TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Are We Ready For A Major Attack? New Report Says No

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 1, 2008

An independent commission's 400-page report concludes that the nation "does not have sufficient trained, ready forces available" to respond to a chemical, biological or nuclear weapons incident, "an appalling gap that places the nation and its citizens at greater risk."

Even fewer Army National Guard units are combat-ready today than were nearly a year ago when the Commission on the National Guard and Reserves determined that 88 percent of the units were not prepared for the fight, the report says.

In response, Air Force Gen. Gene Renuart said the Pentagon is putting together a specialized military team that would be designed to respond to such catastrophic events.

Nation/World, Page 5

•Over the next year, Renuart said, specific active duty, Guard and Reserve units will be trained, equipped and assigned to a three-tiered response force totaling about 4,000 troops.

•Although noting that equipment for the reserves has increased in recent years, the report details a shortfall of about $48 billion for equipment as of 2007.

•The panel made 95 recommendations.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT