The Army’s increased operational tempo due to Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom, combined with harsh operating environments, combat damage and attrition, has taken a heavy toll on the Army’s equipment fleet. The Army’s equipment fleet (aviation, wheeled, tracked vehicles and weapon systems) support every facet of military operations. Assured fleet readiness is critical for full spectrum Army mission success. After years of insufficient modernization investments many Army units are under equipped and not immediately ready for deployment, especially in Reserve Component units. To meet the Combatant Commanders’ wartime needs, equipment is pooled from across the force to equip those Soldiers deploying into harms way. This practice increases risk in other capabilities as seen in the Army’s national response to hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Aviation and ground equipment are often left behind in theater to support subsequent unit rotations. Redeploying units thereby lack sufficient equipment to properly train for their next rotation. Reserve Component capabilities to support homeland defense and homeland security missions are thereby significantly diminished. Deploying Army units are outfitted with their full equipment authorization only just prior to their deployment or when they arrive in theater.

To ensure the Army is fully prepared to continue combat and stability operations, support synchronization of deployments, likely future contingencies, homeland security and homeland defense missions, it is imperative the Army is fully resourced to reset, recapitalize and repair the equipment fleet. This includes procurement for replacing the combat losses. The depot maintenance program is currently beleaguered with a growing backlogged condition and is currently running at just 50 percent production capability. Increased and consistent funding will reduce the backlog and restore full production capability to the depot program. Our Soldiers placing their “Boots On The Ground” deserve fully capable weapons and equipment to perform their wartime missions and successfully train for programmed operational deployments.

WE THEREFORE RESOLVE to urge the Administration and Congress to:

• Provide timely funding for equipment reset to restore units to levels of readiness required to successfully execute programmed operational deployments, likely future contingencies and homeland defense missions. At least $13.0B in FY08 and $13.5B in FY09 are the minimum required funding levels - the required funding levels are expected to continue throughout the period of conflict and for a minimum of two to three years beyond the cessation of hostilities
  
  
• Provide timely non-offsetting supplemental appropriations to ensure a consistent work flow through our depot and industrial base to effectively support equipment reset operations
  
  
• Provide timely funding for equipment modernization initiatives concurrent with equipment reset operations where opportunities exist to enhance the equipment fleet with improved capabilities: reset equipment forward; not backward to their legacy design capability
  
  
• Provide timely funding for equipment procurement for all combat losses in addition to those replacements whenever battle damaged and worn out equipment are not economically repairable