Skelton: Improve readiness by leaving Iraq

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Skelton: Improve readiness by leaving Iraq
By Rick Maze - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Apr 29, 2008 10:12:36 EDT

The chairman of the House Armed Services Committee says military readiness is his top priority — ahead of weapons modernization programs.

And Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., said the main thing that can be done to improve combat readiness of U.S. forces is to leave Iraq as soon as possible.

In a breakfast meeting with defense reporters, Skelton did not lay out an Iraq withdrawal plan, but said the U.S. “cannot be there forever.”

“We are going to need troops to do something (else). We need to be ready,” he said.

Skelton’s committee is expected to begin writing its version of the 2009 defense authorization bill next week. He said improving near-term readiness will be the top priority in the budget, even though this could squeeze funds for some important weapons programs that also have strong bearing on future readiness.


Rest of article at: http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/military_iraq_readiness_042908w/