Johnny Isakson, United States Senator from Georgia Georgia photos

United States Senate
131 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Tel: (202) 224-3643
Fax: (202) 228-0724

One Overton Park, Suite 970
3625 Cumberland Blvd
Atlanta, GA 30339
Tel: (770) 661-0999
Fax: (770) 661-0768


Johnny Isakson's Position Statement on Defense

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Senator Johnny Isakson gives out some gifts from home to Georgia soldiers during his trip to Iraq.The September 11th terrorist attacks against the United States provided a stark reminder that America must be able to defend itself against a broad range of threats, including potential terrorist attacks from nuclear, chemical or biological weapons as well as missile attacks.

Thankfully, our nation's strong response to the September 11th terrorist attacks and our military performance in Afghanistan and Iraq have sent the message to the rest of the world that America will not waiver when it comes to defending this nation.

It is important to continue to work with all nations to root out terrorism and encourage stable democracies around the world. I will continue to support efforts to see that America stays on course to defend freedom and democracy for all nations. We need only note the recent arrests of terror suspects in Colorado and New York to realize that the agents of terror sponsored by al-Qaida and the Taliban will still do anything to destroy our country.

New START Treaty

When the START Treaty of 1991 expired on December 5, 2009, the United States lost all access to the Russian nuclear arsenal and therefore lost access to all human intelligence on the ground about their arsenal. As we learned in the Iranian hostage crisis of 1979 and the tragedy of 9/11, whenever we lack human intelligence on the ground we become more vulnerable as a nation.

The START Treaty was initiated by Ronald Reagan (and then signed by President George H.W. Bush) because Reagan believed in peace through strength and "trust but verify." Our biggest threat of a nuclear strike against America is a terrorist dirty bomb or a rogue nation strike from Iran or North Korea. The United States and Russia control over 90 percent of the world's nuclear warheads, and the New START Treaty inspection and verification system ensures that the United States can better prevent a loose nuclear warhead from getting into the wrong hands. Richard Burd, who led U.S. negotiations under both Reagan and Bush, testified of the absolute necessity to continue physical inspections and access to Russia's arsenal. In addition, every Secretary of State since Henry Kissinger has endorsed the New START Treaty.

The New START Treaty also ensures the United States can and will develop our robust missile defense system to protect our nation. Equally important, we have committed the funds necessary to both maintain and modernize our nuclear arsenal. The ratification approved in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee was the Republican substitute to the Democratic-proposed ratification, and it was authored by Republican Senator Dick Lugar.

War in Afghanistan

Shortly after the attacks of September 11th, the United States initiated Operation Enduring Freedom to bring those responsible for the attacks to justice and to show that terrorism will not be tolerated by the international community. The international community also created a NATO-led International Security Assistance Force that is commanding peacekeeping operations throughout Afghanistan. The Taliban and al-Qaeda were expelled from Kabul, Afghanistan, and a democratically elected government was established.

President Hamid Karzai and his government have faced many challenges since the early days of his fledgling government, making support from the United States and its allies essential to its survival. The Taliban, a group that favors brutal public executions and the total subjugation of women, cannot be allowed to return to power. Afghanistan must not return to its status as the base of operations for al-Qaeda, an organization dedicated to the training, arming and deployment of terrorists for the purpose of killing innocent civilians worldwide. At the same time, we also must put pressure on the Karzai government to end corruption and drug-trafficking. If the Afghan people cannot trust their own government, it will only serve to further destabilize the region.

On February 16, 2009, President Obama approved a plan to increase the American forces in Afghanistan by 17,000 troops. All of these troops are tasked with stopping the influx of foreign fighters in the border region with Pakistan that are dedicated to toppling Afghanistan’s elected government. As a direct result of this increase, in July 2009 coalition forces initiated a major offensive in the Helmand River valley of Afghanistan in an effort to liberate the region from increasing Taliban influence. This offensive has been lead by the United States Marine Corps, and has been the source of intense fighting. This recent increase in violence serves as a grim reminder of the danger our servicemembers face in Afghanistan, but it also underscores the importance of their mission.

On December 1, 2009, President Obama finally outlined his strategy regarding the war in Afghanistan, and I am glad he will supply General David Petraeus with a majority of the troops that were recommended. We need to give our commanders in the field the manpower they need to get the job done. I am extremely concerned by the President’s proposal to set an arbitrary timeline for withdrawal because I think that sends the exact wrong signal to the enemy. We should pursue this mission to a successful conclusion and then bring our troops home.

The American warfighter faces different challenges in Afghanistan than they do in Iraq. I will work hard to make sure that our fighting men and women are armed and equipped to meet the challenges they face in Operation Enduring Freedom.

War in Iraq

I believe that it was right to invade Iraq and to eliminate Saddam Hussein as a threat so that the Iraqi people, the Middle East and the entire world would no longer be terrorized by the ruthless dictator. I have traveled to Iraq three times since my election to the U.S. Senate, and I have seen the great progress that has been made by the Iraqi people and by the U.S. troops stationed there.

The recent progress and stabilization in Iraq were largely achieved through the foresight and resolve of General David Petraeus and Ambassador Ryan Crocker, who in 2007 urged President Bush to implement a plan to increase the number of American troops in Baghdad and al-Anbar province to serve in conjunction with Iraqi security forces. Their mission was to provide a secure environment for the Iraqi government. Only when security was established would the Iraqi government have a better chance of reaching the political compromise necessary to unify the country and end sectarian violence, they argued.

While most Georgians have been very supportive of our efforts in Iraq, they are looking for a resolution and an honorable way forward. Thus, I was pleased to see the Iraqi Council of Representatives voted in favor of final passage of the U.S.-Iraq Strategic Framework Agreement and Status of Forces Agreement on November 27, 2008. Under the Status of Forces Agreement, U.S. forces will withdraw from all Iraqi cities by June 30, 2009, and from the entire country by December 31, 2011. I believe that these agreements preserve America’s national interest while protecting American troops serving abroad. These agreements will pave the way for American troops to come home with security goals achieved, leaving Iraq a more stable country and ally.

President Obama recently announced plans to withdraw 100,000 combat troops by Aug. 31, 2010, while maintaining a force of 35,000 to 50,000 support troops who will remain until Dec. 31, 2011. While I believe that President Obama’s plan honors the Status of Forces Agreement, I have concerns that the dramatic decrease in presence that will occur in August 2010 is premature and may lead to an erosion of the progress made in Iraq.

Finally, I believe that in order to achieve lasting peace in the region it is necessary to exercise an ambitious diplomatic approach that brings together all the countries in the region. Each of Iraq’s neighbors have a crucial stake in a peaceful and stable outcome in Iraq, and each must be willing to work together to assist the United States and our allies in bringing security to the region.

Iran

I am very concerned about the nation of Iran and its nuclear weapons potential. It is imperative for the United States, and all of the free world, to stand united against Iran's nuclear development, and to remain vigilant of any threat that this regime and state sponsored terrorism may cause the United States and the rest of the free world. Although Iran claims to be developing nuclear technology for peaceful purposes, the recent disclosure of a second nuclear reactor built in secret casts even more doubt on the already dubious claim of an Iranian nuclear program with peaceful aims. The recent test-firings of missiles capable of hitting targets over 1,000 miles from Iranian borders have made it all the more urgent that the international community pressure the Iranian government to cease its nuclear weapons program immediately.

America's Troops

I am committed to seeing that our fighting men and women have the resources and the equipment they need to do their jobs. To that end, I have supported pay raises for military personnel, the extension of special pay and bonuses to bolster retention of personnel with critical skills, and continued incremental increases in the basic allowance for housing.

Military Resources

Our military also needs the best equipment in the world to keep out technological advantage over those who wish to do our country harm. Our cargo aircraft are of the utmost importance to our soldiers. I joined other senators in 2006 in supporting efforts to provide funding for additional C-17s to maintain current production lines. Additionally, I am very pleased that we were able to persuade the Pentagon in 2005 to reconsider its decision to end the multiyear contract for the C130J. It would have been a terrible decision from a military standpoint and from a business standpoint to have halted production of this vital plane.

I supported the Army's modernization plan to upgrade and recapitalize the existing "legacy" force of heavy armored forces, to build more easily deployable interim brigade combat teams, and to develop the objective force of the future that current Department of Defense leadership seeks.

Our lack of defenses against ballistic missiles creates incentives for missile proliferation and makes our country more vulnerable to terrorism and blackmail. While the Cold War has ended, the threat of attack by incoming missiles is real and growing. We must deploy an effective defense against missile attacks. We have tested such a missile defense system and we know it can work.

Georgia's Military Installations

Georgia's military installations have been recognized as major contributors to our national defense and the national security of the United States. They include: Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base; Fort Benning; Dobbins Air Reserve Base; Fort Gillem; Fort Gordon; Hunter Army Airfield; Fort McPherson; Moody Air Force Base; Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay; Robins Air Force Base; and Fort Stewart. Over 22,000 soldiers stationed in Georgia have served overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom along with record numbers of Georgia citizens who are members of the Guard and Reserves. I am committed to ensuring that Georgia’s military installations have the resources necessary to house and train our troops as well as meet the needs of our soldiers and their families.

During 2005, the U.S. Department of Defense completed its periodic Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process, which is used to reorganize military installation infrastructure to more efficiently and effectively support the department’s forces, increase operational readiness and facilitate new ways of doing business. Despite an outstanding job by our state and local communities in making the case against closure of Georgia bases, the Department of Defense decided to close Naval Air Station Atlanta, Fort McPherson, Fort Gillem and the Athens Naval Supply School. I am proud of our efforts and deeply disappointed by the Commission’s recommendation to close these four bases.

Along with the bad news came some very good news. Georgia did very well in the BRAC process in gaining troops at several bases including Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany. Further missions returning from Europe, such as Fort Stewart, will bring additional gains and help to solidify Georgia’s rich military history as a critical component to our national defense.

National Defense News Releases

U.S. Military Bases in Georgia

Albany Marine Corps Logistics Base
Location: Albany
Description: Home of the Marine Corps' Logistics Command headquarters for worldwide logistics operations and is the Corps' largest logistical center. Supports geo-positioning programs for rapid response contingency operations and is a maintenance facility for ground combat support equipment.

Fort Benning
Location: Columbus
Description: Home of the U.S. Army Infantry Center. Location of Army infantry, airborne and ranger schools, which train more than 58,000 students each year. Major units at Fort Benning include the 75th Ranger Regiment, the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) and the 36th Engineer Group (Combat).

Dobbins Air Reserve Base
Location: Marietta
Description: Hosts reserve recruiting, training and support activities. Provides facilities to Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps units. The 94th Airlift Wing and headquarters of the 22nd Air Force are the major units at the base. Has a C-130 flight simulator, one of only two in the United States. Provides runway operations for Naval Air Station-Atlanta and Lockheed Martin, which builds the C-130-J and F/A-22 Raptor fighter.

Fort Gordon
Location: Augusta
Description: Home of the U.S. Army Signal School, which provides training, and is home of the Joint Service Regional Signal Intelligence Operations Center and the U.S. Army Computer Science School. It's home for the 513th Military Intelligence Brigade, and the Eisenhower Army Medical Center.

Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem
Location: Atlanta and Forest Park
Description: Fort McPherson is home of the U.S. Army Forces Command, which is responsible for training and deployment of active, reserve and National Guard soldiers throughout the United States. Home to the 3rd U.S. Army, and the U.S. Army Reserve Command. Fort Gillem is home to a variety of tenant units, including the 1st U.S. Army, a recruiting brigade, a military entrance processing station, and the Army's only criminal investigation lab.

Moody Air Force Base
Location: Valdosta
Description: Home to the 347th Rescue Wing, which conducts combat search and rescue operations worldwide. The base also provides pilot training and houses the 820th Security Forces Group, which provides security for first-in forces.

Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay
Location: St. Marys
Description: Home port for the eight Trident II ballistic missile submarines of the Atlantic Strategic Fleet Submarine Force. Conducts patrol operations, repairs and training, and is the site for Trident missile production.

Robins Air Force Base
Location: Warner Robins
Description: Home of the Warner Robins Air Logistics Center, the largest industrial complex in Georgia. Provides worldwide logistics support and maintenance for major Air Force aircraft, as well as helicopters, special operations aircraft and general purpose computers. Tenants include the headquarters of the Air Force Reserve Command and the 116th Air Control Wing, which flies the J-STARS surveillance aircraft.

Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield
Location: Hinesville and Savannah
Description: The combined complex is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and serves as home for the 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized). The base also supports three National Guard combat brigades and Army Reserve units from nine states. The Georgia National Guard maintenance and equipment support site is the second largest in the United States.
E-mail: http://isakson.senate.gov/contact.cfm

Washington: United States Senate, 131 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510 Tel: (202) 224-3643 Fax: (202) 228-0724
Atlanta: One Overton Park, 3625 Cumberland Blvd, Suite 970, Atlanta, GA 30339 Tel: (770) 661-0999 Fax: (770) 661-0768