The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) should safeguard the country and its warfighters from biological threats, a new report said.
Issued by the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, the report, “Battle Rattle: Fast Movers for Military Biodefense” recommended 10 high priority action items the Trump administration and Congress should implement to strengthen military biodefense.
Biological weapons programs in North Korea and Russia, as well as potential biological threats from countries like China and Iran, require a robust approach to cover the full spectrum of military biodefense, the report said. The commission said the DoD needed to act in order to protect military personnel and their families.
“We can and must reduce biological risk to our military immediately,” Commission Co-Chair former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Ridge said “As 21st Century biological threats bear down on the Nation, policymakers must further strengthen military biodefense and increase coordination within the DOD and with civilian partners. Military readiness and national security depend on them. By implementing the recommendations from this report, we can ensure our warfighters have the battle rattle they need to fight and win against biological threats.”
The commission recommended the DoD develop in-depth understanding of the biological threats military members may face, clarify biodefense roles and responsibilities, develop biodefense capabilities, and ensure the DoD’s efforts to defend against biological threats align with National Defense Strategy and other national strategies.
“The extensive capabilities of the Department of Defense are also crucial in support of civilian authorities during biological events, especially those affecting national security,” Commission Co-Chair and former Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala said. “The national response to COVID-19 required the Department’s logistics capabilities to distribute needed equipment early in the pandemic, and DOD contracting authorities and leadership proved vital to the success of Operation Warp Speed to deliver lifesaving vaccines. We know that addressing future biological events will require military resources and logistics.”