ICYMI: Russian and Chinese Aggressions make this a Pivotal Moment for American Military Might
For Immediate Release: January 28, 2022
Contact: Cassandra Sebastian (719) 520-0055
Colorado Springs, CO- Yesterday, Congressman Lamborn authored an Op-Ed published in the Denver Post about his recent appointment as Ranking Member for the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and the oversight he will have with our military as we face Russian and Chinese aggressions. Read the Op-Ed below:
Image
Lamborn: Russian and Chinese Aggressions make this a Pivotal Moment for American Military Might
By Doug Lamborn- Opinion Columnist, The Denver Post
In the last few months, Russia successfully destroyed one of its low earth orbit satellites with a missile, and China successfully fired a hypersonic drive vehicle around the world. As Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said about the Chinese test flight, we are “very close” to a Sputnik moment as a nation in space warfare.
What we are seeing in space and in missile systems will change the nature of war in much the same way aircraft and submarines altered warfare in World War I, or nuclear weapons ended World War II and ushered in the Cold War. This is a make-or-break moment for American military space superiority.
Our potential adversaries are quickly reducing our competitive advantages in every domain — air, land, sea, space, and cyber. Rouge nations like Iran and North Korea are seeking to destabilize their regions and are working to pursue nuclear weapons capabilities. Russia’s nuclear program has undergone significant modernization of all three legs of its triad, in addition to their test of an anti-satellite weapon. China is undergoing a rapid, unprecedented nuclear build-up, in addition to their testing of new hypersonic vehicles that are more difficult to detect and stop than traditional ballistic missiles.
It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model. Our adversaries are advancing, and America must step up to the plate.
The Strategic Forces subcommittee, of which I just became the ranking member, plays a key role in these issues. I have the honor of being the only congressman from Colorado to have ever served as a ranking member or chairman of this vital subcommittee. The subcommittee oversees the nuclear weapons enterprise, missile defense, military space, and hypersonic vehicles. This is also the subcommittee that created the Space Force.
On this subcommittee, we strive to ensure that the Departments of Defense and Energy are ready to respond to a quickly evolving and increasingly dangerous world, utilizing both offensive and defensive capabilities. New technologies, including hypersonic vehicles, directed energy, and advanced strategic warning systems, will be front and center.
Image
RU-RTR Russian Television via AP
This video grab provided by RU-RTR Russian television via AP television on Thursday, March 1, 2018, shows the launch of what President Vladimir Putin said is Russia’s new nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile. President Vladimir Putin declared Thursday that Russia has developed a range of new nuclear weapons, claiming they can’t be intercepted by enemy.
Our nuclear triad remains vital to deterring major conflict among great powers and modernizing it is critically important. Also, we must continue to ensure that our missile defenses are able to safeguard the homeland, as well as our warfighters around the globe. The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas taught us that missile defense is critical to the protection of civilians and other assets and allows additional decision time for our political leaders to weigh options.
Colorado is the epicenter of national defense space, home to numerous major military installations, including branches of the Space Force, Air Force, and Army. In Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station provides resiliency for nuclear command and control and North American missile defense. U.S. Northern Command, which is responsible for detecting, deterring, and defeating threats to the homeland works out of Peterson Space Force Base. Peterson is also currently home to the interim Space Command, which many of us in Colorado believe should have its permanent home in Colorado. Schriever Space Force Base enables the global economic market by providing GPS signals for banking, trade, shipping, and everyday communications and navigation. It is also home to the National Space Defense Center which is responsible for protecting and defending the United States’ critical infrastructure in space.
Buckley Space Force Base, located in Aurora, supports vital intelligence collection for global operations. It is also the command home of the Space Force’s missile warning forces monitoring international nuclear treaties, and warning our nation in the event of a foreign nuclear attack, and Fort Carson is home to the 10th Special Forces Group that trains for special missions, such as the fight to protect the United States from weapons of mass destruction.
Space was until recently considered a sanctuary, a peaceful domain. The Russians and Chinese are rapidly changing and weaponizing that environment. As we enter a new age, America needs to focus on great power competition across all these critical domains.
Colorado is set to lead that fight across our armed forces — particularly in space. I will work to ensure that our defense priorities prepare us for the fight of the future. Our brave warfighters must have the resources they need to complete their mission.
Doug Lamborn is a U.S. representative from the 5th Congressional District in El Paso, Fremont, Teller, Park, and Chaffee counties. He was first elected in 2006.
ICYMI: Russian and Chinese Aggressions make this a Pivotal Moment for American Military Might
For Immediate Release: January 28, 2022
Contact: Cassandra Sebastian (719) 520-0055
Colorado Springs, CO- Yesterday, Congressman Lamborn authored an Op-Ed published in the Denver Post about his recent appointment as Ranking Member for the House Armed Services Committee's Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and the oversight he will have with our military as we face Russian and Chinese aggressions. Read the Op-Ed below:
Image
Lamborn: Russian and Chinese Aggressions make this a Pivotal Moment for American Military Might
By Doug Lamborn- Opinion Columnist, The Denver Post
In the last few months, Russia successfully destroyed one of its low earth orbit satellites with a missile, and China successfully fired a hypersonic drive vehicle around the world. As Gen. Mark A. Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff said about the Chinese test flight, we are “very close” to a Sputnik moment as a nation in space warfare.
What we are seeing in space and in missile systems will change the nature of war in much the same way aircraft and submarines altered warfare in World War I, or nuclear weapons ended World War II and ushered in the Cold War. This is a make-or-break moment for American military space superiority.
Our potential adversaries are quickly reducing our competitive advantages in every domain — air, land, sea, space, and cyber. Rouge nations like Iran and North Korea are seeking to destabilize their regions and are working to pursue nuclear weapons capabilities. Russia’s nuclear program has undergone significant modernization of all three legs of its triad, in addition to their test of an anti-satellite weapon. China is undergoing a rapid, unprecedented nuclear build-up, in addition to their testing of new hypersonic vehicles that are more difficult to detect and stop than traditional ballistic missiles.
It is increasingly clear that China and Russia want to shape a world consistent with their authoritarian model. Our adversaries are advancing, and America must step up to the plate.
The Strategic Forces subcommittee, of which I just became the ranking member, plays a key role in these issues. I have the honor of being the only congressman from Colorado to have ever served as a ranking member or chairman of this vital subcommittee. The subcommittee oversees the nuclear weapons enterprise, missile defense, military space, and hypersonic vehicles. This is also the subcommittee that created the Space Force.
On this subcommittee, we strive to ensure that the Departments of Defense and Energy are ready to respond to a quickly evolving and increasingly dangerous world, utilizing both offensive and defensive capabilities. New technologies, including hypersonic vehicles, directed energy, and advanced strategic warning systems, will be front and center.
Image
RU-RTR Russian Television via AP
This video grab provided by RU-RTR Russian television via AP television on Thursday, March 1, 2018, shows the launch of what President Vladimir Putin said is Russia’s new nuclear-powered intercontinental cruise missile. President Vladimir Putin declared Thursday that Russia has developed a range of new nuclear weapons, claiming they can’t be intercepted by enemy.
Our nuclear triad remains vital to deterring major conflict among great powers and modernizing it is critically important. Also, we must continue to ensure that our missile defenses are able to safeguard the homeland, as well as our warfighters around the globe. The recent conflict between Israel and Hamas taught us that missile defense is critical to the protection of civilians and other assets and allows additional decision time for our political leaders to weigh options.
Colorado is the epicenter of national defense space, home to numerous major military installations, including branches of the Space Force, Air Force, and Army. In Colorado Springs, Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station provides resiliency for nuclear command and control and North American missile defense. U.S. Northern Command, which is responsible for detecting, deterring, and defeating threats to the homeland works out of Peterson Space Force Base. Peterson is also currently home to the interim Space Command, which many of us in Colorado believe should have its permanent home in Colorado. Schriever Space Force Base enables the global economic market by providing GPS signals for banking, trade, shipping, and everyday communications and navigation. It is also home to the National Space Defense Center which is responsible for protecting and defending the United States’ critical infrastructure in space.
Buckley Space Force Base, located in Aurora, supports vital intelligence collection for global operations. It is also the command home of the Space Force’s missile warning forces monitoring international nuclear treaties, and warning our nation in the event of a foreign nuclear attack, and Fort Carson is home to the 10th Special Forces Group that trains for special missions, such as the fight to protect the United States from weapons of mass destruction.
Space was until recently considered a sanctuary, a peaceful domain. The Russians and Chinese are rapidly changing and weaponizing that environment. As we enter a new age, America needs to focus on great power competition across all these critical domains.
Colorado is set to lead that fight across our armed forces — particularly in space. I will work to ensure that our defense priorities prepare us for the fight of the future. Our brave warfighters must have the resources they need to complete their mission.
Doug Lamborn is a U.S. representative from the 5th Congressional District in El Paso, Fremont, Teller, Park, and Chaffee counties. He was first elected in 2006.
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