THE TENSION: Photo Essay: Congressional Delegation Visits Kuwait

Lt. Gen. Jim Lovelace, commanding general of United States Army Central Command and coalition forces land component command, greets Sen. Barack Obama, after stepping of a plane on July 18 for a tour of the U.S. military's Kuwaiti area of operation. (Photographer: Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 20th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Democrat Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois, along with Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., shake the hands of Airmen deployed to Kuwait during the Congressional delegation's tour on July 18. (Photographer: Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 20th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Sen. Barack Obama shakes the hands of servicemembers boarding a C-130 Hercules aircraft during the Congressional delegation's camp tour of Kuwait on July 18. (Photographer: Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 20th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Sen. Barack Obama shakes the hand of a servicemembers boarding a C-130 Hercules aircraft during the Congressional delegation's camp tour of Kuwait on July 18. (Photographer: Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 20th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Sen. Barack Obama talks with airmen during lunch at the Desert Wind dining facilty on July 18. (Photographer: Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 20th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Air Force Master Sgt. Charles Mann, convoy commander, 424th Medium Truck Company talks to Sen. Jack Reed (left), Sen. Barack Obama and Sen. Chuck Hagel about the M915A3 line-haul tractor during a tour on July 18. (Photographer: Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 20th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Maj. Gen. Charles A Anderson, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Central Command, explains the differences between Humvees to Sen. Barack Obama during an exhibit. (Photographer: Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 20th Public Affairs Detachment.)

Sen. Barack Obama sits in the passenger seat of a mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicle during an exhibit at Camp Arifjan, July 18. (Photographer: Sgt. Brooks Fletcher, 20th Public Affairs Detachment.)

News in Balance:

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait, July 19, 2008 -- It was an unusual day as three U.S. senators visited U.S. military posts throughout Kuwait, July 18.

Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., Sen. Jack Reed, D-R.I., and Sen. Chuck Hagel, R-Neb., toured the U.S. military bases in Kuwait, accompanied by Lt. Gen. Jim Lovelace, U.S. Army Central Command commanding general, to visit servicemembers deployed to the region.

The visit provided the congressional delegation with the opportunity to visit with military and government dignitaries and receive an update on operations in country.

“What we want to do is have a chance to meet Soldiers, talk to small unit commanders and noncommissioned officers, and get an impression everywhere we go, both Afghanistan and Iraq, of the situation facing our American forces,” said Reed.

The official party made their first stop at a camp coined “The Rock,” where they were given a tour by Col. Marcia R. Meeks-Eure, 386th Mission Support Group Command, before enjoying lunch with servicemembers.

The meal was followed by an exhibit by the 424th Medium Truck Detachment and 109th Truck Company. Master Sgt. Charles E. Mann, convoy commander, 424th MTD provided the delegates with information on the capabilities of various military vehicles, such as the M915A3 line-haul tractor and the M1151 high-mobility multipurpose wheeled vehicle.

The tour continued as the senators were taken to Camp Arifjan, where they explored an exhibit displaying the evolution of the M998 HMMWV. Chief Warrant Officer Eric McKay, quality assurance inspector, 2nd Battalion, 401st Army Field Support Brigade and Lt. Col. Mark Kelly, operations commander, 401st AFSB walked the party through the exhibit.

The entourage made their final stop of the Kuwaiti tour at the fitness center gym.

“I am so grateful to all of you for the extraordinary service you do for our country, we are so proud of you,” said Obama, riling up the crowd.

After a speech by Obama, servicemembers were able to come down onto the basketball court for a chance to meet the senators.

“These are men and women dedicated to a cause and purpose much higher than their own self-interest,” said Hagel, when asked what he has taken from his trip so far.

“I think the greatest privilege an American can have is to lead American Soldiers, and I was fortunate enough to have that privilege,” said Reed, who is a West Point graduate and served as a company commander in the 82nd Airborne Division.

After greeting the large crowd of servicemembers and signing autographs and taking pictures, Obama played a friendly game of “Horse” with Spc. Lakeisha D. Willingham of the 311th Sustainment Command.

Upon leaving the gym, the senators made their way to the airfield, catching a flight and continuing their tour.

(From a story by Sgts. Brooks Fletcher and Jarod Perkioniemi, U.S. Army Central Command.)

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