WEBVTT

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OK , the subcommittee will come to

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order . With the fiscal year 27

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appropriations process now underway .

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We're here today to receive testimony

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on the posture of the National Guard

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Bureau and reserve components .

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Thanks . All of you witnesses for being

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here . General Nordhaus ,

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Chief of the National Guard Bureau .

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Lieutenant General Robert Harder ,

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Chief of the Army Reserve . Rear

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Admiral Richard Lofgren , Acting Chief

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of the Navy Reserve . Lieutenant

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General Lonnie Anderson , commander of

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the Marine Corps Reserve . And

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Lieutenant General John P . Haley ,

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Chief of the Air Force Reserves .

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This will be General Haley's final

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posture hearing with the subcommittee .

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So I want to thank him , his wife Kathy ,

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for decades of dedicated service to our

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nation . And the lasting impact .

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You'll leave on the force . So

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gentlemen , welcome . We look forward

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to candid discussion about the

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president's budget request for fiscal

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year 2027 . The president's

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intention to significantly increase

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overall investment . In national

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defense is certainly good news . But

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the details beneath the top line will

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determine . Whether the US military can

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train , equip , deploy , and sustain a

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force capable , actually capable of

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deterring serious threats . The Guard

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and Reserve are critical to the

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homeland defense , security cooperation

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with allies and partners in readiness

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to meet aggression with an overwhelming

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response . Obviously ,

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ongoing operations in the Middle East

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offer a tragic reminder , a majority of

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the service members killed in action

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since March 1st have been members of

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the guard or reserve . And I

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know the subcommittee's deepest

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sympathies are with their comrades and

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their families . Of course , current

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conflicts also offer urgent lessons

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about the future of warfare . This is

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not just a responsibility of the active

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component . Secretary Driscoll

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observed last week that Ukraine has

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quote Fundamentally altered how humans

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engage in conflict . And that quote ,

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we are learning a lot from them , end

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quote . I think the secretary's

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observation is spot on . But the value

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of these lessons will hinge on our own

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ability to actually apply them . Our

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adversaries for their part are applying

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them . Iran has used lessons from

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Russia's war and applied them against

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us in the Middle East . The US , on the

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other hand , Been slow to

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adapt . Why could that be ?

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Well , in part because two

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administrations in a row . have limited

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the number of military advisers who

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could visit Ukraine . It's hard to

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learn if you do not observe . It's

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also hard to deepen cooperation with

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Ukraine . While cutting assistance at

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the same time . That's why Republican

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majorities in Congress voted both to

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authorize . And to , more importantly ,

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appropriate $400 million in

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assistance for fiscal year 26 this year .

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And we expect that the department will

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obligate and extend those funds in

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accordance with congressional intent .

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The current strategic landscape

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suggests that the demand for highly

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trained , well equipped citizens in

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uniform like the ones currently

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operating in CENTCOM . Isn't likely to

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decrease anytime soon . But the Guard

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and Reserve's ability to perform these

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official missions . Do I answer the

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call . Depends on your access to modern

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capabilities . And stable funding .

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So I'll be curious to hear what lessons

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you're deriving from current conflicts

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and what you're doing to implement them .

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Across your commands . I was encouraged

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that the president's budget request

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includes increased funding . For

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military personnel , operation and

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maintenance , and most notably the

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National Guard and reserve equipment

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account . Congress has historically

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carried the water for this account ,

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which helps to modernize the equipment

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available to card to both the guard and

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the reserve , but it is included in the

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base budget request actually for the

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first time . These are important

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requests of commitment , but you know

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better than anyone that it'll be hard

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to meet multi-year modernization

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targets without stable funding . And on

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that front I've repeatedly . Repeatedly

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warned the department . And even

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more importantly , OMB . At one time

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shots of reconciliation dollars .

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Simply cannot stand in for continuing

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annual appropriations . So we owe it to

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the men and women of our armed forces

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to reliably provide ample funding for

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the common defense year .

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After year By strong

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bipartisan support . With that , let

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me turn to Senator Coons . Thank you so

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much , Chairman , uh , and I want to

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thank all of our witnesses today , and

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echo , a number of the things the

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Chairman just said . You'll hear them

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in my remarks . We have worked closely

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and well together , as have our staff ,

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and we agree on many of the core points .

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That the chairman just raised , in

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particular the 400 million appropriated

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for Ukraine and the importance of the

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state partnership program in connecting

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American guard elements to some of the

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countries around the world as they

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sought to emerge from the Warsaw Pact

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or as they sought to develop a modern

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military . They were great partnerships .

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Um , let me also join in a special

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thank you to Lieutenant General Healey

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at his final appearance before our

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subcommittee . I'm sure you're relieved ,

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uh , but frankly , uh , you and your

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family , I just wanted to thank you ,

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uh , for your service . Your components

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all do an extraordinary job of

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balancing , uh , both civilian lives

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and a military career . And I think

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that does not get enough recognition .

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So let me begin by thanking all the men

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and women who you represent of the

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Guard and Reserve , uh , who are a

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critical part of the full US military .

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Many of us became , were reminded once

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again of that balance when shortly

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after the president launched Operation

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Epic Fury , uh , components of our home

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state guard and reserve were mobilized

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or put on notice for deployment , as

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were two units from Delaware . Um ,

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while we have policy differences , uh ,

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on this war , um , this was just the

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latest demonstration of the larger

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point that the guard and reserve are

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absolutely essential , uh , to our US

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military . Um , I joined , um , the

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chairman in , um , grieving over the

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loss of 13 Americans , um , so far and

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the hundreds who've been wounded , um ,

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and not only do our prayers go to their

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families , but , um , our hope for

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success in the peace negotiations are

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currently underway . Um , today's

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hearing is on the Garden Reserve's

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fiscal year 27 budget , uh , and it

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comes in the much larger context of a

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$1.5 trillion defense budget request

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submitted by the president . The

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Pentagon is just starting , literally

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just starting today , uh , to put

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details of this budget online . Um ,

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but what we know so far is that the

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overall request shows , in my view , a

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misunderstanding of the balance , um ,

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that our nation requires . Uh , the 27

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budget request is for a record 44%

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increase in defense , um , and there

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are many programs and initiatives

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across munitions and shipbuilding , um ,

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space and cyber , uh , effective

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procurement strategies that have

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widespread bipartisan support , um .

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And in my view , we have to respond to

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the increasing collaboration and

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partnership between our adversaries ,

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the PRC , Russia , Iran , the DPRK

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across the globe . Um , but this top

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line number did not emerge from a

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thoughtful policymaking approach from

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the Pentagon's planning staff . It was

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a demand tweeted by the president . Um ,

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and I'll join with the chairman in

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saying this . Last year , the OMB chose

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to request a critical part of the

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defense budget . Inside the budget

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reconciliation process , which is not a

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guarantee and is a partisan process ,

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um , and that choice last year and the

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timing of it produced billions of

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dollars in mistakes and OMB rather than

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recognizing that error , um , this year

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has tripled the size of that bad idea

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to $350 billion and that uncertainty

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will not give our defense industrial

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base the predictability to plan . Um ,

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we've also seen , uh , defense programs

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added at the last minute or nicknamed

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simply to please the president , uh ,

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which I don't think helps the

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department differentiate between

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genuine core needs , nice to have items ,

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and vanity projects . Um , I , I also

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have , uh , concerns about how the

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department proposes this record request ,

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which includes cuts to programs and

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services all Americans rely on , um ,

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but let me , uh , move forward . Um , I

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firmly believe that Chairman McConnell ,

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Chair Collins , Vice Chair Murray ,

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myself , and all the others can figure

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out a responsible way to fund the

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government without leaving to our

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children trillions in debt and deficits ,

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uh , and without harming healthcare ,

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transportation , and education . But

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that is a broader conversation before

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us today , um , is how we support the

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guard and reserves . I'm a very strong

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proponent of the guard and reserves ,

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um , especially folks in my home state

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who've deployed repeatedly . Um , this

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subcommittee has to ensure each of the

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components testifying today are trained ,

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equipped , and ready to answer that

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call . Uh , and I'm concerned about

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some ideological choices made over the

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last 14 months that have hit your

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components with a 12 punch as your ONM

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accounts have been diverted to pay for

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operations abroad and at the southwest

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border . Um , and as the administration

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has shown some real hostility to the

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civilian members , um , through a

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hiring freeze , no pay raise , and

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OPM's on and off insistence on

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literally personally approving every

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new hire , no private business would

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run their company that way , and you

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don't deserve this distraction and

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chaos . On the positive side , and

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again I agree very much with the

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chairman . The billion dollars for the

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National Guard and Reserve equipment

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account is a welcome addition . I look

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forward to hearing how you're planning

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to use those forces to modernize and

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protect yours . And in closing the

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state partnership program , I think

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dollar for dollar punches way above its

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weight . All of us know our home state

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partner , whether it's Ecuador and

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Djibouti , in the case of Kentucky , uh ,

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or it is Trinidad and Tobago in the

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case of Delaware . I've seen it on the

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ground . I've heard about it from

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combatant commanders , uh , and I think

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it pays great dividends . So I look

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forward to hearing about ways we can

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support many valuable programs through

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the Guard and Reserve and to work in

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partnership with our allies in cyber

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and medical and combat specialties and

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others our nation needs , um , and

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deserves and appreciates the service

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and support of the components you

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represent . Mr . Chairman , I very much

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look forward to this morning's hearing .

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Thank you very much , uh , Sean Coons .

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Um , now turn to the panel .

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Beginning with General Nordhaus , and

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I'd like for each of you to limit your

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remarks to about 3 minutes . It will

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give us a maximum chance for Q&A . In

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general , would you like to lead off ?

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Thank you . And before I provide my

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opening remarks , I ask that we

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remember our fallen service members

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across the Joint Force who have made

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the ultimate sacrifice for our country .

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They will always be remembered . Uh ,

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Chairman McConnell , Ranking Member

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Coons , esteemed members of the

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subcommittee , thank you for the

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opportunity to testify today on the

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strength of your locally based ,

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globally engaged National Guard . I

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thank our 54 adjutants general and

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senior enlisted advisor John Raines ,

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who's with me today , uh , for their

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counsel . Moreover , I want to thank

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you , Congress , for your support that

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underpins everything we do , ensuring a

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stronger and more secure tomorrow .

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It's an honor to represent 435,000

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soldiers and airmen of the National

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Guard . Today , nearly 44,000 guardsmen

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are engaged worldwide securing our

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homeland and supporting every combatant

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commander around the globe . Your

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National Guard has had a remarkable

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year defined by the scale and

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simultaneity of our operations . We are

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powered by our core advantage , the

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citizen soldier . They combine the

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warrior ethos and civilian acquired

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skills , creating an organization that

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is as innovative as it is lethal , a

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force that is community-based . And

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engage worldwide . Defending the

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homeland is the Department of War's

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number one priority . This is the

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National Guard's foundational mission ,

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our dual mission , serving as the

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primary combat reserve of the Army and

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the Air Force , while also serving as a

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military first responder in domestic

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crises . This is a challenge we proudly

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accept . Without hesitation during

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Operation Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury ,

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National Guard crews delivered decisive

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blows to Iran in lockstep with their

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joint force partners . Your National

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Guard is an indispensable return on

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investment for America . We represent

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20% of the joint force , yet we operate

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on less than 4% of the department's

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budget . Our decisive capabilities are

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only possible if our citizens ,

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soldiers and airmen train with

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modernized equipment fully

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interoperable with the joint force . To

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sustain strategic dominance , we must

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modernize concurrently with our

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services . To aggressively outpace and

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overmatch tomorrow's threats . With

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robust investments for today .

14:35.940 --> 14:38.051
This year , I remain laser-focused on

14:38.051 --> 14:39.996
sharpening our warfighting edge to

14:39.996 --> 14:41.884
increase our guards readiness and

14:41.884 --> 14:43.996
bolster our capabilities and our core

14:43.996 --> 14:46.107
missions for homeland warfighting and

14:46.107 --> 14:48.070
partnerships . When we serve our

14:48.070 --> 14:50.348
citizens in a state active duty status ,

14:50.348 --> 14:52.840
current policy . Sends those

14:53.179 --> 14:55.210
reimbursement funds back to the

14:55.210 --> 14:58.419
treasury . We ask for your support in

14:58.419 --> 15:01.239
restoring those state active duty funds

15:01.619 --> 15:03.900
that get spent back to our readiness

15:03.900 --> 15:06.580
and back to our formations . Our

15:06.580 --> 15:08.913
warfighters are our most critical asset ,

15:09.140 --> 15:11.307
and to support their service , we must

15:11.307 --> 15:13.659
enact duty status reform and compensate

15:13.659 --> 15:16.179
equal work with equal pay and benefits .

15:18.520 --> 15:20.742
In closing , I want to again thank this

15:20.742 --> 15:22.964
committee for your unwavering support .

15:24.210 --> 15:27.270
Let us pray And continue to support our

15:27.270 --> 15:29.669
warfighters in harm's way . Let us

15:29.669 --> 15:31.836
stand by them and their families , and

15:31.836 --> 15:34.359
we are thankful for their service . We

15:34.359 --> 15:36.359
will always keep our promise to our

15:36.359 --> 15:38.619
nation and to our citizens to be always

15:38.619 --> 15:41.219
ready and always there . Thank you and

15:41.219 --> 15:43.163
I look forward to your questions .

15:43.163 --> 15:45.052
Thanks , General . Let's take the

15:45.052 --> 15:46.997
witnesses in the following order .

15:46.997 --> 15:48.979
Anderson Lofgren , order and he .

15:53.030 --> 15:55.308
Great . Thank you , Chairman McConnell ,

15:55.308 --> 15:57.141
Vice Chair Coons , distinguished

15:57.141 --> 15:59.363
members of the subcommittee . Thank you

15:59.363 --> 15:59.190
for the opportunity to testify on

15:59.190 --> 16:01.357
behalf of the Commandant of the Marine

16:01.357 --> 16:03.579
Corps about your Marine Corps reserve .

16:03.579 --> 16:05.801
I'm honored to be here with my incoming

16:05.801 --> 16:08.023
senior enlisted leader , Sergeant Major

16:08.023 --> 16:10.246
Patrick Fay . Marine Corps Reserve is a

16:10.246 --> 16:12.190
critical component of our nation's

16:12.190 --> 16:14.301
defense . We provide 30% of our total

16:14.301 --> 16:16.301
force capabilities with 3.2% of the

16:16.301 --> 16:18.301
Marine Corps' budget . We are not a

16:18.301 --> 16:20.357
strategic reserve held for a distant

16:20.357 --> 16:22.301
crisis . We are a globally engaged

16:22.301 --> 16:24.301
operational force that provides the

16:24.301 --> 16:26.357
Marine Corps strategic depth and the

16:26.357 --> 16:28.412
ability to augment and reinforce the

16:28.412 --> 16:30.634
active component at a moment's notice .

16:30.634 --> 16:32.412
Our relevance is defined by our

16:32.412 --> 16:34.357
readiness , providing combat ready

16:34.357 --> 16:36.190
units to global operations , the

16:36.190 --> 16:38.301
reserve is seamlessly integrated with

16:38.301 --> 16:40.523
the total force . In fiscal year 2025 ,

16:40.523 --> 16:43.229
we activated reserve marines across

16:43.229 --> 16:45.739
five combatant commands . Today we have

16:45.739 --> 16:47.940
marines activated in every geographic

16:47.940 --> 16:50.210
combatant command to include combat

16:50.210 --> 16:52.321
operations in CENCO and afloat on our

16:52.321 --> 16:54.266
marine expeditionary units . These

16:54.266 --> 16:56.377
deployments are not just a measure of

16:56.377 --> 16:58.488
our readiness , but it's how we build

16:58.488 --> 17:00.432
it . We are growing a more capable

17:00.432 --> 17:02.488
combat seasoned reserve force that's

17:02.488 --> 17:04.377
going to be prepared for high-end

17:04.377 --> 17:06.543
conflict . This level of readiness and

17:06.543 --> 17:08.599
modernization is directly enabled by

17:08.599 --> 17:10.154
your support . We thank the

17:10.154 --> 17:12.432
subcommittee for its continued support ,

17:12.432 --> 17:14.543
especially through the National Guard

17:14.543 --> 17:16.766
and reserve equipment account . For the

17:16.766 --> 17:18.821
Marine Corps Reserve , Negria is not

17:18.821 --> 17:20.654
just a funding line . It's a war

17:20.654 --> 17:22.710
fighting requirement and the primary

17:22.710 --> 17:24.377
tool that enables enables our

17:24.377 --> 17:26.599
modernization . These funds allow us to

17:26.599 --> 17:28.766
field the modern platforms and systems

17:28.766 --> 17:31.099
our marines need to train as they fight .

17:31.099 --> 17:33.210
With 99% execution rate across recent

17:33.210 --> 17:35.400
fiscal years , the Marine Corps has

17:35.400 --> 17:37.344
proven its ability to execute with

17:37.344 --> 17:40.040
discipline and reserve and speed while

17:40.040 --> 17:42.096
maintaining our services clean audit

17:42.096 --> 17:44.040
for the last 3 years . Reserve

17:44.040 --> 17:45.484
readiness requires modern

17:45.484 --> 17:47.373
infrastructure . The Marine Corps

17:47.373 --> 17:49.484
Reserve occupies 148 reserve training

17:49.484 --> 17:52.189
centers across 47 states , and the

17:52.189 --> 17:54.300
average condition in our portfolio is

17:54.300 --> 17:56.430
poor . While we aggressively pursue

17:56.430 --> 17:58.374
efficiencies through programs like

17:58.374 --> 18:00.541
facility sustainment , restoration and

18:00.541 --> 18:02.152
modernization , and military

18:02.152 --> 18:04.319
construction , navy reserve , to slow

18:04.319 --> 18:06.479
this decline , the disparity between

18:06.479 --> 18:08.479
our requirements and resources is

18:08.479 --> 18:10.479
growing . Continued support for our

18:10.479 --> 18:12.590
military construction and sustainment

18:12.590 --> 18:14.812
accounts is essential to provide safe ,

18:14.812 --> 18:16.868
secure , and modern facilities where

18:16.868 --> 18:19.060
our marines train . Because at the

18:19.060 --> 18:21.489
heart of the success is our Marines ,

18:21.609 --> 18:23.699
sailors and families who serve with

18:23.699 --> 18:26.020
unwavering dedication . They are the

18:26.020 --> 18:28.242
foundation of our readiness . With your

18:28.242 --> 18:30.409
continued support , I'm confident that

18:30.409 --> 18:32.520
the Marine Corps will remain what our

18:32.520 --> 18:34.464
nation expects us to be , an elite

18:34.464 --> 18:36.687
combat-ready force , prepared to answer

18:36.687 --> 18:39.819
a call anytime and any place . Thank

18:39.819 --> 18:41.763
you for the opportunity to testify

18:41.763 --> 18:43.652
today . It's a great time to be a

18:43.652 --> 18:45.708
marine reservist . I look forward to

18:45.708 --> 18:48.770
your questions . Good morning ,

18:48.890 --> 18:50.890
Chairman McConnell , Ranking Member

18:50.890 --> 18:52.946
Coons , and distinguished members of

18:52.946 --> 18:55.001
this committee . For 111 years , the

18:55.001 --> 18:56.946
Navy Reserve has provided critical

18:56.946 --> 18:56.930
strategic depth for the fleet and the

18:56.930 --> 18:59.041
joint force . When our nation calls ,

18:59.041 --> 19:01.489
we answer , ready , lethal , and all in

19:01.489 --> 19:03.729
to fight and win today . We are

19:03.729 --> 19:05.729
building the navy of the future and

19:05.729 --> 19:07.840
defining the next era of American sea

19:07.840 --> 19:09.785
power . Today we are a resilient ,

19:09.785 --> 19:12.000
agile , globally present and combat

19:12.000 --> 19:14.222
critical force that is fully integrated

19:14.222 --> 19:16.444
into the Navy's mission . With me today

19:16.444 --> 19:18.722
is our Force Master Chief , Nicky Rios ,

19:18.722 --> 19:20.944
a tireless advocate for our sailors and

19:20.944 --> 19:23.111
their families . Force and I thank you

19:23.111 --> 19:25.111
for the opportunity to address this

19:25.111 --> 19:24.859
committee on behalf of our incredible

19:25.099 --> 19:27.199
Navy Reserve sailors . Over the last

19:27.199 --> 19:28.921
couple of months in support of

19:28.921 --> 19:30.921
Operation Epic Fury , our logistics

19:30.921 --> 19:33.032
support wing flying the C40 and C-130

19:33.032 --> 19:35.160
aircraft have evacuated over 2800

19:35.160 --> 19:37.382
personnel , including families , out of

19:37.382 --> 19:39.438
harm's way and demonstrated critical

19:39.438 --> 19:41.549
aerial refueling capabilities for the

19:41.549 --> 19:43.604
Navy , all while supporting critical

19:43.604 --> 19:45.771
carrier strike group logistics . These

19:45.771 --> 19:47.993
same squadrons have delivered thousands

19:47.993 --> 19:49.771
of pounds of critical cargo and

19:49.771 --> 19:51.993
tactical airlift support to SouthHCOM ,

19:52.069 --> 19:54.013
protecting our homeland and safely

19:54.013 --> 19:56.236
relocating our teams out of the path of

19:56.236 --> 19:58.236
Hurricane Melissa . When our nation

19:58.236 --> 20:00.291
calls and our fleet calls , the Navy

20:00.291 --> 20:02.458
Reserve answers , delivering logistics

20:02.458 --> 20:04.513
when and where they're needed . Your

20:04.513 --> 20:06.291
support for the KC-130J and the

20:06.291 --> 20:08.402
president's budget will ensure we can

20:08.402 --> 20:10.513
continue to answer that call with the

20:10.513 --> 20:12.458
capability and capacity our nation

20:12.458 --> 20:14.680
requires . Our North Star is clear . We

20:14.680 --> 20:16.291
are unambiguously focused on

20:16.291 --> 20:18.458
warfighting readiness . Today , 14,000

20:18.458 --> 20:20.625
of our 59,000 Navy Reserve sailors are

20:20.625 --> 20:22.579
on active duty orders , serving in

20:22.579 --> 20:24.670
every area of responsibility . Our

20:24.670 --> 20:27.420
sailors are deployed 24/7 365 ,

20:27.670 --> 20:29.837
restoring peace through strength while

20:29.837 --> 20:32.059
advancing the foundry , the fleet , and

20:32.059 --> 20:34.540
how we fight . We continue to modernize

20:34.540 --> 20:36.630
our force and align our resources to

20:36.630 --> 20:38.574
war fighting priorities , ensuring

20:38.574 --> 20:40.630
we're ready to fight and win today ,

20:40.630 --> 20:42.741
tomorrow , and well into the future .

20:42.741 --> 20:44.797
Our most significant contribution to

20:44.797 --> 20:46.686
the nation's defense and the very

20:46.686 --> 20:46.589
foundation of our deterrence posture is

20:46.589 --> 20:48.670
our people . A lethal , ready , and

20:48.670 --> 20:50.781
resilient force is not built to steel

20:50.781 --> 20:52.892
and circuits alone . It's forged from

20:52.892 --> 20:55.059
the talent , training , and motivation

20:55.059 --> 20:57.226
of our sailors . Therefore , I ask for

20:57.226 --> 20:59.392
your full support in funding the RPN ,

20:59.392 --> 21:01.614
the OMNR , and degree appropriations at

21:01.614 --> 21:03.559
the president's budget level . Our

21:03.559 --> 21:05.670
investment in our sailors is critical

21:05.670 --> 21:05.430
to enabling a mobilization and combat

21:05.430 --> 21:07.530
ready force . Every drill weekend ,

21:07.790 --> 21:10.130
every exercise , every mobilization

21:10.380 --> 21:12.270
must sharpen our edge and must be

21:12.270 --> 21:14.048
matched by investment in modern

21:14.048 --> 21:15.826
equipment . To this end , we're

21:15.826 --> 21:18.048
posturing our force to deliver advanced

21:18.048 --> 21:20.103
combat focused capabilities that the

21:20.103 --> 21:22.103
fleet demands . Replacing our aging

21:22.103 --> 21:23.992
C-130 Tango fleet with the modern

21:23.992 --> 21:25.849
KC-130J Super Hercules meets the

21:25.849 --> 21:27.793
fleet's demand to enable contested

21:27.793 --> 21:30.071
logistics and sustained maritime power .

21:30.209 --> 21:32.487
As I've shared with many , many of you ,

21:32.487 --> 21:34.530
our C-130 Tango fleet operated

21:34.530 --> 21:36.697
exclusively by the Navy Reserve is the

21:36.697 --> 21:38.697
Navy's only long-range intratheater

21:38.697 --> 21:40.930
lift of oversized cargo . Last year ,

21:40.969 --> 21:43.310
this wings moved over 72,000 . And

21:43.310 --> 21:45.430
passengers and 22 million pounds of

21:45.430 --> 21:47.589
cargo . However , this fleet is aging

21:47.589 --> 21:49.533
and lacks modern survivability and

21:49.533 --> 21:51.478
communication equipment needed for

21:51.478 --> 21:53.700
contested environments . We're grateful

21:53.700 --> 21:55.867
for the strong bipartisan alignment on

21:55.867 --> 21:58.033
this priority . Chairman McConnell and

21:58.033 --> 21:58.010
Ranking Member Coons , and members of

21:58.010 --> 21:59.899
the committee , thank you for the

21:59.899 --> 22:02.121
continued support of the Navy Reserve ,

22:02.121 --> 22:04.232
the sailors , the civilians , and the

22:04.232 --> 22:06.510
families who make our mission possible .

22:06.510 --> 22:08.839
I look forward to your questions . Good

22:08.839 --> 22:11.006
morning , Chairman McConnell , Ranking

22:11.006 --> 22:12.839
Member Koons , and distinguished

22:12.839 --> 22:14.950
members of this committee . Thank you

22:14.950 --> 22:17.117
for the opportunity to be here today .

22:17.117 --> 22:19.172
On behalf of Command Star Major Greg

22:19.172 --> 22:20.950
Betty and the more than 180,000

22:20.950 --> 22:22.950
soldiers and civilians of your Army

22:22.950 --> 22:25.172
Reserve , thank you for your support of

22:25.172 --> 22:27.506
our warrior citizens and their families .

22:27.510 --> 22:29.677
For just 6% of the total army budget ,

22:29.677 --> 22:31.843
the Army Reserve provides over half of

22:31.843 --> 22:33.899
the Army's maneuver support forces ,

22:33.899 --> 22:36.121
including the majority of theater-level

22:36.121 --> 22:38.177
medical , engineer , and sustainment

22:38.177 --> 22:40.399
units , and more than 95% of the Army's

22:40.399 --> 22:42.510
total bulk fuel distribution capacity

22:42.709 --> 22:45.540
in support of the joint force . You go ,

22:45.760 --> 22:48.270
we go . That's my message to my active

22:48.270 --> 22:51.030
duty teammates right now . Nearly 9000

22:51.030 --> 22:52.974
Army Reserve soldiers are deployed

22:53.189 --> 22:54.967
supporting Army and joint force

22:54.967 --> 22:56.967
requirements at home and around the

22:56.967 --> 22:59.078
globe to include support to Operation

22:59.078 --> 23:01.510
Epic Fury and operations on our our

23:01.510 --> 23:03.709
southern border . Our soldiers are in

23:03.709 --> 23:06.349
the fight . To keep pace with emerging

23:06.349 --> 23:08.516
threats and to prepare for large scale

23:08.516 --> 23:10.460
combat operations or LSCO , we are

23:10.460 --> 23:12.630
transforming . The foundation of this

23:12.630 --> 23:14.550
transformation is our shift to a

23:14.550 --> 23:17.030
geographic mission command , a model

23:17.030 --> 23:19.829
that replaces a C2 structure built for

23:19.829 --> 23:22.109
predictable GWOAT deployments with a

23:22.109 --> 23:23.942
geographic alignment that better

23:23.942 --> 23:26.165
supports building readiness for LisCO .

23:26.229 --> 23:28.451
To ensure our soldiers and units remain

23:28.451 --> 23:30.507
ready , I ask for your help in three

23:30.507 --> 23:32.840
key areas . First , predictable funding .

23:33.319 --> 23:35.430
Continuing resolutions and government

23:35.430 --> 23:37.652
shutdowns have huge readiness impacts ,

23:37.652 --> 23:39.763
and the part-time nature of our force

23:39.763 --> 23:41.652
makes missed training days nearly

23:41.652 --> 23:43.800
impossible to recover . Second ,

23:44.079 --> 23:46.359
continued support of our OMA and RPA

23:46.359 --> 23:48.800
funding in a major conflict , more than

23:48.800 --> 23:51.560
35,000 Army Reserve soldiers are

23:51.560 --> 23:54.199
required within the 1st 60 days . We

23:54.199 --> 23:56.780
must be ready . Third , continued

23:56.780 --> 23:58.558
support of the much appreciated

23:58.558 --> 24:00.613
National Guard and Reserve Equipment

24:00.613 --> 24:02.836
Account or NEGRA , which allows for the

24:02.836 --> 24:04.780
flexible , flexible procurement of

24:04.780 --> 24:07.270
critical equipment . On 7 March , my

24:07.270 --> 24:09.326
command star Major and I were on the

24:09.326 --> 24:11.437
tarmac in Dover , Delaware , greeting

24:11.437 --> 24:13.829
our six fallen Army Reserve heroes as

24:13.829 --> 24:15.996
they returned home from the CECA AOR .

24:16.550 --> 24:18.772
More than 30 Army Reserve soldiers were

24:18.772 --> 24:21.069
wounded in that same attack at Chuba in

24:21.069 --> 24:24.709
Kuwait . We honor their sacrifice , and

24:24.709 --> 24:27.109
it affirms our resolve to ensure every

24:27.109 --> 24:29.220
Army Reserve soldier receives counter

24:29.220 --> 24:31.276
drone equipment and training at pace

24:31.276 --> 24:33.498
with the Army and joint force . To that

24:33.498 --> 24:35.720
end , we've dedicated nearly a third of

24:35.720 --> 24:37.942
our degree appropriation to counter UAS

24:37.942 --> 24:40.109
systems that will and will continue to

24:40.109 --> 24:41.665
invest in these life saving

24:41.665 --> 24:44.109
technologies . In closing , while we

24:44.109 --> 24:46.310
are your Army reserve , we are not a

24:46.310 --> 24:48.729
force in reserve . We are in the fight .

24:49.109 --> 24:51.276
The resources you provide are critical

24:51.276 --> 24:53.276
to ensuring the young men and women

24:53.276 --> 24:55.331
Army in our Army Reserve stay combat

24:55.331 --> 24:57.442
ready . Thank you for your time today

24:57.442 --> 24:59.609
and I look forward to your questions .

25:01.630 --> 25:03.741
Chairman McConnell , F Ranking Member

25:03.741 --> 25:05.797
Koons , distinguished members of the

25:05.797 --> 25:08.019
subcommittee , it's an honor for me one

25:08.019 --> 25:07.619
last time to be here with my senior

25:07.619 --> 25:09.397
enlisted advisor , Chief Master

25:09.397 --> 25:11.829
Sergeant Nunes , representing 67,000

25:11.829 --> 25:14.349
Air Force Reserve airmen . We are a

25:14.349 --> 25:16.469
strategic advantage and a

25:16.469 --> 25:18.829
cost-effective investment , not a

25:18.829 --> 25:21.150
backup force . Our airmen's unmatched

25:21.150 --> 25:23.372
experience provides the strategic depth

25:23.430 --> 25:25.569
to deter our adversaries . Our

25:25.709 --> 25:27.709
partnership builds interoperability

25:27.709 --> 25:29.653
with our allies and partners . Our

25:29.653 --> 25:31.709
recent surge for Operation Epic Fury

25:31.939 --> 25:33.606
proves we're always ready and

25:33.606 --> 25:35.772
accessible to respond to any crisis in

25:35.772 --> 25:37.949
less than 72 hours . This is the Air

25:37.949 --> 25:40.430
Force Reserve advantage in action .

25:41.170 --> 25:43.337
When properly resourced , we're a cost

25:43.337 --> 25:45.559
effective solution for all DAFF mission

25:45.559 --> 25:47.781
areas . We operate our installations 28

25:47.781 --> 25:50.130
days a month on just 25% of our force ,

25:50.569 --> 25:52.569
delivering mission ready airmen for

25:52.569 --> 25:55.939
only 30% on the dollar . FY 25's

25:55.939 --> 25:58.540
closeout was our best on record . Your

25:58.540 --> 26:00.429
support and our data-driven tools

26:00.429 --> 26:02.596
enable precise resource management and

26:02.596 --> 26:05.219
risk-informed decisions . The Air Force

26:05.219 --> 26:07.369
Reserve is efficient , experienced ,

26:07.699 --> 26:09.532
accessible , and lethal in every

26:09.532 --> 26:11.643
mission set . We need your support to

26:11.643 --> 26:13.699
maintain , maintain this advantage .

26:13.729 --> 26:16.579
Currently , 77% of our fleet is over 39

26:16.579 --> 26:19.060
years old . Supply chain shortages

26:19.060 --> 26:21.227
threaten aircraft availability , and a

26:21.227 --> 26:23.660
$1.5 billion backlog means requirements

26:23.660 --> 26:25.900
are rapidly outpacing our resources .

26:26.260 --> 26:28.316
Andre has a critical modernization ,

26:28.316 --> 26:30.538
agility in maximizing an opportunity to

26:30.538 --> 26:32.482
maximize purchasing power . I look

26:32.482 --> 26:34.704
forward to the discussion on the change

26:34.704 --> 26:36.427
from a dedicated congressional

26:36.427 --> 26:38.316
appropriation to the presidential

26:38.316 --> 26:40.538
budget . We are currently hollowing out

26:40.538 --> 26:42.649
our nation's future combat capability

26:42.649 --> 26:44.760
through disproportionate divestment .

26:44.760 --> 26:46.649
Over the fight up , the Air Force

26:46.649 --> 26:48.760
Reserve is projected to lose 20.1% of

26:48.760 --> 26:50.982
our inventory , a significant imbalance

26:50.982 --> 26:53.149
compared to the other components . Our

26:53.149 --> 26:55.260
number one priority has been and will

26:55.260 --> 26:57.204
remain concurrent and proportional

26:57.204 --> 26:59.609
fielding of advanced aircraft . As our

26:59.609 --> 27:01.665
crews prove their value right now in

27:01.665 --> 27:03.887
epic fury , disproportionate divestment

27:03.887 --> 27:05.665
is unnecessarily adding risk to

27:05.665 --> 27:08.010
national security . That security

27:08.010 --> 27:10.232
hinges on our seamless interoperability

27:10.232 --> 27:12.449
with our allies and partners . Recent

27:12.449 --> 27:14.338
operations have proven this is an

27:14.338 --> 27:16.569
urgent necessity , not an option . Now

27:16.569 --> 27:18.625
in its 2nd year , our reserve allies

27:18.625 --> 27:20.791
and partner program continues to build

27:20.791 --> 27:22.569
global interoperability . While

27:22.569 --> 27:24.791
operating on a near zero budget , we've

27:24.791 --> 27:26.847
conducted 71 engagements last year ,

27:26.890 --> 27:29.057
including formal partnerships with the

27:29.057 --> 27:30.946
United Kingdom . And France while

27:30.946 --> 27:33.168
establishing new security pathways with

27:33.168 --> 27:35.279
the Netherlands and the Philippines ,

27:35.279 --> 27:37.001
prioritizing this program as a

27:37.001 --> 27:39.168
cost-effective investment that enables

27:39.168 --> 27:41.057
our allies to share the burden of

27:41.057 --> 27:43.729
strategic deterrence . I'd like to take

27:43.729 --> 27:46.290
this last opportunity to thank you and

27:46.290 --> 27:48.512
this body for your continued support of

27:48.512 --> 27:50.179
the Air Force Reserve and our

27:50.179 --> 27:52.401
warfighters . I'd also like to thank my

27:52.401 --> 27:54.512
wife Kathy , whose unwavering support

27:54.512 --> 27:56.568
to the men , women , and families of

27:56.568 --> 27:58.734
the Air Force Reserve and to me , uh ,

27:58.734 --> 28:00.790
deserves note in this record . Thank

28:00.790 --> 28:00.449
you very much and I look forward to

28:00.449 --> 28:03.640
your questions . Thank you , General .

28:03.859 --> 28:07.640
Good luck . We

28:07.640 --> 28:10.920
know that drones are going to play an

28:10.920 --> 28:14.420
increasing role in modern warfare .

28:15.699 --> 28:17.839
I remember recently reading that

28:17.839 --> 28:20.920
someone described . Ukraine has

28:20.920 --> 28:23.869
followed . The Silicon Valley .

28:24.800 --> 28:28.089
Of drone Development

28:29.280 --> 28:31.689
In other words , the leader in the

28:31.689 --> 28:34.699
world . In this new

28:35.569 --> 28:37.930
Advanced technology that becomes

28:37.930 --> 28:40.569
increasingly important in warfare .

28:43.979 --> 28:46.319
Yet I'm having a hard time finding

28:47.819 --> 28:50.979
American military people . or civilian

28:50.979 --> 28:54.770
military leadership . Who fully

28:54.770 --> 28:56.492
understand the significance of

28:56.492 --> 28:58.603
continuing to support our friends and

28:58.603 --> 29:00.770
allies in Ukraine . So let me ask each

29:00.770 --> 29:03.180
of you . In terms of your own

29:03.180 --> 29:05.890
experience . Have you ever been to

29:05.890 --> 29:08.670
Ukraine ? Any of you ?

29:11.359 --> 29:14.420
No one OK .

29:15.770 --> 29:18.540
Well , I'm not blaming you , but that

29:19.410 --> 29:21.890
Underscores part of the problem we're

29:21.890 --> 29:25.599
running into and getting Proper

29:25.599 --> 29:28.640
attention , attention by the civilian

29:28.640 --> 29:32.319
leadership . That you all

29:32.319 --> 29:36.000
ultimately report to . To understand

29:36.000 --> 29:38.839
the importance of avoiding at the end

29:38.839 --> 29:42.099
of the conflict the headline that says ,

29:43.689 --> 29:46.270
Russia wins . America loses .

29:47.310 --> 29:50.189
Not a headline that I think does us any

29:50.189 --> 29:52.839
good in our efforts to continue to

29:52.839 --> 29:55.510
provide the leadership that we need .

29:56.449 --> 29:59.869
Uh , not just for our own country . But

29:59.869 --> 30:02.189
to have a stable world , America needs

30:02.189 --> 30:04.869
to be in the leader on the cutting edge

30:04.869 --> 30:08.329
of the biggest problems . What

30:09.400 --> 30:11.511
are you doing to make sure the garden

30:11.511 --> 30:15.420
reserve is best postured ? To adopt

30:15.420 --> 30:18.989
the lessons . Learned . From

30:19.089 --> 30:19.689
Ukraine .

30:23.099 --> 30:25.377
Chairman , uh , to start off with , uh ,

30:25.420 --> 30:27.849
just last month I went down to Indiana ,

30:28.020 --> 30:30.076
uh , at Camp Atterbury where they're

30:30.076 --> 30:33.479
working with , uh , TRx , uh , and TREx

30:33.479 --> 30:35.479
stands for Technology , Readiness ,

30:35.479 --> 30:38.699
Experimentation , and Exercise . And so ,

30:39.020 --> 30:41.020
uh , some of the drones that you've

30:41.020 --> 30:43.329
seen Admiral Cooper use over in Uh ,

30:43.449 --> 30:46.170
CENTCO have been built , uh , through

30:46.170 --> 30:48.810
that incredible , uh , partnership . I

30:48.810 --> 30:50.866
recently , uh , passed on the tag of

30:50.866 --> 30:53.010
Indiana to the tag of , uh , North

30:53.010 --> 30:55.449
Dakota , uh , to make sure that they're

30:55.449 --> 30:57.671
taking a look at , uh , how we're doing

30:57.671 --> 30:59.782
that and how we're testing and , uh ,

30:59.782 --> 31:01.838
bringing that capability to the next

31:01.838 --> 31:03.782
level . Uh , the National Guard is

31:03.782 --> 31:05.893
incredible on building innovative and

31:05.893 --> 31:08.060
individuals and new capabilities , and

31:08.060 --> 31:10.060
we look forward to working with the

31:10.060 --> 31:12.282
department . The Joint Staff , uh , JAA

31:12.282 --> 31:15.339
401 , uh , the Joint Interagency Task

31:15.339 --> 31:17.450
Force on uh how we get the next level

31:17.450 --> 31:20.380
of , uh , drones , UASs and counter UAS

31:20.380 --> 31:24.229
systems . Yeah , it's a I .

31:25.010 --> 31:26.732
The Air Force Reserve has also

31:26.732 --> 31:29.650
participated from the onset of the of

31:29.650 --> 31:31.650
the conflict in Ukraine , while not

31:31.650 --> 31:33.650
directly in Ukraine , but providing

31:33.650 --> 31:35.872
quite a bit of technological experience

31:36.369 --> 31:38.410
and help with month to month

31:38.410 --> 31:40.299
advancements in terms of what the

31:40.299 --> 31:42.449
Ukrainians are using . On a separate

31:42.449 --> 31:44.650
note , we are learning quite a , quite

31:44.650 --> 31:47.079
a bit from how to counter these drones

31:47.079 --> 31:49.089
as well . Last year , the Air Force

31:49.089 --> 31:51.650
Reserve with our 10 unit equipped bases

31:51.650 --> 31:54.800
that we're responsible for . Use $78

31:54.800 --> 31:56.689
million at the end of the year to

31:56.689 --> 31:58.911
purchase a counter sew ad system , uh ,

31:58.911 --> 32:01.078
which is being deployed month to month

32:01.078 --> 32:02.967
right now . We've got two of them

32:02.967 --> 32:04.967
deployed currently . In addition to

32:04.967 --> 32:07.133
this , we also have a counter se ads ,

32:07.133 --> 32:09.133
a rapidly deployable counter sew ad

32:09.133 --> 32:11.356
system . And in the , uh , in the early

32:11.356 --> 32:13.467
days of Epic Fury , there was quite a

32:13.467 --> 32:15.411
bit of Incursions into some of our

32:15.411 --> 32:18.369
bases from drones and our rapidly

32:18.369 --> 32:20.591
deployable version of this kit was sent

32:20.591 --> 32:23.189
to Barksdale within 30 hours of request

32:23.770 --> 32:25.992
and in that first night we actually had

32:25.992 --> 32:28.159
our first drone knockdown as well . So

32:28.530 --> 32:30.650
we are certainly taking advantage of

32:30.650 --> 32:32.761
what the , what we're learning from a

32:32.761 --> 32:35.410
defensive perspective , but at the

32:35.410 --> 32:38.510
small level , at the 1234 person level ,

32:38.689 --> 32:40.849
we're making sure that our best and

32:40.849 --> 32:43.359
smartest are in Germany . And best

32:43.359 --> 32:45.339
helping out what they're advancing

32:45.339 --> 32:48.410
month to month in Ukraine . If I could

32:48.410 --> 32:50.577
share it's a daily conversation in the

32:50.577 --> 32:52.632
Marine Corps on the lessons that are

32:52.632 --> 32:54.577
being learned and particularly for

32:54.577 --> 32:56.849
Marine Forces Reserve , our drone

32:56.849 --> 32:59.016
attack team in the Marine Corps is led

32:59.016 --> 33:01.182
by two reservists . The talent that we

33:01.182 --> 33:03.405
have in the reserves rises to the top ,

33:03.405 --> 33:05.405
and in fact they were just promoted

33:05.405 --> 33:07.571
meritoriously to Staff Sergeant by the

33:07.571 --> 33:07.160
Department of War due to their efforts

33:07.369 --> 33:09.480
in how do we use attack drones in the

33:09.480 --> 33:11.647
Marine Corps . And , Second , over the

33:11.647 --> 33:14.314
next 4 years , we're standing up what

33:14.314 --> 33:16.481
we're calling our 4th ladder , our low

33:16.481 --> 33:18.592
altitude air defense . So we have our

33:18.592 --> 33:20.481
counter UAS and ballistic missile

33:20.481 --> 33:20.435
capabilities and detection in the

33:20.435 --> 33:22.657
Marine Corps , and Marine Corps reserve

33:22.657 --> 33:24.768
because we've seen that through force

33:24.768 --> 33:26.935
design . You've seen it in the current

33:26.935 --> 33:26.584
conflict where long range precision

33:26.584 --> 33:28.695
fires and the counter UAS is going to

33:28.695 --> 33:30.695
be a priority for our forces in the

33:30.695 --> 33:32.695
field . So we're , we're getting it

33:32.695 --> 33:34.695
after in that way , Mr . Chairman .

33:34.695 --> 33:36.973
Thank you . Mr . Chairman , we're , uh ,

33:36.973 --> 33:39.140
in the Army Reserve . We're driving on

33:39.140 --> 33:38.790
that in my opening statement .

33:38.869 --> 33:40.869
Obviously not only what happened in

33:40.869 --> 33:43.091
Ukraine or what's going on in Ukraine ,

33:43.091 --> 33:45.313
but what happened in Kuwait , uh , to ,

33:45.313 --> 33:47.536
to our Army Reserve formation , uh , to

33:47.536 --> 33:49.702
that end , I mean , we are procuring ,

33:49.702 --> 33:51.813
uh , anti-drone kit using Negria . We

33:51.813 --> 33:53.869
will be testing 17 technologies that

33:53.869 --> 33:55.869
are integrated exercise this June ,

33:55.869 --> 33:58.091
Operation Sentinel Justice , to include

33:58.091 --> 34:00.147
running our first ever kinetic drone

34:00.147 --> 34:02.258
range where we will have . Expendable

34:02.258 --> 34:04.239
drones coming in and soldiers with

34:04.239 --> 34:06.072
their weapons in the proper site

34:06.072 --> 34:08.350
kinetically engaging and being able to

34:08.350 --> 34:10.683
defend themselves , so the Army Reserve ,

34:10.683 --> 34:12.683
we take this very seriously . We're

34:12.683 --> 34:14.683
nested with the Army and Joint Task

34:14.683 --> 34:16.628
Force 401 to make sure we have the

34:16.628 --> 34:20.388
latest technology . Mr . Chairman , I ,

34:20.509 --> 34:22.565
I would add that , uh , for the Navy

34:22.565 --> 34:24.731
and a force design standpoint , we are

34:24.731 --> 34:26.731
investing in , uh , in billets that

34:26.731 --> 34:28.898
support both uh undersea warfare and ,

34:28.898 --> 34:31.065
uh , and , and surface assets from a ,

34:31.065 --> 34:33.287
from an unmanned perspective . Critical

34:33.287 --> 34:35.453
for us is the , uh , in that degree of

34:35.453 --> 34:37.676
funding as well as , uh , is using that

34:37.676 --> 34:39.898
to , uh , to fund uh unmanned systems ,

34:39.898 --> 34:42.065
uh , and some of the other assets that

34:42.065 --> 34:44.398
we'll use both for aerial refueling and ,

34:44.398 --> 34:43.938
uh , expeditionary logistics . So it ,

34:44.029 --> 34:45.585
it ties in together , sir .

34:47.989 --> 34:50.110
I have one more question . Uh ,

34:51.060 --> 34:54.080
Director , uh , uh , Director General

34:54.080 --> 34:57.590
Harter . That I admit has a

34:57.790 --> 35:00.110
Kentucky connection , but it's , I

35:00.110 --> 35:02.810
think , important to move in the

35:02.810 --> 35:04.699
direction of where the warfare is

35:04.699 --> 35:07.790
headed . Kentucky manufactures and

35:07.790 --> 35:10.790
produces ultra lightweight .

35:11.739 --> 35:15.739
Camouflage net system commonly referred

35:15.739 --> 35:19.110
to as all cans . Both Ukraine and

35:19.110 --> 35:21.550
Russia have placed a high priority on

35:21.550 --> 35:24.250
passive defenses like modern

35:24.629 --> 35:27.739
camouflage . Against drones .

35:30.550 --> 35:34.370
Given the vulnerability of . Legacy

35:34.370 --> 35:38.250
camouflage systems against Modern

35:38.250 --> 35:41.479
sensors and drones . We're likely to

35:41.479 --> 35:44.649
face in the future . To what extent is

35:44.649 --> 35:47.669
the army accelerating fielding of all

35:47.669 --> 35:51.270
kinds at the speed of relevance ?

35:52.030 --> 35:54.141
Does the current procurement strategy

35:54.141 --> 35:58.020
adequately address The requirements of

35:58.020 --> 36:01.719
the Army Reserve . Well thanks Chairman .

36:01.800 --> 36:04.239
We , we are tied into , uh , to the

36:04.239 --> 36:06.489
Army's procurement of Ucan . That ,

36:06.560 --> 36:08.727
that , that is a game changer for us .

36:08.727 --> 36:10.893
We're getting rid of all of our legacy

36:10.893 --> 36:13.116
systems . We still have some of those ,

36:13.116 --> 36:15.171
and I think what the battlefields of

36:15.171 --> 36:14.800
Ukraine will show that some of the

36:14.800 --> 36:17.320
basics of just getting back to cover

36:17.320 --> 36:20.004
and conceal . Overhead cover , uh , and

36:20.004 --> 36:22.475
systems like all can that is defeats IR

36:22.475 --> 36:24.564
and helps defeat some of the sensing

36:24.564 --> 36:27.185
systems , uh , goes a long way towards

36:27.185 --> 36:28.852
ensuring survivability on the

36:28.852 --> 36:31.074
battlefield . So the , the Army Reserve

36:31.074 --> 36:33.241
is sync with the Army and changing out

36:33.241 --> 36:35.574
our legacy systems for systems like all .

36:37.669 --> 36:39.947
Thank you so much , uh , Chairman . Uh ,

36:39.947 --> 36:42.113
I could not agree more with your first

36:42.113 --> 36:43.947
question . Um , have you been to

36:43.947 --> 36:46.002
Ukraine ? Um , Senator Shaheen led a

36:46.002 --> 36:48.949
bipartisan delegation , uh , through

36:48.949 --> 36:50.893
which I recently had the chance to

36:50.893 --> 36:53.510
visit Odessa , uh , and to see deployed

36:53.510 --> 36:55.550
counter drone systems that had been

36:55.550 --> 36:57.606
provided , uh , several years ago to

36:57.606 --> 36:59.939
the Ukrainians who are defending Odessa ,

37:00.169 --> 37:02.350
uh , to see deployed naval assets that

37:02.350 --> 37:04.461
had been donated by the United States

37:04.461 --> 37:08.280
and to talk to . Two really critical US

37:08.280 --> 37:10.879
leaders from the army who are helping

37:10.879 --> 37:13.199
learn the lessons of Ukraine , and I

37:13.199 --> 37:16.020
think what I've seen and observed both

37:16.020 --> 37:18.280
in briefings and on the ground is that

37:18.280 --> 37:21.479
Ukraine is not just fighting bravely

37:21.479 --> 37:23.535
and with great determination against

37:23.535 --> 37:25.701
Russian brutality and aggression , but

37:25.701 --> 37:27.590
they are innovating into the next

37:27.590 --> 37:29.709
generation of warfare . And it is our

37:29.709 --> 37:32.850
dramatic loss if we fail to embrace and

37:32.850 --> 37:35.129
learn those lessons and to stand with

37:35.129 --> 37:37.280
those defenders . Uh , my first event

37:37.280 --> 37:39.502
this morning was with the Archbishop of

37:39.502 --> 37:41.447
the Ukrainian Catholic Church in a

37:41.447 --> 37:43.929
bipartisan breakfast , and I spent

37:43.929 --> 37:45.810
Sunday at a Ukrainian church in

37:45.810 --> 37:48.310
Delaware and met a double amputee

37:48.310 --> 37:51.070
veteran of the Ukrainian armed forces

37:51.330 --> 37:54.090
and an American mother whose son with

37:54.090 --> 37:56.330
no ties to Ukraine . Uh , volunteered ,

37:56.449 --> 37:58.560
deployed , and was killed by Russians

37:58.560 --> 38:00.929
in combat . So I recommend to you , the

38:00.929 --> 38:04.129
chairman's insight on Negria . Uh , I

38:04.129 --> 38:06.250
am encouraged that the DOD is finally

38:06.250 --> 38:08.361
included in the base budget request a

38:08.361 --> 38:10.417
billion dollars , um , and , but I'm

38:10.417 --> 38:12.889
concerned about one thing . Um , one of

38:12.889 --> 38:14.445
the most important features

38:14.445 --> 38:16.167
historically about how we have

38:16.167 --> 38:18.530
appropriated Negria funds is our

38:18.530 --> 38:21.050
requirement that all of you as the

38:21.050 --> 38:22.883
chiefs of the reserve components

38:22.883 --> 38:26.860
administer the funds . Um This ensures

38:26.860 --> 38:29.082
the garden reserves actually prioritize

38:29.082 --> 38:31.304
their own requirements because at times

38:31.304 --> 38:33.770
there is a disconnect . Um , are you

38:33.770 --> 38:36.419
aware of any proposed changes to this

38:36.419 --> 38:39.929
process , any of you ? No .

38:40.399 --> 38:42.343
Um , then let me simply say on the

38:42.343 --> 38:44.280
record , um , it is my hope and

38:44.280 --> 38:46.336
intention that the Guard and Reserve

38:46.336 --> 38:48.919
will remain , uh , in control of the

38:48.919 --> 38:50.975
procurement and deployment decisions

38:50.975 --> 38:53.189
being made through that . Um , one of

38:53.189 --> 38:55.459
the reasons I pay attention to this ,

38:55.479 --> 38:58.239
um , is that at times , uh , big Army ,

38:58.320 --> 39:00.840
big Air Force does not make the same

39:00.840 --> 39:02.951
deployment decisions as the Guard and

39:02.951 --> 39:05.590
reserves . Um , this is a parochial

39:05.590 --> 39:07.701
question , but General Nordhaus , can

39:07.701 --> 39:09.812
you describe The operational benefits

39:09.812 --> 39:12.870
of completing the C-130J updates across

39:12.870 --> 39:14.648
all the guard units who are not

39:14.648 --> 39:18.479
currently so equipped . Um ,

39:18.760 --> 39:20.816
thanks , ranking Member Coons . Uh ,

39:20.816 --> 39:24.120
Senator , um , the C-130 , uh , is just

39:24.120 --> 39:26.120
a great aircraft , uh , all the way

39:26.120 --> 39:28.176
across the board for moving tactical

39:28.176 --> 39:30.231
airlift and things , uh , across not

39:30.231 --> 39:32.231
only the battlefield but across the

39:32.231 --> 39:34.398
homeland in response . Uh , the C-130J

39:34.398 --> 39:36.564
adds another pallet position , so it ,

39:36.564 --> 39:38.342
uh , has extended range and has

39:38.342 --> 39:41.159
extended ability . To take equipment

39:41.159 --> 39:43.215
and people and capabilities to where

39:43.215 --> 39:45.381
they need to go . So we appreciate the

39:45.381 --> 39:47.899
incredible funding of the C-130s uh

39:47.899 --> 39:51.409
from Congress . Uh , we have , um , uh ,

39:51.419 --> 39:53.820
Mode 12 , uh , that we will push out

39:53.820 --> 39:56.260
shortly . So there's 3 units left with

39:56.260 --> 39:58.459
the H models , and then Arkansas ,

39:58.500 --> 40:00.689
which has the , uh , training , uh ,

40:00.739 --> 40:03.070
and then , uh , the LCs up in , uh ,

40:03.219 --> 40:05.500
New York . So we appreciate Congress's

40:05.500 --> 40:09.350
support on the C-130s . about the

40:09.350 --> 40:12.189
importance of updated C-130s for the

40:12.189 --> 40:14.411
Navy Reserve as well , Sir , sir , if I

40:14.411 --> 40:16.633
could inject as well with the , we have

40:16.633 --> 40:18.800
3 remaining squadron of C-1308s in the

40:18.800 --> 40:20.989
Air Force Reserve , and while they're

40:20.989 --> 40:23.320
very capable and modernized with new

40:23.320 --> 40:25.431
engines , they're still a 30-year-old

40:25.431 --> 40:27.264
aircraft and not included in any

40:27.264 --> 40:29.540
relevant plans for the Department of

40:29.540 --> 40:31.669
War , which leaves us in the position

40:31.669 --> 40:34.030
of if we want to participate , we have

40:34.030 --> 40:36.252
to bring our own maintenance associated

40:36.252 --> 40:38.252
with it , so . Very keen on the Air

40:38.252 --> 40:40.308
Force Reserve perspective as well to

40:40.308 --> 40:42.308
get modernized and into those JS as

40:42.308 --> 40:44.474
well . That's helpful and your earlier

40:44.474 --> 40:44.290
testimony about the disproportionate

40:44.290 --> 40:46.810
divestment of platforms across all of

40:46.810 --> 40:48.977
your components is something I keep in

40:48.977 --> 40:50.977
mind . The Guard and Reserve Forces

40:50.977 --> 40:53.010
have been tasked with expensive

40:53.010 --> 40:54.899
operational requirements that are

40:54.899 --> 40:56.954
including operations on the southern

40:56.954 --> 40:59.530
border and deployments to Washington DC

40:59.530 --> 41:01.929
and other states . Um , all of you plan

41:01.929 --> 41:04.110
your ONM needs for the year without

41:04.110 --> 41:05.666
these unexpected additional

41:05.666 --> 41:07.840
requirements . How has the increased

41:07.840 --> 41:09.618
operational tempo impacted your

41:09.618 --> 41:11.784
readiness , every one of you , but you

41:11.784 --> 41:13.896
started this , uh , your readiness is

41:13.896 --> 41:15.951
your relevance . That is a memorable

41:15.951 --> 41:17.896
sentence . What trade-offs are you

41:17.896 --> 41:20.173
having to make in terms of maintenance ,

41:20.173 --> 41:22.284
training , flying hours , uh , as for

41:22.284 --> 41:24.451
example , guardsmen and reservists are

41:24.451 --> 41:27.679
deployed . To um patrolling Washington

41:27.679 --> 41:30.320
DC and beautification projects rather

41:30.320 --> 41:32.542
than being truly trained , equipped and

41:32.542 --> 41:35.320
ready for participation in combat .

41:35.969 --> 41:38.136
General , thank you for the question .

41:38.136 --> 41:40.530
If readiness off the top , just as , uh ,

41:40.560 --> 41:42.338
if I could , you know , we , we

41:42.338 --> 41:44.449
normally get our reservists 39 days a

41:44.449 --> 41:46.616
year . That's how much we get to train

41:46.616 --> 41:46.250
with them . So anytime I can get them

41:46.250 --> 41:48.250
on orders , I'm gaining readiness ,

41:48.250 --> 41:50.194
whether or not it's medical , some

41:50.194 --> 41:52.250
other training . We'll find a way as

41:52.250 --> 41:54.472
Marines to get some additional tactical

41:54.472 --> 41:54.090
training regardless of the mission .

41:54.320 --> 41:56.376
Although yet we have not been tasked

41:56.376 --> 41:58.320
with Southwest border or , or , or

41:58.320 --> 42:00.264
other missions . What we do in the

42:00.264 --> 42:02.153
Marine Corps , and because of the

42:02.153 --> 42:04.320
commandant's drive to optimize the use

42:04.320 --> 42:03.679
of the reserves , we plan our

42:03.679 --> 42:05.901
deployments across the fit up . We know

42:05.901 --> 42:08.139
what units are going out to 2030 , 2031

42:08.139 --> 42:10.083
that helps them plan their lives ,

42:10.083 --> 42:12.250
helps them plan their career and their

42:12.250 --> 42:14.250
families . So , so far , everything

42:14.250 --> 42:13.760
that we've been conducting in the

42:13.760 --> 42:15.959
reserves was already budgeted . Now

42:15.959 --> 42:18.181
we're working on POM 28 and 2929 in the

42:18.181 --> 42:20.181
out years , uh , but for the Marine

42:20.181 --> 42:22.403
Corps , we have yet to see an impact on

42:22.403 --> 42:24.348
our overall operating funds . Mr .

42:24.348 --> 42:24.239
Chairman , if I could ask General

42:24.239 --> 42:26.572
Nordhaus to answer the question as well ,

42:26.572 --> 42:28.939
then we'll move on . I'm Senator Coons .

42:29.260 --> 42:31.482
Yes , we work uh with the training that

42:31.482 --> 42:33.659
we do across the border statutory

42:33.659 --> 42:35.826
requirements , uh , we continue to get

42:35.826 --> 42:38.459
after that across the 54 . Uh , we are

42:38.459 --> 42:40.181
seeking reimbursement from the

42:40.181 --> 42:42.403
Department of War , and they're working

42:42.403 --> 42:44.459
with MOUs with Department of Justice

42:44.459 --> 42:46.570
and Department of Homeland Security .

42:46.570 --> 42:48.792
So we continue to work to get after our

42:48.792 --> 42:50.570
training and make sure that our

42:50.570 --> 42:52.626
soldiers and airmen are always ready

42:52.626 --> 42:54.681
and always there . We'll continue to

42:54.681 --> 42:54.129
work with the department on those

42:54.129 --> 42:56.073
reimbursements . I look forward to

42:56.073 --> 42:57.962
hearing back from you about those

42:57.962 --> 43:00.185
reimbursements . I think it's important

43:00.185 --> 42:59.770
that you have the equipment , the

42:59.770 --> 43:01.826
training , the resources you need to

43:01.826 --> 43:03.881
carry out your core mission and that

43:03.881 --> 43:06.689
there that there be reimbursement for

43:06.689 --> 43:08.856
unexpected additional missions . Thank

43:08.856 --> 43:11.689
you , Mr . Chairman . Senator , thank

43:11.689 --> 43:13.800
you , Mr . Chair . Uh , thanks to all

43:13.800 --> 43:15.689
of you for being here and for the

43:15.689 --> 43:17.745
incredible work that you and all the

43:17.745 --> 43:19.967
members of our , uh , Department of War

43:19.967 --> 43:21.578
are doing . It's just , it's

43:21.578 --> 43:23.578
unbelievable , and we're behind you

43:23.578 --> 43:25.633
100% and we appreciate you so much ,

43:25.633 --> 43:27.689
all of you . Uh , General Nordhaus ,

43:27.689 --> 43:30.340
two quick items , uh . Right off the

43:30.340 --> 43:32.459
top , one is we've got an Air Guard

43:32.459 --> 43:34.459
unit now that actually works in the

43:34.459 --> 43:36.570
missile fields with Mounted Air Force

43:36.570 --> 43:39.409
Base , security police , great

43:39.409 --> 43:41.465
operation ongoing , working with the

43:41.465 --> 43:43.409
active duty on a full-time basis .

43:43.409 --> 43:45.576
Incredible example of how you guys are

43:45.899 --> 43:47.843
in the fight every day . I want to

43:47.843 --> 43:50.010
commend you on that and emphasize it .

43:50.010 --> 43:51.732
And the other is our Jamestown

43:51.732 --> 43:53.899
readiness , our Jamestown facility for

43:53.899 --> 43:56.010
the 8 17th Combat Engineers . They've

43:56.010 --> 43:58.177
been operating out of the civic center

43:58.177 --> 44:00.343
there for a long time . A facility for

44:00.343 --> 44:02.343
them has to be a priority . They're

44:02.343 --> 44:04.455
often deployed unit , you know that .

44:04.455 --> 44:06.621
Just want to hear your thoughts as far

44:06.621 --> 44:09.169
as supporting that . Uh , Senator Hovan ,

44:09.250 --> 44:11.361
thank you for , uh , the question and

44:11.361 --> 44:13.083
for the support . Uh , it's my

44:13.083 --> 44:15.361
understanding it's currently in design ,

44:15.361 --> 44:17.489
expected 35% designed by August , and

44:17.489 --> 44:19.530
we'll continue to work , uh , with

44:19.530 --> 44:21.697
Congress and with , uh , Army National

44:21.697 --> 44:23.863
Guard on , on funding it . Thank you ,

44:23.863 --> 44:25.697
sir . You referenced the T . rex

44:25.697 --> 44:28.030
program and as you know , uh , our , uh ,

44:28.030 --> 44:30.363
uh , Army Guard , uh , base . Camp Graf ,

44:30.363 --> 44:32.419
North Dakota is a T . rex site , and

44:32.419 --> 44:34.363
we're looking forward to exercises

44:34.363 --> 44:36.530
there in August . We've already , uh ,

44:36.530 --> 44:38.474
emphasized the importance of drone

44:38.474 --> 44:40.530
warfare . Uh , we've been at all all

44:40.530 --> 44:42.641
things UAS and counter UAS now in our

44:42.641 --> 44:44.752
state for over 20 years . And so talk

44:44.752 --> 44:46.974
to me about what can be accomplished at

44:46.974 --> 44:49.141
that T . rex site , and then I'm gonna

44:49.141 --> 44:51.308
ask our reserve members the same thing

44:51.308 --> 44:53.419
because this is a DOD designation and

44:53.419 --> 44:55.879
this drone effort is . DOD-wide

44:55.879 --> 44:58.679
Department of War-wide . So your

44:58.679 --> 45:00.457
thoughts and the other members'

45:00.457 --> 45:02.512
thoughts on what can be accomplished

45:02.512 --> 45:04.735
with these T . rex sites for drones and

45:04.735 --> 45:07.012
counter drones . Thanks , Senator . Uh ,

45:07.080 --> 45:09.302
when I went to Atterbury , I , I got to

45:09.302 --> 45:12.280
see and talk with 15 , uh , people from

45:12.280 --> 45:14.447
industry as they integrate each of the

45:14.447 --> 45:16.002
pieces and parts , uh , and

45:16.002 --> 45:18.002
capabilities into drones along with

45:18.002 --> 45:20.689
about 100 of our guardsmen . Who are

45:20.689 --> 45:22.356
bringing the capabilities and

45:22.356 --> 45:24.300
understanding the impacts from the

45:24.300 --> 45:26.469
Ukraine conflict and then across the

45:26.469 --> 45:29.370
board for counter UAS and uh and UAS

45:29.370 --> 45:32.300
systems . So each of the uh defense

45:32.300 --> 45:35.129
industrial base experts , they really

45:35.129 --> 45:37.129
appreciated how this T-rex is going

45:37.129 --> 45:39.240
because they can fail fast . They can

45:39.240 --> 45:41.185
then go back , make adjustments to

45:41.185 --> 45:43.185
whatever their system is , and then

45:43.185 --> 45:45.407
integrate it with all the other players

45:45.407 --> 45:47.351
to make sure those drones or drone

45:47.351 --> 45:49.573
systems are top of the notch . So , our

45:49.573 --> 45:51.685
Department of Defense can take a look

45:51.685 --> 45:53.685
at what capabilities they bring and

45:53.685 --> 45:55.740
then buy the right systems , best in

45:55.740 --> 45:57.851
breed . Thank you , sir . Let's go to

45:57.851 --> 46:00.073
the corps and then just down the line ,

46:00.073 --> 46:02.018
uh , what can we do on these T-rex

46:02.018 --> 46:04.240
sites for the Corps ? We have a senator

46:04.240 --> 46:04.090
for the T-rex sites . Well , I , I

46:04.090 --> 46:06.257
don't have the depth of knowledge that

46:06.257 --> 46:08.479
General Nordhaus does , where we do our

46:08.479 --> 46:10.590
primary work is the DOG , the Defense

46:10.590 --> 46:12.812
Autonomous Working Group . That's where

46:12.812 --> 46:12.530
we spend a lot of our time developing

46:12.530 --> 46:14.729
our drone tactics is through , uh , is

46:14.729 --> 46:18.100
through that lane . OK , Navy . Senator ,

46:18.229 --> 46:20.340
we're spending most of our time right

46:20.340 --> 46:22.790
now with the USVRs and UUVRs , both

46:22.790 --> 46:25.429
manned or unmanned surface vessels and

46:25.429 --> 46:27.596
undersea vessels as well . I think one

46:27.596 --> 46:29.818
of the critical things that that all of

46:29.818 --> 46:31.873
the reservists bring to the fight is

46:31.873 --> 46:33.929
not just their military skill sets ,

46:33.929 --> 46:36.096
but also their industry civilian skill

46:36.096 --> 46:35.510
sets that they can bring to the fight

46:35.510 --> 46:37.677
as well too . So the things that we're

46:37.677 --> 46:39.732
seeing is that innovative spirit and

46:39.732 --> 46:41.954
can-do attitude that comes every time .

46:41.954 --> 46:44.010
Time that we have the opportunity to

46:44.010 --> 46:43.966
train and and bring uh bring those

46:43.966 --> 46:46.585
people into into execute missions and

46:46.585 --> 46:48.807
operations . Thank you , Army Senator ,

46:49.025 --> 46:51.247
any opportunity that we have to train ,

46:51.385 --> 46:53.625
uh , especially in this type of

46:53.625 --> 46:55.903
environment with drones and technology ,

46:55.903 --> 46:58.069
uh , the Army Reserves all in . I know

46:58.069 --> 47:00.069
one of our challenges , and we do ,

47:00.069 --> 47:00.025
we've got some clearance in some of our

47:00.025 --> 47:02.476
training locations , the FAA clearance

47:02.476 --> 47:04.420
to be able to operate , you know ,

47:04.420 --> 47:06.532
drones . Drones to enable our counter

47:06.532 --> 47:08.643
drone efforts . So if we have that in

47:08.643 --> 47:10.754
North Dakota , Army Reserves all in .

47:10.754 --> 47:12.809
So that's a great comment and that's

47:12.809 --> 47:14.865
one of the unique things about North

47:14.865 --> 47:16.920
Dakota is we have it statewide now .

47:16.920 --> 47:19.032
We're the only state that has the FAA

47:19.032 --> 47:21.422
raw data radar feed , so we can do

47:21.422 --> 47:23.644
exactly that's one of the reasons we've

47:23.644 --> 47:26.021
been designated the T . rex site . So

47:26.021 --> 47:29.370
thanks for bringing that up . Air Force ,

47:29.379 --> 47:31.435
only appropriate that you're bat and

47:31.435 --> 47:33.490
clean up here because you're doing a

47:33.490 --> 47:35.546
ton out there at Grand Forks , and ,

47:35.546 --> 47:37.546
and we appreciate it . I appreciate

47:37.546 --> 47:39.435
that , sir . Uh , well , we , I'm

47:39.435 --> 47:41.323
familiar generally with the T-rex

47:41.323 --> 47:43.435
system . Uh , absolutely , if there's

47:43.435 --> 47:45.435
an opportunity for us to get better

47:45.435 --> 47:45.300
training , better equipment , better

47:45.300 --> 47:47.620
exercises currently . In our Air Force

47:47.620 --> 47:49.731
generation model that we're currently

47:49.731 --> 47:51.731
using , our expeditionary wings are

47:51.731 --> 47:53.564
getting a certification event to

47:53.564 --> 47:55.939
authorize the organic nature of a unit

47:55.939 --> 47:57.939
to pick up and deploy , and part of

47:57.939 --> 48:00.719
that includes , uh , counter drones ,

48:00.899 --> 48:03.699
counter UAS training . So anything that

48:03.969 --> 48:06.025
might actually accelerate that a bit

48:06.025 --> 48:08.191
more , we're more than welcome to join

48:08.191 --> 48:10.413
in on . Thank you again . Thanks to all

48:10.413 --> 48:12.413
of you gentlemen . We appreciate it

48:12.413 --> 48:12.399
very much . Thank you , Mr . Chair .

48:14.409 --> 48:16.969
Senator Baldwin and then Senator Capito .

48:17.899 --> 48:19.732
Thank you , Mr . Chairman . Um ,

48:20.030 --> 48:22.909
Lieutenant General Harder , we have had

48:22.909 --> 48:25.870
thousands of active duty and reserve

48:25.870 --> 48:28.699
soldiers participate in combat

48:28.699 --> 48:31.270
operations against Iran over the last

48:31.270 --> 48:33.469
several weeks , and 13 US service

48:33.469 --> 48:36.510
members have been killed . Hundreds

48:36.510 --> 48:38.590
more have been injured since the war

48:38.590 --> 48:42.469
began . So I would like you to please

48:42.469 --> 48:45.040
identify and explain any differences .

48:45.459 --> 48:48.100
Between how soldiers in the active duty

48:48.100 --> 48:50.820
and reserve components are screened for

48:50.820 --> 48:53.939
injuries and given medical care as they

48:53.939 --> 48:56.379
return from combat deployments like

48:56.379 --> 48:59.320
those in the Middle East . Uh thank you

48:59.320 --> 49:01.320
Senator Baldwin for that question .

49:01.320 --> 49:03.376
Good talking to you last week . So I

49:03.376 --> 49:05.542
think when it comes to our soldiers on

49:05.542 --> 49:07.709
the battlefield , we're treated as one

49:07.709 --> 49:09.709
team . We , we , we , we're , we're

49:09.709 --> 49:11.876
treated , uh , by the way , phenomenal

49:11.876 --> 49:13.487
treatment . What I'm getting

49:13.487 --> 49:15.320
anecdotally from , uh , from our

49:15.320 --> 49:17.431
wounded that came back also by Kuwait

49:17.431 --> 49:19.598
Medical Care and then going up through

49:19.598 --> 49:21.764
Landstuhl . Uh , and then getting back

49:21.764 --> 49:23.876
here to the United States . Two quick

49:23.876 --> 49:25.987
points I , I would offer is it , it's

49:25.987 --> 49:28.780
bringing the family members into that

49:28.780 --> 49:30.891
process quicker . I think some of our

49:30.891 --> 49:32.891
skill sets have atrophied on how we

49:32.891 --> 49:35.479
notify families of wounded soldiers .

49:36.020 --> 49:38.187
Obviously our fallen we're pretty good

49:38.187 --> 49:40.242
at so making sure family members are

49:40.242 --> 49:42.464
tracking the status of their soldier um

49:42.464 --> 49:44.298
and then once we get back to our

49:44.298 --> 49:46.959
mobilization site , my biggest concern

49:47.100 --> 49:49.219
is as soldiers are screened they've

49:49.219 --> 49:51.275
been in a pretty kinetic environment

49:51.275 --> 49:53.497
and then they go back to home station .

49:53.497 --> 49:56.060
And so how do we maintain contact and

49:56.060 --> 49:58.116
make sure those soldiers continue to

49:58.116 --> 50:00.338
get the care they need and we're nested

50:00.338 --> 50:02.616
with the , the , the medical community ,

50:02.616 --> 50:05.189
our soldier recovery units , SRUs to

50:05.189 --> 50:07.133
continue to maintain that and then

50:07.133 --> 50:09.133
ma'am it's just leadership , making

50:09.133 --> 50:11.300
sure squad leaders , platoon leaders ,

50:11.300 --> 50:13.467
and commanders at Echelon are tracking

50:13.467 --> 50:15.522
by name . Thank you , uh , General .

50:15.610 --> 50:18.209
I've heard directly from , uh , some

50:18.209 --> 50:20.570
Army reservists from Wisconsin who

50:20.570 --> 50:22.889
returned from the war and said that

50:22.889 --> 50:25.889
they initially received less timely and

50:25.889 --> 50:28.469
thorough medical services than their

50:28.689 --> 50:31.810
active duty counterparts . Has the Army

50:31.810 --> 50:33.643
reviewed the care reservists are

50:33.643 --> 50:36.169
receiving after deploying in the war

50:36.169 --> 50:38.530
against Iran , and have you identified

50:38.530 --> 50:42.489
any problems ? So ma'am , we are

50:42.489 --> 50:44.545
reviewing , as is the Army , exactly

50:44.545 --> 50:47.050
what care our soldiers receive . Uh ,

50:47.129 --> 50:49.185
we , we've met with some soldiers as

50:49.185 --> 50:51.407
they've come back to Fort Hood and back

50:51.407 --> 50:53.629
to Washington DC here and there , there

50:53.629 --> 50:55.851
were some perceptions , I believe , and

50:55.851 --> 50:58.073
perceptions are pretty important , uh ,

50:58.073 --> 51:00.129
that they weren't receiving the same

51:00.129 --> 51:02.129
level of , uh , attention , uh . We

51:02.129 --> 51:04.240
think they have and we're gonna , but

51:04.240 --> 51:06.351
we will continue to follow up to make

51:06.351 --> 51:08.573
sure that they get the care they need .

51:08.573 --> 51:10.796
I'm flying to , to Fort Hood in the not

51:10.796 --> 51:13.018
so distant future to be to talk to some

51:13.018 --> 51:15.240
more of our young men and women . Thank

51:15.240 --> 51:17.518
you . Um , my next question is for you ,

51:17.518 --> 51:19.462
General Nordhaus . Um . Given that

51:19.462 --> 51:22.300
members of the National Guard do not

51:22.300 --> 51:24.979
receive full and premium-free TriCare

51:24.979 --> 51:27.139
benefits like their active duty

51:27.139 --> 51:29.860
counterparts , guardsmen can struggle

51:29.860 --> 51:32.580
to pay for medical care necessary to

51:32.580 --> 51:36.340
keep themselves ready for combat . Can

51:36.340 --> 51:38.860
you describe some of the medical

51:38.860 --> 51:41.719
readiness challenges that are faced by

51:41.860 --> 51:44.659
the National Guard and how that impacts

51:44.659 --> 51:46.459
your ability to deploy ?

51:48.669 --> 51:50.780
Uh , Senator Baldwin , thanks for the

51:50.780 --> 51:52.780
question . Uh , all of our National

51:52.780 --> 51:55.040
Guardsmen , all 435,000 , they're ready

51:55.040 --> 51:57.151
to go . Always ready , always there ,

51:57.151 --> 51:59.290
means something . Uh , and so as we

51:59.290 --> 52:02.320
look at their medical care , uh , as

52:02.320 --> 52:04.487
traditional soldiers and airmen , they

52:04.487 --> 52:06.598
don't get , you know , that full-time

52:06.598 --> 52:08.653
Tricare . And so what we see is that

52:08.653 --> 52:10.820
probably the largest , uh , section of

52:10.820 --> 52:13.098
readiness comes from the dental health .

52:13.098 --> 52:15.280
And so when we send soldiers to an

52:15.419 --> 52:18.729
MFGIOB station , they don't return or

52:18.729 --> 52:20.785
get returned to unit because they're

52:20.785 --> 52:23.007
not . Ready or they're not trained it's

52:23.007 --> 52:24.951
because they're not dental ready ,

52:24.951 --> 52:27.010
right ? And so dental readiness is

52:27.010 --> 52:29.232
readiness for our National Guard and so

52:29.232 --> 52:31.454
I think that's very critical as we look

52:31.454 --> 52:33.566
across all of our healthcare . I look

52:33.566 --> 52:35.566
forward to working with Congress on

52:35.566 --> 52:37.732
incremental approaches to this so that

52:37.732 --> 52:37.050
all of our members can have the

52:37.050 --> 52:39.272
healthcare they need to be always ready

52:39.272 --> 52:41.328
and always there . Thank you . Given

52:41.328 --> 52:43.328
how much our military relies on our

52:43.328 --> 52:45.820
guardsmen . And reservists for

52:45.820 --> 52:47.820
operations , it seems clear that we

52:47.820 --> 52:49.987
need to take further action to get the

52:49.987 --> 52:52.149
reserve component better access to

52:52.350 --> 52:55.149
health insurance and healthcare . What

52:55.149 --> 52:57.429
can Congress do to help , and do you

52:57.429 --> 52:59.969
think it would improve readiness to

52:59.969 --> 53:03.250
expand Tricare access , including

53:03.250 --> 53:05.250
dental , to the reserve component ?

53:07.889 --> 53:09.722
Any health care is great for the

53:09.722 --> 53:11.722
National Guard . We look forward to

53:11.722 --> 53:13.778
working with Congress , but I'd also

53:13.778 --> 53:16.000
like to open it up to the other reserve

53:16.000 --> 53:18.000
chiefs . Yes , ma'am , absolutely .

53:18.000 --> 53:20.111
Tricare Reserve Select right now as a

53:20.111 --> 53:22.510
as an option was recommended in 2020

53:22.850 --> 53:25.969
but is not scheduled to put into action

53:25.969 --> 53:28.610
until 2030 . Anything we can do for our

53:28.610 --> 53:31.320
reserve technicians . Decreases in

53:31.320 --> 53:33.679
individual's cost per month of about

53:33.679 --> 53:36.469
$216 . Decreases of family members ,

53:36.479 --> 53:39.280
about $350 as they're currently paying

53:39.280 --> 53:41.949
through the FAHB . In addition to that

53:41.949 --> 53:45.469
dental , there's a $1500 cap on an

53:45.469 --> 53:47.469
individual in terms of what they're

53:47.469 --> 53:49.691
authorized when they're not in an order

53:49.691 --> 53:51.802
status . So put one root canal on the

53:51.802 --> 53:53.691
books and you're not qualified to

53:53.691 --> 53:55.691
deploy . During a normal deployment

53:55.691 --> 53:59.580
cycle , 180 days ahead of a a rotation

53:59.580 --> 54:01.191
deployment , they've got the

54:01.191 --> 54:03.247
opportunity to get on orders and get

54:03.247 --> 54:05.469
that fixed . But in this last Execution

54:05.469 --> 54:07.636
of epic fury , we mobilized our people

54:07.636 --> 54:09.636
in 72 hours , and there's no chance

54:09.636 --> 54:11.691
that we're going to get those people

54:11.691 --> 54:13.691
needing that additional care , that

54:13.691 --> 54:15.802
type of , that level of care for that

54:15.802 --> 54:17.302
cost benefit . Thank you .

54:19.959 --> 54:22.760
Senator Capito , followed by Senator

54:22.760 --> 54:25.030
Shaheen . Thank you , Mr . Chairman .

54:25.110 --> 54:27.221
Thank all of you for your service and

54:27.221 --> 54:29.166
for being here . Before I begin my

54:29.166 --> 54:31.388
question , uh , I wanted to acknowledge

54:31.388 --> 54:33.554
a tragedy within the guard community .

54:33.554 --> 54:36.290
Obviously , um , And I do express my

54:36.290 --> 54:38.179
condolences to those who have had

54:38.610 --> 54:40.832
issues with this latest incursion , but

54:40.832 --> 54:42.943
we lost two guard members , uh , from

54:42.943 --> 54:44.777
the West Virginia National Guard

54:44.777 --> 54:46.999
community the day before Thanksgiving .

54:46.999 --> 54:49.054
Specialist Sarah Backstrom and Staff

54:49.054 --> 54:51.209
Sergeant Andrew Wolf , who was 24 ,

54:51.250 --> 54:53.250
were attacked here in Washington DC

54:53.449 --> 54:55.616
while volunteering to make our streets

54:55.616 --> 54:57.671
safe . We lost Sarah on Thanksgiving

54:57.671 --> 54:59.810
Day , and we continue to send prayers

54:59.810 --> 55:02.179
to her family in West Virginia . I'm

55:02.179 --> 55:04.510
proud to report that Andy has made a ,

55:04.590 --> 55:06.939
a miraculous recovery , not full , but

55:06.939 --> 55:09.300
miraculous so far , and he threw out

55:09.300 --> 55:11.459
the first pitch at the WVU baseball

55:11.459 --> 55:13.449
game just recently . So it's a

55:13.449 --> 55:15.505
testament , I think , to the service

55:15.505 --> 55:17.505
and sacrifice of our National Guard

55:17.505 --> 55:19.560
members , and I just want you all to

55:19.560 --> 55:21.727
keep them and their thoughts and their

55:21.727 --> 55:21.179
families and their thoughts and prayers .

55:21.219 --> 55:23.386
And General Nordhaus , thank you for ,

55:23.386 --> 55:25.608
uh , everything that you've done . Um .

55:25.860 --> 55:28.139
Admiral Lufkin , Lufgren , excuse me ,

55:28.219 --> 55:30.330
it's great to see you again and thank

55:30.330 --> 55:32.552
you for coming to uh your visit to West

55:32.552 --> 55:34.719
Virginia to see the Lockheed Martin uh

55:34.719 --> 55:37.179
facility that is , uh , makes

55:37.179 --> 55:39.235
significant portions of not just the

55:39.235 --> 55:42.489
Navy's KC-130J but also this uh C-130

55:42.489 --> 55:44.820
variants across all the other services .

55:45.060 --> 55:47.060
Now , we've already kind of covered

55:47.060 --> 55:49.116
ground here on the 130J , but I just

55:49.116 --> 55:51.171
wanted to give you an opportunity to

55:51.171 --> 55:53.171
talk about the significance of that

55:53.171 --> 55:55.282
aircraft for , for the Navy Reserve .

55:55.282 --> 55:57.504
Senator , I appreciate the question and

55:57.504 --> 55:59.504
thank you for the time in , uh , in

55:59.504 --> 56:01.616
West Virginia . Uh , the KC-130J is a

56:01.616 --> 56:03.560
look at it . It's not just another

56:03.560 --> 56:05.560
aircraft for the Navy . Uh , really

56:05.560 --> 56:07.782
it's the connective tissue for maritime

56:07.782 --> 56:10.004
operations , moving people , fuel , and

56:10.004 --> 56:12.227
equipment across these vast domains and

56:12.227 --> 56:14.116
distances and , and being able to

56:14.116 --> 56:16.227
support the combatant commanders in a

56:16.227 --> 56:18.004
fight defined by distance . The

56:18.004 --> 56:20.060
logistics really is combat power and

56:20.060 --> 56:22.639
the KC-130J delivers on that . Brings

56:22.639 --> 56:24.861
critical refueling capabilities . We're

56:24.861 --> 56:27.028
seeing that right now in theater right

56:27.028 --> 56:29.083
at the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz

56:29.083 --> 56:31.139
that's refueling the air wing . It's

56:31.139 --> 56:33.195
the first time that the Navy Reserve

56:33.195 --> 56:35.899
has refueled aircraft in a combat zone

56:36.080 --> 56:38.247
and helped evacuate nearly 3000 family

56:38.247 --> 56:40.413
members and personnel . So it's a real

56:40.413 --> 56:42.302
world example of that speed , the

56:42.302 --> 56:44.302
capability , and the capacity under

56:44.302 --> 56:46.413
pressure . But it also highlights the

56:46.413 --> 56:48.747
real challenge that we've got right now .

56:48.747 --> 56:50.802
That KC-130 fleet , the tangos right

56:50.802 --> 56:50.439
now that we're flying , they're aging ,

56:50.489 --> 56:52.770
they're 35 years old . The reliability ,

56:52.879 --> 56:54.823
the survivability , and really the

56:54.823 --> 56:56.990
long-term sustainment are problems and

56:56.990 --> 56:58.823
they're real and they're growing

56:58.823 --> 57:00.823
concerns . So that's exactly why we

57:00.823 --> 57:02.990
need to recapitalize and replace those

57:02.990 --> 57:04.823
right now with a more survivable

57:04.823 --> 57:07.046
platform . I'll tell you what stood out

57:07.046 --> 57:09.101
to me on our in uh during my time in

57:09.101 --> 57:11.323
West Virginia was this made it real . I

57:11.323 --> 57:11.110
mean , we met somebody that was working

57:11.800 --> 57:13.967
on that , uh , on that assembly line ,

57:13.967 --> 57:16.189
2nd generation of his family to work on

57:16.189 --> 57:18.356
those aircraft . And he said something

57:18.356 --> 57:20.467
that really has stuck with me is that

57:20.467 --> 57:22.411
every single American C-130 that's

57:22.411 --> 57:24.467
flying right now has been touched by

57:24.467 --> 57:26.578
West Virginians . And what you Really

57:26.578 --> 57:28.800
felt was that expertise , that pride in

57:28.800 --> 57:30.911
the precision that's built into every

57:30.911 --> 57:33.133
single tail that we rely on . So I mean

57:33.133 --> 57:35.244
for us , bottom line in that KC-130 ,

57:35.244 --> 57:37.356
it's closing that credibility gap and

57:37.356 --> 57:39.522
that capability gap that we need right

57:39.522 --> 57:41.633
now . And so the support from you and

57:41.633 --> 57:43.856
the rest of the committee is critically

57:43.856 --> 57:42.760
important as we think about replacing

57:42.760 --> 57:44.982
those tails . Thank you . Thank you for

57:44.982 --> 57:47.149
recounting that story , because if you

57:47.149 --> 57:49.371
hadn't , I was going to remind you . Of

57:49.371 --> 57:51.427
that , uh , thank you . So , General

57:51.427 --> 57:53.649
Nordhaus , thank you for your visit and

57:53.649 --> 57:53.469
our exchange in my office just recently .

57:53.899 --> 57:56.010
We , there's been a lot of talk about

57:56.010 --> 57:58.343
uh drone warfare and there's , uh , the ,

57:58.343 --> 58:00.566
the admiral talked a little bit about ,

58:00.566 --> 58:00.469
well , all of you did about the

58:00.469 --> 58:02.790
innovation that comes from the

58:02.790 --> 58:05.012
warfighter , the ones that are in the ,

58:05.012 --> 58:07.679
in the , uh , In the theater , um , and

58:07.679 --> 58:09.568
there's a lot of soldier inspired

58:09.568 --> 58:11.790
innovation that goes on that they bring

58:11.790 --> 58:13.790
from their own maybe jobs that they

58:13.790 --> 58:16.439
have outside of the reserves , uh , and

58:16.439 --> 58:18.272
I , I would say the Ridge Runner

58:18.272 --> 58:20.495
Irregular warfare Exercise Laboratory ,

58:20.495 --> 58:22.550
which is hosted by our West Virginia

58:22.550 --> 58:24.828
National Guard , provides some of that .

58:24.828 --> 58:26.772
Uh , General , how is the National

58:26.772 --> 58:28.883
Guard harnessing that innovation from

58:28.883 --> 58:31.106
citizen soldiers to address the new age

58:31.106 --> 58:33.328
of warfare ? Could you give us a couple

58:33.328 --> 58:36.560
of examples ? Uh , Senator Capito , uh ,

58:36.810 --> 58:38.810
thank you also for highlighting our

58:38.810 --> 58:41.510
soldier and airmen . Um , as we look at ,

58:41.770 --> 58:43.659
uh , Ridge Runner , I'll be there

58:43.659 --> 58:45.881
tomorrow , so I'm excited to see that .

58:45.881 --> 58:47.603
As we look at innovation , our

58:47.603 --> 58:50.070
guardsmen , uh , work out in industry ,

58:50.159 --> 58:52.370
and they bring all that innovation

58:52.370 --> 58:54.370
technology on the cyber side . They

58:54.370 --> 58:56.649
bring those skill sets , uh , as we

58:56.649 --> 58:58.929
look at taking innovation out of the

58:58.929 --> 59:01.540
Air National Guard , um . And Air Force

59:01.540 --> 59:03.318
Reserve Test Center , they take

59:03.318 --> 59:05.318
innovation and are taking the Agria

59:05.318 --> 59:07.540
dollars that we get and are getting 80%

59:07.540 --> 59:09.707
of the capabilities at 20% of the cost

59:09.860 --> 59:12.027
because they're innovating those tools

59:12.027 --> 59:15.060
and systems in uh as we go across . Uh ,

59:15.100 --> 59:17.211
I do appreciate , uh , the discussion

59:17.211 --> 59:19.378
on the UASs and one of the things that

59:19.378 --> 59:21.711
we continue to do is innovate with , uh ,

59:21.711 --> 59:24.169
how we can protect and defend our bases

59:24.169 --> 59:25.947
and on the National Guard , Air

59:25.947 --> 59:28.113
National Guard and Army National Guard

59:28.113 --> 59:30.336
side . We're often operating in a Title

59:30.336 --> 59:32.629
32 status , which doesn't have the same

59:32.629 --> 59:34.740
protection and benefits as Title 10 .

59:34.830 --> 59:36.774
So we look forward to working with

59:36.774 --> 59:38.886
Congress on those authorities so that

59:38.886 --> 59:41.120
when we're operating for counter UAS

59:41.120 --> 59:43.231
within our defenses also that we have

59:43.231 --> 59:45.231
the right authorities . Thank you .

59:45.231 --> 59:49.080
Thank you all very much . OK , Senator

59:49.080 --> 59:52.239
Shaheen , following by , followed by

59:52.239 --> 59:55.040
Moran , Bozeman , and Murkowski . Well ,

59:55.159 --> 59:57.270
thank you , Mr . Chairman , and thank

59:57.270 --> 59:59.419
you to each of you for the great job

59:59.419 --> 01:00:01.697
you do representing our National Guard ,

01:00:01.719 --> 01:00:04.229
which are the men and women of the

01:00:04.229 --> 01:00:06.285
Guard are critical , not just to the

01:00:06.285 --> 01:00:08.507
national security of this country , but

01:00:08.507 --> 01:00:10.618
to our individual states , and all of

01:00:10.618 --> 01:00:12.896
us appreciate that . So thank you , um ,

01:00:12.896 --> 01:00:16.060
and Let me start by agreeing with

01:00:16.340 --> 01:00:18.600
Senators McConnell and Coons and their

01:00:18.600 --> 01:00:21.239
comments about Ukraine . Um , I hope we

01:00:21.239 --> 01:00:24.389
are doing everything possible to , um ,

01:00:24.399 --> 01:00:27.120
learn from what is happening in the war

01:00:27.120 --> 01:00:29.560
in Ukraine and how it's affecting the

01:00:29.560 --> 01:00:32.780
future of war . Um , I also , General

01:00:32.780 --> 01:00:34.836
Nordhaus , appreciated your comments

01:00:34.836 --> 01:00:37.479
about dental care . I don't know why

01:00:37.540 --> 01:00:40.830
the policies of The government

01:00:41.139 --> 01:00:43.120
and sadly my home state of New

01:00:43.120 --> 01:00:45.342
Hampshire have failed to recognize that

01:00:45.342 --> 01:00:47.509
the math is part of our healthcare and

01:00:47.509 --> 01:00:50.120
it should be treated as such . Um ,

01:00:50.510 --> 01:00:52.343
General Nordhaus , thank you for

01:00:52.343 --> 01:00:54.510
visiting New Hampshire . Um , it's the

01:00:54.510 --> 01:00:56.989
home of the 157th Air Refueling Wing ,

01:00:57.070 --> 01:01:00.510
and , uh , as I'm sure you were told

01:01:00.510 --> 01:01:02.566
often when you were there , it's the

01:01:02.566 --> 01:01:04.788
only KC-46 wing in the country to reach

01:01:04.788 --> 01:01:07.790
initial operating capacity , and you

01:01:07.790 --> 01:01:11.129
won't be surprised to learn that I , um ,

01:01:11.580 --> 01:01:13.750
am concerned about the logistic

01:01:13.750 --> 01:01:16.270
composite model study at Pease and

01:01:16.830 --> 01:01:19.149
Ultimately , I understand that that

01:01:19.149 --> 01:01:21.316
study has revealed that the wing needs

01:01:21.316 --> 01:01:23.205
more maintenance billets than are

01:01:23.205 --> 01:01:25.590
currently , um , there permanently . I ,

01:01:25.760 --> 01:01:27.871
I understand that General Perak had a

01:01:27.871 --> 01:01:30.093
very good meeting with , um , our TAG .

01:01:30.590 --> 01:01:32.709
And he talked about the importance of

01:01:32.709 --> 01:01:34.931
maintaining the temporary billets until

01:01:34.931 --> 01:01:37.350
they can become permanent , but can I

01:01:37.350 --> 01:01:40.189
get your commitment that the 157th is

01:01:40.189 --> 01:01:42.750
gonna receive those maintenance billet

01:01:42.750 --> 01:01:44.870
supports that they need , um , as

01:01:44.870 --> 01:01:46.870
determined by General Perak and the

01:01:46.870 --> 01:01:50.780
LCOM study ? Senator Shaheen , first

01:01:50.780 --> 01:01:52.836
off , thank you for the visit . Uh ,

01:01:52.836 --> 01:01:55.113
last year , I planned on visiting , uh ,

01:01:55.113 --> 01:01:58.030
and flying the , uh , KC-46 , uh , just

01:01:58.030 --> 01:02:00.197
prior to Epic Fury , but , uh , that's

01:02:00.197 --> 01:02:02.252
delayed it , but I'll be up there to

01:02:02.252 --> 01:02:04.474
fly the KC-46 . Um , I have spoken with

01:02:04.474 --> 01:02:06.641
General Michelottis and , uh , General

01:02:06.641 --> 01:02:08.863
Perak , uh , over the last , uh , day ,

01:02:08.863 --> 01:02:11.086
um , to make sure that this is going in

01:02:11.086 --> 01:02:13.252
the right direction . Uh , I know that

01:02:13.252 --> 01:02:15.419
the LCOM study added 10 positions , so

01:02:15.419 --> 01:02:17.474
we will make sure those go in . Um ,

01:02:17.474 --> 01:02:19.560
we're also added the , uh , 29

01:02:19.560 --> 01:02:21.727
temporary AGRs to make sure that we're

01:02:21.727 --> 01:02:23.782
moving in the right direction . Um ,

01:02:23.782 --> 01:02:25.782
but we're also continuing that work

01:02:25.782 --> 01:02:27.727
with the Air Force and KC-46s as a

01:02:27.727 --> 01:02:29.782
whole as that platform is so capable

01:02:29.782 --> 01:02:32.530
and credible going forward . We do also ,

01:02:32.600 --> 01:02:35.270
uh , appreciate that , uh , What's

01:02:35.270 --> 01:02:37.629
authorized on the AGRs because that

01:02:37.629 --> 01:02:39.796
full-time resource is so critical that

01:02:39.796 --> 01:02:42.270
it's also appropriated uh as well so

01:02:42.270 --> 01:02:44.437
that we can have those AGRs so that we

01:02:44.437 --> 01:02:46.780
can push not only at the 157th but

01:02:46.780 --> 01:02:48.891
across the National Guard , both Army

01:02:48.891 --> 01:02:51.429
and Air , AGR uh and our full-time

01:02:51.429 --> 01:02:53.429
resources are critical because they

01:02:53.429 --> 01:02:55.540
build the readiness for our guardsmen

01:02:55.540 --> 01:02:57.429
to come in on the On not only the

01:02:57.429 --> 01:02:59.651
weekends but when they come in on their

01:02:59.651 --> 01:03:01.651
drill status to be always ready and

01:03:01.651 --> 01:03:03.651
always there . Well , thank you and

01:03:03.651 --> 01:03:03.385
thank you for helping to make that

01:03:03.385 --> 01:03:05.745
argument which the subcommittee will

01:03:05.745 --> 01:03:07.856
have to take up when , when we get to

01:03:07.856 --> 01:03:09.689
that point in the appropriations

01:03:09.689 --> 01:03:11.854
process . Um , I also want to ask you

01:03:11.854 --> 01:03:14.344
about the remote vision system that

01:03:14.344 --> 01:03:16.288
it's , we know has been an ongoing

01:03:16.288 --> 01:03:19.024
problem with the KC-46 . Um , what

01:03:19.024 --> 01:03:21.225
we're hearing is that Boeing hopes to

01:03:21.225 --> 01:03:23.614
integrate the , um ,

01:03:25.209 --> 01:03:28.800
The revised RVS 2.0 system into the new

01:03:28.800 --> 01:03:31.810
builds beginning in 2027 , but they

01:03:31.810 --> 01:03:34.030
don't have a timeline for retrofitting

01:03:34.239 --> 01:03:37.629
KC-46s that are already in service . So ,

01:03:37.949 --> 01:03:40.489
can you , um , talk about your

01:03:40.489 --> 01:03:42.656
understanding with respect to that and

01:03:42.729 --> 01:03:45.449
do you expect to advocate for that and

01:03:45.449 --> 01:03:47.505
perhaps General Healey might want to

01:03:47.505 --> 01:03:50.360
weigh in on that as well . Uh , Senator ,

01:03:50.520 --> 01:03:53.120
so I , I've flown the F-16 for 23 years

01:03:53.120 --> 01:03:56.000
and the F-35 , um , uh , for a little

01:03:56.000 --> 01:03:58.600
bit of time , and air refueling is the

01:03:58.600 --> 01:04:00.822
most critical thing , and you're seeing

01:04:00.822 --> 01:04:02.767
it play out in Epic Fury where the

01:04:02.767 --> 01:04:04.656
National Guard . Has a very large

01:04:04.656 --> 01:04:06.969
percentage of tankers , both KC-135s

01:04:06.969 --> 01:04:09.090
and the KC-46 over there , and so we

01:04:09.090 --> 01:04:11.090
have to be able to do that back and

01:04:11.090 --> 01:04:13.090
forth . So certainly , I'll be very

01:04:13.090 --> 01:04:15.257
focused with the Air Force and working

01:04:15.257 --> 01:04:17.479
with , uh , General Healey to make sure

01:04:17.479 --> 01:04:19.646
the systems that come on board that we

01:04:19.646 --> 01:04:21.479
can have the best , uh , systems

01:04:21.479 --> 01:04:23.479
capable for our airmen that are out

01:04:23.479 --> 01:04:25.590
there flying those mission sets , and

01:04:25.590 --> 01:04:27.701
I've never completed a combat mission

01:04:27.701 --> 01:04:30.034
without refueling either before , after ,

01:04:30.034 --> 01:04:33.669
or both . And , and so . Again , I know

01:04:33.669 --> 01:04:35.909
that Boeing's talking about getting the

01:04:35.909 --> 01:04:39.729
new um remote vision systems into

01:04:40.229 --> 01:04:43.750
the planes after 27 , but how , how are

01:04:43.750 --> 01:04:45.917
you talking to them about what's gonna

01:04:45.917 --> 01:04:48.083
happen with those already in service ?

01:04:50.500 --> 01:04:52.556
Ma'am , I know that there's pressure

01:04:52.556 --> 01:04:54.778
from the Air Force for retrofitting the

01:04:54.778 --> 01:04:56.989
RVS systems on those existing KC-46s .

01:04:57.100 --> 01:04:59.156
We've got two units in the Air Force

01:04:59.156 --> 01:05:01.322
Reserve . We're classically associated

01:05:01.322 --> 01:05:03.489
with one , and we have a unit equipped

01:05:03.489 --> 01:05:05.656
one at Seymour Johnson . We're just as

01:05:05.656 --> 01:05:07.822
concerned about it , about getting the

01:05:07.822 --> 01:05:10.156
proper equipment in the current systems .

01:05:10.156 --> 01:05:12.267
Well , thank you . I'm sure the chair

01:05:12.267 --> 01:05:14.044
and ranking member will be very

01:05:14.044 --> 01:05:16.156
interested in what we might do in the

01:05:16.156 --> 01:05:18.156
Defense Appropriations bill to help

01:05:18.156 --> 01:05:20.322
address that as well . Thank you all .

01:05:25.179 --> 01:05:27.512
Chair Moran , Chairman , thank you . Um ,

01:05:27.512 --> 01:05:29.235
let me join Senator Shaheen in

01:05:29.235 --> 01:05:32.459
expressing concern about , uh , KC 46 ,

01:05:32.479 --> 01:05:36.320
uh . Uh , A's and , uh , I'm sorry , KC

01:05:36.320 --> 01:05:39.340
46 , 135s and 46s , they matter greatly

01:05:39.340 --> 01:05:41.562
in Kansas , both in the active duty and

01:05:41.562 --> 01:05:44.919
the guard , and , um , I wanna start by

01:05:45.090 --> 01:05:48.669
asking , uh , questions about that . Uh ,

01:05:48.739 --> 01:05:50.850
certainly about the safety issue of ,

01:05:50.850 --> 01:05:54.429
of , uh , of , of Boeing . And we're

01:05:54.429 --> 01:05:56.373
anxious for all of the fleet to be

01:05:56.373 --> 01:05:58.318
updated with the latest and safest

01:05:58.318 --> 01:06:00.485
technologies , and we saw the need for

01:06:00.485 --> 01:06:03.629
that in epic fury . Um

01:06:04.370 --> 01:06:08.199
But our KC-40 KC-135s are relied

01:06:08.199 --> 01:06:10.409
on significantly , but they are an

01:06:10.409 --> 01:06:13.989
aging fleet . Modernization of that

01:06:13.989 --> 01:06:17.500
force um needs to take place quickly ,

01:06:17.909 --> 01:06:20.429
and I'm asking you , General Nordhaus ,

01:06:20.709 --> 01:06:24.070
about recapitalization plans , uh ,

01:06:24.590 --> 01:06:26.929
particularly for our , our air , Air

01:06:26.929 --> 01:06:29.207
Guard , National Guard refueling wings .

01:06:30.770 --> 01:06:32.770
Uh , Senator Moran , thanks for the

01:06:32.770 --> 01:06:34.770
question . As we look at , uh , the

01:06:34.770 --> 01:06:36.937
National Guard , we're in the , in the

01:06:36.937 --> 01:06:39.159
fight every day . Uh , and so , when we

01:06:39.159 --> 01:06:41.270
look at what we're doing over in Epic

01:06:41.270 --> 01:06:43.649
Fury , we're 30% of the operational Air

01:06:43.649 --> 01:06:46.929
Force and we're over 30% of that

01:06:46.929 --> 01:06:49.096
airpower over an Epic Fury right now .

01:06:49.129 --> 01:06:51.469
So , critical capability like you said

01:06:51.469 --> 01:06:53.636
that , uh , we need for our nation and

01:06:53.636 --> 01:06:55.858
for our joint force . Uh , we know that

01:06:55.858 --> 01:06:58.025
we have Mode 9 getting ready to go out

01:06:58.025 --> 01:07:00.860
for all the KC-135 , uh , wings to , uh ,

01:07:00.989 --> 01:07:03.045
be able to apply for the next , uh ,

01:07:03.045 --> 01:07:05.350
KC-46 , uh , fielding . As you know ,

01:07:05.389 --> 01:07:07.830
that process is , uh , is run through

01:07:07.830 --> 01:07:10.108
the Air Force corporate process . It's ,

01:07:10.108 --> 01:07:12.108
uh , transparent , repeatable , and

01:07:12.108 --> 01:07:14.330
defendable , and we'll make sure that ,

01:07:14.330 --> 01:07:16.386
uh , all wings , uh , compete fairly

01:07:16.386 --> 01:07:18.497
for that , and we look forward , um ,

01:07:18.497 --> 01:07:20.663
to Mode 9 being pushed out , uh , when

01:07:20.663 --> 01:07:22.941
those planes come on board . What , uh ,

01:07:22.941 --> 01:07:22.389
what's the time frame you expect ,

01:07:22.510 --> 01:07:24.810
General ? Uh , I don't have the exact

01:07:24.810 --> 01:07:26.866
time frame right now , but I believe

01:07:26.866 --> 01:07:29.439
it's in the , you know , 2030 to early

01:07:29.439 --> 01:07:32.469
2030s . Uh , but we need to modernize

01:07:32.469 --> 01:07:34.580
the rest of the fleet as well . So 14

01:07:34.580 --> 01:07:37.919
of our 17 KC-135 wings are flying , uh ,

01:07:37.929 --> 01:07:40.929
the , um , those KC-135s , and , and

01:07:40.929 --> 01:07:42.985
they were built in the 1960s and the

01:07:42.985 --> 01:07:45.207
1970s , and so they , they need to be ,

01:07:45.207 --> 01:07:48.169
uh , uh , modernized as well . General ,

01:07:48.229 --> 01:07:51.139
um . This , it sounds like an aside .

01:07:51.179 --> 01:07:53.360
It's more than an aside . I , when ,

01:07:53.370 --> 01:07:56.169
when I learned of the . Difficulties

01:07:56.169 --> 01:07:58.870
that tankers were having in theater

01:08:00.129 --> 01:08:02.649
a few weeks ago , I immediately thought

01:08:02.649 --> 01:08:05.020
of Kansas and Kansas families , um ,

01:08:05.290 --> 01:08:07.610
both guard and active duty , and I

01:08:07.610 --> 01:08:10.250
would just highlight for you all , I

01:08:10.250 --> 01:08:13.479
had insufficient capability at that

01:08:13.479 --> 01:08:16.879
time to learn about what

01:08:16.890 --> 01:08:19.330
planes and what units and whether

01:08:19.330 --> 01:08:22.229
National Guard or Kansas was involved .

01:08:22.769 --> 01:08:24.991
In those accidents , and I couldn't get

01:08:24.991 --> 01:08:27.088
an answer either in state or in

01:08:27.088 --> 01:08:30.449
Washington DC and I think that's an

01:08:30.449 --> 01:08:33.289
error that needs to be corrected for

01:08:33.289 --> 01:08:35.970
the future . Uh , there just was no

01:08:35.970 --> 01:08:38.410
information for days , and I learned

01:08:38.410 --> 01:08:40.899
finally , mostly from the public press

01:08:41.370 --> 01:08:44.049
as to what , uh , units , uh , and

01:08:44.049 --> 01:08:46.390
National Guard members were involved .

01:08:46.810 --> 01:08:48.921
Uh , I'd , I'd just welcome your help

01:08:48.921 --> 01:08:51.032
in making certain that in the case of

01:08:51.032 --> 01:08:53.199
epic fury and , and future engagements

01:08:53.199 --> 01:08:55.421
that we have the capability of learning

01:08:55.421 --> 01:08:57.609
what's going on . For the information

01:08:57.609 --> 01:08:59.276
of family members back home .

01:08:59.410 --> 01:09:01.466
Absolutely , Senator , we'll , we'll

01:09:01.466 --> 01:09:03.632
take that on . And as , uh , each week

01:09:03.632 --> 01:09:05.743
right now I'm currently speaking with

01:09:05.743 --> 01:09:07.910
all 54 adjutants generals every Monday

01:09:07.910 --> 01:09:10.132
and Thursday , and so we'll continue to

01:09:10.132 --> 01:09:12.132
work that and make sure that we get

01:09:12.132 --> 01:09:12.089
timely information to you . Uh , thank

01:09:12.089 --> 01:09:14.649
you very much . I'm , I'm getting

01:09:14.649 --> 01:09:17.049
interested again in , in engaging in

01:09:17.049 --> 01:09:19.990
this issue of duty status reform .

01:09:20.918 --> 01:09:24.008
I'd welcome any support that you'd like

01:09:24.008 --> 01:09:26.599
to make this morning for our efforts to

01:09:27.398 --> 01:09:30.088
Address this issue . How can this

01:09:30.088 --> 01:09:32.310
process be streamlined to provide guard

01:09:32.310 --> 01:09:34.679
and reserve , with the efficacy it

01:09:34.679 --> 01:09:36.889
needs and responses and missions , and

01:09:36.889 --> 01:09:38.833
how do we make sure that our guard

01:09:38.833 --> 01:09:40.889
members and their families know what

01:09:40.889 --> 01:09:43.111
they're entitled to under what status .

01:09:44.359 --> 01:09:46.581
Uh , Senator , I'm , I'm going to speak

01:09:46.581 --> 01:09:48.637
very quickly because I know my other

01:09:48.637 --> 01:09:50.859
reserve chiefs are very focused on this

01:09:50.859 --> 01:09:52.859
as well , but Duty status reform is

01:09:52.859 --> 01:09:54.692
critical . It simplifies over 30

01:09:54.692 --> 01:09:56.915
statuses , uh , down to 9 and then in 4

01:09:56.915 --> 01:09:58.879
categories . It helps guarantee uh

01:09:58.879 --> 01:10:01.046
parity with equal pay and benefits for

01:10:01.046 --> 01:10:03.212
service members , uh , serving side by

01:10:03.212 --> 01:10:05.279
side . It speeds mobility , it

01:10:05.279 --> 01:10:07.335
increases National Guard readiness ,

01:10:07.335 --> 01:10:09.446
and reduces air , and then it creates

01:10:09.446 --> 01:10:12.029
less frustration for , uh , our service

01:10:12.029 --> 01:10:14.029
members and their families , and it

01:10:14.029 --> 01:10:16.196
provides the healthcare that they need

01:10:16.196 --> 01:10:18.307
on time . Sir , I just add on to it .

01:10:18.307 --> 01:10:20.473
This is clearly and simply a retention

01:10:20.473 --> 01:10:22.709
issue . Make it easy for our members to

01:10:22.709 --> 01:10:24.876
serve . We've been working and looking

01:10:24.876 --> 01:10:26.931
at duty status reforms since I was a

01:10:26.931 --> 01:10:29.153
lieutenant colonel , so that's 20 years

01:10:29.153 --> 01:10:31.098
we've been looking at this . We've

01:10:31.098 --> 01:10:32.709
finally got some options and

01:10:32.709 --> 01:10:34.709
opportunities coming up through the

01:10:34.709 --> 01:10:36.598
House side , so we gladly welcome

01:10:36.598 --> 01:10:38.320
anything on the Senate side to

01:10:38.320 --> 01:10:40.431
coordinate with that . We , we intend

01:10:40.431 --> 01:10:42.598
to lead on this issue and would inform

01:10:42.598 --> 01:10:44.598
my colleagues of the value of their

01:10:44.598 --> 01:10:46.820
support , and we welcome their input on

01:10:46.820 --> 01:10:48.987
how best we can write legislation that

01:10:48.987 --> 01:10:52.009
gets duty reform accomplished . Thank

01:10:52.009 --> 01:10:53.898
you , Mr . Chairman . Thank you ,

01:10:53.898 --> 01:10:57.790
Sherman Brown , Chairman . Uh , thank

01:10:57.790 --> 01:11:00.068
you , Mr . Chairman and thank you , uh ,

01:11:00.068 --> 01:11:02.290
Senator Coons for having this important

01:11:02.290 --> 01:11:04.346
hearing and we appreciate you all so

01:11:04.346 --> 01:11:07.060
very much and , uh , your service to

01:11:07.060 --> 01:11:10.500
our country . Uh , I also would echo ,

01:11:10.560 --> 01:11:12.939
uh , Senator Moran's concern about duty

01:11:13.080 --> 01:11:15.890
status reform . Uh , I visited with .

01:11:16.899 --> 01:11:19.121
Uh , several of you about this and know

01:11:19.121 --> 01:11:21.939
how important it is . Um , General

01:11:21.939 --> 01:11:24.161
Nordhaus , Congress funded the National

01:11:24.161 --> 01:11:26.979
Guard to purchase Gray Eagles in fiscal

01:11:26.979 --> 01:11:30.020
year 23 and 26 . We understand these

01:11:30.020 --> 01:11:32.370
platforms are still pending a basing

01:11:32.370 --> 01:11:34.899
decision . Uh , can you explain the

01:11:34.899 --> 01:11:37.339
tactical advantage of the National

01:11:37.339 --> 01:11:40.899
Guard having the UAAS program ?

01:11:42.169 --> 01:11:44.336
Um , thanks , Senator Bozeman , and it

01:11:44.336 --> 01:11:46.560
was , uh , a pleasure visiting , uh ,

01:11:46.569 --> 01:11:48.930
Ebbing Field in Arkansas about a week

01:11:48.930 --> 01:11:51.041
ago . Uh , you have a terrific , uh ,

01:11:51.041 --> 01:11:52.930
adjutant general and General Chad

01:11:52.930 --> 01:11:55.149
Bridges . Uh , thank you to Congress

01:11:55.149 --> 01:11:58.049
for 3 , sets of great eagles . The

01:11:58.049 --> 01:12:00.089
first one has been identified to be

01:12:00.100 --> 01:12:02.156
bedded down in Arizona . There are 2

01:12:02.156 --> 01:12:04.500
units to be stationed . As we look at

01:12:04.500 --> 01:12:06.667
the National Guard , the Army National

01:12:06.667 --> 01:12:09.060
Guard , out of the Army's 18 divisions ,

01:12:09.330 --> 01:12:11.386
8 of those divisions are in the Army

01:12:11.386 --> 01:12:13.497
National Guard , and so we need to be

01:12:13.497 --> 01:12:15.663
interoperable , plug and play . And so

01:12:15.663 --> 01:12:17.886
as those divisions go downrange to plug

01:12:17.886 --> 01:12:19.941
back in for a division that's coming

01:12:19.941 --> 01:12:21.774
out , it needs to have those ISR

01:12:21.774 --> 01:12:23.663
platforms . And so the Gray Eagle

01:12:23.663 --> 01:12:25.959
provides one of those platforms .

01:12:26.555 --> 01:12:30.015
Platform agnostic though , and so ISR

01:12:30.015 --> 01:12:32.214
capability and capability like we're

01:12:32.214 --> 01:12:34.685
seeing being used over in Iran right

01:12:34.685 --> 01:12:37.174
now in the MQ9 is critical to the war

01:12:37.174 --> 01:12:39.063
fight and so it's critical to our

01:12:39.063 --> 01:12:41.575
divisions that our divisions are plug

01:12:41.575 --> 01:12:43.575
and play into the army , uh , other

01:12:43.575 --> 01:12:46.055
divisions . Very good . Do you have any

01:12:46.055 --> 01:12:48.166
idea when the basing decision will be

01:12:48.166 --> 01:12:51.120
made ? Um , I don't have a specific .

01:12:51.200 --> 01:12:53.200
We'll have to get back to you , but

01:12:53.200 --> 01:12:55.200
it'll be in , uh , hopefully in the

01:12:55.200 --> 01:12:57.033
coming year . Good . Thank you ,

01:12:57.033 --> 01:12:59.144
General Healey . Uh , we are grateful

01:12:59.144 --> 01:13:00.978
for our reserve airmen and their

01:13:00.978 --> 01:13:03.144
continued readiness and availability .

01:13:03.144 --> 01:13:05.311
We understand that you all have done a

01:13:05.311 --> 01:13:07.422
tremendous job in executing resources

01:13:07.422 --> 01:13:09.680
given you by Congress . What specific

01:13:09.680 --> 01:13:11.847
areas should this committee prioritize

01:13:11.847 --> 01:13:14.399
in the fiscal year 27 budget to

01:13:14.399 --> 01:13:16.399
preserve the advantage that the Air

01:13:16.399 --> 01:13:19.149
Force reserves delivers ? I appreciate

01:13:19.149 --> 01:13:21.260
the question , sir , and uh I believe

01:13:21.260 --> 01:13:23.205
I'm contractually obligated to say

01:13:23.205 --> 01:13:25.589
fully funding our O&M and RPA request

01:13:25.589 --> 01:13:27.533
would be the simplest answer , but

01:13:27.533 --> 01:13:29.756
obviously I'll go more than that . Uh ,

01:13:29.790 --> 01:13:32.310
we executed our 25 funding , roughly

01:13:32.310 --> 01:13:36.120
$4.2 billion in O&M , down to $11

01:13:36.120 --> 01:13:38.231
million which was an unheard of level

01:13:38.231 --> 01:13:40.453
of accuracy on our behalf . Our reserve

01:13:40.453 --> 01:13:42.564
personnel appropriation of just under

01:13:42.564 --> 01:13:45.220
$3 billion we executed down to just

01:13:45.220 --> 01:13:47.498
over $6 million at the end of the year .

01:13:47.498 --> 01:13:50.459
So . With that , with our execution of

01:13:50.459 --> 01:13:54.339
our flying hour program of 101.1% , we

01:13:54.339 --> 01:13:56.629
essentially created the readiness that

01:13:56.629 --> 01:13:59.229
we said that we would . So when we ask

01:13:59.229 --> 01:14:02.330
for uh fully funding our current

01:14:02.759 --> 01:14:05.439
request for ONM and RPA , we have a , a

01:14:05.439 --> 01:14:07.910
proven track record that that readiness

01:14:07.910 --> 01:14:10.419
is what allowed us to generate that

01:14:10.419 --> 01:14:13.029
mobilization in a ready fashion in 72

01:14:13.029 --> 01:14:15.085
hours for Operation Epic Fury . So I

01:14:15.085 --> 01:14:17.979
would ask for . That fully funding of

01:14:17.979 --> 01:14:21.339
ONM and RPA . So that's your biggest

01:14:21.339 --> 01:14:24.350
challenge is the funding . Any time a

01:14:24.350 --> 01:14:26.450
decrease in funding , it creates

01:14:26.750 --> 01:14:28.861
subsequent challenges along with it .

01:14:28.861 --> 01:14:30.972
We've got , whether it's , you know ,

01:14:30.972 --> 01:14:33.139
we've talked about already the TriCare

01:14:33.139 --> 01:14:35.379
Reserve Select and with regard to the

01:14:35.379 --> 01:14:37.546
dental as well . Our biggest challenge

01:14:37.546 --> 01:14:40.709
is that and concurrent fielding of

01:14:40.709 --> 01:14:42.770
weapons systems . Very good .

01:14:45.250 --> 01:14:47.472
General Harter , I understand the guard

01:14:47.472 --> 01:14:49.472
and reserve continue to rely on the

01:14:49.472 --> 01:14:51.528
National Guard and reserve equipment

01:14:51.528 --> 01:14:54.209
account to update legacy systems . We

01:14:54.209 --> 01:14:56.209
were happy to see it funded for the

01:14:56.209 --> 01:14:57.931
first time ever in this year's

01:14:57.931 --> 01:15:00.410
president's budget request . Can you

01:15:00.410 --> 01:15:02.919
tell us how you use this funding and

01:15:02.919 --> 01:15:05.040
maintain parity with the active duty

01:15:05.040 --> 01:15:06.984
components ? No , I appreciate the

01:15:06.984 --> 01:15:08.984
question , Senator . So we get less

01:15:08.984 --> 01:15:10.984
than 1% of the Army's modernization

01:15:10.984 --> 01:15:12.959
budget . So degree is critical ,

01:15:13.439 --> 01:15:15.328
provides almost 40% of our , uh ,

01:15:15.328 --> 01:15:19.100
modernization . Capabilities for us

01:15:19.370 --> 01:15:21.930
and so we will use that to continue ga

01:15:21.930 --> 01:15:24.450
protection systems counter UAS as well

01:15:24.450 --> 01:15:26.609
as modernizing our fleets again we're

01:15:26.609 --> 01:15:29.169
95% of bulk petroleum distribution for

01:15:29.169 --> 01:15:31.540
the joint force so as we can modernize

01:15:31.540 --> 01:15:33.596
our truck and fuel fleets we use and

01:15:33.596 --> 01:15:35.651
agree to get after that as well . So

01:15:35.651 --> 01:15:37.873
it's critical to drive in readiness for

01:15:37.873 --> 01:15:41.220
your Army Reserve . Uh , I , I just add

01:15:41.220 --> 01:15:43.331
our concern , and I'm not concerned ,

01:15:43.331 --> 01:15:45.498
but open to the discussion with regard

01:15:45.498 --> 01:15:47.553
to the change to presidential budget

01:15:47.553 --> 01:15:49.399
for Ingria this year versus the

01:15:49.779 --> 01:15:51.799
independent appropriation . Uh ,

01:15:52.020 --> 01:15:54.970
concern for 100 , for instance , in the

01:15:54.970 --> 01:15:57.979
Air Force Reserve , 155 million is what

01:15:57.979 --> 01:16:00.689
we've executed in the most recent years ,

01:16:00.779 --> 01:16:02.723
but as that's programmed out for 5

01:16:02.723 --> 01:16:04.946
years , that becomes flat , uh , due to

01:16:04.946 --> 01:16:06.946
inflation , I would say . And quite

01:16:06.946 --> 01:16:09.168
honestly , our biggest concern with the

01:16:09.168 --> 01:16:11.335
PB authorization for Ingria is that it

01:16:11.335 --> 01:16:13.501
never gets to the reserve . So we're ,

01:16:13.501 --> 01:16:15.557
we're concerned about that as well ,

01:16:15.557 --> 01:16:17.668
sir . General Nordhaus , can you very

01:16:17.668 --> 01:16:19.779
quickly , we talked about this in the

01:16:19.779 --> 01:16:21.890
office , the importance of the , uh ,

01:16:21.890 --> 01:16:24.479
state partnership program . Can you

01:16:24.479 --> 01:16:26.646
explain very quickly the importance of

01:16:26.646 --> 01:16:29.180
funding the partnership program ? Uh ,

01:16:29.339 --> 01:16:31.561
Senator Bozeman , thank you very much .

01:16:31.561 --> 01:16:33.419
So the National Guard has 116

01:16:33.419 --> 01:16:35.779
partnerships globally . Uh , it started

01:16:35.779 --> 01:16:38.580
in 1993 with 13 , and now we're at

01:16:38.580 --> 01:16:41.979
116 , uh , around the globe . The

01:16:41.979 --> 01:16:43.868
combat commanders love it for the

01:16:43.868 --> 01:16:45.757
capability that it provides . The

01:16:45.757 --> 01:16:48.140
nations that we partner with love it

01:16:48.140 --> 01:16:50.418
because it's building partner capacity .

01:16:50.418 --> 01:16:52.720
Uh , it's building burden sharing . We

01:16:52.720 --> 01:16:54.942
learn as much from them as they do from

01:16:54.942 --> 01:16:57.680
us , and as we continue to grow this

01:16:57.680 --> 01:16:59.513
program , we need the supporting

01:16:59.513 --> 01:17:01.291
funding so that we can have the

01:17:01.291 --> 01:17:03.458
bilateral affairs officers . We can do

01:17:03.458 --> 01:17:05.458
key leader engagements , and we can

01:17:05.458 --> 01:17:07.439
continue the robust exercises and

01:17:07.439 --> 01:17:09.717
partnerships with the nations globally .

01:17:10.549 --> 01:17:14.520
I Thank you , Mr . Chairman .

01:17:14.600 --> 01:17:16.711
Gentlemen , thank you for , for being

01:17:16.711 --> 01:17:18.878
here . Thank you for your leadership .

01:17:18.878 --> 01:17:21.100
Uh , I wanna start off my questioning ,

01:17:21.100 --> 01:17:23.069
um , focused on the , uh , combat

01:17:23.439 --> 01:17:26.439
search and rescue , um , and personnel

01:17:26.439 --> 01:17:28.439
recovery . I think we all recognize

01:17:28.439 --> 01:17:30.439
that this is , this is an essential

01:17:30.439 --> 01:17:33.180
capability that has to be maintained ,

01:17:33.520 --> 01:17:35.631
um , and it's also one of these niche

01:17:35.631 --> 01:17:38.890
areas where Um , pretty amazing ,

01:17:39.180 --> 01:17:41.419
pretty amazing what , uh , what we see

01:17:41.419 --> 01:17:44.279
in this capacity . Uh , it was reported ,

01:17:44.540 --> 01:17:47.700
um , in the FY 27 program objective

01:17:47.700 --> 01:17:51.060
memorandum , uh , cuts to the Air Force

01:17:51.060 --> 01:17:53.171
combat search and rescue enterprise ,

01:17:53.171 --> 01:17:55.393
particularly the planned elimination of

01:17:55.393 --> 01:17:58.680
the HC 130J combat King 2 fleet .

01:17:59.169 --> 01:18:02.390
Um , I have received a commitment . In

01:18:02.390 --> 01:18:05.740
person from General Wilsbach that uh he

01:18:05.740 --> 01:18:09.549
will not cut the HC 130J's . Uh the

01:18:09.549 --> 01:18:12.490
budget appears to reflect that , um ,

01:18:12.509 --> 01:18:14.676
but in fairness , the fact that it was

01:18:14.676 --> 01:18:16.676
even up for consideration was , was

01:18:16.676 --> 01:18:19.089
concerning . So General Nordhaus , the ,

01:18:19.169 --> 01:18:21.225
the National Guard has , of course ,

01:18:21.225 --> 01:18:23.447
rescue components in Alaska but also in

01:18:23.447 --> 01:18:25.169
Kentucky , Oregon , New York ,

01:18:25.330 --> 01:18:27.870
California , um , and General Healey ,

01:18:27.970 --> 01:18:30.081
the , the Air Force Reserve has these

01:18:30.081 --> 01:18:32.410
rescue components , um , in Oregon ,

01:18:32.529 --> 01:18:35.330
Arizona , and , and Florida . Um ,

01:18:36.709 --> 01:18:38.931
I am assuming that you would agree that

01:18:38.931 --> 01:18:41.700
cuts to these missions would , would

01:18:41.830 --> 01:18:45.270
severely impair our , our , not only

01:18:45.270 --> 01:18:48.600
our operational um abilities , but um

01:18:49.399 --> 01:18:51.232
Uh , I'm , I'm worried about the

01:18:51.232 --> 01:18:53.689
signals that it would send to our

01:18:53.689 --> 01:18:55.856
forces if we were to make these cuts ,

01:18:55.856 --> 01:18:57.356
and I just would like some

01:18:57.356 --> 01:18:59.522
reinforcement from the two of you this

01:18:59.522 --> 01:19:01.578
morning as to the imperative for the

01:19:01.578 --> 01:19:04.069
combat search and rescue mission . Uh ,

01:19:04.180 --> 01:19:07.339
Senator Murkowski , uh , it is a

01:19:07.339 --> 01:19:09.830
pleasure to visit Clear , Isleson and J

01:19:09.830 --> 01:19:12.870
Bear over the last 18 months . Uh , I

01:19:12.870 --> 01:19:15.037
know the criticality of the search and

01:19:15.037 --> 01:19:17.609
rescue mission as a previous . Um ,

01:19:17.890 --> 01:19:20.649
CFACC , um , where you're looking at

01:19:20.649 --> 01:19:23.209
airmen hundreds of miles off the coast

01:19:23.209 --> 01:19:26.069
of Alaska to intercept , uh , adversary ,

01:19:26.299 --> 01:19:28.410
uh , aircraft or to be able to search

01:19:28.410 --> 01:19:30.577
and rescue or what we just saw an epic

01:19:30.577 --> 01:19:32.799
Fury where we had to go in and retrieve

01:19:32.799 --> 01:19:34.910
two downed airmen . Search and rescue

01:19:34.910 --> 01:19:36.910
aircraft are critical . Um , Gerald

01:19:36.910 --> 01:19:39.021
Wilsbach and I are close . We're both

01:19:39.021 --> 01:19:41.077
committed , uh , on the C-130 , uh ,

01:19:41.077 --> 01:19:43.330
rescue up in Alaska , and there's no

01:19:43.330 --> 01:19:45.219
plan in the president's budget to

01:19:45.219 --> 01:19:47.439
divest . Excellent . General Healey ,

01:19:47.569 --> 01:19:49.902
yes , ma'am , I'd echo that , that , uh ,

01:19:49.902 --> 01:19:51.625
General Wolsbach's position is

01:19:51.625 --> 01:19:53.680
unequivocal that he does not support

01:19:53.680 --> 01:19:56.410
any cuts whatsoever to the CSAR . I

01:19:56.410 --> 01:19:58.132
think we're seeing that by the

01:19:58.132 --> 01:20:00.243
investment in the HH60 whiskeys , the

01:20:00.243 --> 01:20:02.299
Air Force Reserve is currently going

01:20:02.299 --> 01:20:04.243
through and potential for more . I

01:20:04.243 --> 01:20:06.354
think also yesterday's news about the

01:20:06.354 --> 01:20:08.188
A-10's extension for two years ,

01:20:08.188 --> 01:20:10.410
critical role in CSAR over in Operation

01:20:10.410 --> 01:20:12.688
Epic Fury , uh , lends to that as well .

01:20:12.688 --> 01:20:14.799
Very good . Thank you , gentlemen . I

01:20:14.799 --> 01:20:17.569
want to ask uh about the costs that are

01:20:17.569 --> 01:20:20.069
being incurred um in the ongoing

01:20:20.069 --> 01:20:23.100
Operation Epic Fury . Uh , we

01:20:23.180 --> 01:20:26.770
anticipate seeing a relatively large

01:20:26.770 --> 01:20:29.790
supplemental uh coming before us and so ,

01:20:30.120 --> 01:20:32.810
uh , trying to understand what it is

01:20:32.810 --> 01:20:36.029
that , um , That is being incurred in

01:20:36.029 --> 01:20:39.310
terms of the costs . Um , I think

01:20:39.310 --> 01:20:41.421
General Nordhaus , you just mentioned

01:20:41.421 --> 01:20:44.160
that perhaps that the um the guard and

01:20:44.160 --> 01:20:48.040
the reserve are 30% of the of the uh

01:20:48.040 --> 01:20:51.520
capability in in Operation Epic Fia

01:20:51.520 --> 01:20:54.000
currently on the Air National Guard

01:20:54.000 --> 01:20:56.390
side as far as the air component , um ,

01:20:56.479 --> 01:20:58.701
the Air National Guard is at least over

01:20:58.701 --> 01:21:01.810
30% of those forces . So , so let me

01:21:01.810 --> 01:21:04.290
ask you that because that is , that is

01:21:04.290 --> 01:21:07.330
considerable in terms of uh the Air

01:21:07.330 --> 01:21:11.049
Guard's um uh contribution , um .

01:21:11.959 --> 01:21:14.839
I don't know if it's possible for you

01:21:14.839 --> 01:21:17.799
all , each of you to share with the

01:21:17.799 --> 01:21:20.140
committee your components contribution

01:21:20.140 --> 01:21:23.359
to Operation Epic Fury , uh , and , and

01:21:23.359 --> 01:21:27.160
the cost um for engagement to

01:21:27.160 --> 01:21:30.419
date . My , my interest in this is .

01:21:30.859 --> 01:21:34.660
I want to make sure that that cost will

01:21:34.660 --> 01:21:37.060
be fully captured in the supplemental

01:21:37.060 --> 01:21:39.819
request because I worry that some of it

01:21:39.819 --> 01:21:41.708
may be absorbed into the baseline

01:21:41.708 --> 01:21:44.859
budget um in ways that could degrade

01:21:44.859 --> 01:21:47.520
your readiness for years to come . So ,

01:21:48.020 --> 01:21:50.259
uh , General Nordhaus , if you want to

01:21:50.259 --> 01:21:53.680
start with that . Um , thanks , Senator ,

01:21:53.799 --> 01:21:55.799
and I'll also say our Army National

01:21:55.799 --> 01:21:57.966
Guard is doing amazing work over there

01:21:57.966 --> 01:22:00.188
as well . Um , so we are capturing that

01:22:00.188 --> 01:22:02.299
data right now and we're pulling that

01:22:02.299 --> 01:22:04.466
in . We're working with the Department

01:22:04.466 --> 01:22:06.632
of War and we'll provide those , those

01:22:06.632 --> 01:22:08.521
data and funding , uh , up to the

01:22:08.521 --> 01:22:10.577
committee , uh , as appropriate . Do

01:22:10.577 --> 01:22:12.910
you , do you share my concern that , um ,

01:22:13.399 --> 01:22:16.600
That that some of this may be absorbed

01:22:16.600 --> 01:22:18.799
into the baseline . I'm , I'm , I just

01:22:18.799 --> 01:22:20.743
want us to know what it is that we

01:22:20.743 --> 01:22:22.910
should be looking for here , Senator .

01:22:22.910 --> 01:22:24.966
I don't have specifics on that , but

01:22:24.966 --> 01:22:27.132
certainly all of our aircraft and army

01:22:27.132 --> 01:22:30.120
formations and guardsmen downrange , as

01:22:30.120 --> 01:22:32.287
we bring that equipment back , we need

01:22:32.287 --> 01:22:34.398
to make sure we capture all the costs

01:22:34.398 --> 01:22:36.231
so that we can . Uh , build that

01:22:36.231 --> 01:22:38.120
readiness back up and rebuild the

01:22:38.120 --> 01:22:40.287
military , uh , as we continue to do .

01:22:40.287 --> 01:22:42.287
Fair enough . I appreciate that and

01:22:42.287 --> 01:22:42.020
we'll look forward to further

01:22:42.020 --> 01:22:44.076
information , but I truly appreciate

01:22:44.076 --> 01:22:47.299
the efforts of , of all of our

01:22:47.299 --> 01:22:49.620
services in , in this operation as

01:22:49.620 --> 01:22:51.620
we're moving forward . So thank you

01:22:51.620 --> 01:22:53.842
very much . Thank you , Mr . Chairman .

01:22:58.439 --> 01:23:01.290
I'm gonna skip it . Possible next round

01:23:01.290 --> 01:23:03.346
turn to my colleague Senator . Thank

01:23:03.346 --> 01:23:05.401
you , Mr . Chairman . Just one quick

01:23:05.401 --> 01:23:07.623
concluding question for me if I might ,

01:23:07.623 --> 01:23:09.679
and then an observation on the state

01:23:09.679 --> 01:23:11.679
partnership program which Senator .

01:23:12.330 --> 01:23:16.209
Bozeman also asked , um , we added $26

01:23:16.209 --> 01:23:18.879
million above the president's budget

01:23:18.879 --> 01:23:20.970
request last year uh to improve

01:23:20.970 --> 01:23:23.137
training and exercise and expand these

01:23:23.137 --> 01:23:25.137
partnerships . General Nordhaus , I

01:23:25.137 --> 01:23:27.303
think if I heard you right , uh , from

01:23:27.303 --> 01:23:30.020
13 . Today there's 116 . Uh , we've

01:23:30.020 --> 01:23:32.242
heard from several combatant commanders

01:23:32.242 --> 01:23:34.409
in our recent , uh , hearings just how

01:23:34.409 --> 01:23:36.870
much they value them . Um , can we work

01:23:36.870 --> 01:23:39.259
together in the year ahead to expand

01:23:39.259 --> 01:23:41.315
their scope , their reach , um , and

01:23:41.315 --> 01:23:44.680
their striking cost effectiveness ? Um ,

01:23:45.009 --> 01:23:47.120
ranking Member Koons , uh , Senator ,

01:23:47.120 --> 01:23:49.520
absolutely , and what we see is we ,

01:23:49.939 --> 01:23:52.106
today , another partner will go out to

01:23:52.106 --> 01:23:54.106
the 54 to , uh , possibly , uh , to

01:23:54.106 --> 01:23:56.217
partner with and we'll go through our

01:23:56.217 --> 01:23:58.819
normal process . But as we look to each

01:23:58.819 --> 01:24:01.152
of the combat commands , it's just , uh ,

01:24:01.152 --> 01:24:03.609
incredible capability . Uh , 60% of the

01:24:03.609 --> 01:24:05.819
globe is partnered with the state at

01:24:05.819 --> 01:24:08.259
less than 1% of the theater security

01:24:08.259 --> 01:24:11.560
cooperation budget . Uh , it's a force

01:24:11.620 --> 01:24:15.259
exponential that , uh , our Countries ,

01:24:15.379 --> 01:24:17.546
every country I meet with , they go on

01:24:17.546 --> 01:24:19.712
and on about it . Um , when I was over

01:24:19.712 --> 01:24:23.060
in , um , Finland , Sweden , and Norway

01:24:23.060 --> 01:24:25.171
with the adjutants generals from each

01:24:25.171 --> 01:24:27.227
of those , you could see the immense

01:24:27.227 --> 01:24:30.359
amount of pride and connectivity . Um ,

01:24:30.500 --> 01:24:32.500
one of the , uh , chiefs of defense

01:24:32.500 --> 01:24:34.222
said that , uh , they had been

01:24:34.222 --> 01:24:36.444
partnered with one of our states , um ,

01:24:36.500 --> 01:24:38.222
not officially through a state

01:24:38.222 --> 01:24:40.389
partnership program for 50 years , but

01:24:40.389 --> 01:24:42.389
in the last 3 years where they were

01:24:42.389 --> 01:24:44.444
partnered , it was game-changing was

01:24:44.444 --> 01:24:46.444
his term . Uh , about how it helped

01:24:46.444 --> 01:24:48.611
them with their capability , and we're

01:24:48.611 --> 01:24:50.778
learning from their military readiness

01:24:50.778 --> 01:24:53.000
and ours , how we're growing together .

01:24:53.000 --> 01:24:54.667
Outside of my state's 30-year

01:24:54.667 --> 01:24:56.833
partnership with Trinidad and Tobago ,

01:24:56.833 --> 01:24:58.667
the very first time I was really

01:24:58.667 --> 01:25:01.399
educated on it was in Ukraine in 2016 .

01:25:01.770 --> 01:25:03.992
I got to visit with the then new leader

01:25:03.992 --> 01:25:06.103
of the Ukrainian National Guard , and

01:25:06.103 --> 01:25:07.992
as they were transitioning from a

01:25:07.992 --> 01:25:11.770
Soviet Warsaw Pact style military to a

01:25:11.770 --> 01:25:15.080
more NATO-style military . Um , the

01:25:15.080 --> 01:25:17.136
routine deployments and training and

01:25:17.136 --> 01:25:19.879
the joint exercises that emphasize not

01:25:19.879 --> 01:25:21.759
just military doctrine but also

01:25:21.759 --> 01:25:23.703
civilian control of the military ,

01:25:23.703 --> 01:25:25.870
transparency and accountability , uh ,

01:25:25.879 --> 01:25:28.240
anti-corruption efforts , uh , local

01:25:28.240 --> 01:25:30.919
investments . Um , the , the leaders I

01:25:30.919 --> 01:25:33.141
met with who were Ukrainian , Ukrainian

01:25:33.141 --> 01:25:34.975
military leaders said that their

01:25:34.975 --> 01:25:36.752
partnership with guardsmen from

01:25:36.752 --> 01:25:38.586
California over years had made a

01:25:38.586 --> 01:25:40.530
transformational difference . I've

01:25:40.530 --> 01:25:42.641
since seen and heard the same thing .

01:25:42.641 --> 01:25:44.863
In Latvia , in Lithuania , in Nigeria ,

01:25:44.863 --> 01:25:46.919
in Djibouti , uh , I mean in a dozen

01:25:46.919 --> 01:25:49.049
places around the world , um , let me

01:25:49.049 --> 01:25:51.271
just close with an observation you made

01:25:51.271 --> 01:25:53.549
at the outset , 20% of the joint force ,

01:25:54.169 --> 01:25:57.339
4% of the budget . I think you said

01:25:57.339 --> 01:26:01.140
general 30% for 3 . Unbelievable value

01:26:01.140 --> 01:26:04.089
for the dollar and reinforcing the

01:26:04.089 --> 01:26:06.256
values that founded us as a republic .

01:26:06.370 --> 01:26:08.592
Um , you do incredible things with very

01:26:08.592 --> 01:26:10.759
modest amounts of money . The least we

01:26:10.759 --> 01:26:12.870
could do is to honor that service and

01:26:12.870 --> 01:26:14.981
sacrifice by investing in you . Thank

01:26:14.981 --> 01:26:14.799
you , Mr . Chairman , for letting me go

01:26:14.799 --> 01:26:17.021
on a few more minutes and thank you for

01:26:17.021 --> 01:26:18.966
your service . Thank you , Senator

01:26:18.966 --> 01:26:21.021
Coons . And , I want to thank all of

01:26:21.021 --> 01:26:23.720
our witnesses . Thank you for your

01:26:23.720 --> 01:26:26.339
service and your testimony today .

01:26:27.229 --> 01:26:29.451
Members of the subcommittee will have a

01:26:29.451 --> 01:26:31.673
week to submit additional questions for

01:26:31.673 --> 01:26:34.319
the record . Senators may submit

01:26:34.319 --> 01:26:36.430
additional written questions , and we

01:26:36.430 --> 01:26:39.200
ask . Each of you , if you get some of

01:26:39.200 --> 01:26:41.669
those to respond within 30 days of

01:26:41.669 --> 01:26:44.660
receiving them . The subcommittee now

01:26:44.660 --> 01:26:46.882
stands in recess subject to the call of

01:26:46.882 --> 01:26:47.640
the chair .