By Michelle Tan
Times staff writer
The Army is rebalancing its fighting force, dedicating more war-fighters to Iraq while modernizing its capabilities for the 21st Century, its top leaders said Tuesday.
“The soldier remains the centerpiece of America’s Army,” Army Secretary Francis Harvey told the Senate Armed Services Committee during a hearing on the Army’s fiscal 2007 budget request.
“On 9/11 the Army’s operational capabilities lacked the breadth and depth for ‘the long war.’ … This is the first time our nation has tested the concept of an all-volunteer force in a prolonged war.”
Harvey and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Peter Schoomaker testified in front of the committee for two hours Tuesday, answering questions on body army, Future Combat Systems, pay for wounded soldiers, Army National Guard and Reserve end strength, recruiting challenges and funding the replacement of equipment destroyed in combat.
To date, the Army has completed the conversion or activation of 19 brigade combat teams and is in the process of doing the same for 18 more, Harvey said. The active Army will have 42 BCTs; the 28.
Harvey emphasized the importance of fully funding the Future Combat Systems program.
“This is the key modernization program for the Army,” he said. “It’s really the first major modernization effort in four decades.”
The first “spin-out” of FCS technology is expected in 2008, with the introduction of unattended ground sensors, non-line-of-sight launch systems and the intelligent munitions system, Harvey said.
The first unit to be fully equipped with manned ground vehicles is projected to achieve initial capability by 2014, according to a statement provided by the Army.
Go to this Army Times link for the full story.
http://www.armytimes.com/story.php?f...25-1537289.php