Iraq
Military Families United remains a leading voice in support of our ongoing mission in Iraq. MFU credits the surge strategy of American forces and the counter-insurgency strategy implemented by General David H. Petraeus since 2007 for the security gains made in Iraq. We applaud the Iraqi Government for continuing to assume increased security responsibilities and hope that they will continue to work toward strengthening the delicate Iraqi democracy.
MFU strongly believes that American leaders must allow our military to complete the mission in Iraq. As we continue the drawdown of troops in Iraq, we believe it is imperative that withdrawal be linked to the security situation on the ground so that we do not jeopardize the progress that has been made or needlessly endanger our troops or the Iraqi people. Policy makers in Washington should allow the United States military commanders on the ground in Iraq to make the necessary decisions concerning the pace of the drawdown of our forces.
America’s mission in Iraq has been critical to fighting the war on terror. Progress in Iraq has led to and will continue to ensure a safer and more secure America. We must continue to reinforce that progress with policies that support and advance a free and democratic Iraq. Military families, more than anyone, want our troops to come home, but not at the cost of the mission, and not until the mission has been successfully completed.
Afghanistan
Military Families United strongly supports our continued mission in Afghanistan and the commitment of additional forces to combat terrorist organizations such as al Qaeda and the Taliban. MFU also believes that as troops are sent into combat in Afghanistan and the surrounding areas, they must be given the resources they need to successfully accomplish the mission. This includes the manpower, weapons, and leadership that is necessary to successfully engage and defeat the threat from the Taliban and those that seek to destabilize Afghanistan.
Afghanistan is a critical, complex and fluid battleground in the war on terror, and it may remain so for the foreseeable future. As the United States continues to increase its military presence in Afghanistan to combat the Taliban and other terrorist organizations, we must also support policies that will allow for the establishment of a stable government in Afghanistan. This includes the development of alternate economic opportunities for the people of Afghanistan who currently rely on the drug trade to feed their families, the provision of security to local communities that is a central aspect of the counter-insurgency strategy, and cooperative efforts with sovereign governments like Pakistan to diminish the threat from insurgent groups entering Afghanistan from foreign countries.
The war in Afghanistan will test the American people in cost and commitment, but America’s military families and our loved ones believe that is a war that can and must be won.
Defense Budget
Our brave men and women in uniform from all service branches deserve to be equipped with the latest advances in weaponry, tactics and strategies. Properly equipping our Armed Forces is essential to the successful execution of our military engagements around the world. Current global responsibilities and emerging threats around the world require a well-funded and well-equipped military capable of accomplishing the many missions it has and keeping America safe and secure.
To that end, Military Families United aggressively opposes the recently proposed sharp decreases in defense spending, cuts in research and development of important programs, and elimination of new weapons systems that can increase our troops’ effectiveness and reduce battlefield casualties. Our troops deserve the most advanced equipment and resources, as well as the support of our elected officials in Washington, DC.
Missile Defense
The United States faces numerous threats to its national security around the world. While many of America’s most pressing threats come from terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda, we must be prepared for long-term threats as well. A significant, long-term, and increasingly dangerous threat is posed by rogue nations – such as Iran and North Korea – bent on the development of ballistic missile and nuclear weapons technology. The acquisition and mastery of the ability to launch a nuclear warhead-capped ballistic missile will significantly and negatively affect the safety and security of the neighbors of Iran and North Korea, and, through them, the entire world.
For this reason, Military Families United believes it is imperative that the United States continues to develop and deploy comprehensive ballistic missile defense (BMD) systems to counter threats posed by rogue nations.
Military Families United Policy Briefing On Missile Defense
Size of the Military
Military Families United supports policies that expand the size of our Armed Forces, giving Americans throughout the country the opportunity to voluntarily serve our country through the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard or Reserves. While they believe in what they are doing and are willing to sacrifice for the security of this nation, our military men and women, and their families, have served repeated tours of duty in multiple theaters of operation and need relief. We believe that best way to reduce the strain on the armed forces and strengthen our national security is to recruit, train and equip a larger force.
