Boyd Travels to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Germany: Boyd Meets with Troops, Assesses our Efforts Against Global Terrorism

Press Release

Boyd Travels to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Germany: Boyd Meets with Troops, Assesses our Efforts Against Global Terrorism

Congressman Allen Boyd (D-North Florida) recently returned from a bicameral congressional delegation trip to Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, and Germany where he met with U.S. troops, was updated on our military operations in Afghanistan, and discussed our efforts in the hunt for Osama bin Laden and the global war on terror.

Over the Memorial Day weekend, Congressman Boyd first visited Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, where seriously wounded service members from Iraq and Afghanistan are treated. Congressman Boyd was impressed with the high quality of medical services available to the men and women receiving care at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.

"In talking with our troops, I am continually reminded that we are the great nation we are today because of these brave men and women who answered the call to duty," said Congressman Boyd. "As a Vietnam veteran, it really is inspirational to see the heart that these kids bring to the fight. I traveled to Iraq last year, and the morale of our troops is excellent everywhere I go. We need that to continue."

In Afghanistan, Congressman Boyd talked with our military leaders and examined U.S. military operations, which are critical to our national security interests and objectives. Congressman Boyd also met with the President of Afghanistan, Hamad Karzai, to assess the progress being made to combat terrorism and the capabilities of the Taliban. In India and Pakistan, Congressman Boyd examined efforts by India and Pakistan to fight terrorism and discussed Pakistan's continued U.S. support for their efforts in the global war on terror.

"This trip gave me more insight into the challenges faced by our troops and military leaders in theaters beyond Iraq that are essential to our national security," Boyd stated. "Iraq often grabs most of the headlines, but Afghanistan and Pakistan play more critical roles in the global fight against terrorism. This region of the world, with Afghanistan and Pakistan at the epicenter, is the central front in our war against terror and will continue to be a major part of American foreign policy for years to come."

"Our troops, military leaders, and Foreign Service officers work hard around the world to serve American interests and to fight the spread of terrorist networks and their ideology, especially in Afghanistan and Pakistan," Boyd continued. "In the war on terror, we cannot be defensive; we must be offensive and use our resources, our assets, and our allies in the region so that we can fight terror more effectively. As a member of the Defense Subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee, I intend to put the lessons learned on this trip to use and continue to work to strengthen our national security and remain vigilant in our efforts to keep America and the people safe."

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