Miller, Chambliss Joint Statement on Army Reserve Unit Rotation Plan

Miller, Chambliss Joint Statement on
Army Reserve Unit Rotation Plan

WASHINGTON - U.S. Senators Zell Miller (D-GA) and Saxby Chambliss (R-GA), co-chairs of the Senate Reserve Caucus, today released the following joint statement concerning the Secretary of the Army's announcement to keep Army Reserve units currently deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq for up to one year:

"This decision will extend the current 12-month mobilization of Army Reserve Component forces supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom by an additional three to six months to permit these troops to spend 12 full months in theater. This 12-month rotation in theater matches the active duty force rotation for Operation Iraqi Freedom. It means our Reserve forces will be mobilized longer than initially planned, but we believe this is a measured and responsible decision by the Army and a decision that will contribute directly to improving stability in Iraq.

"This decision also retains the combatant commander's flexibility to release mobilized troops early if they are no longer required in theater. We encourage the Army and Department of Defense to continue utilizing the Reserve Components wisely and ensure that reservists who are deployed are used in ways that directly contribute to the mission at hand.

"As the President reiterated last night, the heaviest burdens in war fall among the men and women of our armed forces. These courageous soldiers have liberated an oppressed people and destroyed a tyrant's brutal regime. The country will be indebted for their continued sacrifice. We must now give all of our men and women in uniform our continued support, and make sure they have all the resources needed to carry out this mission."