Ensign Discusses Hawthorne With Army Nominee

Press Release

Senator John Ensign today had a meeting with Ms. Katherine Hammack, the President's nominee to serve as the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations and Environment. Ensign discussed the great things being done at Hawthorne Army Depot (HWAD) as well as the unique training opportunities HWAD offers to our servicemen and --women preparing for deployment to Afghanistan.

"When you are out visiting with our troops in Afghanistan and examining the terrain, you can't help but notice the striking similarities between Hawthorne and large parts of Afghanistan," said Ensign. "HWAD is the ideal location to prepare troops for the high desert climate, altitude and terrain they will encounter fighting the Taliban and al-Qaeda in Afghanistan. Increasing training opportunities at HWAD needs to be a priority for Army senior leadership.

"HWAD is a valuable asset to Nevada and to our National Security infrastructure. I have no doubt that putting more individuals through training at HWAD will save lives."

Senator Ensign recently returned from serving as the lead Republican on a bipartisan Senate trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Over the past few months Senator Ensign, along with Senator Reid, has asked that the Army officially designate HWAD as a U.S. Army Training Facility; has asked the National Guard Bureau Chief, General Craig R. McKinley, to host a Counter Improvised Explosive Device-Defeat training facility at HWAD; and has asked FEMA to preposition disaster relief supplies there as well.

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