News

Troops worry about defense, job cuts

By Lolita Baldor
Published January 17, 2013 5:00am ET
Add Washington Examiner on Google
Troops worry about defense, job cuts
Defense Secretary Leon Panetta smiles as he speaks to the 173rd Airborne Brigate Combat Team at U.S. Army Garrison in Vicenza, Italy, Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013. Panetta is in Italy as part of a weeklong swing across Europe, meeting with defense ministers to talk about ongoing conflicts in Afghanistan and Mali. This is expected to be Panetta's last overseas trip as Pentagon chief, as he long has planned to step down once his replacement is confirmed. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) | Jacquelyn Martin

VICENZA, Italy (AP) — The soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team have gone to war five times since 9/11, and 84 have been killed — including 13 during their current deployment to Afghanistan.

But when members of the unit had a chance to ask Defense Secretary Leon Panetta questions Thursday, the top issue on their minds was jobs.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.