Congressman Paul Cook says,
“The more we train for a scenario now, the
better we will be prepared.”
National Defense Authorization
Photo credit: Small Wars Journal
May 3, 2018 Washington D.C.
Congressman
Paul Cook (R-Apple Valley) recently proposed language in the National Defense
Authorization Act (NDAA) that would require the United States Army to study the
feasibility of building an Urban Warfare Training Center.
The Congressman’s proposal directs the
Secretary of the Army to submit a
report outlining the Army’s plan to prepare its’ Soldiers to fight in a densely
populated and complex urban setting, as well as the training required and
equipment needed to operate in that type of environment.
Paul Cook said, “As a former
infantryman, I understand the need of our Armed Forces to look ahead and
prepare for the next type of conflict should one occur. Our military is very
proficient at so many tasks, but one area we need to take a closer look is how
we’re preparing to fight in large urban centers.”
“ As populations around the globe continue to migrate and
move towards metropolitan environments, the chances of our military
experiencing a fight in those conditions is becoming more of a possibility. The
more we train for that scenario now, the better we will be prepared. This
proposal is a step in the right direction that will afford the U.S. Army the
opportunity to look at training, manning, and equipping a force designed to
fight in an urban environment.”
Congressman Paul Cook is
a member of the House Armed Services, Natural Resources, and Foreign Affairs
Committees, Cook served as an infantry officer and retired after 26 years as a
Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps. During his time in combat, he was awarded the
Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.