U.S. troops are still in harm's way, and the United States has not yet completed its mission in Iraq, U.S. Rep. John Tanner said after returning from a three-day trip to military sites in and around Iraq.

"We have moved into a different phase of conflict," Tanner said after returning from the trip, "but this war is not over. The area is not yet secure, and our brave American men and women are still under fire every day."

Tanner and a bipartisan Congressional delegation visited military operations in Kuwait and Iraq, which is not yet secure, he said.

"I think many in Washington underestimated how much our troops would need in the field," Tanner said. "Our men and women on the ground need armored vehicles to protect them from roadside bombs, more kevlar vests to protect them from the fire of resistance forces in the new phase of this ongoing war.

"The United States Congress has voted repeatedly to appropriate more money for our troops, but time and time again on this trip, men and women in uniform shared with me that they still don't have the equipment they need. This must be rectified immediately, and that is the word we gave the Pentagon."

Seventeen soldiers from the Army's 101st Airborne Division, based at Fort Campbell, were killed Saturday when two Black Hawk helicopters collided over Mosul, Iraq. The incident pre-empted Tanner's scheduled meeting with 101st Airborne troops later in the weekend.

"My heart was broken when I learned of the latest casualties," Tanner said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with their loved ones and with every man and woman making honorable sacrifices for our country."

After returning, Tanner discussed his trip, the 101st Airborne casualties and other developments with Col. Larry D. Ruggley, Garrison Commander at Fort Campbell, a portion of which is in the 8th Congressional District, currently represented by Tanner.