To Army Chief of Staff, General Erik K. Shinseki, Senator Collins posed the question of readiness regarding possible chemical and biological attacks on American troops. "Of the 25 units reviewed at Fort Hood and Fort Lewis, 18 of them were not judged to be proficient in operating chemical and biological defensive equipment,"said Senator Collins. "Also, inspectors found that many units were not performing adequate preventative maintenance on their chem-bio defense equipment." General Shinseki said the Army is working to address these deficiencies.
Senator Collins reiterated her concern to the Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral Vernon E. Clark, that even with the $12.2 billion budgeted for ship construction for fiscal year 2004, the total size of the Navy's fleet will fall under 300 in the coming years, bottoming out at 291 ships in fiscal 2006. Admiral Clark has stated in the past that the United States needs a 375 ship fleet to meet national security requirements.
In addressing General John P. Jumper, Air Force Chief of Staff, Senator Collins stated in forceful terms her intention to see that allegations of sexual assault at the United States Air Force Academy are fully investigated.
"As a United States Senator, one of my most rewarding duties is nominating young Maine citizens to our military academies. The thought that I may be recommending young women to attend the Air Force Academy where they may be put in harm's way is appalling to me," the Senator said.
As Chairman of the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Collins and the Committee's Ranking Member, Senator Joe Lieberman, have called for an investigation into the allegations by the Defense Department Inspector General.
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