Defense Officials Try to Convince Senate US is Prepared if Ukraine War Escalates

March 29, 2022 by Tom Ramstack
Defense Officials Try to Convince Senate US is Prepared if Ukraine War Escalates
Supporters of Ukraine in Lafayette Park across from the White House. (Photo by Dan McCue)

WASHINGTON — Some of the U.S. military’s top brass tried to reassure a Senate committee Tuesday their supply lines and infrastructure are prepared to defend the United States and allies.

An implied question behind the Senate Armed Services Committee hearing was what happens if the war between Russia and Ukraine escalates to draw in the United States.

“This is a pivotal moment in Europe with generational implications,” said Gen. Tod Wolters, commander of the U.S. European Command.

As the U.S. military transfers weapons to the Ukrainians to help defend against Russian attacks, “This effort is America’s effort,” Wolters told the Senate Armed Services Committee.

In one example, the White House announced March 16 the U.S. military would send $800 million in equipment to the Ukrainian armed forces, including 800 additional Stinger anti-aircraft systems and 2,000 Javelin anti-tank missiles.

The Javelins already have played an important role in helping to stop the advance of Russian armored vehicles toward the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.

Like Napoleon Bonaparte emphasizing the need to feed his troops well by saying, “An army marches on its stomach,” Pentagon officials told the Senate committee they can succeed only if the U.S. military and allies are well equipped.

Their comments coincide with discussion in Congress on funding for the European Deterrence Initiative, a program to support U.S. participation in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

EDI funds training, transportation and maintenance of U.S. military personnel and equipment assigned to NATO. Congress approved $4.5 billion for EDI in fiscal year 2021.

This month, the Pentagon used EDI resources to send 500 more troops to Europe to take up defensive positions in Poland, Romania and Germany near the border with Ukraine. Within a week after beginning their deployment, they were set up in their temporary European home and ready to fight, Wolters said.

”It’s something that demonstrates the great value of EDI,” he said.

Although he assured the senators the U.S. military was ready to move troops and equipment, he could offer fewer assurances their computer networks were secure.

“In situations like this when it comes to cyber, it’s very difficult to get all the facts,” Wolters said.

His concerns were joined by Gen. Jacqueline Van Ovost, commander of the U.S. Transportation Command.

She described risks of cyber warfare as “an area of significant vulnerability” and “a top priority.”

“Our forces need to be connected,” she said. “They need to be on the network.”

She also reminded the senators of the need to replace aging equipment, 70% of which will be outdated within 10 years, she said.

The Defense Department officials won a mostly welcome reception from the lawmakers. They said their efforts are helping turn the tide of war in favor of Ukraine.

“The conflict in Ukraine has reinvigorated the NATO alliance,” said Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

He sought assurances the kind of attacks Russians launched against Ukrainian infrastructure could not succeed against American supply lines.

“Any potential adversary is going to attack our infrastructure supply system,” Reed said.

Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., said preparedness would be a better defense mechanism than the ability to counterstrike.

“The costs of war are far greater than the costs of preventing war,” Inhofe said.

Tom can be reached at [email protected]

A+
a-
  • Defense Department
  • military
  • Senate
  • Tod Wolters
  • Ukraine
  • In The News

    Health

    Voting

    Military

    Harris Repudiates Trump Worldview and Says the US Won't Back Down on Ukraine's Defense

    MUNICH (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday warned of the dangers of growing authoritarianism and isolationism in a... Read More

    MUNICH (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris on Friday warned of the dangers of growing authoritarianism and isolationism in a not-so-veiled repudiation of Donald Trump’s worldview and threats to renege on security guarantees for NATO allies should he return to the White House. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Harris offered... Read More

    Biden to Attend Dignified Transfer for Three US Troops Killed in Jordan

    WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will join grieving families at Dover Air Force Base on... Read More

    WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will join grieving families at Dover Air Force Base on Friday to honor three American service members killed in a drone attack in Jordan, a solemn ritual that has become relatively uncommon in recent years as the... Read More

    Defense Department to Target 'Forever Chemicals' Contamination Near Michigan Military Base

    The U.S. Department of Defense plans to install two more groundwater treatment systems at a former Michigan military base to... Read More

    The U.S. Department of Defense plans to install two more groundwater treatment systems at a former Michigan military base to control contamination from so-called forever chemicals, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin's office announced Friday. Environmentalists say the systems will help prevent PFAS from spreading into the Clarks... Read More

    Hamas Frees First Batch of Hostages Under Temporary Cease-Fire, Including 13 Israelis

    RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for weeks,... Read More

    RAFAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Hamas on Friday released 24 hostages who had been held captive in Gaza for weeks, including 13 Israelis, 10 people from Thailand and a Filipino citizen, according to Qatar and other officials, in the first stage in a swap for Palestinians... Read More

    Live Updates | Cease-Fire Pleas and Israel-Hamas Recriminations Rise in Wake of Gaza Hospital Blast

    President Joe Biden is in Israel on an urgent mission to keep the Israel-Hamas war from spiraling into a broader... Read More

    President Joe Biden is in Israel on an urgent mission to keep the Israel-Hamas war from spiraling into a broader regional conflict and to encourage the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians. The president's visit on Wednesday came after hundreds of people were reported killed... Read More

    US Announces Sanctions Against Group of 10 Hamas Members and Financial Network

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced sanctions on Wednesday against a group of 10 Hamas members and the Palestinian militant... Read More

    WASHINGTON (AP) — The U.S. announced sanctions on Wednesday against a group of 10 Hamas members and the Palestinian militant organization's financial network across Gaza, Sudan, Turkey, Algeria and Qatar as it responds to the surprise attack on Israel that left more than 1,000 people dead or kidnapped.... Read More

    News From The Well
    scroll top