AISI Salutes Soldiers in Recognition of Veterans Day
11/13/2009 - The American Iron and Steel Institute salutes U.S. veterans for their noble service in preserving America’s national security, stressing that the U.S. steel industry is proud to serve the military in their efforts to defend our nation.
The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) saluted U.S. veterans for their noble service in preserving America’s national security, stressing that the U.S. steel industry is proud to serve the military in their efforts to defend our nation.
AISI noted that on Veterans Day, steel played a prominent role with the official commissioning of a new Naval vessel, the USS New York, which has 7.5 tons of steel cast into the bow of the ship—steel that was recovered from the World Trade Center after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.
“Virtually every segment of the domestic steel industry contributes in some way to the defense sector. And every piece of our national defense infrastructure involves steel,” said Thomas J. Gibson, President and CEO of AISI. “AISI and its member companies want to acknowledge the pride the steel industry takes in ensuring national security and the safety of our men and women in uniform.”
The U.S. steel industry works to produce high-quality, cost-competitive products that contain anywhere from 20 to one-million tons of steel, says AISI, and are used by the military in applications ranging from aircraft carriers and nuclear submarines to Patriot and Stinger missiles. An aircraft carrier, for example, requires about 50,000 tons of steel plate, according to the Institute.
Another example AISI cites is mine-resistant ambush-protected (MRAP) vehicles, which play an essential role in properly equipping and protecting U.S. troops in locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan. The special armored steels and mild steels are produced and developed in America.
“If the U.S. is to maintain its strategic capability to produce steel, which is integral to our nation’s national and economic security, it must pursue policies that encourage continued investment in the United States in transportation, energy infrastructure, manufacturing, and technology,” said Gibson.
With the desire never to be dependent on foreign nations for the steel used in military applications, AISI urges that U.S. trade laws be defended, strengthened, and enforced so that American-made steel can continue to play a vital role in national security.
AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. The Institute comprises 24 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and 138 associate and affiliate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry.
