'Terrible, Tragic Mistake:' Top General Warns Enemies Not to Test US Military Readiness

U.S.

'Terrible, Tragic Mistake:' Top General Warns Enemies Not to Test US Military Readiness

Patricia Kime

Military.comApril 9, 2020, 12:04 PM PDT

https://www.yahoo.com/news/terrible-tragic-mistake-top-general-190443036.html

'Terrible, Tragic Mistake:' Top General Warns Enemies Not to Test US Military Readiness

The Pentagon's top leaders said Thursday they can see a "light at the end of the tunnel" of the COVID-19 pandemic and stressed that the U.S. military remains a force in readiness, with fewer than 2,000 cases out of more than two million troops available to support contingency operations.

During an internet broadcast Thursday morning, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley warned adversaries that it would be a "terrible, tragic mistake if they thought that … [they] can take advantage of any opportunities ... at a time of crisis."

"The U.S. military is very, very capable to conduct whatever operations are necessary to defend the American people," Milley said. "We will adapt ourselves to operating in a COVID-19 environment. We are already doing that."

As of Thursday, 1,898 service members had confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 389 soldiers, 367 airmen, 164 Marines, 597 sailors and 381 National Guard members.

Given that the Defense Department has 2.3 million troops, including the National Guard and reserve components, the services are "ready today and will be ready tomorrow," Milley said.