government is encountering that must be addressed. I remain committed to supporting our men and women deployed in Iraq who have accomplished so much, and I call on the Iraqi government to recognize that our commitment is strong, but our patience is not infinite.

On my third trip to Iraq in January 2008, I was very pleased to see the progress that has been made regarding security. Furthermore, since the new year, the Iraqis have capitalized on the security gains to make political progress as well. This first became evident on January 12, 2008 when the Iraqi Council of Representatives adopted the Law on Accountability and Justice, also known as De-Ba’athification Reform. This legislation allows many former members of the Baath party to hold government jobs. Additionally, in early February, the Iraqi Council of Representatives passed their 2008 Budget, which represents a significant milestone in Iraq’s transition toward using its own resources to provide for security, economic reconstruction and essential services.

The Iraqi Council of Representatives also passed an amnesty law for Sunni security detainees, which will greatly improve the unification process. Last, the Iraqi Council of Representatives compromised on a Provincial Powers law, an important step toward establishing the right balance of power the Iraqi people seek between central government authority and local government authority. I am pleased to see this progress, and I hope that the Iraqi Council of Representatives can continue to pass important pieces of legislation, such as a hydrocarbon law. Passing this legislation is a positive first step, but the Iraqi government must not stop there. They must commit to full and fair implementation of these laws. I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to urge the Iraqi government to work quickly to ensure lasting stability in Iraq, and I remain hopeful that troop withdrawals can be scheduled without affecting recent security success on the ground.

I hope that the Iraqi Council of Representatives can continue to pass important pieces of legislation, such as a hydrocarbon law. Passing this legislation is a positive first step, but the Iraqi government must not stop there. They must commit to full and fair implementation of these laws. I will continue to work with my Senate colleagues to urge the Iraqi government to work quickly to ensure lasting stability in Iraq, and I remain hopeful that troop withdrawals can be scheduled without affecting recent security success on the ground.

America’s Troops

I am committed to seeing that our fighting men and women have the resources and the equipment they need to do their jobs. To that end, I have supported pay raises for military personnel, the extension of special pay and bonuses to bolster retention of personnel with critical skills, and continued incremental increases in the basic allowance for housing.

As we continue to rely more and more on our Guard and Reservists, we must ensure that we provide them with the benefits and quality of life equal to the demands we make of them. To that end I am a cosponsor of S.648, introduced by Senator Chambliss, which will adjust the retirement eligibility for members of the National Guard and Reserve to improve their benefits based on the new role the Guard and Reserve are playing in our Armed Forces.

Military Resources

Our military also needs the best equipment in the world to keep out technological advantage over those who wish to do our country harm. That is why I support the F/A-22 and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter programs. During the Senate debate last year on the National Defense Authorization Act for FY07, I cosponsored an amendment introduced by Senator Chambliss to authorize a three-year multiyear procurement of the F/A-22. After extensive floor debate, the amendment was adopted and accepted in the final conference report. Authorization of a multiyear contract will save the Air Force significant money and provide stability to our F/A-22 production lines at Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA.

Our cargo aircraft are also of the utmost importance to our soldiers. I joined other senators in 2006 in supporting efforts to provide funding for additional C-17s to maintain current production lines. Additionally, I am very pleased that we were able to persuade the Pentagon in 2005 to reconsider its decision to end the multiyear contract for the C130J. It would have been a terrible decision from a military standpoint and from a business standpoint to have halted production of this vital plane.

I supported the Army's modernization plan to upgrade and recapitalize the existing "legacy" force of heavy armored forces, to build more easily deployable interim brigade combat teams, and to develop the objective force of the future that current Department of Defense leadership seeks.

Our lack of defenses against ballistic missiles creates incentives for missile proliferation and makes our country more vulnerable to terrorism and blackmail. While the Cold War has ended, the threat of attack by incoming missiles is real and growing. We must deploy an effective defense against missile attacks. We have tested such a missile defense system and we know it can work.

Georgia’s Military Installations

Georgia ’s 13 military installations have been recognized as major contributors to our national defense and the national security of the United States. They include: Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base; Athens Navy Supply Corps School ; Fort Benning; Dobbins Air Reserve Base; Fort Gillem; Fort Gordon; Hunter Army Airfield; Fort McPherson; Moody Air Force Base; Naval Air Station Atlanta; Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay; Robins Air Force Base; and Fort Stewart. Over 22,000 soldiers stationed in Georgia have served overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom along with record numbers of Georgia citizens who are members of the Guard and Reserves. I am committed to ensuring that Georgia’s military installations have the resources necessary to house and train our troops as well as meet the needs of our soldiers and their families.

During 2005, the U.S. Department of Defense completed its periodic Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, which is used to reorganize military installation infrastructure to more efficiently and effectively support the department’s forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business. Despite an outstanding job by our state and local communities in making the case against closure of Georgia bases, the Department of Defense decided to close Naval Air Station Atlanta, Fort McPherson, Fort Gillem and the Athens Naval Supply School. I am proud of our efforts and deeply disappointed by the Commission’s recommendation to close these four bases.

Along with the bad news came some very good news. Georgia did very well in the BRAC process in gaining troops at several bases including Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany. Further missions returning from Europe, such as Fort Stewart, will bring additional gains and help to solidify Georgia’s rich military history as a critical component to our national defense.

National Defense New Releases

U.S. Military Bases in Georgia

Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base
Location: Albany
Description: Home of the Marine Corps' Logistics Command headquarters for worldwide logistics operations and is the Corps' largest logistical center. Supports geo-positioning programs for rapid response contingency operations and is a maintenance facility for ground combat support equipment.

Athens Navy Supply Corps School
Location: Athens
Description: Provides training in supply, transportation and maintenance, with an annual student load of more than 4,000 students, in addition to those who train through the school's distance learning facility. Also houses the Center for Service Support, which develops learning tools.

Fort Benning
Location: Columbus
Description: Home of the U.S. Army Infantry Center. Location of Army infantry, airborne and ranger schools, which train more than 58,000 students each year. Major units at Fort Benning include the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) and the 36th Engineer Group (Combat).

Dobbins Air Reserve Base
Location: Marietta
Description: Hosts reserve recruiting, training and support activities. Provides facilities to Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps units. The 94th Airlift Wing and headquarters of the 22nd Air Force are the major units at the base. Has a C-130 flight simulator, one of only two in the United States. Provides runway operations for Naval Air Station-Atlanta and Lockheed Martin, which builds the C-130-J and F/A-22 Raptor fighter.

Fort Gordon
Location: Augusta
Description: Home of the U.S. Army Signal School, which provides training, and is home of the Joint Service Regional Signal Intelligence Operations Center and the U.S. Army Computer Science School. It's home for the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, and the Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem
Location: Atlanta and Forest Park
Description: Fort McPherson is home of the U.S. Army Forces Command, which is responsible for training and deployment of active, reserve and National Guard soldiers throughout the United States. Home to the 3rd U.S. Army, and the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Fort Gillem is home to a variety of tenant units, including the 1st U.S. Army, a recruiting brigade, a military entrance processing station, and the Army's only criminal investigation lab.

Moody Air Force Base
Location: Valdosta
Description: Home to the 347th Rescue Wing, which conducts combat search and rescue operations worldwide. The base also provides pilot training and houses the 820th Security Forces Group, which provides security for first-in forces.

Naval Air Station, Atlanta
Location: Marietta
Description: Provides training for Navy and Marine personnel. Home for Carrier Air Wing 20 and Marine Aircraft Group 42. Supports six squadrons of aircraft, an air defense battalion and is one of the top Naval Reserve installations in the force.

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
Location: St. Marys
Description: Home port for the eight Trident II ballistic missile submarines of the Atlantic Strategic Fleet Submarine Force. Conducts patrol operations, repairs and training, and is the site for Trident missile production.

Robins Air Force Base
Location: Warner Robins
Description: Home of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, the largest industrial complex in Georgia. Provides worldwide logistics support and maintenance for major Air Force aircraft, as well as helicopters, special operations aircraft and general purpose computers. Tenants include the headquarters of the Air Force Reserve Command and the 116th Air Control Wing, which flies the J-STARS surveillance aircraft.

Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield
Location: Hinesville and Savannah
Description: The combined complex is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and serves as home for the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized). The base also supports three National Guard combat brigades and Army Reserve units from nine states. The Georgia National Guard maintenance and equipment support site is the second largest in the United States.
E-mail: http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Washington: United States Senate, 120 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 Tel: (202) 224-3643 Fax: (202) 228-0724
Atlanta: One Overton Park, 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Suite 970, Atlanta, GA 30339 Tel: (770) 661-0999 Fax: (770) 661-0768