During their

visits, Collins and the other delegation members delivered four banners

emblazoned with a line from President Bush's State of the Union Address

which says, "You Believe in America, And America Believes in You!"

The banners, which were distributed around the eighth district and Capitol

Hill, have been signed by the President, Vice President, Members of Congress,

congressional staffers, and residents of Georgia to demonstrate support

for our troops.

Additionally,

Collins prepared a videotape of national leaders, and residents expressing

support for the men and women protecting freedom by serving in the military.

The ten-minute video features messages from the President, Vice President,

Speaker of the House, Members of Congress, military leaders, and Americans

from all over the country; some of which have family in the units the

delegation visited.

On the first

day, Members of the delegation met with Kyrgyzstan President Askar Akayev

to discuss several issues including the development of democracy reforms

in Kyrgyzstan as well as U.S. military presence at the Ganci Airbase located

near the city of Bishkek.

The delegation

next went to Ganci Airbase, where they were hosted by Brigadier General

Jared Kennish who is the assistant adjutant general for the Rhode Island

Air National Guard and Command Chief of the 376th Expeditionary Wing.

The Members then held a town hall-style meeting with the wing, which is

a multinational unit of soldiers from 8 nations. The delegation spoke

to the soldiers and presented them with a flag flown over the United States

Capitol, a banner and a video, followed by lunch with the soldiers and

airmen.

The delegation

then boarded a C-130 Hercules aircraft, and proceeded to Karshi Kharnabad

(K2) Air Base in Uzbeksitan. There they were met by Colonel Marvin Williams,

Commander, Logistics Task Force-46. The Delegation also met with Minister

of Defense Kadir Gulamove regarding several issues including the development

of democratic reforms in the country as well as Uzbekistan's support for

the presence of U.S. military personnel at K2.

Following the

diplomatic meeting, Col. Williams provided a briefing on current activities

of the base and the Delegation presented the Colonel and Armed Service

personnel with a U.S. flag flown over the U.S. Capitol. Next the group

toured the K2 Air Base which has provided key search and rescue operations

and other support for Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. After

the tour, Delegation members had dinner with soldiers. The Members of

Congress presented the troops one of the printed and signed banners of

support and played them the video of support from home.

Sunday morning,

the delegation boarded a C-130 to Bagram, Air Base, Afghanistan. Weather

conditions in Bagram were very severe and after two aborted attempts to

land, the C-130 diverted to Bishkek, Kyrgystan where the delegation landed

and immediately departed for Kuwait City, Kuwait. The inclement weather

prevented the delegation from visiting Afghanistan, the main area of operation

in Enduring Freedom.

Upon landing

in Kuwait, the delegation was escorted to the airport processing center

where soldiers arriving in Kuwait are processed prior to departure for

their next station assignment. Members of the delegation proceeded to

the dining tent where they met with hundreds of soldiers, all recent arrivals

in Kuwait.

On Tuesday

morning, the Delegation proceeded to the U.S. Embassy where they were

briefed by embassy personnel on a variety of issues. Representatives Collins

and Everett, who are both Members of the House Permanent Select Committee

on Intelligence, participated in a high level top secret briefing by embassy

intelligence personnel.

Following the

meetings at the embassy, the group departed for Camp Doha. Camp Doha has

been a major U.S. facility in Kuwait since the 1991 Gulf War. The base

serves as a headquarters for the Army Forces Central Command-Kuwait (ARCENT-KUWAIT).

ARCENT-KUWAIT maintains a forward presence and exercises command, control

and force protection over assigned and attached Army forces in Kuwait.

There the delegation was greeted by Lieutenant General David D. McKiernan

who assumed command of Third U.S. Army/U.S. Army Forces Central Command

and the Coalition Forces Land Component Command on Sept. 4, 2002. Members

of the delegation were provided an intelligence briefing on current operations

and deployments in the regions.

Following the

briefings, the delegation departed on a Blackhawk helicopter for Camp

New York, located in the desert of Kuwait. Camp New York serves as the

base of operations for the Third Infantry Division. Delegation members

were met by Maj. Gen. Buford "Buff" Blount, Commander, Third

Infantry Division. After additional briefings and tours, the Delegation

had lunch with soldiers. Collins ate Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) with several

soldiers from Georgia. Collins and the delegation presented the soldiers

with an American Flag flown over the Capitol, a banner with signatures

of support, and the video with greetings of support for the troops.

Next the delegation

left via Blackhawk helicopter for a United States Marine Corps camp also

located in the desert. The Members again met with several Marines to present

them a flag and banner and provided them strong words of support for their

mission.

The delegation

departed Kuwait on Tuesday evening, and after a brief stopover in Frankfurt,

Germany for refueling, returned to Andrews Air Force Base, in Maryland.

"I was

very happy with the trip overall, although disappointed that we were unable

to visit Afghanistan," said Collins. "I found our troops with

high morale, and was pleased to see that the armed forces commanders and

planners have gone to great pains to ensure that every essential piece

of equipment and material has been provided.

"Our nation

is blessed to be protected by brave men and women who voluntarily serve

their nation under uncomfortable circumstances, far from those they love.

The determination I witnessed in these soldiers, sailors, airmen, and

Marines lifted my heart and encouraged me in a way that is difficult to

describe. I am truly grateful for their dedication and resolve and know

that we can overcome any aggressor because of their firm commitment and

efforts. I pray for their safe return and for God's protection over them

while they fulfill their mission."