Today U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) sent a letter to General Christopher G. Cavoli, Commander of the United States European Command, demanding he take action to provide Missouri troops deployed to Poland with basic necessities after reports detail ongoing unhealthy living conditions on base.
Whistleblowers recently notified Senator Hawley’s office that Missouri guardsmen have been left to rely on family members’ shipments of food and bottled water while overseas.
“My office has received numerous reports of contaminated food and water supplies that have sickened members of the 1221st Transportation Company, an Army National Guard unit deployed in Swietoszow, Poland,” wrote Senator Hawley. Over the course of five months, the contaminated supply of food and water has led to 25 members of the unit contracting E. coli, a potentially lethal bacteria. National Guard members must now be bussed off-site for showers.
Senator Hawley continued, noting, ” . . . Numerous guardsmen have repeatedly found insects in their food. These conditions are totally unacceptable for the men and women of our military, and I am surprised that you have not yet resolved this issue. Missouri families have had to mail water bottles and ramen noodles to their loved ones to ensure they remain healthy.”
Read the full letter here or below.
September 10, 2024
General Christopher G. Cavoli, USA
Commander, United States European Command and
Supreme Allied Commander, Europe
Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe
Unit 21420, APO AE 09705
Dear General Cavoli,
I write with concern over the unhealthy living conditions that a Missouri Army National Guard unit has faced while deployed to Poland.
My office has received numerous reports of contaminated food and water supplies that have sickened members of the 1221st Transportation Company, an Army National Guard unit deployed in Swietoszow, Poland. Over the course of five months, the contaminated supply of food and water has led to 25 members of the unit contracting E. coli, a potentially lethal bacteria. National Guard members must now be bussed off-site for showers. Furthermore, numerous guardsmen have repeatedly found insects in their food. These conditions are totally unacceptable for the men and women of our military, and I am surprised that you have not yet resolved this issue. Missouri families have had to mail water bottles and ramen noodles to their loved ones to ensure they remain healthy.
While austere conditions can be expected on some deployments, clean and safe food and water are very basic warfighting requirements for our forces, especially ones deployed to a NATO ally such as Poland. The men and women of the 1221st deserve better than the abysmal conditions they face at their forward operating station. The very least we can do for those serving our nation is to ensure they have potable water and edible food.
I request that you provide my office with a detailed plan of action to ensure that these service members stay healthy and have access to clean water and uncontaminated food. In your response, please address at least the following questions:
1. How many members of the 1221st Transportation Company have contracted E. coli since they first arrived for their mission in Poland?
2. What medical resources are on the ground to make sure that service members who have contracted E. coli recover quickly?
3. Our sources have indicated that the Polish Provided Logistics Service (PPLS) is failing to provide healthy living conditions for the members of the 1221st Transportation Company. Are you considering switching to American contracting services that are more equipped to provide for the guardsmen?
I look forward to your attention to this important matter.
Sincerely,
Josh Hawley
United States Senator
CC:
Honorable Lloyd J. Austin III
Secretary of Defense
U.S. Department of Defense
1000 Defense Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301