Hartzler assesses military readiness and defense strategy in the Pacific

Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler (R-MO) recently returned from a congressional delegation to the Pacific, where leaders of the House Armed Services Committee visited U.S. military installations and met with commanders to assess defense readiness in the region.

Hartzler and members of the delegation toured military bases and strategic command centers in Japan, Guam, Hawaii and South Korea. The trip included briefings by military officers and State Department officials; meetings with active duty Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines; and firsthand reviews of America’s defense capabilities in the Pacific.

“Meeting our brave, dedicated military service members in the Pacific reminded me of how proud I am of our men and women in uniform and how confident I am in their capability to defend our nation,” said Congresswoman Vicky Hartzler. “The threats posed by an unstable, despotic North Korea are real, but our military and its allies stand ready to preserve peace in the region and the world if called upon.”

“My role is to assess the needs of our armed forces and to ensure they have what they need. Congress must prioritize military readiness and equip our troops with the necessary resources to succeed in the Pacific,” Hartzler added. “I will be working to see this is done and remains our priority.”

The delegation examined key military and diplomatic relationships between the U.S., South Korea and Japan. During tours of the Korean Peninsula’s Demilitarized Zone and South Korea’s strategic bases, members of the delegation reviewed how South Korea and the U.S. are coordinating military efforts in the region. The trip included visits to America’s bases in Japan, where members learned about the two countries’ diplomatic and military partnerships.

The trip came in the wake of a House Armed Services Committee hearing on naval readiness earlier this month. The hearing examined the U.S. Navy’s response to several recent warship collisions, including the USS Fitzgerald and USS John S. McCain accidents, which damaged ships and resulted in the loss of life of 17 U.S. sailors. During the delegation’s visit to Japan, members toured the USS Fitzgerald, where they assessed damage, met with crewmembers, and reviewed the Navy’s needs and capabilities. Congress and the military are continuing to identify ways to strengthen readiness and prevent future accidents.

The trip also included visits to military bases in Guam, which serves as a vital launching point in the region, and the U.S. joint base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where the Pacific Command is stationed. Other members of the delegation included Congressman Joe Wilson of South Carolina, Congresswoman Madeleine Bordallo of Guam, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter of New Hampshire, and Congresswoman Amata Radewagen of American Samoa.