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Adler: Deployment Of NJ National Guard Troops Wrong

Senator John H. Adler

CHERRY HILL – Senator John H. Adler today said it would be a “tragic mistake” to deploy thousands of New Jersey National Guard troops to combat areas of Iraq when the part-time soldiers are needed at home to ensure domestic security.

“The men and women of our National Guard belong in our home state, keeping New Jersey families safe from terror and helping out in times of floods and other disasters,” said Senator Adler, D-Cherry Hill. “Our part-time troops should be assigned to do what they do best – help out during American emergencies.”

Senator Adler said he was appalled to read published reports that nearly half of New Jersey’s 6,000 National Guard troops could be deployed full time in combat areas of Iraq by the end of next summer.

“Our national leaders should be looking to bring out troops home from Iraq, not finding new sources of military support from the ranks of our National Guard forces,” Senator Adler said. “It is long past the time when Iraqis should manage the security and stability of Iraq. We should keep our brave heroes home and safe.”

More than 1,500 New Jersey National Guard troops already have served time in Iraq.