Prairie State Wire

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] — U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, today introduced legislation that would foster collaboration with allies and partners to improve operational energy capabilities for U.S. troops as well as partner country military forces, helping increase military readiness and minimize a significant vulnerability that can put our servicemen and women at risk. The Energy Security for Overseas Troops Act would require the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a program in coordination with select allies or partner nations to develop and maintain transformational strategies for operational energy.

“By working with our allies and partners across the globe, we can find innovative solutions to bolster our overseas operational energy capabilities in contested environments and help ensure the men and women in uniform are not put at risk because of energy supply chain issues,” said Duckworth. “I’m proud to introduce the Energy Security for Overseas Troops Act to improve military readiness, enhance the safety of our troops and increase energy resilience.”

Military operations require energy, like fuel for trucks or batteries for radios, for the sustainment of forces and weapons platforms, which are critical to our nation’s warfighting capabilities, readiness and strategic deterrent. Yet, the need to supply forward troops with operational energy presents a significant vulnerability, risking both lives and the mission. In fact, RAND has found that over half of the U.S. combat-related casualties in Iraq and Afghanistan were directly tied to fuel and water resupply convoy operations.

The Energy Security for Overseas Troops Act would require the Secretary of Defense to establish a program in coordination with select allies or partner nations to develop and maintain transformational strategies for operational energy. The program would promote the readiness of the U.S. Armed Forces and the military forces of partner countries for operations in contested environments, reduce logistical vulnerabilities, ensure that supply lines are resilient and enhance energy security.

Original source can be found here.