WEBVTT

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Committee will come to order . Today we

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close out our FY 27 budget and

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posture hearings with the Department of

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the Air Force . I want to thank the

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members for their hard work and

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dedication as we've , uh , worked

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through the dozens of hearings and

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briefings necessary to inform our

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approach to this year's National

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Defense Authorization Act . I also want

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to thank the department for their

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cooperation as we've conducted , uh ,

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this critical oversight function . I

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welcome our witnesses and thank them

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for their service to our country . Uh ,

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for too long , we've underfunded

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defense . And now we're seeing the

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consequences . Our munitions are low

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and we don't have enough aircraft and

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autonomous systems to ensure victory

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over every adversary . There have been

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unacceptable declines in readiness ,

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and our defense industrial base has

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shrunk and is no longer capable of

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rapidly scaling production . That's why

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I'm so pleased to see the president is

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requesting a significant increase in

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the budget for the Air Force and the

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Space Force . This budget puts an end

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to the old divest to invest strategy

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and has done nothing but pit

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modernization , uh , against

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sustainment . The result of several

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years of that strategy is an Air Force

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that suffers today from unacceptably

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low mission capable rates while it

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continues to wait on the delivery of

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modernized assets that are still years

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away . This budget includes a 23%

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increase for operations and maintenance ,

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crucial funding required to better

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sustain our legacy systems . The budget

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also invests in modernization with a

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54% increase to develop and procure

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critically needed capabilities . It

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will enable us to accelerate key

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deterrent capabilities , including

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Golden Dome , B-21 , and Sentinel . I'm

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very pleased to see the budget request

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for Space Force , which recognizes its

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growing importance as a warfighting

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domain . It enables the Space Force to

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increase its support to Joint Force and

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our combatant commanders , and it funds

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new mission areas like defending our

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space assets and breaking red kill

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chains . We cannot afford to be

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complacent when it comes to developing

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our capabilities in space . Our

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adversaries are well aware of the

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importance of space-based capabilities

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and the advantages they provide . I

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also want to highlight the increase ,

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uh , in , in this request for munitions

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and industrial base . These funding

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areas are especially critical to

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restoring American deterrence . We

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began some of that work last year with

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funds and reconciliation and the

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multi-year authority in the NDAA . I

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hope to hear about the Air Force's

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progress in implementing that authority

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and increasing production . Finally , I

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want to hear , uh , how you plan to use

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the acquisition authorities given . To

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you , uh , by this committee to make

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sure that that money is , uh , in the ,

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in the request , will be well spent ,

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and , uh , accelerate capable ,

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capabilities to the warfighters . As we

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have seen recently in Operation , uh ,

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Epic Fury and Operation , uh , Absolute

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Resolve , our air and space forces are

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central to the success of the joint

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force and our national security . Their

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personnel capabilities and readiness

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are crucial to our ability to prevail

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in conflicts of today and to our

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adversaries moving forward . I look

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forward to working with my colleagues

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to deliver a budget that will enable

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our airmen and guardians to continue to

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successfully fulfill their missions .

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Before I close , I'd like to , uh ,

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thank General Saltzman for his , uh ,

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many years of dedicated service and

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congratulate you on your upcoming

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retirement . With that , I yield to my

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friend , the ranking member for any

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opening statement he may have . Well

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thank you Mr . Chairman . I'll , I'll

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start where you ended off and thank

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General Saltzman for his service . He's

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been our Space Force , uh , Chief of

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staff at a very crucial time , sort of

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the growing of , of the Space Force ,

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and your leadership has been just

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incredible , um , and fighting through

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those challenges . Hasn't always been

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easy , uh , but I think you've put the

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Space Force in a very good path and of

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course be remiss if I didn't thank the

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chairman and , uh , former

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Representative Jim Cooper for their

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leadership in creating the Space Force

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in the first place , um . The theme of

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posture hearings has been really a

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continuation of the acquisition reform

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bill that we did last year . What we're

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really interested in is innovate faster

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at scale . How do we get there ? The ,

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the chairman's right . We have critical

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shortages in munitions and capabilities .

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So how do we figure out how to innovate

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faster and get to scale on that ? And

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the Air Force and the Space Force are

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crucial to that . Obviously the Space

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Force is the centerpiece of a lot of

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that innovation . Um , secure

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communications is crucial . Space is

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going to be a huge part of that . It's

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also becoming an incredibly important

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domain in order to project power and be

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able to defend our space assets as we

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know . So we want to learn more about

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how Space Force is fitting into that .

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And then on the Air Force side , uh ,

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unmanned aerial vehicles are becoming

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more and more capable , more and more

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crucial to what we're doing . Um , how

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does that mix with our plans for the

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F-47 and fighter aircraft in general ?

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So I wanna , wanna know how we're

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learning from that . Um , on the Golden

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Dome piece , I think the technology

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that goes into Golden Dome is we were

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doing it already . I mean , basic

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missile defense is crucial . Space is

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going to be a key part of missile

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defense . My concern on Golden Dome is

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that we envision some perfect system .

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To perfectly protect the entire United

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States of America and we wind up

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spending ourselves into the ground

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trying to accomplish something that at

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the end of the day is unachievable .

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Even Israel for all of their capability

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protecting a tiny little small space ,

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um , some missiles get through . So how

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are we going to build the systems that

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don't make the perfect the enemy of the

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good , that enhance our capability in

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terms of missile defense and protecting

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areas , but don't imagine something

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that really isn't achievable . And that

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sort of comes down to the last point .

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This is the , I think probably the only

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point of disagreement that I have with

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the chairman , and that's , that's on

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the budget . Um , yeah , if we had more

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money , things would be better . Um ,

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and you could walk through the entire

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government and make that statement .

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You know , we have , I don't know how

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many tens of millions of people without

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health insurance in this country . We

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have an education system that isn't

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where it needs to be . We have a very

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aging infrastructure . Um , Certainly

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roads and bridges and airports , but

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water and sewer and all manner of

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different things , and many of those

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things are way behind as well . We also

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have our debt at over 100% of GDP ,

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I think for only the second time , uh ,

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since the end of World War II . We do

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not have an infinite amount of

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resources , um , and imagining that we

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do , I think gets us into a real

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problem of trying to do more than we're

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capable of just in general , um , even

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if we were doing it , um , but , It

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also , you know , it's just unrealistic

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given where the budget is at . So I'll

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close , you know , with my second point ,

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which was innovate faster at scale .

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What I'm interested in , how can that

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achieve our objectives in a more cost

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effective manner , because as

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frustrating as it is not to just be

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able to have as much resources as you

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want , that's the world we live in . So

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we have to figure out how can we build

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the systems , how can we find systems

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that give us an advantage . We've seen

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that . In our counter drone mission ,

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you know , there was , I was reading an

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article today critical of the Pentagon

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for , you know , the classic shooting

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down a $30,000 drone , you know , with

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a $3 million missile . But now we have

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a $15,000 system , the MIROP system ,

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that's doing the same thing . We

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innovated . We got to something that

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got achieved it , and , and how much

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money is that saving us ? That enables

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us to do more and meet our national

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security needs . So I hope we'll hear

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about that as well . And with that , I

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yield back . I thank , thank the

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ranking member . Now I'll introduce our

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witnesses . Um , first , we have the

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Honorable Troy Mink , Secretary of the

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Air Force . Uh , General Kenneth

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Wilsbach is the Air Force Chief of

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Staff , and , uh , General Chance

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Saltzman , Chief of Space Operations

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for the Space Force . Welcome to all of

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our witnesses . Uh , Secretary Mink ,

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we'll start with you . You're

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recognized . Uh , thank you , Chairman

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Rogers , uh , Ring Memer Smith , and

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distinguished members of the committee .

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Uh , thank you for the opportunity to

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come down and walk through the FY 27

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Department of the Air Force's budget

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request . I'm proud to represent the

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680,000 airmen , guardians , and

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civilians of the . Department of the

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Air Force , as well as their families

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and loved ones . After the events of

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the past year , Operation Hammer ,

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Absolute Resolve , and now Epic Fury ,

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I don't think there's any doubt that

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the Air Force and Space Force are the

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most capable in the world . But today

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we're in the middle of a generational

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shift in how we employ air and space

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power . Advances in autonomy , adaptive

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manufacturing , AI , microelectronics ,

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and more give us a unique opportunity

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to drive down costs and drive up

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effectiveness across the board .

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However , our adversaries recognize

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that opportunity every bit as much as

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we do . Those adversaries ,

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particularly China , are modernizing at

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a very rapid pace . To stay ahead , we

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must innovate faster in everything we

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do . That means staying ready not just

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to fight tonight , but next month ,

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next year , and next decade .

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Unfortunately , over the past 25 years ,

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the DAAF's budget has been the smallest

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relative to GDP in its history . At the

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same time , the nation has asked more

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of it . To meet its mission's need ,

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the DAF was forced to shortchange both

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foundational readiness and much needed

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modernization . The fiscal year 2027

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president's budgets breaks that pattern

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with a $338.8 billion request for the

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DAF , a 34% increase from last year .

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I'll start with our investment to win

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the fight tonight . Foundational

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readiness . Boosting readiness requires

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increased and stable funding ,

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particularly given the age of many of

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our platforms . The FY 27 budget

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increases our foundational readiness

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investment by 34% , providing the job

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needed to truly recover . We're also

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looking at ways to operate more

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efficiently by accelerating decision

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making , reducing barriers to entry for

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industry , and leveraging innovative

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contract structures . The gasoline

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budget over the years has also resulted

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in a $50 billion facilities maintenance

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backlog . This is compounded by the way

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we have traditionally done MLCO , which

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results in costs more than double that

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of the commercial world . To reverse

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this , the FY 7027 budget request

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nearly doubles investments in both

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MLCON and facilities sustainment ,

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restoration , and modernization , which

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we will couple with new authorities

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we've gotten from Congress , thank you ,

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such as progressive design . Second ,

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production , particularly munitions .

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While we retain enough munitions

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worldwide to meet mission , mission

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needs , we need strong factory lines to

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sustain and bolster our stockpiles .

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Therefore , this budget leverages

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existing commercial production capacity

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and takes full advantage of multi-year

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procurement for our most critical

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munitions , totaling 39,000 weapons of

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all types by FY 33 . We are also

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developing weapons almost as capable as

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our higher munitions , but at a

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fraction of the cost with much higher

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production rates . I also note that

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while money in this request is

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essential , time is one of our most

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precious resources , and the department

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will focus on companies that can

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quickly scale production while still

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broadening the industry base to ensure

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competition in the future . That leads

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me to number 3 , modernization . The

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DAFF is currently engaged in the

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broadest program of modernization in

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its history . While not has gone

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perfect , we have already seen a lot of

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successes with the new proliferated

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space architectures , the collaborative

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combat aircraft , F-47 , B-21 , and our

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command and control and battle

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management systems . The FY27 budget

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request accelerates those successes and

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applies lessons learned from across the

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board . To that end , we are

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transforming our acquisition system .

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We are empowering our new portfolio

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acquisition executives or PAEs and

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their teams with the authorities ,

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resources , and talent they need to

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accelerate capability delivery . We

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have , we have delegated nearly every

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authority we are legally allowed down

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to the PAEs . We are realigning

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portfolios to match mission outcomes .

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Our end state is all DF acquisitions

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aligned in the PAE structure to ensure

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consistent , simplified , and rapid

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decision making across the Space Force

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and Air Force . Finally , our most

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decisive advantage remains our people ,

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the airmen and guardians who make

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everything possible . This budget

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invests in them . That includes a 5 to

12:58.710 --> 13:02.030
7% pay raise for the military , larger

13:02.030 --> 13:03.929
bonus pools to incentivize high

13:03.929 --> 13:06.590
performing civilians , increases to

13:06.590 --> 13:09.309
military end strength , and a 300%

13:09.309 --> 13:12.520
increase in dormitory investments . In

13:12.520 --> 13:14.631
conclusion , this budget represents a

13:14.631 --> 13:16.464
disciplined strategy to meet our

13:16.464 --> 13:19.760
threats . While FY 27 does represent a

13:19.760 --> 13:21.871
major increase in our budget , we are

13:21.871 --> 13:24.250
ready to execute that budget . Much of

13:24.250 --> 13:26.417
the new funding will accelerate mature

13:26.417 --> 13:28.590
programs with established contracts .

13:29.090 --> 13:31.489
Regardless of the final total , we will

13:31.489 --> 13:33.600
remain accountable and transparent to

13:33.600 --> 13:35.711
Congress and the American taxpayers .

13:36.210 --> 13:38.377
Thank you , and I look forward to your

13:38.377 --> 13:40.654
questions . Thank you , Mr . Secretary .

13:40.654 --> 13:42.821
General Wilsbach , you're recognized .

13:42.821 --> 13:44.932
Uh , good morning , Chairman Rogers ,

13:44.932 --> 13:44.450
Ranking Member Smith , and

13:44.450 --> 13:46.728
distinguished members of the committee .

13:46.728 --> 13:49.770
I'm proud to represent 665,000 total

13:49.770 --> 13:52.250
force airmen serving our nation . Thank

13:52.250 --> 13:54.139
you for the opportunity to appear

13:54.139 --> 13:56.417
before you today , and I contin and to ,

13:56.417 --> 13:58.361
and for your continued support for

13:58.361 --> 14:00.528
airmen and their families . The United

14:00.528 --> 14:02.694
States Air Force exists to provide the

14:02.694 --> 14:04.750
nation with decisive options at both

14:04.750 --> 14:07.000
speed and scale . Every day our airmen

14:07.000 --> 14:09.167
deliver that capability by controlling

14:09.167 --> 14:11.167
the air , holding targets at risk ,

14:11.330 --> 14:13.441
moving forces and supplies around the

14:13.441 --> 14:15.386
globe , and underpinning the joint

14:15.386 --> 14:17.679
force with these combined efforts . As

14:17.679 --> 14:19.790
illustrated in recent operations such

14:19.790 --> 14:22.080
as Operation Midnight Hammer , Absolute

14:22.080 --> 14:24.359
Resolve , and Epic Fury , they do it

14:24.359 --> 14:27.200
professionally and without pause . We

14:27.200 --> 14:28.978
operate in an environment where

14:28.978 --> 14:31.311
distance no longer guarantees sanctuary ,

14:31.849 --> 14:33.460
networks are contested , and

14:33.460 --> 14:35.690
adversaries are fielding capabilities

14:35.690 --> 14:38.119
specifically designed to deny us the

14:38.119 --> 14:41.229
advantages we have relied upon before .

14:41.570 --> 14:44.150
The reality drives us to our focus ,

14:44.450 --> 14:47.130
and that is readiness , modernization ,

14:47.210 --> 14:49.488
and taking care of airmen and families .

14:50.020 --> 14:52.200
Readiness is the ability to generate

14:52.200 --> 14:54.940
combat power quickly , operate in

14:54.940 --> 14:57.030
contested environments , and sustain

14:57.030 --> 14:59.940
operations over time . Today our airmen

14:59.940 --> 15:02.780
are meeting the mission by doing that

15:02.780 --> 15:06.080
while maintaining significant strain .

15:06.460 --> 15:08.460
We are flying aircraft that in many

15:08.460 --> 15:10.238
cases are older than airmen who

15:10.238 --> 15:12.349
maintain them . We are operating at a

15:12.349 --> 15:15.000
high ops tempo across multiple theaters

15:15.179 --> 15:17.123
and doing so while preparing to be

15:17.123 --> 15:19.849
ready for any future conflict . Our

15:19.849 --> 15:22.549
fiscal year 2027 budget requests

15:22.929 --> 15:25.450
prioritizes restoring depth in our

15:25.450 --> 15:27.617
force by increasing funding for flying

15:27.617 --> 15:30.169
hours , munitions , maintenance , and

15:30.169 --> 15:32.169
advanced training that reflects the

15:32.169 --> 15:35.229
reality of today and tomorrow's fight .

15:35.729 --> 15:37.770
Weapons system sustainment funding

15:37.770 --> 15:41.409
increased to over $24 billion.12

15:41.409 --> 15:43.729
billion dollars for flying hours . We

15:43.729 --> 15:45.969
are focused on readiness that continues

15:45.969 --> 15:48.690
to remain credible and can deliver

15:48.690 --> 15:52.190
effects . Modernization is not only

15:52.190 --> 15:54.460
about replacing old platforms with new

15:54.460 --> 15:57.010
ones , but evolving how we fight .

15:57.390 --> 16:00.150
Speed , survivability , and decision

16:00.150 --> 16:02.650
advantage will define future conflict .

16:03.070 --> 16:04.903
It requires a force that is more

16:04.903 --> 16:07.630
connected and adaptable . To this end ,

16:07.760 --> 16:09.704
we are increasing our research and

16:09.704 --> 16:13.109
development funding by 27% to over 57

16:13.109 --> 16:16.770
billion . The 57 , sorry , the fiscal

16:16.770 --> 16:19.890
year 2027 budget request will

16:19.890 --> 16:22.159
accelerate our modernization programs .

16:22.450 --> 16:24.359
We are advancing the F-47 and

16:24.359 --> 16:26.192
collaborative combat aircraft to

16:26.192 --> 16:28.770
increase combat mass and complicate

16:28.770 --> 16:31.090
adversary targeting . We are upgrading

16:31.090 --> 16:33.570
our current fighter fleet to ensure it

16:33.570 --> 16:35.737
remains viable while also investing in

16:35.737 --> 16:38.090
long-range strike , advanced munitions ,

16:38.169 --> 16:40.169
and resilient command and control .

16:40.729 --> 16:42.890
Additionally , our nuclear enterprise

16:42.890 --> 16:45.549
remains foundational . Investments now

16:45.549 --> 16:47.660
will sustain the modernization of the

16:47.660 --> 16:50.520
Triad through the Sentinel B-21 and

16:50.520 --> 16:52.849
upgrades to the B-52 as well as the

16:52.849 --> 16:56.450
E-4B . These capabilities ensure our

16:56.450 --> 16:58.869
deterrence remains credible and ready .

16:59.570 --> 17:01.514
Third is taking care of airmen and

17:01.514 --> 17:04.099
families . We ask a lot of our people ,

17:04.239 --> 17:06.350
frequent moves and operational stress

17:06.350 --> 17:09.010
take a toll . Our Air Force continues

17:09.010 --> 17:11.329
to invest in improving options for

17:11.329 --> 17:13.729
healthcare , childcare , and spouse

17:13.729 --> 17:16.530
employment . Therefore , our budget

17:16.530 --> 17:19.069
request strengthens quality of life .

17:19.209 --> 17:21.431
We are executing the largest investment

17:21.431 --> 17:23.969
in our dormitories in over a decade of

17:23.969 --> 17:26.770
$2.7 billion in FSRM and

17:26.770 --> 17:30.290
$330 million in Milon for a total of

17:30.290 --> 17:32.709
$3 billion . We are looking for

17:32.709 --> 17:34.876
solutions to meet the housing needs of

17:34.876 --> 17:37.589
our families with a request of 1.3

17:37.589 --> 17:39.756
billion while funding new construction

17:39.756 --> 17:41.922
projects to address childcare capacity

17:41.922 --> 17:45.150
by adding more than 1700 childcare

17:45.150 --> 17:48.160
spaces . The Air Force exists to be the

17:48.160 --> 17:50.216
best possible fighting force for our

17:50.216 --> 17:52.327
nation . We are building a force that

17:52.327 --> 17:54.930
can operate under pressure and deliver

17:54.930 --> 17:57.130
effects anywhere in the world . That

17:57.130 --> 17:59.170
requires sustained investment ,

17:59.329 --> 18:02.349
disciplined choices , and an unwavering

18:02.959 --> 18:05.719
focus on our people . With your support ,

18:06.010 --> 18:08.066
we will ensure they have the tools ,

18:08.066 --> 18:10.232
training , and the backing they need .

18:10.232 --> 18:12.399
Thank you , and I look forward to your

18:12.399 --> 18:14.288
questions . Thank you , General .

18:14.288 --> 18:16.454
General Saltzman , you're recognized .

18:16.454 --> 18:18.566
Thank you , Chairman Rogers , Ranking

18:18.566 --> 18:18.530
Member Smith , distinguished members of

18:18.530 --> 18:21.140
the committee . And thank you for your

18:21.140 --> 18:23.140
support for the Space Force and our

18:23.140 --> 18:25.251
nation's guardians . As the past year

18:25.251 --> 18:27.418
has demonstrated , space is more vital

18:27.418 --> 18:29.584
than ever to our economic prosperity ,

18:29.584 --> 18:31.362
our national security , and the

18:31.362 --> 18:31.099
effectiveness of the joint force .

18:31.660 --> 18:33.327
However , our adversaries are

18:33.327 --> 18:35.327
constantly working to take away our

18:35.327 --> 18:37.493
military and economic advantage in the

18:37.493 --> 18:39.493
in the space domain . To defend our

18:39.493 --> 18:41.716
nation's interests in space , the Space

18:41.716 --> 18:43.882
Force must do more than grow . We must

18:43.882 --> 18:45.938
evolve to meet the challenges of the

18:45.938 --> 18:47.938
new era . To that end , the FY 27's

18:47.938 --> 18:50.160
budget's landmark investment of $71.1

18:50.160 --> 18:52.327
billion for the Space Force represents

18:52.327 --> 18:54.493
a generational opportunity to position

18:54.493 --> 18:56.716
the force to meet the rapidly expanding

18:56.716 --> 18:58.938
threats and the demands of the nation .

18:58.938 --> 19:00.993
I know some of the budget percentage

19:00.993 --> 19:03.160
increases being considered sound big ,

19:03.160 --> 19:05.493
but let me put those numbers in context .

19:05.493 --> 19:07.327
There are at least 25 individual

19:07.327 --> 19:09.216
military installations inside the

19:09.216 --> 19:11.104
United States that each have more

19:11.104 --> 19:13.327
personnel than the entire Space Force .

19:13.327 --> 19:15.438
And the top 10 of those installations

19:15.438 --> 19:17.382
are at least twice the size of our

19:17.382 --> 19:19.493
service . The Space Force's budget in

19:19.493 --> 19:21.716
comparison to other services will still

19:21.716 --> 19:23.827
be less than 5% of our nation's total

19:23.827 --> 19:25.882
military spending , an extraordinary

19:25.882 --> 19:27.993
value in return on investment for the

19:27.993 --> 19:30.160
nation . That investment is a critical

19:30.160 --> 19:32.271
down payment to meet the accelerating

19:32.271 --> 19:34.900
demands on the service . In 2025 , the

19:34.900 --> 19:37.011
Space Force saw a drastic increase in

19:37.011 --> 19:38.900
mission requirements across space

19:38.900 --> 19:40.956
access , global mission operations ,

19:40.956 --> 19:42.900
and space control , and this trend

19:42.900 --> 19:45.380
shows no signs of slowing . To position

19:45.380 --> 19:47.602
the service for this mission growth and

19:47.602 --> 19:49.602
inform our future needs , the Space

19:49.602 --> 19:51.713
Force has been working hard to define

19:51.713 --> 19:53.769
what we believe our future operating

19:53.769 --> 19:55.769
environment will look like over the

19:55.769 --> 19:58.047
next 15 years . And then based on that ,

19:58.047 --> 19:57.709
we designed our objective force

19:57.709 --> 19:59.820
structure which will provide a vector

19:59.820 --> 20:01.876
for our services investments to meet

20:01.876 --> 20:04.098
the nation's expanding needs and defeat

20:04.098 --> 20:06.320
future threats . That analysis makes it

20:06.320 --> 20:08.550
clear the Space Force we have today is

20:08.550 --> 20:10.606
not the space force we will need for

20:10.606 --> 20:12.717
the future . Increases in the service

20:12.717 --> 20:14.828
budget and in strength are a national

20:14.828 --> 20:16.939
security imperative . That is why the

20:16.939 --> 20:18.939
FY 27 budget boosts our top line by

20:18.939 --> 20:22.479
130% , and strength by 27% . The

20:22.479 --> 20:24.257
proposed budget paired with the

20:24.257 --> 20:26.423
increase in in strength will allow the

20:26.423 --> 20:28.479
Space Force to recruit and train the

20:28.479 --> 20:30.590
guardians we need , build vital space

20:30.590 --> 20:29.959
capabilities for the joint force in the

20:29.959 --> 20:32.040
nation , and provide the support and

20:32.040 --> 20:34.207
infrastructure that the mission growth

20:34.207 --> 20:36.359
demands . Today we are deliberately

20:36.359 --> 20:38.192
building a cadre of space-minded

20:38.192 --> 20:40.248
warfighters equipped with the skills

20:40.248 --> 20:42.359
required in an increasingly contested

20:42.359 --> 20:44.526
and evolving domain . We are preparing

20:44.526 --> 20:46.526
our guardian officers to seamlessly

20:46.526 --> 20:48.748
integrate with the joint force . We are

20:48.748 --> 20:50.637
bolstering the development of our

20:50.637 --> 20:50.550
enlisted force to ensure they become

20:50.550 --> 20:52.661
technical space warfighting experts ,

20:52.949 --> 20:54.893
and we are developing our civilian

20:54.893 --> 20:57.116
guardians so that they can best provide

20:57.116 --> 20:59.116
the unique expertise , ensure conti

20:59.116 --> 21:01.282
continuity of operations , and bring a

21:01.282 --> 21:03.282
depth of support across the mission

21:03.282 --> 21:05.393
sets . In order to execute all of our

21:05.393 --> 21:07.505
expanding missions , it is imperative

21:07.505 --> 21:09.505
that we responsibly and effectively

21:09.505 --> 21:11.560
convert this increased appropriation

21:11.560 --> 21:13.727
into combat capability and warfighting

21:13.727 --> 21:15.949
advantage . Unlike other services , the

21:15.949 --> 21:18.060
majority of our budget , nearly 2/3 ,

21:18.060 --> 21:20.282
is dedicated to developing and fielding

21:20.282 --> 21:22.282
new systems instead of personnel or

21:22.282 --> 21:24.338
operations and maintenance . That is

21:24.338 --> 21:26.393
why the Space Force is so focused on

21:26.393 --> 21:26.069
taking advantage of this once-in

21:26.069 --> 21:28.291
a-generation opportunity to enhance our

21:28.291 --> 21:30.630
acquisition processes , all with the

21:30.630 --> 21:32.686
goal of accelerating the fielding of

21:32.686 --> 21:35.390
vital combat space systems at the speed

21:35.390 --> 21:37.501
and scale required for each mission .

21:37.829 --> 21:40.051
To that end , newly empowered portfolio

21:40.051 --> 21:42.162
acquisition executives are positioned

21:42.162 --> 21:44.440
to make better , faster program trades ,

21:44.440 --> 21:46.329
expediting our ability to deliver

21:46.329 --> 21:47.989
combat credible systems on

21:47.989 --> 21:49.933
operationally relevant timelines .

21:49.933 --> 21:51.822
We're simplifying our approach to

21:51.822 --> 21:53.489
requirements , bolstering our

21:53.489 --> 21:55.711
relationship with industry and allies ,

21:55.711 --> 21:57.489
and ensuring our vital guardian

21:57.489 --> 21:59.545
workforce is expertly trained in the

21:59.545 --> 22:01.660
complex task of acquisitions . Unlike

22:01.660 --> 22:03.660
other services that are modernizing

22:03.660 --> 22:05.604
existing systems , the Space Force

22:05.604 --> 22:07.882
cannot modernize what it does not have .

22:07.882 --> 22:09.549
We are creating some of these

22:09.549 --> 22:11.327
innovative capabilities for new

22:11.327 --> 22:11.130
missions from the ground up ,

22:11.550 --> 22:13.661
particularly in space control , where

22:13.661 --> 22:15.772
we are investing in all categories of

22:15.772 --> 22:17.939
counterpace systems necessary to deter

22:17.939 --> 22:19.772
and defeat aggression in space .

22:19.772 --> 22:21.717
Additionally , we are aggressively

22:21.717 --> 22:23.439
pursuing more resilience space

22:23.439 --> 22:25.272
architectures that can withstand

22:25.272 --> 22:27.494
attacks and continue to operate through

22:27.494 --> 22:29.383
extended conflict . This includes

22:29.383 --> 22:31.606
expanding our resilient missile warning

22:31.606 --> 22:31.300
and tracking initiative that provides

22:31.300 --> 22:33.411
life saving alert to troops worldwide

22:33.579 --> 22:35.746
and enhancing satellite communications

22:35.746 --> 22:37.579
to connect joint force units and

22:37.579 --> 22:39.523
commanders around the globe during

22:39.523 --> 22:41.746
battle . We are growing our space-based

22:41.746 --> 22:43.857
sensing and targeting architecture to

22:43.857 --> 22:45.968
hold adversary forces at risk through

22:45.968 --> 22:48.079
space-based AMTI and GMTI anywhere in

22:48.079 --> 22:50.246
the world . But the added manpower and

22:50.246 --> 22:52.135
missions and capabilities require

22:52.135 --> 22:53.801
commensurate increases to the

22:53.801 --> 22:55.912
structures that support them . So the

22:55.912 --> 22:58.079
FY 27 budget request also includes the

22:58.079 --> 23:00.190
required MLCO to ensure our guardians

23:00.190 --> 23:02.301
are fully supported . The Space Force

23:02.301 --> 23:04.579
has laid the organizational foundation ,

23:04.579 --> 23:06.635
defined the compounding threat , and

23:06.635 --> 23:06.410
delivered the blueprint required to

23:06.410 --> 23:08.530
counter it . Now we must build those

23:08.530 --> 23:10.752
structures and systems to ensure domain

23:10.752 --> 23:12.530
superiority for years to come .

23:12.530 --> 23:14.752
Although our growth request looks large

23:14.752 --> 23:16.863
in a vacuum , the request is actually

23:16.863 --> 23:18.863
quite small relative to the overall

23:18.863 --> 23:20.863
budget . And I think this payoff is

23:20.863 --> 23:20.709
significant . With the continued

23:20.709 --> 23:22.542
advocacy for from Congress , our

23:22.542 --> 23:24.265
guardians stand ready to deter

23:24.265 --> 23:26.431
aggression , protect our space-enabled

23:26.431 --> 23:28.542
way of life , and have called upon to

23:28.542 --> 23:30.709
fight and win . As I conclude my final

23:30.709 --> 23:32.820
presentation to this committee as the

23:32.820 --> 23:35.042
CSO , let me say thank you for enabling

23:35.042 --> 23:37.153
our successes and for the opportunity

23:37.153 --> 23:39.320
to highlight the exceptional work that

23:39.320 --> 23:39.250
our guardians are doing every day to

23:39.250 --> 23:41.583
secure our nation's interests in , from ,

23:41.583 --> 23:43.694
and to space . I look forward to your

23:43.694 --> 23:45.750
questions . Great . Thank all of you

23:45.750 --> 23:47.750
for those opening statements . I'll

23:47.750 --> 23:49.917
recognize myself first for questions .

23:49.917 --> 23:52.028
Uh , Mr . Secretary , I want to start

23:52.028 --> 23:54.139
with , um , the area that you touched

23:54.139 --> 23:53.849
on and , uh , and , uh , General

23:53.849 --> 23:55.682
Saltzman just spent the last two

23:55.682 --> 23:57.793
minutes of his comments on , and that

23:57.793 --> 23:59.627
is acquisition . I was obviously

23:59.627 --> 24:01.738
pleased to see , uh , the significant

24:01.738 --> 24:04.071
increase in the Space Force budget . Uh ,

24:04.071 --> 24:06.270
as this service has matured , it needs

24:06.270 --> 24:08.989
those increased , uh , uh , resources

24:08.989 --> 24:10.989
to operate in space and support the

24:10.989 --> 24:13.270
joint , uh , force . Uh , but to make

24:13.270 --> 24:15.048
sure that every dollar is spent

24:15.048 --> 24:17.270
effectively , the service must be laser

24:17.270 --> 24:19.437
focused on acquisition efficiency . To

24:19.437 --> 24:21.869
that end , uh , as you are implementing

24:21.869 --> 24:23.925
the reforms passed by this committee

24:23.925 --> 24:26.147
and mandated , uh , by the department ,

24:26.329 --> 24:29.089
Are there any legislative changes you

24:29.089 --> 24:31.290
still need from Congress to further

24:31.290 --> 24:34.569
improve acquisition efficiency ? Uh ,

24:34.729 --> 24:36.396
thank you , Chairman . Uh , I

24:36.396 --> 24:38.507
appreciate the question . Uh , yeah ,

24:38.507 --> 24:40.729
so as I stated in my opening comments ,

24:40.729 --> 24:42.562
the end state is we want the PAE

24:42.562 --> 24:44.562
structure we have , the port , uh ,

24:44.562 --> 24:46.340
portfolio acquisition executive

24:46.340 --> 24:48.451
structure we have to have essentially

24:48.451 --> 24:48.010
the same authorities and same

24:48.010 --> 24:50.177
responsibilities across the entire Air

24:50.177 --> 24:52.399
Force , similar authorities that , that

24:52.399 --> 24:54.510
were given into the legislation , the

24:54.510 --> 24:56.677
SDA and some others . Uh , so we would

24:56.677 --> 24:58.343
like to actually take all the

24:58.343 --> 25:00.288
acquisitions , whether it's SDA or

25:00.288 --> 24:59.900
anyplace else and put them all into a

24:59.900 --> 25:01.859
common PAE structure , and we're

25:01.859 --> 25:04.081
looking for a little help to be able to

25:04.081 --> 25:06.137
do that , uh , because you have some

25:06.137 --> 25:08.026
language in mind that you want to

25:08.026 --> 25:10.192
tender to us . We can , we can provide

25:10.192 --> 25:09.420
that . I would appreciate to provide

25:09.420 --> 25:11.642
that . Uh , essentially what we want to

25:11.642 --> 25:13.253
do is give the same level of

25:13.253 --> 25:16.819
flexibility to operate at speed and

25:16.819 --> 25:19.060
deliver capability rapidly , uh , to

25:19.060 --> 25:21.227
all the PAEs across both the Air Force

25:21.227 --> 25:23.227
and the Space Force . Um , so we're

25:23.227 --> 25:25.449
looking to do that . Uh , in addition ,

25:25.449 --> 25:27.338
I think there are some additional

25:27.338 --> 25:29.060
authorities relative to , uh ,

25:29.060 --> 25:31.227
multi-year procurement and those sorts

25:31.227 --> 25:33.393
of things that will make it easier for

25:33.393 --> 25:33.170
us to execute those , those types of

25:33.170 --> 25:35.281
authorities , and , and I think we're

25:35.281 --> 25:37.503
looking at . Uh , potential language to

25:37.503 --> 25:39.670
suggest on that too , but , uh , those

25:39.670 --> 25:39.209
are probably the two big things . Great .

25:39.660 --> 25:41.771
Well , I would , I would offer to you

25:41.771 --> 25:44.049
that one of the things that I've heard ,

25:44.049 --> 25:46.219
uh , from the private sector is they

25:46.219 --> 25:48.979
like the new PAE system , but they are

25:48.979 --> 25:51.619
encountering while there's good support

25:51.619 --> 25:53.780
at the top where the PAE is in the

25:53.780 --> 25:55.780
bowels of the worker bees , there's

25:55.780 --> 25:57.810
still a culture that's requirements

25:57.810 --> 26:00.140
focused and hasn't broken away from

26:00.140 --> 26:02.362
that . So I would ask you to be mindful

26:02.362 --> 26:04.696
of that as we mature that new structure .

26:04.800 --> 26:06.967
Um , if I could , if I could , Mr . Go

26:06.967 --> 26:08.911
ahead , please , if I could , Mr .

26:08.911 --> 26:11.022
Chairman , on that , yeah , I was out

26:11.022 --> 26:13.244
at , uh , Uh , I'm talking to , I think

26:13.244 --> 26:15.189
probably about 2/3 of the , of the

26:15.189 --> 26:17.750
Space Force's PAEs last week , and that ,

26:17.800 --> 26:19.967
that was a concern of those two is how

26:19.967 --> 26:22.078
we manage that requirements process .

26:22.078 --> 26:22.030
So we're doing a lot to structure the

26:22.030 --> 26:24.086
PAEs and give them the authorities ,

26:24.086 --> 26:26.030
but in line with that , we're also

26:26.030 --> 26:27.974
looking at how we do budgeting and

26:27.974 --> 26:29.863
requirements , uh , the budgeting

26:29.863 --> 26:31.641
requirements process within the

26:31.641 --> 26:33.752
department to streamline that as well

26:33.752 --> 26:35.752
to get at that point . Yeah , fewer

26:35.752 --> 26:37.974
requirements , the better . Um , next ,

26:37.974 --> 26:40.141
I want , uh , ask you about , uh , how

26:40.141 --> 26:42.252
the Air Force has implemented DURPA ,

26:42.252 --> 26:44.252
uh , structure and is ensuring that

26:44.252 --> 26:46.474
General White is able to execute on his

26:46.474 --> 26:45.790
direction to deliver critical

26:45.790 --> 26:47.734
capabilities such as sentinel with

26:47.734 --> 26:51.510
emergency , with urgency . I , I feel a

26:51.510 --> 26:53.788
bit fortunate in that both the Durpins ,

26:53.788 --> 26:56.066
we work closely with General White and ,

26:56.066 --> 26:58.177
and General Gutline , uh , two of the

26:58.177 --> 27:00.399
Durpins are two of the best acquisition

27:00.399 --> 27:02.566
officers we have in both the Air Force

27:02.566 --> 27:02.510
and the Space Force , so . Uh , I'm

27:02.510 --> 27:04.566
pretty happy about that because they

27:04.566 --> 27:06.621
are in both cases , uh , responsible

27:06.621 --> 27:08.954
for some of the most important programs ,

27:08.954 --> 27:10.954
uh , that the Department of the Air

27:10.954 --> 27:10.790
Force has , not just Sentinel , but

27:10.790 --> 27:14.390
F-47 , uh , 21 , B-21 . Uh , so it's

27:14.390 --> 27:16.390
critically important that we have a

27:16.390 --> 27:18.668
tight relationship with them and we do .

27:18.668 --> 27:20.668
I made sure that Dale sits like 100

27:20.668 --> 27:22.890
paces from my office . Uh , I meet with

27:22.890 --> 27:25.057
him regularly to make sure that , that

27:25.057 --> 27:27.420
we're tightly coupled . He's getting

27:27.420 --> 27:29.309
everything he needs and that he's

27:29.309 --> 27:31.531
delivering what the department needs to

27:31.531 --> 27:33.698
execute the mission in the future . So

27:33.698 --> 27:33.599
I think it's working well . Great .

27:34.099 --> 27:35.821
General Wills back . I'm a big

27:35.821 --> 27:37.969
proponent of unmanned platforms and ,

27:37.979 --> 27:41.349
uh , I'm , I'm interested , speaking of

27:41.349 --> 27:44.449
the F-47 . I , I like that we're moving

27:44.449 --> 27:46.520
to the 6th generation fighter . When

27:46.520 --> 27:48.910
are we going to make the next leap to

27:49.489 --> 27:52.069
optionally manned or remotely manned ,

27:52.349 --> 27:54.516
uh , tactical fighters ? Uh , thanks ,

27:54.516 --> 27:56.516
Chairman . I'm a fan of unmanned as

27:56.516 --> 27:58.969
well . Uh , in fact , for Epic Fury ,

27:59.089 --> 28:02.359
um , um , perhaps maybe the most

28:02.359 --> 28:06.030
valuable player was unmanned . And uh

28:06.030 --> 28:08.141
they , they've , uh , this MQ-9 , and

28:08.141 --> 28:10.252
so we've made many , many strikes . I

28:10.252 --> 28:12.474
don't want to say how many because it's

28:12.474 --> 28:14.697
the number's classified , but , uh , no

28:14.697 --> 28:16.752
one's , no , no other platforms even

28:16.752 --> 28:18.919
close to the MQ-9 , which is a , is an

28:18.919 --> 28:21.141
unmanned platform . Uh , so we , we get

28:21.141 --> 28:23.308
a lot of utility out of them and don't

28:23.308 --> 28:25.530
put our , our folks at risk , at risk .

28:25.530 --> 28:27.697
Uh , we're probably not quite at the ,

28:27.697 --> 28:29.863
uh , at the state of autonomy where we

28:29.863 --> 28:32.197
can completely replace the entire force ,

28:32.197 --> 28:34.308
um , or even the fighter force , um ,

28:34.308 --> 28:36.308
with , with unmanned and as , as we

28:36.308 --> 28:38.363
bring on , uh , collaborative combat

28:38.363 --> 28:40.439
aircraft , um , and we integrate it

28:40.439 --> 28:43.959
with the F-47 and F-22 and F-35 , uh ,

28:43.969 --> 28:46.339
to begin with , um , there's still some

28:46.339 --> 28:49.489
level of human interaction to task that

28:49.489 --> 28:51.770
automated platform . Um , there's

28:51.770 --> 28:53.881
enough in artificial intelligence and

28:53.881 --> 28:55.603
machine learning inside of the

28:55.603 --> 28:57.714
collaborative combat aircraft to once

28:57.714 --> 28:59.826
you give it a tasking , for example ,

29:00.060 --> 29:02.171
go attack this series of targets . It

29:02.171 --> 29:04.060
can go do that with the Tactics ,

29:04.099 --> 29:06.155
techniques , and procedures that are

29:06.155 --> 29:08.099
inserted in the software , but you

29:08.099 --> 29:10.430
still need a human to make those sorts

29:10.430 --> 29:12.486
of decisions . We're not quite there

29:12.486 --> 29:14.430
yet . Well , and that's why I said

29:14.430 --> 29:16.630
remotely operated . It keeps the human

29:16.630 --> 29:18.852
in the loop , but we don't have to have

29:18.852 --> 29:21.019
a person in the , in the fighter . And

29:21.019 --> 29:23.241
so we're , we're , we're realizing that

29:23.241 --> 29:25.408
already , uh , with , um , our already

29:25.408 --> 29:27.709
unmanned platform , CCA will expand

29:27.709 --> 29:29.987
that to a degree because , for example ,

29:29.987 --> 29:32.949
the Uh , the MQ9 doesn't really have

29:33.170 --> 29:35.800
autonomy . It's remotely . CCA will

29:35.800 --> 29:38.089
have autonomy , uh , and , um , I've

29:38.089 --> 29:40.530
actually had a chance to operate the

29:40.530 --> 29:43.130
software and the simulator . Um , it's

29:43.130 --> 29:45.609
very intuitive . Um , it's highly

29:45.609 --> 29:47.720
capable , and we are going to be able

29:47.720 --> 29:49.630
to put . Extreme pressure on any

29:49.630 --> 29:51.829
adversary that would go up against us

29:51.829 --> 29:54.109
with F-47 , F-22 , or F-35 and in

29:54.109 --> 29:56.869
combination with the CCA because not

29:56.869 --> 29:58.980
only will we have that automation and

29:58.980 --> 30:01.091
not put our folks at risk , um , it ,

30:01.091 --> 30:03.300
it also increases the mass that the

30:03.300 --> 30:06.130
adversary has to deal with . Well , I ,

30:06.349 --> 30:08.405
I , I just , I'll , I'll leave it at

30:08.405 --> 30:11.550
this . We have to start thinking about

30:12.010 --> 30:15.569
that remotely operated . Fighter jet ,

30:15.930 --> 30:18.510
um , in part because we want to not

30:18.510 --> 30:20.621
have to put a fighter pilot at risk ,

30:20.709 --> 30:22.709
but the technology already exists .

30:22.709 --> 30:25.229
We're demonstrating it at present . Uh ,

30:25.550 --> 30:29.150
but the cost of these platforms is , is

30:29.150 --> 30:31.317
reduced dramatically if you don't have

30:31.317 --> 30:33.372
to accommodate a human being . And I

30:33.372 --> 30:35.483
just want , you know , getting to the

30:35.483 --> 30:37.650
ranking member's point about we got to

30:37.650 --> 30:36.979
start thinking smart about spending

30:36.979 --> 30:38.757
money . I just want us to start

30:38.757 --> 30:40.868
thinking about it . And with that , I

30:40.868 --> 30:43.035
will yield to , uh , Mr . Carvajal for

30:43.035 --> 30:45.146
any questions he may have . Thank you

30:45.146 --> 30:47.312
Mr . Chairman and thank you to all the

30:47.312 --> 30:49.146
witnesses for being here today .

30:49.290 --> 30:51.457
General Saltzman . I understand you're

30:51.457 --> 30:53.568
retiring after 34 years of service in

30:53.568 --> 30:55.739
the military . I wanna thank you for

30:55.739 --> 30:58.050
your service , for your distinguished

30:58.050 --> 31:00.106
service , and for your leadership in

31:00.106 --> 31:02.383
strengthening our nation's Space Force .

31:02.689 --> 31:05.489
You have served admirably , and I've

31:05.489 --> 31:07.656
really enjoyed working with you . Best

31:07.656 --> 31:09.890
wishes . Maybe now you could go back to

31:09.890 --> 31:11.946
my district and enjoy some of that .

31:12.520 --> 31:15.069
Those good libations that we have ,

31:15.119 --> 31:17.839
also known as Central Coast wine . So I

31:17.839 --> 31:20.810
hope you can visit . Vanderberg Space

31:20.810 --> 31:22.689
Force Space is the 2nd busiest

31:22.689 --> 31:25.530
spaceport in the world . SpaceX and

31:25.530 --> 31:29.089
Firefly already have active pads . ULA

31:29.089 --> 31:31.209
will soon be , will soon launch from

31:31.209 --> 31:34.209
there again , and Blue Origin is in the

31:34.209 --> 31:37.140
early stages of building a slick . The

31:37.140 --> 31:38.973
boat dock on the South base is a

31:38.973 --> 31:40.584
critical piece to the launch

31:40.584 --> 31:43.140
infrastructure at Vandenberg , but it

31:43.140 --> 31:45.307
is too small to accommodate the larger

31:45.307 --> 31:47.196
launch vehicles that will soon be

31:47.196 --> 31:49.979
launching from the base . I know this

31:49.979 --> 31:52.189
will be an expensive and complex

31:52.189 --> 31:54.411
project . My understanding is that this

31:54.411 --> 31:57.319
is scheduled to be in fiscal year 2032 ,

31:57.780 --> 32:00.170
but I think that is too far away and

32:00.170 --> 32:02.699
will stagnate launch growth out of the

32:02.699 --> 32:05.099
western range . General Saltzman , can

32:05.099 --> 32:08.390
you explain ? This project , the

32:08.390 --> 32:10.612
projected timeline , and what we can do

32:10.612 --> 32:13.270
to move up that timeline . Thank you ,

32:13.469 --> 32:15.636
Congressman , and I do look forward to

32:15.636 --> 32:17.747
maybe getting back out to the Central

32:17.747 --> 32:19.858
Coast , uh , for the libations . Um ,

32:19.900 --> 32:21.900
when I was stationed out there just

32:21.900 --> 32:24.178
about 12 years ago , we did 7 launches .

32:24.630 --> 32:26.630
Uh , last year we did 71 launches .

32:26.630 --> 32:29.020
We're projecting 175 launches is what

32:29.020 --> 32:31.242
our goal is ultimately for the capacity

32:31.242 --> 32:33.242
we have at Vandenberg . We can't do

32:33.242 --> 32:35.242
that without , uh , enhancements to

32:35.242 --> 32:37.242
that port facility . So it's , it's

32:37.242 --> 32:39.409
high on our priority to make sure that

32:39.409 --> 32:39.150
we can meet the launch tempo that's

32:39.150 --> 32:41.890
required out there . Um , FY32 is where

32:41.890 --> 32:43.834
it's programmed in just because we

32:43.834 --> 32:45.946
think that may be what it takes to go

32:45.946 --> 32:48.112
through all the process and you know ,

32:48.112 --> 32:50.334
all those processes that have to be put

32:50.334 --> 32:52.501
in place to do the kind of work that's

32:52.501 --> 32:52.170
necessary out there . Uh , but it is a

32:52.170 --> 32:54.281
$650 million dollar project . So this

32:54.281 --> 32:56.650
is not an inconsequential adjustment

32:56.650 --> 32:58.483
out there . Uh , look forward to

32:58.483 --> 33:00.849
working with the entire Central Coast

33:00.849 --> 33:03.016
Commission , uh , out there as well as

33:03.016 --> 33:05.071
you and others to , we would love to

33:05.071 --> 33:07.349
accelerate that , uh , but it's , it's ,

33:07.349 --> 33:09.460
it's not an uncomplicated process and

33:09.460 --> 33:11.729
an important one . Thank you . The most

33:11.729 --> 33:14.849
recent NDAA included Section 1607 ,

33:15.290 --> 33:16.957
which requires a study on the

33:16.957 --> 33:18.734
feasibility and advisability of

33:18.734 --> 33:21.650
establishing TACSRT as a program of

33:21.650 --> 33:24.609
record . Secretary Mink and General

33:24.609 --> 33:26.831
Saltzman , can you give me an update on

33:26.831 --> 33:29.770
where that study is or any preliminary

33:29.770 --> 33:30.770
findings ?

33:33.819 --> 33:36.041
Thank you , Congressman . So TASRT is ,

33:36.041 --> 33:38.263
is , I think one of the success stories

33:38.263 --> 33:40.540
of the last 3 years . Uh , we basically

33:40.540 --> 33:42.707
are leveraging commercial capabilities

33:42.707 --> 33:44.929
on orbit to , to augment and complement

33:44.929 --> 33:47.040
the , the tremendous ISR capabilities

33:47.040 --> 33:49.739
that , uh , come from the country . Um ,

33:50.119 --> 33:52.160
we've increased funding , uh , over

33:52.160 --> 33:54.359
time , uh , to , as the demand has

33:54.359 --> 33:56.415
grown . Last year alone , there were

33:56.415 --> 33:59.199
445 requests . We provided over 500

33:59.199 --> 34:00.755
products , some of those at

34:00.755 --> 34:02.921
unclassified levels , most of those at

34:02.921 --> 34:04.866
the unclassified levels to support

34:04.866 --> 34:06.921
operations . Um , we've merged the ,

34:06.921 --> 34:08.921
the marketplace that delivers those

34:08.921 --> 34:11.088
capabilities into our commercial space

34:11.088 --> 34:10.639
office where they have access to about

34:10.639 --> 34:14.320
168 million , uh , in order to adjust

34:14.320 --> 34:16.209
and , and increase the commercial

34:16.209 --> 34:18.320
marketplace for the combatant command

34:18.320 --> 34:20.542
demand signal . So I'm very comfortable

34:20.542 --> 34:22.376
that we're , we're providing the

34:22.376 --> 34:24.431
services that the combatant commands

34:24.431 --> 34:26.320
need . Uh , if , if there was any

34:26.320 --> 34:28.320
period where this was demonstrating

34:28.320 --> 34:30.320
success , we have demonstrated that

34:30.320 --> 34:29.949
success . And now it's probably time to

34:29.949 --> 34:32.116
figure out how we formalize , uh , TAC

34:32.116 --> 34:35.810
SRT as a mission area . Thank you . The

34:35.810 --> 34:37.977
requirements for launch to high energy

34:37.977 --> 34:40.090
orbits like MEEO and GEO will likely

34:40.090 --> 34:41.923
increase over the coming years .

34:41.923 --> 34:44.729
Historically , all launches to GEO have

34:44.729 --> 34:47.530
been on heavy launch vehicles , and

34:47.530 --> 34:49.586
since National Security Space launch

34:49.586 --> 34:53.320
phase 3 began , all have been in lane

34:53.320 --> 34:55.449
2 with the highest levels of mission

34:55.449 --> 34:57.250
assurance . There are some new

34:57.250 --> 34:59.306
capabilities coming online that will

34:59.306 --> 35:01.583
offer creative approaches to reach GEO .

35:02.020 --> 35:04.080
General Saltzman , do all satellites

35:04.540 --> 35:06.929
going to Geo need that highest level of

35:06.929 --> 35:10.030
mission assurance that lane 2 launches

35:10.030 --> 35:13.540
require ? And could some direct to GEO

35:13.540 --> 35:16.360
launches come through NSSL lane one

35:16.780 --> 35:18.947
once there are providers on board that

35:18.947 --> 35:21.300
can reach that orbit , especially if

35:21.300 --> 35:23.578
they could offer lower cost per launch ,

35:23.578 --> 35:25.633
per launch . Well , some of the most

35:25.633 --> 35:27.800
critical , uh , satellites that we put

35:27.800 --> 35:29.911
on orbit go to geosynchronous orbit .

35:29.911 --> 35:32.078
They have to last for a long time . We

35:32.078 --> 35:33.800
overengineer them . So mission

35:33.800 --> 35:36.022
assurance in the launch process is , is

35:36.022 --> 35:38.078
vital to making sure we get the most

35:38.078 --> 35:38.010
out of those satellites we put into

35:38.010 --> 35:40.169
geosynchronous orbit . Uh , we are

35:40.169 --> 35:42.850
always open to improving the efficiency

35:42.850 --> 35:45.072
of putting , uh , capability on orbit ,

35:45.379 --> 35:47.435
uh , but we don't want to jeopardize

35:47.435 --> 35:49.546
mission assurance . Uh , that's going

35:49.546 --> 35:51.601
to be first and foremost to maintain

35:51.601 --> 35:53.768
our effectiveness on orbit . But it is

35:53.768 --> 35:55.823
worth looking at what , what are the

35:55.823 --> 35:55.689
options to make sure that we can

35:55.689 --> 35:57.856
balance those competing requirements .

35:59.770 --> 36:01.937
If I could just add , I know we're out

36:01.937 --> 36:04.159
of time , but I just add quickly , that

36:04.159 --> 36:06.326
there are a number of companies , some

36:06.326 --> 36:08.437
of these smaller commercial companies

36:08.437 --> 36:10.603
developing what we refer to as a third

36:10.603 --> 36:12.714
stage or an upper stage that actually

36:12.714 --> 36:14.881
allows , uh , that kind of the , the ,

36:14.881 --> 36:17.103
the traditional LEO or , or , or medium

36:17.103 --> 36:19.103
class launch vehicles , uh , to put

36:19.103 --> 36:21.159
much larger payloads in the higher ,

36:21.159 --> 36:23.437
higher energy orbits , Geo or , or MEO .

36:23.437 --> 36:25.548
Um , Impulse is one of them . There's

36:25.548 --> 36:24.899
another number of companies that are

36:24.899 --> 36:26.899
looking at doing that , which could

36:26.899 --> 36:29.121
really give a lot of flexibility to our

36:29.121 --> 36:29.060
launch infrastructure . Thank you , Mr .

36:29.260 --> 36:31.427
Chair I'm out of time . I yield back ,

36:31.427 --> 36:33.482
gentleman from South Carolina , Mr .

36:33.482 --> 36:35.538
Wilson's recognized . Thank you very

36:35.538 --> 36:37.538
much , Chairman Mike Rogers , and I

36:37.538 --> 36:39.704
wanna congratulate the Chairman , uh ,

36:39.704 --> 36:41.816
for his vision for Space Force . Uh ,

36:41.816 --> 36:43.982
and now , hey , uh , he's ahead of the

36:43.982 --> 36:46.316
curve , now autonomous air vehicles . I ,

36:46.316 --> 36:48.427
I , I , he just won't stop , and this

36:48.427 --> 36:50.649
is good . Uh , with that in mind , uh ,

36:50.649 --> 36:52.929
as the son of a Flying Tiger of , uh ,

36:52.939 --> 36:56.199
World War II , who served in India and

36:56.199 --> 36:58.300
China , I especially appreciate your

36:58.300 --> 37:01.159
professionalism . In 2003 , I was on a

37:01.159 --> 37:03.326
delegation led by Chairman Kurt Weldon

37:03.326 --> 37:05.548
to Beijing , where we met the President

37:05.548 --> 37:07.326
Zhang Kemin in the presidential

37:07.326 --> 37:09.479
compound . When I was introduced as a

37:09.479 --> 37:11.560
member of Congress , he yawned , but

37:11.560 --> 37:13.782
when it was added that I was the son of

37:13.782 --> 37:16.004
a flying tiger , he correctly threw his

37:16.004 --> 37:18.116
arms up in the air and announced that

37:18.116 --> 37:20.116
the American military is revered in

37:20.116 --> 37:22.004
China at that time , and I'm sure

37:22.004 --> 37:24.629
ultimately again . With the successful

37:25.439 --> 37:27.606
operations that have helped bring down

37:27.606 --> 37:29.661
the brutal dictatorships of dictator

37:29.661 --> 37:32.449
Assad in Syria and dictator Maduro in

37:32.449 --> 37:34.530
Venezuela , the extraordinary

37:34.530 --> 37:37.669
performance against the dictatorship

37:37.669 --> 37:40.870
in Tehran through Operation Epic Fury ,

37:41.169 --> 37:44.090
eliminating dictator Khomeinii in the

37:44.090 --> 37:47.169
first minute of a conflict to join the

37:47.169 --> 37:49.610
40,000 people , Iranians that he had

37:49.610 --> 37:53.209
murdered this year alone . As we face

37:53.550 --> 37:57.270
the growing situation of threats

37:57.270 --> 37:59.437
from the Chinese Communist Party , war

37:59.437 --> 38:01.548
criminal Putin , Iran , North Korea ,

38:01.548 --> 38:03.714
and other adversaries , we must ensure

38:03.714 --> 38:05.830
that the American military remains

38:05.830 --> 38:09.399
dominant to to maintain peace through

38:09.399 --> 38:11.070
strength and to deter , and

38:11.070 --> 38:13.181
particularly war criminal Putin , who

38:13.181 --> 38:15.070
wants to recreate , resurrect the

38:15.070 --> 38:17.181
failed Soviet Union as he has annexed

38:17.181 --> 38:19.689
Belarus . He has invaded . Uh , Ukraine ,

38:19.770 --> 38:21.714
of course , he maintains troops in

38:21.714 --> 38:23.989
Moldova , and he's invaded , uh ,

38:24.050 --> 38:26.050
Georgia and rigged the elections in

38:26.050 --> 38:28.770
Georgia , uh , and , uh , so sadly that

38:28.770 --> 38:30.714
the correct president is Salomi Zo

38:30.714 --> 38:33.000
Vvili . But over and over again , uh ,

38:33.129 --> 38:35.296
we can provide with your efforts peace

38:35.296 --> 38:37.462
through strength . With that in mind ,

38:37.489 --> 38:40.090
General Wilsbach , as the Air Force

38:40.090 --> 38:42.810
recapitalizes its air fleet . I support

38:42.810 --> 38:44.754
the Air National Guard . The South

38:44.754 --> 38:46.977
Carolina Air National Guard was the tip

38:46.977 --> 38:48.866
of the spear as part of the first

38:48.866 --> 38:51.610
military aircraft operating over Iran

38:51.610 --> 38:53.409
during Operation Epic Fury ,

38:53.770 --> 38:55.770
demonstrating exceptional skill and

38:55.770 --> 38:57.770
professionalism while flying Legacy

38:57.770 --> 39:00.120
F-16s . It's a reminder that the Guard

39:00.120 --> 39:03.209
is not just homeland defense , but can

39:03.209 --> 39:05.879
achieve around the world . I am

39:05.879 --> 39:08.101
particularly appreciative that McIntyre

39:08.101 --> 39:10.212
Joint Air Base of Eastover has , uh ,

39:10.212 --> 39:13.080
this morning at 12:23 been added by uh

39:13.080 --> 39:15.247
redistricting in South Carolina to the

39:15.247 --> 39:17.302
district that I will be fortunate to

39:17.439 --> 39:19.495
run in . With that in mind , the Air

39:19.495 --> 39:22.000
Force modernizes its fleet . What is

39:22.000 --> 39:24.111
the plan to recapitalize Air National

39:24.111 --> 39:26.333
Guard units like the South Carolina Air

39:26.333 --> 39:28.278
National Guard so they're not left

39:28.278 --> 39:30.056
lying aging air platforms while

39:30.056 --> 39:33.399
providing active duty units , uh , the

39:33.399 --> 39:36.649
newer capabilities . Yeah , thanks ,

39:36.820 --> 39:38.931
Congressman . Uh , I'm a , I'm also a

39:38.931 --> 39:41.042
fan of the McIntyre unit . I've flown

39:41.042 --> 39:43.098
with them a number of times over the

39:43.098 --> 39:45.098
years . It's , it's always been , I

39:45.098 --> 39:44.939
mean , I've been in the Air Force 40

39:44.939 --> 39:47.300
years , and it's always been a really

39:47.300 --> 39:49.467
top-notch unit . Uh , so thank you for

39:49.467 --> 39:51.689
your , your . Hey , I , I forgot to say

39:51.689 --> 39:53.967
I also pick up Shaw Air Force Base . I ,

39:53.967 --> 39:55.967
I , I , I , the , the map is , uh ,

39:55.967 --> 39:58.078
just 12 hours old , so this is good .

39:58.078 --> 40:00.189
Thank you for shooting me . You bet .

40:00.189 --> 40:00.139
So I've got to be nice to y'all . Thank

40:00.139 --> 40:02.760
you . Thank you . Uh thank you . No ,

40:02.850 --> 40:04.969
we , we , uh , we do , uh , wish to

40:04.969 --> 40:07.136
capitalize , recapitalize , you know ,

40:07.209 --> 40:09.431
all of the , the aging infrastructure ,

40:09.449 --> 40:11.505
not just in the Air National Guard ,

40:11.505 --> 40:13.616
but it's true of the active duty as ,

40:13.616 --> 40:15.893
as well as the Air Force Reserve . And ,

40:16.010 --> 40:19.879
and our uh modernization plan for 27 um

40:19.879 --> 40:22.750
incorporates um the Air National Guard ,

40:22.810 --> 40:25.143
and , uh , and as a matter of fact , Um ,

40:25.169 --> 40:28.189
even , uh , McIntyre is , uh , is a ,

40:28.449 --> 40:31.209
uh , candidate for a future F-35 base .

40:31.370 --> 40:33.259
We haven't , the secretary hasn't

40:33.259 --> 40:35.426
decided yet on that , uh , but there's

40:35.426 --> 40:37.648
certainly a candidate , and , uh , we ,

40:37.648 --> 40:39.259
uh , we look forward to that

40:39.259 --> 40:41.481
competition . And thank you very much ,

40:41.481 --> 40:43.537
and indeed , uh , General Saltzman ,

40:43.537 --> 40:45.592
best wishes on your retirement . I'm

40:45.592 --> 40:47.703
grateful that my , uh , nephew , Alan

40:47.703 --> 40:49.926
Heritage has the privilege to work with

40:49.926 --> 40:52.037
all of you . With that in mind , it's

40:52.037 --> 40:53.981
encouraging too to see that , uh ,

40:53.981 --> 40:56.203
there's an effort to procure commercial

40:56.203 --> 40:58.259
imagery . What's the status of doing

40:58.259 --> 41:00.426
that for , uh , to , uh , promote your

41:00.426 --> 41:02.314
efforts ? Yes sir , we're , we're

41:02.314 --> 41:04.314
investing in , as I mentioned , the

41:04.314 --> 41:06.370
commercial Space Office , uh , has a

41:06.370 --> 41:08.370
portfolio to , uh , have to build a

41:08.370 --> 41:10.314
marketplace for all the commercial

41:10.314 --> 41:10.010
imagery providers , and we do that on

41:10.010 --> 41:11.870
our attack SRT programs , uh ,

41:11.969 --> 41:14.191
surveillance reconnaissance , and , and

41:14.191 --> 41:16.530
tracking , uh , and we've seen over 500

41:16.530 --> 41:18.586
products produced just over the last

41:18.586 --> 41:20.586
year for combat and indeed , uh , I

41:20.586 --> 41:22.697
don't have more time , but I , I want

41:22.697 --> 41:22.290
to point out we can learn , uh , real

41:22.290 --> 41:24.512
world conflict from our Israeli friends

41:24.689 --> 41:26.810
and the success , uh , of victory for

41:26.810 --> 41:28.977
people in , uh , Ukraine . Thank you .

41:29.780 --> 41:31.891
Gentleman's back here and I recognize

41:31.891 --> 41:34.058
Jim from California , Mr . Garamendi .

41:35.689 --> 41:38.560
Thank you , Mr . Chairman . Mr .

41:38.719 --> 41:40.760
Secretary and General Wilsbeck and

41:40.760 --> 41:42.927
General Saltzman , thank you for being

41:42.927 --> 41:44.816
here . Before I begin , I want to

41:44.816 --> 41:47.038
acknowledge the six airmen that we lost

41:47.038 --> 41:50.520
in the KC-135 crash over Iraq on March

41:50.520 --> 41:52.719
12th . I also want to thank the airmen

41:52.719 --> 41:55.060
at Travis and across the Air Mobility

41:55.060 --> 41:57.116
Command and throughout the Air Force

41:57.116 --> 41:59.227
who have carried out an extraordinary

41:59.227 --> 42:01.300
share of the of the fight in Iran .

42:02.270 --> 42:04.840
Well done . For years we've heard about

42:04.840 --> 42:06.784
the Air Force programs , exquisite

42:06.784 --> 42:08.896
systems that bring us into the modern

42:08.896 --> 42:10.896
era , but from Europe to the Middle

42:10.896 --> 42:12.729
East we see time and again small

42:12.729 --> 42:14.618
distributive systems and reliable

42:14.959 --> 42:18.000
platforms have outsized impact , while

42:18.000 --> 42:20.600
exquisite systems make exquisite

42:20.600 --> 42:24.060
targets for our adversaries . General

42:24.060 --> 42:27.020
Wilsback , you spoke very passionately .

42:28.489 --> 42:30.489
When you answered the chairman's

42:30.489 --> 42:34.419
question about UAS's . And their

42:34.419 --> 42:36.639
future . However ,

42:39.020 --> 42:42.560
Your budget doesn't follow that passion .

42:43.570 --> 42:46.500
Looks like you have 1.1.4 billion for

42:46.500 --> 42:50.159
CCAs . You have 7.4 billion for the

42:50.159 --> 42:53.500
F-35s , most of whom will be delivered

42:53.840 --> 42:57.199
unable to have necessary equipment like

42:57.199 --> 43:00.409
radars . And you have 5 billion for the

43:00.709 --> 43:04.669
new F-47 . I grew up on a ranch and I

43:04.669 --> 43:08.310
remember at the cattle sales , all

43:08.310 --> 43:11.959
talk , no cattle . Put your money where

43:11.959 --> 43:15.389
your mouth is . Apparently , your

43:15.389 --> 43:19.010
passion for new platforms doesn't

43:19.229 --> 43:22.560
quite match . So let's get some detail

43:22.560 --> 43:24.939
here . What exactly , and not now , but

43:24.939 --> 43:27.199
in writing , please deliver to us

43:27.780 --> 43:29.891
exactly how you're going to spend the

43:29.891 --> 43:33.179
$1.4 billion for CCAs . Is it only CCAs

43:33.179 --> 43:36.770
or is it other kinds of Uh , UASs ,

43:37.229 --> 43:39.396
please deliver that and let's get down

43:39.396 --> 43:41.750
to the detail here . With regard to the

43:41.750 --> 43:43.830
F-35s , uh , yeah , you're going to

43:43.830 --> 43:47.080
have 39 new ones . Many of your old

43:47.080 --> 43:49.302
ones , in fact , all of your old ones ,

43:49.302 --> 43:51.489
do not meet . The requirements for

43:51.489 --> 43:53.649
readiness . What are you doing about

43:53.649 --> 43:55.929
that ? Some of that has to do with the

43:55.929 --> 43:58.096
right to repair . Some of it has to do

43:58.096 --> 44:01.520
with necessary equipment standing by ,

44:01.840 --> 44:04.007
all of which is deficient . So how are

44:04.007 --> 44:06.173
you going to deal with that ? Please ,

44:06.173 --> 44:08.340
in writing to the committee , get down

44:08.340 --> 44:11.110
to the details . Nice

44:11.689 --> 44:14.590
oversight overview . It's interesting ,

44:15.090 --> 44:17.312
but you operate in details , as do your

44:17.312 --> 44:19.590
men and their equipment . We need the

44:19.590 --> 44:21.534
details , OK , particularly on the

44:21.534 --> 44:23.780
readiness side of it . Um

44:25.580 --> 44:27.802
My colleague who has now left for a few

44:27.802 --> 44:29.802
moments said , You're going to talk

44:29.802 --> 44:31.969
about the Sentinel , aren't you ? Mr .

44:31.969 --> 44:33.858
Saltzman , I know you're going to

44:33.858 --> 44:36.080
retire . We wish you the best , but are

44:36.080 --> 44:38.280
going away . Why the Sentinel ? We are

44:38.280 --> 44:41.040
now developing and actually following

44:41.040 --> 44:43.379
Russia in the development of hypersonic

44:43.520 --> 44:45.860
cruise missiles that are maneuverable

44:46.040 --> 44:48.229
for which at the moment there's no

44:48.229 --> 44:52.030
defense . That platform is being

44:52.030 --> 44:55.080
developed . And provides yet another

44:55.409 --> 44:58.260
alternative to the sitting duck .

44:59.189 --> 45:02.399
Minuteman 3 and its follow-up Sentinel .

45:02.750 --> 45:06.260
Why ? Deterrence Please ,

45:06.689 --> 45:09.760
let's get real here . The the

45:10.229 --> 45:13.040
Minuteman 3 will be able to be

45:14.090 --> 45:16.379
reconditioned and available for the

45:16.379 --> 45:19.139
next 20 years . Why are we spending in

45:19.139 --> 45:22.770
this budget ? Money $5 billion for the

45:22.770 --> 45:26.370
Sentinel . So questions , please

45:26.370 --> 45:28.481
deliver in writing the answer to that

45:28.481 --> 45:31.129
question . The deterrence , the new

45:31.129 --> 45:34.739
platforms . The cruise , the

45:34.739 --> 45:37.219
maneuverable hypersonic cruise missile ,

45:37.540 --> 45:41.280
a new . Platform that can and

45:41.280 --> 45:44.090
probably will be nuclear . So why ?

45:45.129 --> 45:47.073
I want to have the detail here . I

45:47.073 --> 45:48.962
don't have time in this committee

45:48.962 --> 45:51.129
hearing to get into the detail , but I

45:51.129 --> 45:53.240
want you to deliver to this committee

45:53.240 --> 45:55.129
and specifically to the readiness

45:55.129 --> 45:57.073
committee , um , the detail on why

45:57.073 --> 45:59.280
we're doing this . And what and the

45:59.280 --> 46:01.502
amount of money that you're spending on

46:01.502 --> 46:04.239
the upgrade and the maintenance of the

46:04.239 --> 46:06.719
Minuteman 3 and specifically how long

46:06.719 --> 46:10.020
you intend to do it , OK ? So these are

46:10.020 --> 46:12.131
the details about which we have to go

46:12.131 --> 46:15.780
finally . In 19

46:15.780 --> 46:16.780
seconds .

46:20.179 --> 46:23.179
Travis Air Force Base is limited 50% .

46:24.090 --> 46:26.090
For the lack of a taxi runway , a

46:26.090 --> 46:29.949
taxiway . Why not across this thing

46:29.949 --> 46:33.229
put in place a taxi runway that would

46:33.229 --> 46:36.729
increase the Throughput at Travis Air

46:36.729 --> 46:39.590
Force Base by 50% . Gentleman's time's

46:39.590 --> 46:41.570
expired . Excellent point though .

46:42.090 --> 46:44.368
Gentleman from Ohio is recognized , Mr .

46:44.409 --> 46:46.353
Turner . Gentlemen , thank you for

46:46.353 --> 46:48.520
being here , Mr . Secretary . Uh , the

46:48.520 --> 46:50.465
operations of Epic Fury , Midnight

46:50.465 --> 46:52.520
Hammer , Southern Spirit continue to

46:52.520 --> 46:54.687
demonstrate the importance of the work

46:54.687 --> 46:56.965
that you do . Um , Mr . Secretary , um ,

46:57.010 --> 46:59.177
I , everybody would be disappointed if

46:59.177 --> 47:01.219
I didn't highlight that , uh , Your

47:01.219 --> 47:03.441
career includes experience at NASIC and

47:03.441 --> 47:05.608
Wright Patterson Air Force Base . Uh ,

47:05.608 --> 47:07.330
but , uh , even more than your

47:07.330 --> 47:09.552
experience , we are all very thankful ,

47:09.552 --> 47:11.497
uh , for your leadership . General

47:11.497 --> 47:13.608
Saltzman , I want to also , uh , join

47:13.608 --> 47:15.497
everyone in thanking you for your

47:15.497 --> 47:17.608
leadership and your almost 4 years of

47:17.608 --> 47:19.608
service to Space Force , and , uh ,

47:19.608 --> 47:21.497
congratulate you on your upcoming

47:21.497 --> 47:21.310
retirement . I think this is an

47:21.310 --> 47:23.199
excellent time for us to get your

47:23.199 --> 47:25.639
wisdom . Um , the chairman is very

47:25.639 --> 47:28.620
proud of the , um , performance of

47:28.620 --> 47:30.731
Space Force , and the data shows that

47:30.731 --> 47:32.898
Space Force has performed incredibly .

47:33.020 --> 47:35.242
Space Force has increased launches from

47:35.242 --> 47:37.419
an average of about 24 per year prior

47:37.419 --> 47:40.020
to 2018 to almost 200 by the end of the

47:40.020 --> 47:41.820
year , demonstrated tactical

47:41.820 --> 47:43.931
responsiveness , successfully getting

47:43.931 --> 47:46.042
satellites from warehouses into orbit

47:46.042 --> 47:48.520
within the 96 hours of demonstrating

47:48.520 --> 47:52.449
that . Shown it's rapidly acquired new

47:52.449 --> 47:54.171
technology demonstrated by its

47:54.171 --> 47:56.530
successful fielding of counter SATcom

47:56.850 --> 47:59.000
capabilities within 48 hours of

47:59.000 --> 48:01.330
identifying the requirements . Space

48:01.330 --> 48:03.497
Force has successfully integrated into

48:03.497 --> 48:05.608
the Joint Force globally , setting up

48:05.608 --> 48:07.709
service components at all geographic

48:07.709 --> 48:10.810
combat commands , continues to surpass

48:10.810 --> 48:13.370
recruiting and retention goals . Space

48:13.370 --> 48:17.080
Force , by your own accounting . Has

48:17.080 --> 48:19.560
created nearly $2 billion in private

48:19.560 --> 48:21.727
funding over 5 years in direct support

48:21.727 --> 48:23.729
for military requirements . Looking

48:23.729 --> 48:26.169
back and now looking forward , what

48:26.169 --> 48:28.169
would , with your wisdom , where is

48:28.169 --> 48:30.336
Space Force on the right track ? Where

48:30.336 --> 48:32.447
do we have some work to do , and what

48:32.447 --> 48:35.620
should Congress do ? In 3 minutes . Uh ,

48:35.709 --> 48:38.110
thank you , sir . I , no , I , I , I

48:38.110 --> 48:40.221
very much appreciate that and , and ,

48:40.221 --> 48:42.443
and to the work of the chairman and the

48:42.443 --> 48:44.610
ranking and the entire committee . I ,

48:44.610 --> 48:44.510
I think the Space Force is on a good

48:44.510 --> 48:47.070
path . I really do . Uh , one of the

48:47.070 --> 48:48.848
success stories that I point to

48:48.848 --> 48:51.181
routinely is , I , I believe we've , uh ,

48:51.181 --> 48:53.348
and I've gotten feedback from industry

48:53.348 --> 48:55.403
on this , that we have shifted the ,

48:55.403 --> 48:54.820
the nature of the relationships we have

48:54.820 --> 48:56.376
with industry . It was very

48:56.376 --> 48:58.376
transactional . Uh , we would throw

48:58.376 --> 49:00.487
requirements kind of over the transom

49:00.487 --> 49:02.653
and , and hope that they would deliver

49:02.653 --> 49:02.389
something back and we would go through

49:02.389 --> 49:05.280
testing and . And generally be happy

49:05.280 --> 49:07.224
with some of it and not happy with

49:07.224 --> 49:09.391
other parts of it . Uh , that , that's

49:09.391 --> 49:11.724
just not gonna work going in the future .

49:11.724 --> 49:11.070
It's certainly not gonna work at the

49:11.070 --> 49:13.237
speed and the scale that we need these

49:13.237 --> 49:15.237
capabilities delivered . So we're ,

49:15.237 --> 49:17.348
we're investing heavily with industry

49:17.348 --> 49:19.403
to collaborate . Uh , to get minimum

49:19.403 --> 49:19.320
viable products in the hands of our

49:19.320 --> 49:21.376
operators as quickly as possible , a

49:21.376 --> 49:23.542
small number of requirements necessary

49:23.542 --> 49:25.764
just to advance the programs , get them

49:25.764 --> 49:27.764
in the hands of the operators , and

49:27.764 --> 49:27.560
then get their real-world practical

49:27.560 --> 49:29.879
feedback and continually upgrade .

49:30.120 --> 49:32.342
That's a different model . Uh , we have

49:32.342 --> 49:34.564
to work closely with , with Congress in

49:34.564 --> 49:36.676
order to make sure that we understand

49:36.676 --> 49:35.840
what the requirements are . We get the

49:35.840 --> 49:38.007
right funding . We have stable funding

49:38.007 --> 49:39.840
over a number of years so we can

49:39.840 --> 49:42.118
continue to get that rapid enhancement .

49:42.118 --> 49:44.118
Uh , but that's gonna be a lot more

49:44.118 --> 49:46.229
work because it's not the traditional

49:46.229 --> 49:45.850
mindset that we have for our

49:45.850 --> 49:47.794
procurement and acquisition . Uh ,

49:47.810 --> 49:49.643
we've really doubled down on the

49:49.643 --> 49:51.810
training and education of our forces .

49:51.810 --> 49:53.810
Uh , so many new authorities , uh ,

49:53.810 --> 49:55.977
that we've , we've gotten , we have to

49:55.977 --> 49:58.143
train our , our contracting officers .

49:58.143 --> 49:57.899
We have to train our acquires , we have

49:57.899 --> 49:59.689
to train the engineers so they

49:59.689 --> 50:01.800
understand all the things that can be

50:01.800 --> 50:03.800
put in place . So we really doubled

50:03.800 --> 50:05.689
down on , on putting the kinds of

50:05.689 --> 50:07.856
courses and education in place so that

50:07.856 --> 50:09.967
they can execute the authorities that

50:09.967 --> 50:12.078
we've given them . But I'm most proud

50:12.078 --> 50:14.300
of , of converting what was basically a

50:14.300 --> 50:16.522
merchant marine into a navy , if you'll

50:16.522 --> 50:18.689
let me use that analogy . I've used it

50:18.689 --> 50:20.800
before . We delivered services as a ,

50:20.800 --> 50:23.022
as a military space organization before

50:23.022 --> 50:24.856
the Space Force . Now we have to

50:24.856 --> 50:27.022
control the domain . And I think we've

50:27.022 --> 50:29.133
done a nice job of transitioning to a

50:29.133 --> 50:31.189
combat credible force . Uh , we're ,

50:31.189 --> 50:33.522
we're providing resilient architectures .

50:33.522 --> 50:35.745
Our forces are trained in operations of

50:35.745 --> 50:37.467
their tactics against thinking

50:37.467 --> 50:39.522
adversaries . We've proven that most

50:39.522 --> 50:41.745
recently in Epic Fury , 5 times as many

50:41.745 --> 50:43.911
deployments as we would normally see ,

50:43.911 --> 50:46.110
we supported Epic Fury , uh , and all

50:46.110 --> 50:48.310
of the forces , uh , have been fully

50:48.310 --> 50:50.254
integrated . Uh , I hear from Brad

50:50.254 --> 50:52.739
Cooper and . And , uh , and the SOCOM

50:52.739 --> 50:55.629
team of how well the space capabilities

50:55.629 --> 50:57.740
are integrated and how dependent they

50:57.740 --> 50:59.685
are on their success . So , uh , I

50:59.685 --> 51:01.796
think we're on the right track , uh ,

51:01.796 --> 51:03.962
in terms of training , educating , and

51:03.962 --> 51:05.907
building the kinds of combat-ready

51:05.907 --> 51:05.639
forces on an operationally relevant

51:05.639 --> 51:07.750
timeline . And with continued support

51:07.750 --> 51:09.972
of this committee , I think we'll be in

51:09.972 --> 51:12.195
good shape for the years to come . Mr .

51:12.195 --> 51:14.361
Secretary , you reached for the mic on

51:14.361 --> 51:16.472
the unmanned , uh , question from the

51:16.472 --> 51:16.209
chairman . I perhaps you wanted to

51:16.209 --> 51:18.320
advocate for the collaborative combat

51:18.320 --> 51:20.265
aircraft program funding that's in

51:20.265 --> 51:23.409
fiscal year 27 budget . Yeah , I was

51:23.409 --> 51:25.576
just gonna say when we , we talk about

51:25.576 --> 51:27.742
an unmanned fighter aircraft , for all

51:27.742 --> 51:29.909
practical purposes , that's what a CCA

51:29.909 --> 51:32.131
is , um , the combat capability it will

51:32.131 --> 51:34.629
have . Uh , it is really a way to build

51:34.629 --> 51:36.649
a , a , a large number of , of

51:36.649 --> 51:38.969
lower-cost essentially fighter aircraft

51:38.969 --> 51:40.840
that will support and operate in

51:40.840 --> 51:43.118
collaboration with the , the man fleet .

51:43.129 --> 51:45.351
And we see that model going forward for

51:45.351 --> 51:47.573
quite some time . We certainly see that

51:47.573 --> 51:49.462
in the ER program in in Ohio that

51:49.462 --> 51:51.573
you've been working very closely with

51:51.573 --> 51:51.489
that have proven results , and it's

51:51.489 --> 51:53.656
been a , a very successful acquisition

51:53.656 --> 51:55.933
so far . Thank you . Thank you , Chair ,

51:55.933 --> 51:57.767
and I recognize gentle lady from

51:57.767 --> 51:59.822
Pennsylvania , Miss Houlihan . Thank

51:59.822 --> 52:01.767
you , Mr . Chair , and thank you ,

52:01.767 --> 52:01.370
gentlemen for being here and

52:01.370 --> 52:03.426
congratulations on your retirement ,

52:03.426 --> 52:05.537
General . It's nice to see you , uh ,

52:05.537 --> 52:07.648
Mr . Secretary , again as well . Uh ,

52:07.648 --> 52:09.926
my questions start with you , sir . Um ,

52:09.926 --> 52:12.148
a key element of the Air Force's future

52:12.148 --> 52:14.426
is , as we've been talking about today ,

52:14.426 --> 52:16.481
the manned and unmanned systems that

52:16.481 --> 52:18.703
are working in concert with one another

52:18.703 --> 52:20.814
and that there is an , uh , obvious ,

52:20.814 --> 52:22.870
uh , lean towards autonomous weapons

52:22.870 --> 52:24.981
systems as well . Manned and unmanned

52:24.981 --> 52:27.092
systems will have even help alleviate

52:27.092 --> 52:26.800
some of the persistent pilot shortages

52:26.800 --> 52:28.840
that we've been experiencing that

52:28.840 --> 52:31.007
experiencing that face the Air Force .

52:31.280 --> 52:33.439
For Mr . Secretary , uh , as a

52:33.439 --> 52:35.606
preliminary question , would you agree

52:35.606 --> 52:37.661
that manned and unmanned systems are

52:37.661 --> 52:39.661
the future of the Air Force and air

52:39.661 --> 52:41.719
power ? Uh , before I answer that ,

52:41.959 --> 52:43.848
every time somebody congratulates

52:43.848 --> 52:46.070
General Saltzman on his retirement , it

52:46.070 --> 52:48.181
hurts just a little bit . It makes me

52:48.181 --> 52:50.348
jealous too , trust me , uh , it hurts

52:50.348 --> 52:52.515
me to get to stay , and I'm , I am not

52:52.515 --> 52:54.681
as persuasive as I thought , um . Uh ,

52:54.681 --> 52:56.515
he's leaving , uh , absolutely ,

52:56.515 --> 52:58.792
Congresswoman , uh , unmanned aircraft .

52:58.792 --> 53:00.959
Uh , again , I think they will play an

53:00.959 --> 53:03.070
increasingly important role , uh , as

53:03.070 --> 53:05.080
we , as we , as we build out , uh ,

53:05.159 --> 53:07.492
into the future , uh , across the board .

53:07.560 --> 53:09.782
I agree , and I think one of the things

53:09.782 --> 53:11.949
that I'm sort of stymied by is that in

53:11.949 --> 53:13.893
the Air Force proposed budget that

53:13.893 --> 53:15.893
basic research is being cut by 5% ,

53:16.030 --> 53:18.600
applied research is being cut by 21% ,

53:18.820 --> 53:20.987
and advanced technology development is

53:20.987 --> 53:23.949
being cut by 14% . In an environment ,

53:24.010 --> 53:26.232
frankly , where I feel like money seems

53:26.232 --> 53:28.454
to be no object , what was the calculus

53:28.454 --> 53:30.343
behind those decisions to cut the

53:30.343 --> 53:32.310
budget in those areas ? That's a ,

53:32.429 --> 53:34.707
that's a good question , Congresswoman .

53:34.707 --> 53:36.651
I , I , I think if you look at the

53:36.651 --> 53:36.110
totality of what we're spending on

53:36.110 --> 53:38.350
unmanned platforms , the , the dollar

53:38.350 --> 53:40.683
investment's obviously gone way up , uh ,

53:40.683 --> 53:42.739
but I take your point is some of the

53:42.739 --> 53:45.590
specific basic research , uh , I'm

53:45.590 --> 53:47.646
gonna , I'm gonna go back and take a

53:47.646 --> 53:49.646
look at that . We are spending more

53:49.646 --> 53:49.500
money on , on the autonomy part , but

53:49.500 --> 53:52.929
some of the , uh , platform R&D . Uh ,

53:53.179 --> 53:55.401
stuff , uh , I'm gonna go back and take

53:55.401 --> 53:57.389
a look at that . I , I , I really

53:57.389 --> 53:59.556
appreciate that because I think that's

53:59.556 --> 54:01.611
sort of a leading indicator of where

54:01.611 --> 54:01.580
our values are , you know , where your

54:01.580 --> 54:03.580
money , where your mouth is , and I

54:03.580 --> 54:05.747
think it's important that we do that .

54:05.747 --> 54:07.858
I think it also has real implications

54:07.858 --> 54:09.969
to personnel . Um , I , as you know ,

54:09.969 --> 54:12.136
we've , we've talked about this was an

54:12.136 --> 54:14.247
acquisitions officer and , and didn't

54:14.247 --> 54:16.413
see , uh , a leadership opportunity in

54:16.413 --> 54:18.580
my future . I couldn't look up and see

54:18.580 --> 54:20.580
that , and it definitely would seem

54:20.580 --> 54:22.469
that . Way the signal would be to

54:22.469 --> 54:24.691
people like me now that that because of

54:24.691 --> 54:26.858
reduction in budgets in those kinds of

54:26.858 --> 54:29.024
areas that maybe they're not valued as

54:29.024 --> 54:31.247
STEM professionals as people with those

54:31.247 --> 54:33.302
those backgrounds , um , so I really

54:33.302 --> 54:35.524
appreciate you looking into that . Uh ,

54:35.524 --> 54:37.413
my second question is for General

54:37.413 --> 54:39.580
Saltzman . Um , you represent the very

54:39.580 --> 54:41.469
smallest and newest branch of the

54:41.469 --> 54:43.691
military . Your service was spun out of

54:43.691 --> 54:45.858
the Air Force , uh , because the space

54:45.858 --> 54:47.913
domain was growing in importance and

54:47.913 --> 54:50.080
will continue to grow . First of all ,

54:50.080 --> 54:52.136
I would assume the answer to this is

54:52.136 --> 54:54.247
yes , General , but do you agree that

54:54.247 --> 54:56.469
establishing the Space Force was a good

54:56.469 --> 54:58.136
idea in retrospect ? A wildly

54:58.136 --> 55:00.024
successful idea . I concur . Uh ,

55:00.024 --> 55:02.080
General Saltzman has the Space Force

55:02.080 --> 55:04.247
taken advantage of being a new service

55:04.247 --> 55:06.247
in that you have the opportunity to

55:06.247 --> 55:08.469
develop a new culture in and separate ,

55:08.469 --> 55:10.302
uh , uh , from the Air Force and

55:10.302 --> 55:12.413
approaching space operations as you ,

55:12.413 --> 55:12.370
you've mentioned during this hearing in

55:12.370 --> 55:15.139
a very different set of ways . Yes ,

55:15.229 --> 55:16.989
ma'am . I , I think we've been

55:16.989 --> 55:18.933
successful not only in pushing the

55:18.933 --> 55:20.878
envelope into what we can do , but

55:20.878 --> 55:23.100
growing to take on those new missions .

55:23.100 --> 55:25.211
And so I guess where I'm heading with

55:25.211 --> 55:27.322
this question , General Will Spock is

55:27.322 --> 55:29.489
in the Air Force , when you would have

55:29.489 --> 55:31.322
to rank order kind of where your

55:31.322 --> 55:33.489
priorities are in terms of what you're

55:33.489 --> 55:35.600
putting your efforts to , where would

55:35.600 --> 55:39.169
cyber fall in that 1 through 5 or

55:39.550 --> 55:41.879
below 5 ? I don't know if I could , uh ,

55:41.889 --> 55:43.840
rank it 1 through 5 because it's

55:43.840 --> 55:45.840
integral to everything that we do .

55:46.860 --> 55:48.860
It's , it's integral that it , it's

55:48.860 --> 55:50.971
integral to everything that we do . I

55:50.971 --> 55:53.138
agree . I think one of the things is ,

55:53.138 --> 55:56.110
is that our services cyber is in and of

55:56.110 --> 55:58.699
itself a domain too , and I think that

55:58.699 --> 56:00.866
we need to be thinking about it in the

56:00.866 --> 56:02.810
same way that we thought about the

56:02.810 --> 56:04.755
Space Force as potentially its own

56:04.755 --> 56:06.643
force so that we might be able to

56:06.643 --> 56:09.159
recognize its incredible importance

56:09.340 --> 56:11.451
with what's left of my time . Uh , my

56:11.451 --> 56:13.340
last question is also for General

56:13.340 --> 56:15.340
Saltzman . We've been talking a lot

56:15.340 --> 56:17.284
about , uh . Acquisitions and your

56:17.284 --> 56:19.396
relationship with industry space is a

56:19.396 --> 56:21.507
lot more congested and contested than

56:21.507 --> 56:23.729
ever before . Um , I'm worried that the

56:23.729 --> 56:25.673
department might be underutilizing

56:25.673 --> 56:28.007
commercial space domain awareness tools ,

56:28.007 --> 56:27.830
uh , that are available in the

56:27.830 --> 56:29.719
commercial sector despite growing

56:29.719 --> 56:31.774
sophistication from industry in that

56:31.774 --> 56:33.886
area . What steps are you making sure

56:33.886 --> 56:35.663
and taking to make sure that we

56:35.663 --> 56:37.386
evaluate and integrate what is

56:37.386 --> 56:39.608
available on the open economy , uh , in

56:39.608 --> 56:42.229
your needs requirements ? We , we have

56:42.229 --> 56:44.285
a , what we call the JCO , the Joint

56:44.285 --> 56:46.562
Commercial Office , that pulls in that ,

56:46.562 --> 56:48.173
uh , commercial data . We've

56:48.173 --> 56:50.285
established the , uh , Universal Data

56:50.285 --> 56:52.451
Library as a as a parking spot for all

56:52.451 --> 56:54.618
of that data . We continually evaluate

56:54.618 --> 56:56.729
it . We've got 22 different nations

56:56.729 --> 56:58.896
that contribute to that as well . So .

56:58.909 --> 57:00.742
Uh , we have the marketplaces to

57:00.742 --> 57:02.520
evaluate that data from all the

57:02.520 --> 57:04.465
commercial providers , and then we

57:04.465 --> 57:06.687
rapidly pull it in and , and use it for

57:06.687 --> 57:08.742
operational purposes . Thank you . I

57:08.742 --> 57:08.350
look forward to continued , uh ,

57:08.919 --> 57:10.697
investigation into the power of

57:10.697 --> 57:12.808
industry . I yield and appreciate the

57:12.808 --> 57:14.919
indulgence . Yes , the , and I , I do

57:14.919 --> 57:14.919
want to own the point that you make ,

57:15.040 --> 57:17.350
uh , you made reference earlier to Epic

57:17.350 --> 57:19.949
Fury . What happened with absolute

57:19.949 --> 57:21.870
resolve , the Operation Absolute

57:21.870 --> 57:24.209
resolve goes to your point . Space and

57:24.209 --> 57:26.790
cyber capabilities were demonstrated as

57:26.790 --> 57:29.250
part of the joint force as never before

57:29.250 --> 57:31.550
in an eye-wateringly effective manner .

57:31.669 --> 57:33.830
So these are very important additions

57:33.830 --> 57:35.830
to our joint effort . With that , I

57:35.830 --> 57:38.052
recognize the gentleman from Virginia .

57:38.052 --> 57:40.163
Whitman , thank you , Mr . Chairman .

57:40.163 --> 57:42.441
Uh , Secretary Mink , General Wilsbach ,

57:42.441 --> 57:41.594
General Saltzman , thanks so much for

57:41.594 --> 57:43.761
joining . General Saltzman , thanks so

57:43.761 --> 57:45.983
much for your incredible service to our

57:45.983 --> 57:48.150
nation for 35 years , and thank you to

57:48.150 --> 57:50.205
you and your family for your service

57:50.205 --> 57:53.195
and sacrifice . Uh , the nation will be

57:53.195 --> 57:55.280
forever grateful for that . General

57:55.280 --> 57:57.224
Salzman , I wanna start with you .

57:57.224 --> 57:59.002
Thank you for coming out to the

57:59.002 --> 58:00.947
Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in

58:00.947 --> 58:03.058
March with Representative Kiggins and

58:03.058 --> 58:05.280
myself , and I , I hope it was , it was

58:05.280 --> 58:07.336
helpful for you to see that vertical

58:07.336 --> 58:09.447
lift to space capability that's there

58:09.447 --> 58:11.724
at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport ,

58:11.724 --> 58:13.836
and this delivers on a number of very

58:13.836 --> 58:16.058
key missions and make sure we have that

58:16.058 --> 58:18.169
additional access to space , which is

58:18.169 --> 58:20.280
now , uh , more important than ever .

58:20.280 --> 58:22.502
Uh , historically , you know , Congress

58:22.502 --> 58:22.360
has played a very pivotal role in

58:22.360 --> 58:24.479
putting resources towards these FAA

58:24.479 --> 58:26.709
approved facilities in these states to

58:26.709 --> 58:28.876
make sure we have that , that vertical

58:28.876 --> 58:32.159
launch state spaceport capability , and

58:32.159 --> 58:34.270
we know that's even more important as

58:34.270 --> 58:36.326
space traffic or launch traffic gets

58:36.439 --> 58:38.879
bigger and bigger and more congested at

58:38.879 --> 58:41.439
Canaveral and at Bannenberg . Um ,

58:42.010 --> 58:44.177
these new capabilities , I think , are

58:44.177 --> 58:46.288
going to be key . Mr . Chairman , I'd

58:46.288 --> 58:48.121
like to enter into the record an

58:48.121 --> 58:50.177
article from Politico dated May 19 ,

58:50.177 --> 58:52.066
2026 , and this article details a

58:52.066 --> 58:53.788
report from a commercial Space

58:53.788 --> 58:55.510
Foundation that says US launch

58:55.510 --> 58:57.732
infrastructure won't be able to support

58:57.732 --> 58:59.399
growing launch demand without

58:59.399 --> 59:01.288
considerable investment . Without

59:01.288 --> 59:02.954
objections are ordered . Also

59:02.954 --> 59:05.232
appreciate your response . I know , uh ,

59:05.232 --> 59:04.939
Representative Higgins and I wrote you

59:04.939 --> 59:07.060
a letter about the importance of this

59:07.060 --> 59:09.116
capability in these particular areas

59:09.116 --> 59:11.227
and in your response where you said a

59:11.227 --> 59:13.171
critical component of our national

59:13.171 --> 59:15.393
launch capability and a key contributor

59:15.393 --> 59:17.282
to meeting these growing security

59:17.282 --> 59:19.393
demands are places like the spaceport

59:19.393 --> 59:21.560
in Virginia and Alaska . Uh , now that

59:21.560 --> 59:23.671
you've seen these launch capabilities

59:23.671 --> 59:25.782
firsthand and knowing , as I've spoke

59:25.782 --> 59:28.004
about the congestion at the Cape and at

59:28.004 --> 59:30.060
Vandenberg and knowing more and more

59:30.060 --> 59:29.550
heavy launches are going to take place

59:29.550 --> 59:31.550
there , which even creates a bigger

59:31.550 --> 59:33.439
impact on medium and small launch

59:33.439 --> 59:35.606
capabilities , uh , can you share your

59:35.606 --> 59:37.590
thinking about the state spaceport

59:37.590 --> 59:40.340
capabilities in , in vertical launch to

59:40.340 --> 59:42.590
orbit capabilities and how they are

59:42.590 --> 59:44.812
going to be necessary in the future and

59:44.812 --> 59:46.923
what would be the plan for us to make

59:46.923 --> 59:49.090
sure we have that capability expanding

59:49.090 --> 59:51.257
in those two spaceports . Well , thank

59:51.257 --> 59:53.090
you , sir , and I appreciate the

59:53.090 --> 59:55.312
opportunity to come out and , and visit

59:55.312 --> 59:57.368
the site with you and , um , I agree

59:57.368 --> 59:57.090
it's a , it's a gem out there , uh ,

59:57.139 --> 59:59.195
and there's some , there's some real

59:59.195 --> 01:00:01.361
capability . I think it's a two-phased

01:00:01.361 --> 01:00:03.528
approach in my mind and I , I'll defer

01:00:03.528 --> 01:00:05.750
to Secretary Mink too . I know he's got

01:00:05.750 --> 01:00:08.083
some ideas on the launch infrastructure ,

01:00:08.083 --> 01:00:10.306
but . Uh , first step is make sure that

01:00:10.306 --> 01:00:12.417
we're efficiently using those , those

01:00:12.417 --> 01:00:14.472
spaceports that we do have . I think

01:00:14.472 --> 01:00:14.050
there is some reorganization , some

01:00:14.050 --> 01:00:16.729
redesign of small and medium lift

01:00:16.729 --> 01:00:18.729
capabilities in our , in our larger

01:00:18.729 --> 01:00:20.729
spaceports that might be able to be

01:00:20.729 --> 01:00:22.562
offset , uh , and , and gain the

01:00:22.562 --> 01:00:24.673
efficiencies you get from places like

01:00:24.673 --> 01:00:26.840
Wallops Island . Uh , so , uh , that's

01:00:26.840 --> 01:00:28.896
step one is make sure we're using as

01:00:28.896 --> 01:00:31.007
efficiently as possible the resources

01:00:31.007 --> 01:00:30.969
we have . And then second is growing

01:00:30.969 --> 01:00:33.025
the infrastructure , uh , to support

01:00:33.025 --> 01:00:35.080
the demand signal that we are seeing

01:00:35.080 --> 01:00:37.191
from industry , uh , and our national

01:00:37.191 --> 01:00:39.358
security launches . Uh , we're , we're

01:00:39.358 --> 01:00:41.469
gonna have to increase the capacity .

01:00:41.469 --> 01:00:43.525
Uh , and then maybe the connected to

01:00:43.525 --> 01:00:45.691
that is the geographic resiliency that

01:00:45.691 --> 01:00:47.858
you might need to have separate launch

01:00:47.858 --> 01:00:49.913
locations and not be so tied to just

01:00:49.913 --> 01:00:52.025
the two specific launch ports that we

01:00:52.025 --> 01:00:51.959
have . So we're , we're looking heavily

01:00:51.959 --> 01:00:55.229
and we're analyzing , uh , alternatives ,

01:00:55.250 --> 01:00:57.899
uh , to support other options . General

01:00:57.899 --> 01:01:00.121
Salzman and Secretary Minkey , I'd like

01:01:00.121 --> 01:01:02.232
to get your specific ideas about what

01:01:02.232 --> 01:01:04.232
would these investments look like .

01:01:04.232 --> 01:01:06.399
What should we focus on and how we are

01:01:06.399 --> 01:01:08.121
directing money to these state

01:01:08.121 --> 01:01:10.232
spaceports in order to augment what's

01:01:10.232 --> 01:01:12.510
going on at the Cape and at Vandenberg .

01:01:13.379 --> 01:01:15.490
One will be as we redesign and we say

01:01:15.490 --> 01:01:17.712
we're going to move capability from one

01:01:17.712 --> 01:01:19.768
spaceport to another , that , that's

01:01:19.768 --> 01:01:21.990
not inexpensive . Uh , and then to make

01:01:21.990 --> 01:01:24.101
sure that it has things like the port

01:01:24.101 --> 01:01:26.379
facilities , it has the The consumable ,

01:01:26.379 --> 01:01:28.157
uh , infrastructure that that's

01:01:28.157 --> 01:01:30.101
required storage facilities , uh ,

01:01:30.101 --> 01:01:32.101
payload integration facilities . So

01:01:32.101 --> 01:01:34.379
there are Milon efforts . There's , uh ,

01:01:34.379 --> 01:01:34.179
upgrades , and then we're gonna have to

01:01:34.179 --> 01:01:36.346
think about the regulatory , how , how

01:01:36.346 --> 01:01:38.235
fast can we launch , what are the

01:01:38.235 --> 01:01:40.290
launch licensing , uh , procedures ,

01:01:40.290 --> 01:01:42.346
environmental impact studies that we

01:01:42.346 --> 01:01:44.346
have to do . All of those are gonna

01:01:44.346 --> 01:01:44.179
require oversight to make sure we get

01:01:44.179 --> 01:01:46.235
it right and do it as efficiently as

01:01:46.235 --> 01:01:48.457
possible . Very good , Secretary Mink .

01:01:49.310 --> 01:01:51.588
Yeah , yeah . Second , everything , uh ,

01:01:51.588 --> 01:01:53.588
General Saltzman said , I , I guess

01:01:53.588 --> 01:01:55.921
what I'd add is , as well as , you know ,

01:01:55.921 --> 01:01:58.143
we've just finished up , uh , a study ,

01:01:58.143 --> 01:02:00.032
and , uh , that's working its way

01:02:00.032 --> 01:01:59.860
through the process to come down , uh ,

01:01:59.939 --> 01:02:02.939
to the hill , at a , at a high level ,

01:02:03.020 --> 01:02:05.260
what it says is we , we probably need

01:02:05.260 --> 01:02:07.699
another site that's capable of heavy

01:02:07.699 --> 01:02:10.560
and , and super heavy launch capability ,

01:02:10.899 --> 01:02:13.121
uh , both from a resiliency perspective

01:02:13.121 --> 01:02:14.989
and just even at , at the Cape

01:02:14.989 --> 01:02:17.100
limitations and , uh , how much space

01:02:17.100 --> 01:02:19.211
we got . Um , it , it , it , it still

01:02:19.211 --> 01:02:21.560
shocks me a little bit that just launch .

01:02:22.409 --> 01:02:24.631
Bases launch infrastructure seems to be

01:02:24.631 --> 01:02:26.909
the limitation right now , uh , on , on

01:02:26.909 --> 01:02:28.742
the nation's ability to grow our

01:02:28.742 --> 01:02:30.909
commercial , our grow at least for the

01:02:30.909 --> 01:02:33.020
next , uh , foreseeable future , grow

01:02:33.020 --> 01:02:34.576
our , our commercial launch

01:02:34.576 --> 01:02:36.631
infrastructure , uh , which supports

01:02:36.631 --> 01:02:36.580
again , both commercial and national .

01:02:36.979 --> 01:02:39.201
So it , it looks like we , we , we need

01:02:39.201 --> 01:02:40.868
to take full advantage of the

01:02:40.868 --> 01:02:43.035
efficiencies at , at the current Space

01:02:43.035 --> 01:02:45.090
Force , but we probably need another

01:02:45.090 --> 01:02:47.257
location that's capable of a heavy and

01:02:47.257 --> 01:02:49.479
super heavy launch kit . General time's

01:02:49.479 --> 01:02:51.479
expired . The chair and I recognize

01:02:51.479 --> 01:02:51.139
gentle lady from Washington , Ms .

01:02:51.219 --> 01:02:53.429
Strickland . Thank you Chairman Rogers

01:02:53.429 --> 01:02:55.485
and Ranking Member Smith , and thank

01:02:55.485 --> 01:02:57.651
you to all of our witnesses . I'm over

01:02:57.651 --> 01:03:00.320
here today . I want to focus my

01:03:00.320 --> 01:03:02.209
questions on strategic mobility ,

01:03:02.209 --> 01:03:04.376
airborne battle management , and space

01:03:04.376 --> 01:03:06.598
force structures . So I have a question

01:03:06.598 --> 01:03:08.653
for each of you . General Wilsbach ,

01:03:08.653 --> 01:03:10.764
the Air Force now expects portions of

01:03:10.764 --> 01:03:12.876
the strategic air fleet airlift fleet

01:03:12.876 --> 01:03:14.764
to remain operational for decades

01:03:14.764 --> 01:03:16.931
longer than originally planned , while

01:03:16.931 --> 01:03:18.931
the next generation airlift remains

01:03:18.931 --> 01:03:21.098
years away . The Air Force also waited

01:03:21.098 --> 01:03:24.520
decades to recapitalize KC-135 fleet

01:03:24.520 --> 01:03:26.576
before beginning the KC-46 program .

01:03:26.959 --> 01:03:29.015
What exactly is the department doing

01:03:29.015 --> 01:03:30.903
now to ensure the next generation

01:03:30.903 --> 01:03:32.570
airlift does not face similar

01:03:32.570 --> 01:03:34.737
recapitalization or schedule pressures

01:03:34.737 --> 01:03:37.070
as a strategic airlift continues to age ?

01:03:38.010 --> 01:03:40.121
Well , thank you , Congresswoman . Uh

01:03:40.121 --> 01:03:42.177
yes , we have a , uh , in the budget

01:03:42.177 --> 01:03:44.232
this year is a , um , study that's ,

01:03:44.300 --> 01:03:46.467
that's , uh , designed to look exactly

01:03:46.467 --> 01:03:48.689
at what you're talking about , the next

01:03:48.689 --> 01:03:50.911
generation airlift , and the , the idea

01:03:50.911 --> 01:03:54.879
behind this study is to determine what

01:03:54.879 --> 01:03:57.370
the next aircraft will look like , what

01:03:57.370 --> 01:03:59.259
it will be , and the requirements

01:03:59.259 --> 01:04:01.580
thereof , and it's to replace the C5

01:04:01.580 --> 01:04:05.320
and the C-17 . We have a lot of life

01:04:05.320 --> 01:04:08.310
left on both those platforms , and so

01:04:08.310 --> 01:04:10.532
we're , we're not in a big crisis right

01:04:10.532 --> 01:04:12.588
now . We , we don't think we need to

01:04:12.588 --> 01:04:16.199
replace the C5 until about 2040 and the

01:04:16.199 --> 01:04:19.010
17 is even beyond that . Um , so I

01:04:19.010 --> 01:04:21.177
think we're in , we're in OK shape and

01:04:21.177 --> 01:04:23.343
that the , the budget is designed to ,

01:04:23.343 --> 01:04:25.343
to look at this for the next year .

01:04:25.343 --> 01:04:27.510
Thank you . And staying on operational

01:04:27.510 --> 01:04:29.399
capability , Secretary Mink , the

01:04:29.399 --> 01:04:31.177
department previously sought to

01:04:31.177 --> 01:04:33.399
terminate the E7 but recently announced

01:04:33.399 --> 01:04:35.177
plans to move forward with five

01:04:35.177 --> 01:04:37.232
additional aircraft . We did not see

01:04:37.232 --> 01:04:39.121
funding for those aircraft in the

01:04:39.121 --> 01:04:41.288
fiscal year 27 budget request , though

01:04:41.288 --> 01:04:43.399
we understand the department plans to

01:04:43.399 --> 01:04:45.621
submit a budget amendment to fully fund

01:04:45.621 --> 01:04:47.677
the program in 207 and beyond . What

01:04:47.677 --> 01:04:49.732
operational realities actually cause

01:04:49.732 --> 01:04:51.788
the department to reverse course and

01:04:51.788 --> 01:04:51.370
what's the status of that funding

01:04:51.370 --> 01:04:53.689
request ? Uh , uh , maybe answer the

01:04:53.689 --> 01:04:55.856
second part first , uh , the status of

01:04:55.856 --> 01:04:57.745
the request is , is we're putting

01:04:57.745 --> 01:04:59.800
through a budget amendment , uh , in

01:04:59.800 --> 01:05:01.911
the , I think it's in the ballpark of

01:05:01.911 --> 01:05:04.078
around $1.5 billion . It's working its

01:05:04.078 --> 01:05:06.300
way through the system right now , uh ,

01:05:06.300 --> 01:05:06.090
to come to the hill , that'll fund 27 ,

01:05:06.100 --> 01:05:08.267
and then when we build the 28 budget ,

01:05:08.267 --> 01:05:10.267
uh , we will work it into the , the

01:05:10.267 --> 01:05:12.378
long term , the long term plan . Uh ,

01:05:12.378 --> 01:05:14.489
with respect to what's changed , uh ,

01:05:14.489 --> 01:05:17.639
uh , what's changed is , is when the

01:05:17.639 --> 01:05:21.070
decision was made to , to cancel the E7 ,

01:05:21.310 --> 01:05:23.421
uh , we were working at a top line of

01:05:23.421 --> 01:05:26.870
the department of about 8 , 890 . Um ,

01:05:27.050 --> 01:05:29.409
we have , uh , we hope , uh , much more

01:05:29.409 --> 01:05:31.689
budget flexibility now . And that was

01:05:31.689 --> 01:05:33.810
one of the things that we put back on

01:05:33.810 --> 01:05:36.189
the , back on the , the priority list

01:05:36.189 --> 01:05:38.300
to , to put into the budget . Uh , it

01:05:38.300 --> 01:05:40.530
is really just simply at the 890 mark ,

01:05:40.649 --> 01:05:42.760
we were cutting things that we didn't

01:05:42.760 --> 01:05:44.871
want to cut . Um , now we have enough

01:05:44.871 --> 01:05:47.205
flexibility to put some of that back in ,

01:05:47.205 --> 01:05:46.889
and that was one of the airplanes that

01:05:46.889 --> 01:05:49.000
went on it , uh , just at a very high

01:05:49.000 --> 01:05:52.209
level , we believe the space-based and

01:05:52.209 --> 01:05:54.850
the air-based AMTI mission working

01:05:54.850 --> 01:05:56.961
together is where we need to be and ,

01:05:56.961 --> 01:05:59.128
and we're looking for support from the

01:05:59.128 --> 01:06:01.183
hill . So I appreciate that . Do you

01:06:01.183 --> 01:06:00.929
feel confident that the department can

01:06:00.929 --> 01:06:03.096
now execute airborne battle management

01:06:03.096 --> 01:06:04.096
without the E-7 ?

01:06:09.070 --> 01:06:11.429
I , I , I think we had a plan to do

01:06:11.429 --> 01:06:14.550
that , uh , without the E7 , uh , using

01:06:14.550 --> 01:06:16.606
space-base , uh , because again , if

01:06:16.606 --> 01:06:18.494
you look at the larger air battle

01:06:18.494 --> 01:06:20.661
management . It is a fusion of sensors

01:06:20.661 --> 01:06:22.883
that are really across airspace and the

01:06:22.883 --> 01:06:25.149
ground domains . Uh , the E7 helps make

01:06:25.149 --> 01:06:27.429
that problem easier . With that , I'll

01:06:27.429 --> 01:06:29.596
maybe turn it over to General Wilsbach

01:06:29.596 --> 01:06:31.818
for a couple of comments . I agree with

01:06:31.818 --> 01:06:33.909
the Secretary . We can do air battle

01:06:33.909 --> 01:06:36.020
management from a number of different

01:06:36.020 --> 01:06:38.242
platforms , but the E7 allows us , uh ,

01:06:38.242 --> 01:06:39.965
what we believe is the highest

01:06:39.965 --> 01:06:42.076
capability to be flexible and get the

01:06:42.076 --> 01:06:44.187
air battle manager in the right space

01:06:44.187 --> 01:06:46.520
at the right time to manage that battle .

01:06:46.520 --> 01:06:48.687
Thank you . Alright , now I'm going to

01:06:48.687 --> 01:06:50.853
go to General Saltzman and turning the

01:06:50.853 --> 01:06:53.020
Space Force , which by the way has the

01:06:53.020 --> 01:06:55.242
best logo of all the services . I gotta

01:06:55.242 --> 01:06:57.187
point that out , very modern . I'm

01:06:57.187 --> 01:06:59.298
General Saltzman . The Space Force is

01:06:59.298 --> 01:07:01.298
receiving major budget and manpower

01:07:01.298 --> 01:07:03.298
growth while also stating the force

01:07:03.298 --> 01:07:05.520
remains too small for expanding mission

01:07:05.520 --> 01:07:07.742
set . Given recent information provided

01:07:07.742 --> 01:07:09.909
to Congress showing shortfalls in both

01:07:09.909 --> 01:07:11.798
military and civilian acquisition

01:07:11.798 --> 01:07:14.020
personnel , what's the service doing to

01:07:14.020 --> 01:07:16.242
address those gaps , particularly as it

01:07:16.242 --> 01:07:18.131
prepares to manage a roughly 300%

01:07:18.131 --> 01:07:20.439
increase in funding ? Well , we are ,

01:07:20.600 --> 01:07:22.711
we are planning to grow as quickly as

01:07:22.711 --> 01:07:24.933
possible , um , something like 2000 new

01:07:24.933 --> 01:07:27.156
civilian hires over the next year , for

01:07:27.156 --> 01:07:29.267
example , we're doing about 300 , I'm

01:07:29.267 --> 01:07:30.989
looking at my notes here , 300

01:07:30.989 --> 01:07:33.211
personnel actions per month to bring on

01:07:33.211 --> 01:07:35.267
that civilian workforce , which is a

01:07:35.267 --> 01:07:37.544
big part of our acquisition cadre . Uh ,

01:07:37.544 --> 01:07:39.544
2800 new active duty guardians is a

01:07:39.544 --> 01:07:41.767
part of the request . Uh , the missions

01:07:41.767 --> 01:07:43.989
that are coming on are gonna require us

01:07:43.989 --> 01:07:46.179
to put together 10 new program offices

01:07:46.179 --> 01:07:48.179
to make sure we can do the kinds of

01:07:48.179 --> 01:07:50.401
acquisition that's necessary on an , on

01:07:50.401 --> 01:07:52.457
an operationally relevant timeline .

01:07:52.457 --> 01:07:54.568
It'll probably result in about 40 new

01:07:54.568 --> 01:07:56.790
squadrons just with the new missions we

01:07:56.790 --> 01:07:58.957
have coming down the pipe . So this is

01:07:58.957 --> 01:07:58.699
about , um , understanding what the

01:07:58.699 --> 01:08:00.866
mission requirements are , under doing

01:08:00.866 --> 01:08:03.088
all the manpower penal time to expire ,

01:08:03.088 --> 01:08:05.199
and bringing in the acquisition to do

01:08:05.199 --> 01:08:07.421
it . Here I recognizes a gentleman from

01:08:07.421 --> 01:08:09.643
Georgia , Mr . Scott . Thank you , Mr .

01:08:09.643 --> 01:08:08.879
Chairman . Gentlemen , thanks for being

01:08:08.879 --> 01:08:11.239
here today . Uh , Mr . Secretary , uh ,

01:08:11.399 --> 01:08:13.455
I represent Robbins Air Force Base ,

01:08:13.455 --> 01:08:16.319
one of the 3 depots , um , that are

01:08:16.319 --> 01:08:18.720
gems to our country . Just , is the Air

01:08:18.720 --> 01:08:20.776
Force still committed to the 3 depot

01:08:20.776 --> 01:08:21.776
strategy ?

01:08:24.600 --> 01:08:27.109
Uh , absolutely , Congressman , um .

01:08:27.750 --> 01:08:29.750
I'm gonna get a little further into

01:08:29.750 --> 01:08:32.350
this , but one of my concerns is , as

01:08:32.350 --> 01:08:35.770
we divest older equipment ,

01:08:36.270 --> 01:08:38.770
uh , that we make sure that we're not ,

01:08:40.040 --> 01:08:42.770
Creating a , a capability gap when we

01:08:42.770 --> 01:08:44.992
get rid of those older systems , making

01:08:44.992 --> 01:08:47.214
sure that the new systems are developed

01:08:47.214 --> 01:08:49.381
and in production before we get rid of

01:08:49.381 --> 01:08:51.603
them . So as we talk about the E11s , I

01:08:51.603 --> 01:08:51.560
know there's been some postponement of

01:08:51.560 --> 01:08:54.080
the A-10s . Interested in any comments

01:08:54.080 --> 01:08:56.302
on there on the divestment of the A-10s

01:08:56.302 --> 01:08:59.879
and the MQ-9s . Um , what is the

01:08:59.879 --> 01:09:02.479
plan to replace the assets with equal

01:09:02.479 --> 01:09:04.339
or greater capability without

01:09:04.640 --> 01:09:08.299
generating a gap ? Uh , every one of

01:09:08.299 --> 01:09:10.077
those platforms are , are , the

01:09:10.077 --> 01:09:12.132
strategy is a little bit different ,

01:09:12.132 --> 01:09:14.299
but we do have , we do have strategies

01:09:14.299 --> 01:09:16.632
for , for all of them , uh , on the MQ9 ,

01:09:16.632 --> 01:09:18.743
uh , side of the house , we , we do ,

01:09:18.743 --> 01:09:20.855
we are not divesting , uh , the MQ9 .

01:09:20.855 --> 01:09:22.910
Uh , we have had some losses in that

01:09:22.910 --> 01:09:24.855
aircraft and we're working to fill

01:09:24.855 --> 01:09:26.966
those losses . Uh , but in parallel ,

01:09:26.966 --> 01:09:28.910
we are looking at , at what is the

01:09:28.910 --> 01:09:30.966
follow-on to the MQ-9 aircraft , and

01:09:30.966 --> 01:09:30.569
it's probably going to be not one

01:09:30.569 --> 01:09:32.513
platform , it'll probably multiple

01:09:32.513 --> 01:09:34.513
platforms . Uh , and we've actually

01:09:34.513 --> 01:09:36.736
been doing a lot of the R&D work , uh ,

01:09:36.736 --> 01:09:38.847
to be positioned to do that and we're

01:09:38.847 --> 01:09:41.069
now in the process of doing that . Uh ,

01:09:41.069 --> 01:09:43.125
on the A-10 side of the house , um ,

01:09:43.125 --> 01:09:45.347
we've essentially slowed down and , and

01:09:45.347 --> 01:09:47.680
delayed the retirement of that platform .

01:09:47.680 --> 01:09:49.736
And in many cases , uh , what's that

01:09:49.736 --> 01:09:51.958
allowed us to do is , is backfill those

01:09:51.958 --> 01:09:54.013
units with more capable , survivable

01:09:54.013 --> 01:09:56.488
combat aircraft , uh , which is part of

01:09:56.488 --> 01:09:58.599
the budget submission allowed us to ,

01:09:58.599 --> 01:10:00.766
to deliver those platforms earlier and

01:10:00.766 --> 01:10:02.988
replace the A-10s . Uh , on the 11 side

01:10:02.988 --> 01:10:05.099
of the house , uh , the , the , the ,

01:10:05.099 --> 01:10:07.620
uh , again , the current challenge with

01:10:07.620 --> 01:10:09.842
that aircraft is survivability where we

01:10:09.842 --> 01:10:12.540
need it . Um , we're pushing hard

01:10:12.540 --> 01:10:16.299
across the fleet to go to more secure

01:10:16.299 --> 01:10:18.259
and survivable , uh , Beyondline

01:10:18.259 --> 01:10:20.315
sites.com and all of our platforms ,

01:10:20.315 --> 01:10:22.370
and we are , we are rapidly fielding

01:10:22.370 --> 01:10:24.703
that capability across the entire force ,

01:10:24.703 --> 01:10:26.919
uh , wide body and fighter aircraft .

01:10:27.660 --> 01:10:30.839
They , they are more survivable . The

01:10:30.839 --> 01:10:32.950
new platforms are , but when it comes

01:10:32.950 --> 01:10:36.479
to combat search and rescue . The A-10s

01:10:36.479 --> 01:10:38.600
have , have , have done an extremely

01:10:38.600 --> 01:10:41.560
good job . I'm concerned that as we

01:10:41.560 --> 01:10:45.160
move to faster systems , uh , loiter

01:10:45.160 --> 01:10:47.327
time and other things that we need for

01:10:47.327 --> 01:10:49.549
combat search and rescue , uh , will be

01:10:49.549 --> 01:10:51.520
sacrificed for that , uh , General

01:10:51.520 --> 01:10:55.109
Wilsbach , um . And , and let me say

01:10:55.109 --> 01:10:57.331
this with regard to the A-10s and a lot

01:10:57.331 --> 01:10:59.553
of our weapons systems , when we're not

01:10:59.553 --> 01:11:01.609
going to use them anymore . I do not

01:11:01.609 --> 01:11:03.665
understand why we don't sell them to

01:11:03.680 --> 01:11:06.729
our allies . And could , could you

01:11:06.729 --> 01:11:08.951
speak to that , Secretary ? Like what ,

01:11:08.951 --> 01:11:11.173
if , if we're going to divest ourselves

01:11:11.173 --> 01:11:13.285
of a system like the A-10 . Why don't

01:11:13.285 --> 01:11:15.451
we put it in the bone yard ? Why don't

01:11:15.451 --> 01:11:18.200
we sell it to a NATO partner , uh , who ,

01:11:18.330 --> 01:11:20.386
who , who could use the system , and

01:11:20.386 --> 01:11:22.497
then it would be there when we needed

01:11:22.497 --> 01:11:24.608
it ? If I , if I could , maybe I'll ,

01:11:24.608 --> 01:11:24.069
I'll touch on that , and then I'll ,

01:11:24.129 --> 01:11:26.296
I'll turn it over to General Willsbach

01:11:26.296 --> 01:11:28.518
to act how we're gonna , uh , to answer

01:11:28.518 --> 01:11:30.851
how we're gonna conduct the . The , the ,

01:11:30.851 --> 01:11:33.180
the rescue support mission sets . Uh ,

01:11:33.350 --> 01:11:37.229
yeah , so we do sell a lot of platforms ,

01:11:37.310 --> 01:11:39.477
uh , to our international partners , a

01:11:39.477 --> 01:11:41.366
very large number of platforms to

01:11:41.366 --> 01:11:43.532
international partners . Um , and when

01:11:43.532 --> 01:11:45.754
they look at what they want to buy from

01:11:45.754 --> 01:11:47.921
a cost-effective , survivable , combat

01:11:47.921 --> 01:11:50.032
effectiveness perspective , Uh , they

01:11:50.032 --> 01:11:52.199
are focused on , you know , either the

01:11:52.199 --> 01:11:54.421
F-35s or MQ-9 type aircraft , um , just

01:11:54.421 --> 01:11:57.069
due to the cost and the age , uh , and

01:11:57.069 --> 01:11:59.430
the A-10s are quite old aircraft and

01:11:59.430 --> 01:12:01.541
becoming more and more challenging to

01:12:01.541 --> 01:12:03.430
maintain . Uh , it , it , it just

01:12:03.430 --> 01:12:05.763
doesn't look cost effective from , from ,

01:12:05.763 --> 01:12:07.930
from that perspective , but I'll , I'd

01:12:07.930 --> 01:12:10.097
rather give them to them than put them

01:12:10.097 --> 01:12:09.689
in the bone yard , to be honest with

01:12:09.689 --> 01:12:13.450
you . So giving a platform and

01:12:13.450 --> 01:12:15.450
the maintenance and everything else

01:12:15.450 --> 01:12:17.283
that's required to maintain that

01:12:17.283 --> 01:12:19.394
platform , it would be very expensive

01:12:19.394 --> 01:12:21.283
to most of these countries , uh ,

01:12:21.283 --> 01:12:23.394
general . No , the , the secretary is

01:12:23.394 --> 01:12:25.450
exactly right . I mean , even if you

01:12:25.450 --> 01:12:27.672
gave the A-10s to a country , um , they

01:12:27.672 --> 01:12:29.894
would still have to pay to sustain them

01:12:29.894 --> 01:12:32.117
and upgrade them and keep them viable .

01:12:32.117 --> 01:12:34.339
In 30 seconds , can you speak to combat

01:12:34.339 --> 01:12:34.080
search and rescue if we're giving up

01:12:34.080 --> 01:12:36.200
the A-10 ? Uh , I do . I mean , the

01:12:36.200 --> 01:12:38.256
reason why the A-10 , uh , is really

01:12:38.256 --> 01:12:40.256
good at that is because it's a core

01:12:40.256 --> 01:12:42.311
mission of that platform . And as we

01:12:42.311 --> 01:12:44.533
transitioned , uh , with , with putting

01:12:44.533 --> 01:12:47.180
the A-10 in the in the retirement phase

01:12:47.180 --> 01:12:49.513
there will be other platforms that will ,

01:12:49.513 --> 01:12:51.624
it will become their core mission and

01:12:51.624 --> 01:12:54.000
so F-35s , F-15s , um , other , other

01:12:54.000 --> 01:12:56.069
platforms have the capability . So

01:12:56.069 --> 01:12:57.736
General , the A-10 pilots are

01:12:57.736 --> 01:12:59.902
specifically trained for combat search

01:12:59.902 --> 01:13:02.069
and rescue . Are we gonna specifically

01:13:02.069 --> 01:13:04.236
train F-35 and other pilots for combat

01:13:04.236 --> 01:13:04.200
search and rescue because there have

01:13:04.200 --> 01:13:06.311
been questions about that . We have ,

01:13:06.339 --> 01:13:08.561
we'll have to . It's our mission . OK ,

01:13:08.561 --> 01:13:10.783
thank you . Excellent . Great , chair .

01:13:10.783 --> 01:13:13.117
I recognize a gentleman from California ,

01:13:13.117 --> 01:13:14.950
Mr . Cisneros . Thank you , Mr .

01:13:14.950 --> 01:13:17.117
Chairman , and thank you all for being

01:13:17.117 --> 01:13:19.228
here today . Um , I'll get right into

01:13:19.228 --> 01:13:21.283
it . Mr . Secretary , I recently met

01:13:21.283 --> 01:13:23.228
with the California National Guard

01:13:23.228 --> 01:13:25.283
State Adjutant General and discussed

01:13:25.283 --> 01:13:27.172
the urgent need for , for fighter

01:13:27.172 --> 01:13:29.172
recapitalization . Uh , several Air

01:13:29.172 --> 01:13:31.395
National Guard units , including a unit

01:13:31.395 --> 01:13:33.561
in California , are operating on aging

01:13:33.561 --> 01:13:35.672
F-15 fleets well beyond the projected

01:13:35.672 --> 01:13:37.839
service lives with critical shortfalls

01:13:37.839 --> 01:13:39.617
and spare parts and sustainment

01:13:39.617 --> 01:13:41.172
resources . Um , what's the

01:13:41.172 --> 01:13:43.395
department's plan for re recapitalizing

01:13:43.395 --> 01:13:45.561
these units , and what is the expected

01:13:45.561 --> 01:13:47.561
timeline for delivering replacement

01:13:47.561 --> 01:13:49.839
aircraft , the 144th in California ?

01:13:54.000 --> 01:13:57.399
Uh , so , so I , I , I , I think maybe

01:13:57.399 --> 01:13:59.510
what you're poking at is the delivery

01:13:59.510 --> 01:14:01.399
pace of the F-15EX , which is the

01:14:01.399 --> 01:14:03.566
primary replacement platform . Uh , we

01:14:03.566 --> 01:14:05.677
are focused on that . We are actually

01:14:05.677 --> 01:14:07.899
ramping up production to support , uh ,

01:14:07.899 --> 01:14:10.080
replacement , uh , of the older F-15s

01:14:10.080 --> 01:14:12.120
with the , the newer , very , very

01:14:12.120 --> 01:14:15.220
capable F-15EX platform . Uh , we've

01:14:15.220 --> 01:14:17.331
been working very closely with , uh ,

01:14:17.331 --> 01:14:19.609
the contractor Boeing . Matter of fact ,

01:14:19.609 --> 01:14:21.720
I spent a day out at Saint Louis just

01:14:21.720 --> 01:14:23.887
going through the detailed planning of

01:14:23.887 --> 01:14:26.053
how we're going to increase production

01:14:26.053 --> 01:14:28.220
of that platform and maintain schedule

01:14:28.220 --> 01:14:28.129
to , to basically replenish those

01:14:28.129 --> 01:14:30.296
aircraft . So I , I think we're making

01:14:30.296 --> 01:14:32.407
good progress and , and it is a focus

01:14:32.407 --> 01:14:34.407
and we're pushing hard to make sure

01:14:34.407 --> 01:14:36.185
that , that we get those planes

01:14:36.185 --> 01:14:38.351
replenished . Well , our , our unit in

01:14:38.351 --> 01:14:40.518
California is still flying F-15 Cs and

01:14:40.518 --> 01:14:42.573
D's and a lot of them are being Um ,

01:14:42.573 --> 01:14:44.740
you know , strip for , for spare parts

01:14:44.740 --> 01:14:47.073
to keep other aircraft running . Um , I ,

01:14:47.073 --> 01:14:49.240
I , I hope we can get this going , but

01:14:49.240 --> 01:14:51.185
it's my understanding we're making

01:14:51.185 --> 01:14:53.351
about 1 F-15 EX a day . Um , if that's

01:14:53.351 --> 01:14:55.407
the case , we're gonna have to speed

01:14:55.407 --> 01:14:57.518
that up quickly because we need these

01:14:57.518 --> 01:14:59.629
aircraft and other units need them as

01:14:59.629 --> 01:14:59.390
well . So , so we're not , we're ,

01:14:59.479 --> 01:15:01.701
we're not making one a day . If we were

01:15:01.701 --> 01:15:03.701
making one a day , I'd be extremely

01:15:03.701 --> 01:15:06.035
happy , happy , Congressman . I'm sorry ,

01:15:06.035 --> 01:15:05.750
one a month . Yeah , I know what you

01:15:05.750 --> 01:15:07.861
meant . Uh , yeah , so we think we're

01:15:07.861 --> 01:15:10.028
going to get to 2 months . Uh , pretty

01:15:10.028 --> 01:15:12.139
quickly , and , and the contractor is

01:15:12.139 --> 01:15:11.509
supposed to come back with us in the

01:15:11.509 --> 01:15:15.120
next few weeks on a plan to get to 3 a

01:15:15.120 --> 01:15:17.342
month and then 4 a month , uh , to both

01:15:17.342 --> 01:15:19.564
support the US and FMS sales . That's a

01:15:19.564 --> 01:15:21.398
platform that , that many of our

01:15:21.398 --> 01:15:23.509
international partners want to buy as

01:15:23.509 --> 01:15:25.731
well . All right , thank you for that ,

01:15:25.731 --> 01:15:28.620
um , general , um . You , you're Chief

01:15:28.620 --> 01:15:30.676
Master Sergeant of the , uh , of the

01:15:30.676 --> 01:15:33.180
Space Force , um , I'm not even trying

01:15:33.180 --> 01:15:35.660
to pronounce his name , Ben , Benavegna ,

01:15:36.419 --> 01:15:38.970
uh , said earlier this year that , uh ,

01:15:38.979 --> 01:15:41.201
the Space Force is gonna need to double

01:15:41.201 --> 01:15:43.312
in size . And I know you said in your

01:15:43.312 --> 01:15:44.979
opening statement that you're

01:15:44.979 --> 01:15:46.979
increasing by 27% , but that's well

01:15:46.979 --> 01:15:49.419
short of doubling in size . So , as you

01:15:49.419 --> 01:15:51.586
kind of see it as you're getting ready

01:15:51.586 --> 01:15:53.641
to retire , and thank you for your ,

01:15:53.641 --> 01:15:55.752
your service , uh , for your years of

01:15:55.752 --> 01:15:55.509
service both in the Air Force and the

01:15:55.509 --> 01:15:59.189
Space Force , um . What is the plan

01:15:59.189 --> 01:16:01.245
going forward to kind of get to that

01:16:01.245 --> 01:16:03.467
point if we do need to double in size ?

01:16:03.467 --> 01:16:05.633
How long is it going to take us to get

01:16:05.633 --> 01:16:07.522
to that point ? Yes sir , the 27%

01:16:07.522 --> 01:16:09.578
increase is just in one year . We're

01:16:09.578 --> 01:16:11.745
going from 10,000 . We're adding about

01:16:11.745 --> 01:16:13.689
2800 to that . So , uh , over four

01:16:13.689 --> 01:16:15.911
years we think we're gonna get close by

01:16:15.911 --> 01:16:18.078
the end of the decade , uh , to 20,000

01:16:18.078 --> 01:16:20.300
active duty service members . So that's

01:16:20.300 --> 01:16:22.411
the plan . We can't bring them all on

01:16:22.411 --> 01:16:24.633
at once because our training pipe . has

01:16:24.633 --> 01:16:24.615
to be able to support that and quite

01:16:24.615 --> 01:16:26.837
frankly , the squatters that we need to

01:16:26.837 --> 01:16:28.948
stand up aren't ready yet because the

01:16:28.948 --> 01:16:31.004
systems are in orbit . So it's about

01:16:31.004 --> 01:16:30.694
synchronizing it all over the next 4 or

01:16:30.694 --> 01:16:32.750
5 years . All right , well , I think

01:16:32.750 --> 01:16:34.972
you'll have support from this committee

01:16:34.972 --> 01:16:37.083
if there's anything we can do to help

01:16:37.083 --> 01:16:36.854
speed up that process to get you there

01:16:36.854 --> 01:16:39.021
sooner , uh , because it definitely is

01:16:39.021 --> 01:16:42.310
needed . Thank you . um . General

01:16:42.310 --> 01:16:44.199
Wilsbach , uh , you made previous

01:16:44.199 --> 01:16:46.199
comments that the Air Force's prime

01:16:46.199 --> 01:16:48.366
objective is to fix and fly aircraft ,

01:16:48.366 --> 01:16:50.477
which I agree with . Uh , yet the Air

01:16:50.477 --> 01:16:52.532
Force carries responsibility for the

01:16:52.532 --> 01:16:54.699
land-based leg of our nuclear triad as

01:16:54.699 --> 01:16:56.810
well , the ICBM . Uh , the department

01:16:56.810 --> 01:16:58.977
notified Congress that the next , uh ,

01:16:58.977 --> 01:17:01.088
next generation ICBM is woefully over

01:17:01.088 --> 01:17:03.199
budget and behind schedule . So while

01:17:03.199 --> 01:17:05.366
the Air Force is struggling with pilot

01:17:05.366 --> 01:17:07.532
shortfalls in a fleet of aircraft that

01:17:07.532 --> 01:17:09.643
is aging rapidly , uh , And it's even

01:17:09.643 --> 01:17:11.588
been suggested that maybe the army

01:17:11.588 --> 01:17:13.699
should take over that I've read in an

01:17:13.699 --> 01:17:15.866
article that the army should take over

01:17:15.866 --> 01:17:17.866
the ICBM program . Um , what do you

01:17:17.866 --> 01:17:20.100
think needs to happen , uh , in order

01:17:20.100 --> 01:17:22.267
to kind of help support the ICBMs ? Is

01:17:22.267 --> 01:17:24.378
this something we should turn over to

01:17:24.378 --> 01:17:26.600
the Army ? Is it something that the Air

01:17:26.600 --> 01:17:26.500
Force , Air Force can focus on while

01:17:26.500 --> 01:17:28.700
it's also focusing on , uh , the

01:17:28.700 --> 01:17:31.033
aircraft portion of its mission as well ?

01:17:31.540 --> 01:17:33.540
Uh , thanks , Congressman . I don't

01:17:33.540 --> 01:17:35.540
think we should turn it over to the

01:17:35.540 --> 01:17:37.762
Army . I think the Air Force is capable

01:17:37.762 --> 01:17:39.762
and has , has shown that we've been

01:17:39.762 --> 01:17:41.984
operating the Minuteman for decades and

01:17:41.984 --> 01:17:44.040
we can continue to transition to the

01:17:44.040 --> 01:17:46.262
Sentinel . Uh , the 27 budget has about

01:17:46.262 --> 01:17:48.520
4.5 billion to continue to work the

01:17:48.520 --> 01:17:51.100
Sentinel program . Uh , I know we were ,

01:17:51.220 --> 01:17:53.370
we had a Nunn-McCurdy breach , uh ,

01:17:53.379 --> 01:17:56.100
earlier . Uh , we're restructuring that

01:17:56.100 --> 01:17:58.211
program and uh it's on a better track

01:17:58.211 --> 01:18:00.378
now . All right , well , thank you for

01:18:00.378 --> 01:18:02.433
that . I , I think this is something

01:18:02.433 --> 01:18:04.600
that it , it definitely is part of the

01:18:04.600 --> 01:18:06.544
triad needs to be focused on , and

01:18:06.544 --> 01:18:06.390
we're gonna have to rethink the triad

01:18:06.390 --> 01:18:08.709
going into the future . But thank you

01:18:08.709 --> 01:18:10.899
very much all for your , uh , for your

01:18:10.899 --> 01:18:12.955
answers today , and I yield back . I

01:18:12.955 --> 01:18:14.788
would just say if I can add that

01:18:14.788 --> 01:18:18.020
nuclear deterrence , both from the air

01:18:18.020 --> 01:18:20.350
side of the house and the ICBM side of

01:18:20.350 --> 01:18:22.183
the house as well as the nuclear

01:18:22.183 --> 01:18:24.183
command and control , that's . Uh ,

01:18:24.183 --> 01:18:26.294
that's provided by the Space Force in

01:18:26.294 --> 01:18:28.406
many respects is , is , is our number

01:18:28.406 --> 01:18:30.461
one priority . Nuclear deterrence is

01:18:30.461 --> 01:18:32.683
the mission we need to make sure we get

01:18:32.683 --> 01:18:31.689
right , and , and we're gonna make sure

01:18:31.689 --> 01:18:33.911
we get it right . Chair , recognize the

01:18:33.911 --> 01:18:35.800
gentleman from Tennessee , Doctor

01:18:35.800 --> 01:18:38.078
DesJarlais . Thank you , Chairman . Uh ,

01:18:38.078 --> 01:18:40.169
Secretary Mink . Over here .

01:18:42.229 --> 01:18:44.118
I do want to congratulate General

01:18:44.118 --> 01:18:46.359
Saltzman on his retirement . And , uh ,

01:18:46.509 --> 01:18:48.620
General Saltzman , uh , thank you for

01:18:48.620 --> 01:18:51.509
your leadership and service . Uh , it's

01:18:51.509 --> 01:18:54.029
gonna be sorely missed . Um , I was

01:18:54.029 --> 01:18:56.251
pleased to see the significant increase

01:18:56.251 --> 01:18:58.473
in the Space Force budget . However , I

01:18:58.473 --> 01:19:00.529
was disappointed despite the overall

01:19:00.529 --> 01:19:02.418
increase , the commercial service

01:19:02.418 --> 01:19:04.585
budget request was half of last year's

01:19:04.585 --> 01:19:06.529
request . Uh , this line funds the

01:19:06.529 --> 01:19:08.751
commercial augmentation space reserve ,

01:19:08.751 --> 01:19:10.529
and the tactical surveillance ,

01:19:10.529 --> 01:19:12.418
reconnaissance and tracking pilot

01:19:12.418 --> 01:19:14.473
program , and several other lines of

01:19:14.473 --> 01:19:16.529
effort that have been of interest to

01:19:16.529 --> 01:19:18.640
this committee . Uh , can you walk me

01:19:18.640 --> 01:19:20.807
through the service's plan to increase

01:19:20.807 --> 01:19:22.696
the use of commercial services as

01:19:22.696 --> 01:19:24.585
proposed by your commercial space

01:19:24.585 --> 01:19:26.751
strategy if it's not reflected in this

01:19:26.751 --> 01:19:28.918
budget line ? Sir , I , I think , uh ,

01:19:28.918 --> 01:19:31.029
we've proven , we've demonstrated the

01:19:31.029 --> 01:19:33.251
capabilities of using commercial , uh ,

01:19:33.251 --> 01:19:35.140
services , uh , in support of our

01:19:35.140 --> 01:19:37.362
missions and , uh , now it's just about

01:19:37.362 --> 01:19:39.585
figuring out what those funding sources

01:19:39.585 --> 01:19:38.839
are . In fact , a lot of the combatant

01:19:38.839 --> 01:19:41.120
commands are paying the bill on , uh ,

01:19:41.129 --> 01:19:43.351
on commercial imagery as well as , uh ,

01:19:43.351 --> 01:19:45.462
commercial satellite communications .

01:19:45.462 --> 01:19:47.351
And so I think if you look at the

01:19:47.351 --> 01:19:49.351
overall budget , you'd still see an

01:19:49.351 --> 01:19:51.573
increase in commercial services , but ,

01:19:51.573 --> 01:19:50.819
um , it's something that we're looking

01:19:50.819 --> 01:19:53.041
forward , uh , we're , we're evaluating

01:19:53.041 --> 01:19:55.097
whether there should be a program of

01:19:55.097 --> 01:19:57.319
record and whether that'll expand . But

01:19:57.319 --> 01:19:59.430
right now our commercial space , uh ,

01:19:59.430 --> 01:20:01.541
office is handling that marketplace ,

01:20:01.541 --> 01:20:03.819
we think sufficiently . OK , thank you .

01:20:03.819 --> 01:20:05.930
And Secretary Mk , this , this one is

01:20:05.930 --> 01:20:08.097
for you . Um , well , General White is

01:20:08.097 --> 01:20:10.319
responsible for the Air Force's highest

01:20:10.319 --> 01:20:12.541
profile nuclear modernization program ,

01:20:12.541 --> 01:20:14.430
Sentinel and B-21 , the Air Force

01:20:14.430 --> 01:20:16.430
remains responsible for many others

01:20:16.430 --> 01:20:18.597
such as the replacement cruise missile

01:20:18.597 --> 01:20:20.763
known as LRSO , as well as a myriad of

01:20:20.763 --> 01:20:22.930
NC-3 programs . Can you assure us that

01:20:22.930 --> 01:20:22.919
the Air Force will continue to

01:20:22.919 --> 01:20:25.040
prioritize these programs and that we

01:20:25.040 --> 01:20:27.339
won't take our eye off the ball as

01:20:27.399 --> 01:20:29.455
other parts of the Air Force nuclear

01:20:29.455 --> 01:20:31.455
portfolio are reassigned to General

01:20:31.455 --> 01:20:33.510
White . Uh , so , so again , General

01:20:33.510 --> 01:20:35.677
White , uh , absolutely , we will keep

01:20:35.677 --> 01:20:37.899
our eye on , on the ball on that . Uh ,

01:20:37.899 --> 01:20:39.788
ER Russo is actually one of those

01:20:39.788 --> 01:20:39.350
programs . Uh , I didn't mention it ,

01:20:39.399 --> 01:20:41.890
but it , it is going very well . Uh ,

01:20:42.120 --> 01:20:44.231
the program is properly structured in

01:20:44.231 --> 01:20:46.564
the beginning and it is delivering , uh ,

01:20:46.564 --> 01:20:48.620
actually at a very good cost point ,

01:20:48.620 --> 01:20:48.069
not just from a schedule perspective ,

01:20:48.120 --> 01:20:50.287
but a cost perspective . So we're very

01:20:50.287 --> 01:20:52.509
happy with that . Um , and , and across

01:20:52.509 --> 01:20:54.509
the board , uh , you know , we will

01:20:54.509 --> 01:20:56.787
continue to support , even though , uh ,

01:20:56.787 --> 01:20:58.676
uh , you know , Dale's got really

01:20:58.676 --> 01:21:00.898
special authority straight from the DEP

01:21:00.898 --> 01:21:03.009
secde on acquisition . Those programs

01:21:03.009 --> 01:21:05.287
are still sitting in the Air Force and ,

01:21:05.287 --> 01:21:07.509
and , and we will work closely with him

01:21:07.509 --> 01:21:07.310
to make sure we deliver all of them .

01:21:07.750 --> 01:21:09.806
OK . Well , staying on that topic of

01:21:09.806 --> 01:21:11.750
LRSO as you may know , last year ,

01:21:11.750 --> 01:21:14.089
there was the miscommunication about

01:21:14.089 --> 01:21:16.311
the amount of funding necessary , which

01:21:16.311 --> 01:21:18.422
ultimately led to significant cuts to

01:21:18.422 --> 01:21:20.478
the program . This year , the budget

01:21:20.478 --> 01:21:22.367
request includes $565 million for

01:21:22.367 --> 01:21:24.533
research and development . In addition

01:21:24.533 --> 01:21:27.509
to 330 million procurement for it , I

01:21:27.509 --> 01:21:29.565
just wanted to confirm with you that

01:21:29.565 --> 01:21:31.787
this is the level of resourcing the Air

01:21:31.787 --> 01:21:33.731
Force needs to keep the program on

01:21:33.731 --> 01:21:35.620
track , and there's no margin for

01:21:35.620 --> 01:21:37.676
additional delay . Is that correct ?

01:21:37.676 --> 01:21:39.842
That is correct , and I'm not sure how

01:21:39.842 --> 01:21:41.731
we ended up crossed paths on that

01:21:41.731 --> 01:21:43.898
communication . Uh , but yeah , that ,

01:21:43.898 --> 01:21:45.953
that , that did impact the program ,

01:21:45.953 --> 01:21:48.100
those lack of resources , uh , last

01:21:48.100 --> 01:21:50.156
year . Uh , so yes , those resources

01:21:50.156 --> 01:21:52.156
are absolutely required to keep the

01:21:52.156 --> 01:21:54.322
program on schedule . It's actually in

01:21:54.322 --> 01:21:56.433
a very sensitive period of its , uh ,

01:21:56.433 --> 01:21:58.489
life where you're transitioning from

01:21:58.489 --> 01:22:00.378
the R&D phase of the program into

01:22:00.378 --> 01:22:02.378
production , as well as making sure

01:22:02.378 --> 01:22:04.489
that , that all the Infrastructure is

01:22:04.489 --> 01:22:06.600
there to support it . So I appreciate

01:22:06.600 --> 01:22:06.544
all your support . Yeah , well , thank

01:22:06.544 --> 01:22:08.655
you , and this is the best performing

01:22:08.655 --> 01:22:10.711
nuclear modernization program in the

01:22:10.711 --> 01:22:12.655
Air Force . We need to ensure that

01:22:12.655 --> 01:22:14.600
progress is not put in jeopardy by

01:22:14.600 --> 01:22:16.822
confusion about how the Air Force needs

01:22:16.822 --> 01:22:18.988
to keep executing it . So I appreciate

01:22:18.988 --> 01:22:21.470
that , General Will Wilsbach . There

01:22:21.470 --> 01:22:23.637
have been a number of drone incursions

01:22:23.637 --> 01:22:25.803
at military bases across the country ,

01:22:25.803 --> 01:22:27.803
and there is a wide concern for the

01:22:27.803 --> 01:22:29.692
threat of drones being used in an

01:22:29.692 --> 01:22:31.914
attack on the homeland . What role does

01:22:31.914 --> 01:22:31.500
the Air National Guard play in

01:22:31.500 --> 01:22:33.611
detecting , tracking , and responding

01:22:33.611 --> 01:22:35.500
to unmanned aerial system threats

01:22:35.500 --> 01:22:37.222
within the homeland , and what

01:22:37.222 --> 01:22:39.389
additional capabilities or authorities

01:22:39.389 --> 01:22:41.611
are required to enhance this mission at

01:22:41.611 --> 01:22:43.833
the state level ? I think we're good on

01:22:43.833 --> 01:22:45.778
the authorities . Uh , but the Air

01:22:45.778 --> 01:22:45.750
National Guard , along with , you know ,

01:22:45.839 --> 01:22:48.450
frankly , all other , uh , department ,

01:22:48.830 --> 01:22:51.109
uh , bases have the same , same

01:22:51.109 --> 01:22:53.109
responsibility , which is to defend

01:22:53.109 --> 01:22:56.129
their base . And , uh , the , the .

01:22:57.370 --> 01:22:59.592
The problems that we have right now are

01:22:59.592 --> 01:23:01.814
the capabilities that we have to detect

01:23:01.930 --> 01:23:03.652
the environment and then to do

01:23:03.652 --> 01:23:05.819
something about it . Many of the bases

01:23:05.819 --> 01:23:07.763
have non-kinetic capabilities that

01:23:07.850 --> 01:23:09.906
don't actually work against a lot of

01:23:09.906 --> 01:23:12.183
the drones , and so we've been rapidly ,

01:23:12.290 --> 01:23:14.290
in the last few months been rapidly

01:23:14.290 --> 01:23:16.810
fielding new capabilities to take care

01:23:16.810 --> 01:23:18.977
of this . We still need to continue to

01:23:18.977 --> 01:23:21.088
do that . Anything Congress can do to

01:23:21.088 --> 01:23:23.209
help at this point ? The 27 budget

01:23:23.209 --> 01:23:25.376
addresses this . Yes sir . Thank you ,

01:23:25.376 --> 01:23:27.487
Chairman . I yield back . Gentlemen ,

01:23:27.487 --> 01:23:29.598
yields back , Chair , and I recognize

01:23:29.598 --> 01:23:29.109
the gentleman from Illinois , Mr .

01:23:29.129 --> 01:23:31.296
Sorenson . Thank you , Mr . Chairman .

01:23:31.296 --> 01:23:33.518
Uh , many thanks to our witnesses today

01:23:33.518 --> 01:23:35.518
for your leadership to innovate and

01:23:35.518 --> 01:23:37.629
scale up our Air Force capabilities ,

01:23:37.629 --> 01:23:39.851
as well as Space Force , protecting our

01:23:39.851 --> 01:23:41.962
assets above and keeping us safe here

01:23:41.962 --> 01:23:44.073
at home . And Secretary Mink , I'd be

01:23:44.073 --> 01:23:46.430
remiss if I didn't also congratulate

01:23:46.649 --> 01:23:48.371
the man to your left , General

01:23:48.371 --> 01:23:51.049
Stoltzman , on your retirement . Um , I

01:23:51.049 --> 01:23:53.580
am so incredibly proud to represent the

01:23:53.580 --> 01:23:56.939
Patriots working at the 182nd Airlift

01:23:56.939 --> 01:23:59.419
Wing in Peoria , Illinois . I wish we

01:23:59.419 --> 01:24:01.520
had , uh , C-130J models at the

01:24:01.520 --> 01:24:03.459
airfield today , uh , but Central

01:24:03.459 --> 01:24:05.540
Illinois is thankful for all of your

01:24:05.540 --> 01:24:08.720
efforts to get us these new C-130J's at

01:24:08.720 --> 01:24:11.569
the 182nd . As we've seen with

01:24:11.580 --> 01:24:14.370
Operation Epic Fury , contingency

01:24:14.370 --> 01:24:16.689
response groups are critical to quickly

01:24:16.689 --> 01:24:18.911
opening airfields and ensuring that our

01:24:18.911 --> 01:24:21.129
airmen can smoothly enable theater

01:24:21.129 --> 01:24:23.250
logistics . Whether it's a dirt field

01:24:23.250 --> 01:24:25.472
in the middle of nowhere , an abandoned

01:24:25.472 --> 01:24:27.639
runway somewhere , or at the site of a

01:24:27.639 --> 01:24:29.930
recent weather disaster , a contingency

01:24:29.930 --> 01:24:32.041
response group can make sure that our

01:24:32.041 --> 01:24:34.041
service members can land safely and

01:24:34.041 --> 01:24:36.089
begin carrying out operations right

01:24:36.089 --> 01:24:38.089
away . I'm so thrilled that the Air

01:24:38.089 --> 01:24:40.311
Force decided to stand up a contingency

01:24:40.311 --> 01:24:42.256
response group within the 182nd in

01:24:42.256 --> 01:24:45.140
Peoria . Our guard members in the , uh ,

01:24:45.529 --> 01:24:47.990
in Peoria are the best of the best , uh ,

01:24:48.040 --> 01:24:50.310
so there's no one better to kick off

01:24:50.310 --> 01:24:52.366
operations . I could talk about them

01:24:52.366 --> 01:24:54.532
all day , but I'm concerned . With how

01:24:54.532 --> 01:24:56.720
this CRG conversion is going , we're 1

01:24:56.720 --> 01:24:58.609
year into a 3 year conversion and

01:24:58.609 --> 01:25:00.609
there's no funding for equipment or

01:25:00.609 --> 01:25:02.776
manning . So , uh , to the Secretary ,

01:25:02.776 --> 01:25:04.831
what are we doing to ensure that the

01:25:04.831 --> 01:25:06.942
182nd , as well as the 5 Air National

01:25:06.942 --> 01:25:09.120
Guard units converting to CRGs can

01:25:09.120 --> 01:25:11.064
complete the conversion and become

01:25:11.064 --> 01:25:14.990
mission ready ? Uh , if

01:25:14.990 --> 01:25:17.046
it's all right , if it's all right ,

01:25:17.046 --> 01:25:19.046
Congressman , I think I'll , I'll ,

01:25:19.046 --> 01:25:21.268
I'll hand that off to the , the , the ,

01:25:21.268 --> 01:25:23.490
the chief . Thank you for the specifics

01:25:23.490 --> 01:25:25.712
of the exact funding . Let me come back

01:25:25.712 --> 01:25:27.601
to you and I'll , I'll give you a

01:25:27.601 --> 01:25:29.712
written report of how we intend to do

01:25:29.712 --> 01:25:31.712
that because I don't know the exact

01:25:31.712 --> 01:25:33.934
specifics for that wing . All right , I

01:25:33.934 --> 01:25:32.779
appreciate that . It's something that

01:25:32.779 --> 01:25:35.001
we should , uh , get figured out . It's

01:25:35.001 --> 01:25:36.890
been , uh , years in the making .

01:25:36.890 --> 01:25:38.612
Concur , um , in . In terms of

01:25:38.612 --> 01:25:40.779
personnel , the 182nd was sourced with

01:25:40.779 --> 01:25:44.705
125 positions . As you know , 175

01:25:44.705 --> 01:25:47.884
are needed to complete a CRG unit . Um ,

01:25:48.064 --> 01:25:51.165
what more can we do together to ensure

01:25:51.165 --> 01:25:53.109
that we've got those 50 additional

01:25:53.109 --> 01:25:56.359
personnel , um , on the ground ? So

01:25:56.359 --> 01:25:58.137
we'll make sure that , that the

01:25:58.137 --> 01:26:00.192
appropriate uh personnel are , are ,

01:26:00.192 --> 01:26:02.303
are there as we , as we , we start to

01:26:02.303 --> 01:26:04.870
transition . Uh , the , uh , and if ,

01:26:04.919 --> 01:26:06.975
and if there's a shortfall , we'll ,

01:26:06.975 --> 01:26:09.086
we'll come back to you and , and work

01:26:09.086 --> 01:26:11.141
with you on that as well . General ,

01:26:11.141 --> 01:26:13.030
and the , um , the 27 budget also

01:26:13.030 --> 01:26:15.141
allows for an end strength increase ,

01:26:15.141 --> 01:26:17.390
uh , for the Air Force . And so when ,

01:26:17.479 --> 01:26:19.535
when we say we'll make sure you have

01:26:19.535 --> 01:26:21.757
the people , it also needs to be funded

01:26:21.757 --> 01:26:23.812
and we are funded . In the 27 budget

01:26:23.812 --> 01:26:25.979
request for that , so it'll be helpful

01:26:25.979 --> 01:26:28.146
to be able to plus that up . Great , I

01:26:28.146 --> 01:26:30.035
appreciate that . Um , to General

01:26:30.035 --> 01:26:31.868
Stoltzman and to Mr . Mek , uh ,

01:26:31.868 --> 01:26:33.812
earlier you mentioned the need for

01:26:33.812 --> 01:26:35.923
another launch site for Space Force .

01:26:35.923 --> 01:26:37.923
How important are horizontal launch

01:26:37.923 --> 01:26:39.979
points and how can we expedite their

01:26:39.979 --> 01:26:42.759
development ? And sorry , Congressman ,

01:26:42.839 --> 01:26:45.061
when you say horizontal launch points ,

01:26:45.061 --> 01:26:46.950
you don't , you don't mean , uh ,

01:26:46.950 --> 01:26:49.061
air-based launch systems , or are you

01:26:49.061 --> 01:26:51.061
talking about the horizontal versus

01:26:51.061 --> 01:26:53.228
vertical integration or forgive me for

01:26:53.228 --> 01:26:55.283
merging a little bit of , of the SST

01:26:55.283 --> 01:26:55.009
committee that I've been working on in

01:26:55.009 --> 01:26:57.009
the past , but , um , to develop a

01:26:57.009 --> 01:27:00.049
horizontal launch point to get the

01:27:00.049 --> 01:27:02.450
things that we build into space , right ?

01:27:02.569 --> 01:27:04.791
So , you know , we've Got a space , you

01:27:04.791 --> 01:27:06.902
know , that is outside the , the busy

01:27:06.902 --> 01:27:09.115
O'Hare and Midway airspace , but it is

01:27:09.115 --> 01:27:11.714
the epicenter of where we build all of

01:27:11.714 --> 01:27:14.154
the critical industrial and , and

01:27:14.154 --> 01:27:16.595
advanced manufacturing . Um , how do we

01:27:16.595 --> 01:27:18.915
get it up where we need it ? Is there a

01:27:18.915 --> 01:27:20.971
way that we could utilize horizontal

01:27:20.971 --> 01:27:22.748
launches as opposed to vertical

01:27:22.748 --> 01:27:24.971
launches , and how can we work together

01:27:24.971 --> 01:27:27.049
on it ? So we probably have a long

01:27:27.049 --> 01:27:29.216
discussion on this . This , those have

01:27:29.216 --> 01:27:31.271
been looked at back and forth . Um ,

01:27:31.271 --> 01:27:33.327
both the commercial industry and the

01:27:33.327 --> 01:27:35.549
government is from a cost-effectiveness

01:27:35.549 --> 01:27:37.716
perspective , it's , they've , they've

01:27:37.716 --> 01:27:37.169
gone to a vertical launch . A matter of

01:27:37.169 --> 01:27:39.225
fact , even vertical landing . There

01:27:39.225 --> 01:27:41.502
are many contractors , not just SpaceX ,

01:27:41.502 --> 01:27:43.502
but Blue and others . are doing the

01:27:43.502 --> 01:27:45.613
vertical landing that just approved ,

01:27:45.613 --> 01:27:47.836
just appeared to at least now the state

01:27:47.836 --> 01:27:49.891
of the technology as the most , uh ,

01:27:49.891 --> 01:27:52.002
efficient way to launch . Uh , saying

01:27:52.002 --> 01:27:54.113
that is there , there , like I said ,

01:27:54.113 --> 01:27:56.280
there is an additional , uh , probably

01:27:56.280 --> 01:27:58.391
launch facility required to support ,

01:27:58.391 --> 01:28:00.613
uh , the , the large rockets , which is

01:28:00.613 --> 01:28:02.613
harder to find than the , the , the

01:28:02.613 --> 01:28:04.502
support the smaller rockets . And

01:28:04.502 --> 01:28:06.558
that's something that we're going to

01:28:06.558 --> 01:28:05.919
have to be working with Congress and

01:28:05.919 --> 01:28:07.919
the states to , to figure out going

01:28:07.919 --> 01:28:10.109
forward , uh , Sophie . I think

01:28:10.109 --> 01:28:12.165
airborne launch is as close as we've

01:28:12.165 --> 01:28:14.331
come , I've seen to demonstrating some

01:28:14.331 --> 01:28:16.498
sort of horizontal launch capability ,

01:28:16.498 --> 01:28:18.665
and , and it does provide some agile ,

01:28:18.665 --> 01:28:20.831
uh , flexibility , uh , for launches ,

01:28:20.831 --> 01:28:22.887
uh , but payloads are are reduced at

01:28:22.887 --> 01:28:25.053
this point and so we just haven't seen

01:28:25.053 --> 01:28:24.910
it be able to produce the kinds of

01:28:24.910 --> 01:28:27.189
efficiencies that both vertical launch

01:28:27.189 --> 01:28:29.022
and vertical reusable launch has

01:28:29.022 --> 01:28:31.245
achieved . Well , just because of where

01:28:31.245 --> 01:28:33.300
we are , I hope that the Quad Cities

01:28:33.300 --> 01:28:35.633
could be part of that , uh , discussion .

01:28:35.633 --> 01:28:37.856
Thank you so much , and I go back . The

01:28:37.856 --> 01:28:37.200
gentleman's time has expired . The

01:28:37.200 --> 01:28:39.422
chair now recognized the gentleman from

01:28:39.640 --> 01:28:42.370
Nebraska , General Bacon . Thank you .

01:28:43.080 --> 01:28:45.136
Thanks to all three of you for being

01:28:45.136 --> 01:28:46.858
here . Uh , Charles Saltzman ,

01:28:46.858 --> 01:28:48.858
congratulations . Uh , I retired in

01:28:48.858 --> 01:28:51.024
2014 . Now I'm starting to think about

01:28:51.024 --> 01:28:53.247
a third career , so you , you got , you

01:28:53.247 --> 01:28:55.413
got a lot of runway ahead of you . And

01:28:55.413 --> 01:28:57.636
I appreciate all three of you . Uh , my

01:28:57.636 --> 01:28:59.636
first question to the secretary . I

01:28:59.636 --> 01:28:59.220
wanted to verify some statements that

01:28:59.220 --> 01:29:01.331
were made , uh , in the Senate , uh ,

01:29:01.331 --> 01:29:03.819
in the recent weeks . Uh , first , and

01:29:03.819 --> 01:29:05.875
by the way , these are very positive

01:29:05.875 --> 01:29:08.097
developments in my mind , uh , that you

01:29:08.097 --> 01:29:09.875
said that the Air Force will be

01:29:09.875 --> 01:29:12.859
building towards 22 EA-37s . Is that

01:29:12.859 --> 01:29:16.100
correct ? The EA

01:29:16.100 --> 01:29:18.390
37Bs referring to , yes , we've

01:29:18.390 --> 01:29:20.430
expanded uh within this budget

01:29:20.430 --> 01:29:22.486
submission across the fight up we've

01:29:22.486 --> 01:29:24.740
expanded the , the number of uh 37Bs ,

01:29:24.750 --> 01:29:26.528
correct ? This is an incredible

01:29:26.528 --> 01:29:28.694
milestone . I've been working this for

01:29:28.694 --> 01:29:30.639
a long time . I flew , uh , in the

01:29:30.639 --> 01:29:32.639
earlier versions for 11 years , but

01:29:32.639 --> 01:29:32.479
we're gonna finally produce a

01:29:32.479 --> 01:29:34.479
capability that our warfighters say

01:29:34.479 --> 01:29:36.590
they need . And you know , electronic

01:29:36.590 --> 01:29:38.701
warfare saves lives , makes it easier

01:29:38.701 --> 01:29:40.923
easy to penetrate air defenses , and so

01:29:40.923 --> 01:29:42.868
I just , uh , Well , I applaud the

01:29:42.868 --> 01:29:45.090
decision . Uh , when I came here it was

01:29:45.090 --> 01:29:47.035
6 , and we had a hard time getting

01:29:47.035 --> 01:29:49.090
those numbers up . So it's been a 10

01:29:49.090 --> 01:29:51.201
year project , uh , from our office .

01:29:51.201 --> 01:29:53.201
So I am thrilled . Thank you . Also

01:29:53.201 --> 01:29:53.200
wanted to verify that the Looking Glass

01:29:53.200 --> 01:29:55.450
mission , uh , is being moved back to

01:29:55.450 --> 01:29:57.672
the Air Force . Let me just , for those

01:29:57.672 --> 01:29:59.728
who aren't familiar with the Looking

01:29:59.728 --> 01:30:01.894
Glass mission , it's a nuclear command

01:30:01.894 --> 01:30:04.061
and control , uh , platform , airborne

01:30:04.061 --> 01:30:06.283
platform that provides survivability if

01:30:06.283 --> 01:30:08.506
the White House is hit , the Pentagon's

01:30:08.506 --> 01:30:10.561
hit , or StratCom , and it ensures .

01:30:10.561 --> 01:30:12.783
That we can launch our ICBMs even if we

01:30:12.783 --> 01:30:15.006
get decapitated on the ground . I think

01:30:15.006 --> 01:30:16.950
it's a very important capability ,

01:30:16.950 --> 01:30:19.283
especially as Russia and China rebuilds ,

01:30:19.283 --> 01:30:21.394
but I just wanted to verify that this

01:30:21.394 --> 01:30:23.561
is coming back to the Air Force . Uh ,

01:30:23.561 --> 01:30:25.617
uh , yes , Congressman , it is , and

01:30:25.617 --> 01:30:27.672
we're in the process of working with

01:30:27.672 --> 01:30:29.617
our partners at Stratton and other

01:30:29.617 --> 01:30:31.894
places to refine the requirements , uh ,

01:30:31.894 --> 01:30:34.061
uh , really to get to something that's

01:30:34.061 --> 01:30:36.117
affordable and we can deliver fairly

01:30:36.117 --> 01:30:38.228
quickly , um , but yes , an important

01:30:38.228 --> 01:30:38.180
mission . But this is another huge

01:30:38.180 --> 01:30:40.291
milestone from my vantage . I've been

01:30:40.291 --> 01:30:42.402
working this too for a decade in , in

01:30:42.402 --> 01:30:44.291
Congress . No one , we have these

01:30:44.291 --> 01:30:46.291
airplanes on a 15-minute alert . We

01:30:46.291 --> 01:30:48.236
have weapons that can hit us in 15

01:30:48.236 --> 01:30:50.347
minutes . So I felt like we needed to

01:30:50.347 --> 01:30:52.124
increase our capability here or

01:30:52.124 --> 01:30:54.180
readiness to . We're quickly respond

01:30:54.180 --> 01:30:56.236
and I think we're going in the right

01:30:56.236 --> 01:30:58.402
direction . Russia and China must know

01:30:58.402 --> 01:31:00.513
that no matter what they do , we have

01:31:00.513 --> 01:31:02.513
our ability to launch 400 ICBMs and

01:31:02.513 --> 01:31:04.680
submarine missiles and , and really to

01:31:04.720 --> 01:31:07.080
use our deterrence capabilities . Uh ,

01:31:08.009 --> 01:31:10.040
General Wolsbach , of the 10,200

01:31:10.040 --> 01:31:13.240
sorties and over 13,500 strikes and

01:31:13.240 --> 01:31:15.296
epic fury , but how much of this was

01:31:15.296 --> 01:31:17.351
Air Force and he talked a little bit

01:31:17.351 --> 01:31:19.462
about the Air Force accomplishments .

01:31:19.970 --> 01:31:22.290
Uh , uh , uh , the , the , probably the

01:31:22.290 --> 01:31:24.457
real answer to that is classified , so

01:31:24.457 --> 01:31:26.568
maybe we can get together in a , in a

01:31:26.568 --> 01:31:28.568
closed session , but , uh , we , we

01:31:28.568 --> 01:31:30.512
have , uh , we have flown a lot of

01:31:30.512 --> 01:31:32.457
sorties and we've dropped a lot of

01:31:32.457 --> 01:31:34.568
munitions , and I'm very proud of the

01:31:34.568 --> 01:31:36.734
effort that the airmen have done . And

01:31:36.734 --> 01:31:38.790
this , this , uh , conflict has been

01:31:38.790 --> 01:31:40.957
somewhat different than others in that

01:31:40.957 --> 01:31:43.012
almost everybody involved were under

01:31:43.012 --> 01:31:45.234
fire the whole time . Uh , and they had

01:31:45.234 --> 01:31:47.290
to still continue to generate , uh ,

01:31:47.290 --> 01:31:49.401
sorties , which they did heroically .

01:31:49.939 --> 01:31:52.161
We actually had to train or we , we had

01:31:52.161 --> 01:31:54.383
to fight like we've been training for a

01:31:54.383 --> 01:31:56.383
long time , which under fire at our

01:31:56.383 --> 01:31:58.439
airfields . That's , uh , I remember

01:31:58.439 --> 01:32:00.661
doing that myself in training . How did

01:32:00.661 --> 01:32:03.049
the F-35 perform ? It performed really

01:32:03.049 --> 01:32:05.549
well and there's a lot of uh news on uh

01:32:05.549 --> 01:32:07.660
low aircraft availability rates , but

01:32:07.660 --> 01:32:09.771
the ones that we sent forward uh were

01:32:09.771 --> 01:32:12.029
running near standards as far as

01:32:12.029 --> 01:32:14.270
availability rate went . Um , it was

01:32:14.270 --> 01:32:16.326
also extremely effective uh from the

01:32:16.326 --> 01:32:18.381
standpoint of hitting its target and

01:32:18.381 --> 01:32:20.600
surviving in some very high threat

01:32:20.600 --> 01:32:23.129
environments . Last question I'd like

01:32:23.129 --> 01:32:25.609
to ask about the B-21 . Recently we've

01:32:25.609 --> 01:32:27.720
decided we're going from 100 to maybe

01:32:27.720 --> 01:32:29.776
145 . Just how important is the B-21

01:32:29.776 --> 01:32:32.060
capability ? In your view for the

01:32:32.060 --> 01:32:34.410
future . Yeah , so , as you know , as

01:32:34.410 --> 01:32:36.632
you stated , uh , the program of record

01:32:36.632 --> 01:32:38.743
is 100 aircraft . Uh , there's been ,

01:32:38.743 --> 01:32:40.854
uh , multiple opinions that , uh , we

01:32:40.854 --> 01:32:42.799
need more . Uh , I , I think we're

01:32:42.799 --> 01:32:44.743
probably gonna need more . We're ,

01:32:44.743 --> 01:32:46.688
we're gonna have to do a study and

01:32:46.688 --> 01:32:48.743
certainly work with the StratCom and

01:32:48.743 --> 01:32:48.729
Air Force Global Strike to , to figure

01:32:48.729 --> 01:32:50.729
out what that number is . 11 of the

01:32:50.729 --> 01:32:52.951
things though that's important if we do

01:32:52.951 --> 01:32:55.399
decide to , to build more is Northrop's

01:32:55.399 --> 01:32:57.970
ability to build them at scale and pace .

01:32:58.169 --> 01:33:00.720
OK . Joe Saltzman , uh , the budget

01:33:00.720 --> 01:33:02.700
requests , uh , huge increases in

01:33:02.700 --> 01:33:04.922
manpower for the Space Force , which is

01:33:04.922 --> 01:33:07.033
good , but given the current training

01:33:07.033 --> 01:33:09.367
pipelines and base level infrastructure ,

01:33:09.367 --> 01:33:11.367
how easily are you gonna be able to

01:33:11.367 --> 01:33:13.533
assimilate , uh , the added manpower ,

01:33:13.533 --> 01:33:15.589
the , the added capabilities ? We've

01:33:15.589 --> 01:33:17.700
got good planning for FY 27 . Our Air

01:33:17.700 --> 01:33:19.811
Force partners have been great , uh ,

01:33:19.811 --> 01:33:21.922
in terms of , uh , being able to take

01:33:21.922 --> 01:33:21.750
that on at both BMT and officer

01:33:21.750 --> 01:33:23.972
sessions . So I think we're good for FY

01:33:23.972 --> 01:33:26.240
27 . We will have to invest , uh ,

01:33:26.270 --> 01:33:28.381
additional resources as we get closer

01:33:28.381 --> 01:33:30.603
to the 2030 time frame . We'll start to

01:33:30.603 --> 01:33:32.714
exceed the capacity and we'll have to

01:33:32.714 --> 01:33:34.603
expand it . With that , I yield .

01:33:41.470 --> 01:33:43.526
Thank you to our witnesses for being

01:33:43.526 --> 01:33:45.748
here today . General , we will miss you

01:33:45.748 --> 01:33:47.830
very much and thank you for your

01:33:47.830 --> 01:33:49.886
faithful service to our country over

01:33:49.886 --> 01:33:52.899
all these years . Uh , I wanna start

01:33:52.899 --> 01:33:54.899
with the budget because that's what

01:33:54.899 --> 01:33:56.843
you're here to make the case for a

01:33:56.843 --> 01:34:00.759
$338.8 billion dollar budget , as you

01:34:00.759 --> 01:34:04.049
pointed out , it's a $92.5 billion

01:34:04.049 --> 01:34:06.879
dollar increase from last year , so 38% .

01:34:07.750 --> 01:34:09.959
As I look at those numbers in on this

01:34:09.959 --> 01:34:12.410
committee when we talk about a $1.5

01:34:12.410 --> 01:34:14.243
trillion dollar defense budget ,

01:34:14.243 --> 01:34:16.188
sometimes these numbers can become

01:34:16.188 --> 01:34:18.299
abstractions , but I think about this

01:34:18.299 --> 01:34:20.466
in very concrete terms . We're talking

01:34:20.466 --> 01:34:22.577
about . A sum of money , the increase

01:34:22.577 --> 01:34:24.521
alone , you know , bigger than the

01:34:24.521 --> 01:34:26.632
market value of some big companies in

01:34:26.632 --> 01:34:28.743
this country , bigger than the annual

01:34:28.743 --> 01:34:31.299
GDP of some of our NATO allies , and it

01:34:31.299 --> 01:34:33.299
certainly vastly exceeds the annual

01:34:33.299 --> 01:34:35.299
budget of most states in this great

01:34:35.299 --> 01:34:37.521
nation , including my home state of New

01:34:37.521 --> 01:34:39.743
Hampshire . Your increase alone would .

01:34:39.743 --> 01:34:41.799
Covered 10 years of the state of New

01:34:41.799 --> 01:34:44.132
Hampshire's budget , our public schools ,

01:34:44.132 --> 01:34:46.132
our police , state police officer ,

01:34:46.132 --> 01:34:48.243
roads and bridges . So this is , this

01:34:48.243 --> 01:34:50.839
is no small request . So I wanna ask

01:34:50.839 --> 01:34:52.839
you , Mr . Secretary , a question I

01:34:52.839 --> 01:34:55.919
asked you last year . Is the Air Force

01:34:55.919 --> 01:34:58.120
on track to pass a clean audit this

01:34:58.120 --> 01:35:01.839
year ? Uh , the , uh , the direction we

01:35:01.839 --> 01:35:04.006
were given , not this year , direction

01:35:04.006 --> 01:35:06.117
we were given was , uh , uh , by 28 ,

01:35:06.120 --> 01:35:08.819
but we intend to do it by the end of 27 .

01:35:09.120 --> 01:35:11.500
Uh , so we are pushing hard to actually

01:35:11.959 --> 01:35:13.903
meet kind of the direction we were

01:35:13.903 --> 01:35:16.015
given , which is by FY 28 . So we are

01:35:16.015 --> 01:35:17.959
pushing hard and we're making good

01:35:17.959 --> 01:35:20.015
progress , right ? And I , I , I , I

01:35:20.015 --> 01:35:22.237
agree with you , Congresswoman . It's a

01:35:22.237 --> 01:35:24.459
lot of money . It's , it , I , I see it

01:35:24.459 --> 01:35:23.839
as one of my core jobs is to make sure

01:35:23.839 --> 01:35:27.189
we effectively spend those resources to

01:35:27.189 --> 01:35:29.356
increase national security now and for

01:35:29.356 --> 01:35:31.467
decades to come . Well , I appreciate

01:35:31.467 --> 01:35:33.633
that and you know you pointed out last

01:35:33.633 --> 01:35:35.689
year where you were previously you ,

01:35:35.689 --> 01:35:38.060
you were at in a place where failing an

01:35:38.060 --> 01:35:40.709
audit was not an option and that is the

01:35:40.709 --> 01:35:42.876
spirit I hope you'll continue to bring

01:35:42.876 --> 01:35:44.820
uh to the Air Force because public

01:35:44.820 --> 01:35:48.330
trust depends on clean audits across

01:35:48.330 --> 01:35:50.552
the Pentagon . So I look forward . I'll

01:35:50.552 --> 01:35:52.663
follow up with some questions for the

01:35:52.663 --> 01:35:54.886
record . We want to support you in this

01:35:54.886 --> 01:35:57.163
effort , uh , in every way that we can .

01:35:57.163 --> 01:35:59.330
And I'm , I'm grateful for what you've

01:35:59.330 --> 01:35:59.169
said about being a custodian of

01:35:59.169 --> 01:36:01.490
taxpayer dollars . Um , when I think

01:36:01.490 --> 01:36:03.768
about where we can crack down on waste ,

01:36:03.770 --> 01:36:07.169
fraud , and abuse , um , I'm thinking a

01:36:07.169 --> 01:36:10.250
lot about the GAO weapons system annual

01:36:10.250 --> 01:36:12.472
assessment that I took a look at . When

01:36:12.472 --> 01:36:15.290
you , you look at lag times , delays ,

01:36:15.370 --> 01:36:17.740
and cost overruns , uh , the report

01:36:17.740 --> 01:36:21.029
from June of last year pointed to $49

01:36:21.029 --> 01:36:23.770
billion in cost overruns , the vast

01:36:23.770 --> 01:36:26.700
majority of which $30 billion was

01:36:26.700 --> 01:36:28.899
attributed to the , the Sentinel

01:36:28.899 --> 01:36:32.740
program and what look at what we can

01:36:32.740 --> 01:36:35.729
do to keep . Our systems on track and

01:36:35.729 --> 01:36:38.290
our costs in alignment , you know , the

01:36:38.290 --> 01:36:40.290
president issued an executive order

01:36:40.290 --> 01:36:42.401
earlier this year that goes to what I

01:36:42.401 --> 01:36:44.623
think are , are is really the source of

01:36:44.623 --> 01:36:46.679
some of our trouble stock buybacks ,

01:36:46.679 --> 01:36:48.810
dividend pay down payouts , and

01:36:48.810 --> 01:36:51.930
exorbitant executive salaries in some

01:36:51.930 --> 01:36:54.330
of these big defense companies . So I ,

01:36:54.390 --> 01:36:57.290
I wanna ask you , uh , how the

01:36:57.290 --> 01:36:59.179
implementation of the president's

01:36:59.179 --> 01:37:01.290
executive order is going . Um , and I

01:37:01.290 --> 01:37:03.179
want to know if you think this is

01:37:03.179 --> 01:37:05.123
something Congress should codify .

01:37:05.123 --> 01:37:07.123
There's bipartisan support for this

01:37:07.123 --> 01:37:09.290
because at the end of the day it makes

01:37:09.290 --> 01:37:11.179
no sense for our government to be

01:37:11.179 --> 01:37:13.123
forking over trillions of taxpayer

01:37:13.123 --> 01:37:15.234
dollars , uh , to big companies while

01:37:15.234 --> 01:37:16.957
their executives are receiving

01:37:16.957 --> 01:37:19.220
exorbitant pay . They are using this

01:37:19.220 --> 01:37:21.331
money to buy back their own company's

01:37:21.331 --> 01:37:23.180
box instead of investing in our

01:37:23.180 --> 01:37:25.291
warfighter and our national defense .

01:37:25.291 --> 01:37:27.013
So could you speak to . To the

01:37:27.013 --> 01:37:29.291
implementation of this executive order ,

01:37:29.291 --> 01:37:31.513
I , I , I try to be quick because I , I

01:37:31.513 --> 01:37:31.083
could talk about this for at least an

01:37:31.083 --> 01:37:33.305
hour . Well , I look forward to sitting

01:37:33.305 --> 01:37:35.527
down with , generally , I , I , I , I ,

01:37:35.527 --> 01:37:37.639
I think you , you're hitting on a lot

01:37:37.639 --> 01:37:37.223
of , a lot of very important points .

01:37:37.522 --> 01:37:39.703
Um , um , first off , first off , uh ,

01:37:40.083 --> 01:37:42.250
absolutely , can Congress be helpful ,

01:37:42.522 --> 01:37:45.362
uh , right to repair data rights , any

01:37:45.362 --> 01:37:47.529
congressional , and we'd be happy to ,

01:37:47.529 --> 01:37:49.913
to work on that , uh , dealing with our ,

01:37:49.953 --> 01:37:52.286
our warrior . Right to repair Act . And ,

01:37:52.286 --> 01:37:54.465
and , and also additional like with

01:37:54.465 --> 01:37:56.409
getting access to data , uh , just

01:37:56.409 --> 01:37:58.409
across the board , we think is , we

01:37:58.409 --> 01:38:00.576
think is important and , and sometimes

01:38:00.576 --> 01:38:02.687
this is the area where we , we , we'd

01:38:02.687 --> 01:38:04.798
actually like help from , from , from

01:38:04.798 --> 01:38:06.965
the hill . So I'd be happy to continue

01:38:06.965 --> 01:38:09.021
to work with you on that . Uh , with

01:38:09.021 --> 01:38:11.298
respect to kind of the EO , absolutely .

01:38:11.298 --> 01:38:13.354
Um , the defense industry in general

01:38:13.354 --> 01:38:15.879
has , has taken notice of that . Uh ,

01:38:15.970 --> 01:38:17.748
the Deputy Secretary of War was

01:38:17.748 --> 01:38:19.526
Secretary of War and the Deputy

01:38:19.526 --> 01:38:21.581
Secretary of War Feinberg , uh , and

01:38:21.581 --> 01:38:23.414
Secretary Hegseth have been very

01:38:23.414 --> 01:38:25.470
supportive of us and , and basically

01:38:25.470 --> 01:38:27.640
really making the contractors , uh ,

01:38:27.879 --> 01:38:30.212
meet what they're signing up to , right ?

01:38:30.212 --> 01:38:32.212
So we are pushing hard also to make

01:38:32.212 --> 01:38:34.439
them make investments in facilitization

01:38:34.439 --> 01:38:36.661
and the other things that are necessary

01:38:36.661 --> 01:38:38.772
for them to deliver capability . Uh ,

01:38:38.772 --> 01:38:40.495
but at the same time , just as

01:38:40.495 --> 01:38:42.661
importantly , we are pushing hard to ,

01:38:42.661 --> 01:38:44.717
to grow that industry base . Some of

01:38:44.717 --> 01:38:46.550
the much lower cost , more rapid

01:38:46.550 --> 01:38:48.772
automated production systems are really

01:38:48.772 --> 01:38:48.569
paying great dividends , right ? We're

01:38:48.569 --> 01:38:50.625
seeing a lot of some of the low-cost

01:38:50.625 --> 01:38:52.847
cruise missiles . Uh , I've been very ,

01:38:52.847 --> 01:38:55.069
very impressed , uh , with that . And I

01:38:55.069 --> 01:38:54.930
would just say , uh , you know , we

01:38:54.930 --> 01:38:57.041
talk a lot about Sentinel and some of

01:38:57.041 --> 01:38:59.152
the others . Programs , when I opened

01:38:59.152 --> 01:39:01.374
my opening statement , I , I made a , a

01:39:01.374 --> 01:39:03.263
statement that we've shortchanged

01:39:03.263 --> 01:39:05.152
because of the , really the , the

01:39:05.152 --> 01:39:07.319
lowest investment we've had from a GDP

01:39:07.319 --> 01:39:09.541
perspective in , in , in many decades .

01:39:09.541 --> 01:39:11.763
We shortchanged O&M , but we also short

01:39:11.763 --> 01:39:13.986
shortchanged modernization . What I say

01:39:13.986 --> 01:39:15.652
by that is when I look at the

01:39:15.652 --> 01:39:15.560
restructure of the Sentinel program ,

01:39:16.209 --> 01:39:18.376
The initial figure we went in for that

01:39:18.376 --> 01:39:20.487
program was totally unexecutable . We

01:39:20.487 --> 01:39:22.542
were making very unrealistic because

01:39:22.542 --> 01:39:24.653
just because of the restricted budget

01:39:24.653 --> 01:39:26.709
we were trying to operate under , we

01:39:26.709 --> 01:39:28.598
made a very large number of super

01:39:28.598 --> 01:39:30.500
aggressive assumptions on how

01:39:30.890 --> 01:39:32.834
efficiently . We could execute the

01:39:32.834 --> 01:39:35.214
program , which we're really not doable ,

01:39:35.334 --> 01:39:37.694
right ? So we are making a conscious

01:39:37.694 --> 01:39:39.916
effort to not let that happen . So when

01:39:39.916 --> 01:39:41.750
we come to you and tell you what

01:39:41.750 --> 01:39:41.495
something's gonna cost , that's what

01:39:41.495 --> 01:39:43.717
it's gonna cost , right ? And so that ,

01:39:43.717 --> 01:39:46.205
that what a relief you , generally it's

01:39:46.205 --> 01:39:48.924
expired . The chair now recognizes the

01:39:48.924 --> 01:39:50.980
gentleman from Texas , Mr . Fallon ,

01:39:50.980 --> 01:39:53.146
for 5 minutes . Thank you , Chairman .

01:39:53.146 --> 01:39:55.424
I want to congratulate you all on , uh ,

01:39:55.424 --> 01:39:57.480
the joint service op , uh , absolute

01:39:57.480 --> 01:39:59.790
resolve . It was really . Uh , epic ,

01:39:59.910 --> 01:40:02.169
uh , radon and Ty historic . So , uh ,

01:40:02.229 --> 01:40:04.285
very well done and congratulations ,

01:40:04.285 --> 01:40:06.118
General , and thank you for your

01:40:06.118 --> 01:40:06.069
service to the republic . Wanted to

01:40:06.069 --> 01:40:08.180
touch on 4 things real quickly . Uh ,

01:40:08.180 --> 01:40:10.402
Mr . Secretary , uh , I wanted to visit

01:40:10.402 --> 01:40:12.736
with you about recruiting . It was , uh ,

01:40:12.736 --> 01:40:14.902
an issue that , uh , under the current

01:40:14.902 --> 01:40:16.902
administration , we weren't hitting

01:40:16.902 --> 01:40:19.180
recruiting goals , uh , year over year ,

01:40:19.180 --> 01:40:18.990
and now we have , we've turned that

01:40:18.990 --> 01:40:21.157
corner and just wanted to , uh , visit

01:40:21.157 --> 01:40:23.268
with you very quickly on your plan to

01:40:23.268 --> 01:40:25.379
continue to make sure that we're ever

01:40:25.379 --> 01:40:27.546
vigilant because if we don't hit those

01:40:27.546 --> 01:40:29.768
numbers , we're in a world of hurt . So

01:40:29.768 --> 01:40:31.990
I have to say I feel extremely lucky to

01:40:31.990 --> 01:40:34.157
be Secretary of the Air Force . Uh , I

01:40:34.157 --> 01:40:36.157
think we hit our recruiting goals 5

01:40:36.157 --> 01:40:38.323
months early , uh , for 5 months prior

01:40:38.323 --> 01:40:40.546
to the end of the year . We have almost

01:40:40.546 --> 01:40:42.490
a couple of years of , of actually

01:40:42.490 --> 01:40:44.490
backlog of recruits waiting to come

01:40:44.490 --> 01:40:46.657
into the department . So it's a , it's

01:40:46.657 --> 01:40:48.879
a really good problem to have and , and

01:40:48.879 --> 01:40:48.439
we're really getting the talent too .

01:40:48.740 --> 01:40:50.851
So we're going to continue to push on

01:40:50.851 --> 01:40:52.851
that and a big part of that is just

01:40:52.851 --> 01:40:54.907
making sure . Uh , that , that , you

01:40:54.907 --> 01:40:57.129
know , and the country sees that , that

01:40:57.129 --> 01:40:59.240
how , how important the Department of

01:40:59.240 --> 01:41:01.351
the Air Force is , both space and air

01:41:01.351 --> 01:41:01.160
to our national security . Uh , and

01:41:01.160 --> 01:41:03.271
then , and then when we get them in ,

01:41:03.271 --> 01:41:05.327
make their job interesting and , and

01:41:05.327 --> 01:41:07.327
rewarding and , and good quality of

01:41:07.327 --> 01:41:09.549
life , good quality service . So across

01:41:09.549 --> 01:41:09.120
the board , we're , we're working on

01:41:09.120 --> 01:41:12.189
that . Uh , and , and , General

01:41:12.189 --> 01:41:14.411
Wilsbach , can you talk to me about the

01:41:14.411 --> 01:41:16.411
pilot shortage and what we're doing

01:41:16.411 --> 01:41:18.245
there to address it and what can

01:41:18.245 --> 01:41:20.467
Congress do to help you , uh , mitigate

01:41:20.467 --> 01:41:20.149
that issue ? Um , you're helping with

01:41:20.149 --> 01:41:22.149
one aspect , and that is the , uh ,

01:41:22.149 --> 01:41:24.260
ability to do the max amount on the ,

01:41:24.260 --> 01:41:26.427
the bonus , the pilot bonus , which is

01:41:26.427 --> 01:41:28.482
effective . Um , another aspect that

01:41:28.482 --> 01:41:30.760
we're looking at is , um , more flying .

01:41:30.760 --> 01:41:33.620
And so this 27 budget gets us , uh , 10 ,

01:41:33.870 --> 01:41:36.490
about $10 billion for flying . Uh , the ,

01:41:36.680 --> 01:41:38.680
the pilots want to fly . They don't

01:41:38.680 --> 01:41:41.013
want to sit on the ground and the admin ,

01:41:41.013 --> 01:41:43.347
uh , so more flying hours keeps them in .

01:41:43.347 --> 01:41:45.458
And then the last piece is quality of

01:41:45.458 --> 01:41:47.680
life things like , uh , ability to stay

01:41:47.680 --> 01:41:49.736
at their , um , their duty locations

01:41:49.736 --> 01:41:51.624
for longer periods of time versus

01:41:51.624 --> 01:41:53.569
moving every 2 or 3 years . And so

01:41:53.569 --> 01:41:55.902
those three things are the , the , that ,

01:41:55.959 --> 01:41:58.070
the features that , uh , we think are

01:41:58.070 --> 01:42:00.126
gonna help us with pilot . Attention

01:42:00.126 --> 01:42:02.348
and , and that'll in turn help with the

01:42:02.348 --> 01:42:04.515
pilot shortage . In addition to that ,

01:42:04.515 --> 01:42:06.348
uh , we're meeting our goals for

01:42:06.348 --> 01:42:08.515
creating 1500 pilots per year . We did

01:42:08.515 --> 01:42:10.681
that this year , we did that this year

01:42:10.681 --> 01:42:12.737
and we see no issues with doing that

01:42:12.737 --> 01:42:14.848
into the future . And the , the , the

01:42:14.848 --> 01:42:16.959
challenge will be absorbing all those

01:42:16.959 --> 01:42:19.029
into line cockpits , OK . Uh ,

01:42:19.270 --> 01:42:21.437
Congressman Jackson's not here , but ,

01:42:21.437 --> 01:42:23.326
uh , and Jep , I was stationed at

01:42:23.326 --> 01:42:23.299
Shepherd , so that's in his district

01:42:23.299 --> 01:42:25.355
and it used to be in my state Senate

01:42:25.355 --> 01:42:27.466
district . So it's close and near and

01:42:27.466 --> 01:42:29.632
dear , uh , to my heart . Uh , General

01:42:29.632 --> 01:42:31.688
Saltzman , uh , wanted to just visit

01:42:31.688 --> 01:42:33.910
with you a little bit on the importance

01:42:33.910 --> 01:42:36.132
of not only what we're doing in space ,

01:42:36.132 --> 01:42:38.299
but in your department as far as cyber

01:42:38.299 --> 01:42:41.009
as well . And , uh , talk about maybe .

01:42:42.259 --> 01:42:44.426
If there's things that Congress can do

01:42:44.426 --> 01:42:46.910
or hear your thoughts on recruiting not

01:42:46.910 --> 01:42:49.899
just military personnel to the cyber

01:42:49.899 --> 01:42:52.270
realm , but also civilians that may be

01:42:52.270 --> 01:42:54.492
really talented at what we need them to

01:42:54.492 --> 01:42:56.714
do but may not quite conform to wearing

01:42:56.714 --> 01:42:58.826
a uniform , if you know what I mean .

01:42:58.990 --> 01:43:01.212
Well , thank you . It's , uh , cyber is

01:43:01.212 --> 01:43:03.212
critical . Uh , uh , in fact , it's

01:43:03.212 --> 01:43:05.546
indistinguishable from space operations .

01:43:05.546 --> 01:43:07.768
If you can't control the , the networks

01:43:07.768 --> 01:43:07.509
that distribute the data , you , you

01:43:07.509 --> 01:43:09.620
can't do the space missions . Uh , so

01:43:09.620 --> 01:43:11.731
we take it very seriously . In fact ,

01:43:11.731 --> 01:43:13.731
in Ukraine , the , the Russians are

01:43:13.731 --> 01:43:15.676
first attack was a ground attack ,

01:43:15.676 --> 01:43:17.953
cyberattack against the VIOSAT network .

01:43:17.953 --> 01:43:19.787
So , if you're vulnerable in the

01:43:19.787 --> 01:43:22.009
network , you might , you're vulnerable

01:43:22.009 --> 01:43:21.240
on orbit as well . So we take it very

01:43:21.240 --> 01:43:23.149
seriously . We're , we're doing a

01:43:23.149 --> 01:43:25.240
couple of things . Uh , one , Uh ,

01:43:25.310 --> 01:43:27.310
enhancing the cyber training , uh ,

01:43:27.310 --> 01:43:29.421
from a defensive network standpoint ,

01:43:29.421 --> 01:43:31.532
um , making sure that we have sensors

01:43:31.532 --> 01:43:33.643
in all of our mission systems so that

01:43:33.643 --> 01:43:35.532
we can rapidly see if there's any

01:43:35.532 --> 01:43:37.643
problems or any kind of activities on

01:43:37.643 --> 01:43:39.810
our mission systems . That's important

01:43:39.810 --> 01:43:39.799
work . Uh , we've got two programs of

01:43:39.799 --> 01:43:41.966
record that we're trying to fully fund

01:43:41.966 --> 01:43:44.259
to make sure that we have rapid , uh ,

01:43:44.359 --> 01:43:46.248
response to any intrusions on our

01:43:46.248 --> 01:43:48.192
network systems , especially those

01:43:48.192 --> 01:43:50.415
mission systems . But we're also trying

01:43:50.415 --> 01:43:52.470
to gain , um , Access to the kind of

01:43:52.470 --> 01:43:54.526
expertise in the civilian world that

01:43:54.526 --> 01:43:56.248
you mentioned , uh , by giving

01:43:56.248 --> 01:43:58.303
constructive credit . So if you join

01:43:58.303 --> 01:43:58.250
the Space Force , you have cyber

01:43:58.250 --> 01:44:00.361
credibility from the outside . We try

01:44:00.361 --> 01:44:02.583
to give you that in terms of promotions

01:44:02.583 --> 01:44:02.569
early . So we might bring you in as a

01:44:02.569 --> 01:44:04.736
captain or a major . And so several of

01:44:04.736 --> 01:44:06.791
our officers have been brought in at

01:44:06.791 --> 01:44:08.569
accelerated rank because of the

01:44:08.569 --> 01:44:10.458
credibility they brought from the

01:44:10.458 --> 01:44:10.410
outside . So it's like , like we do

01:44:10.410 --> 01:44:12.521
with medical . That's exactly right .

01:44:12.521 --> 01:44:14.521
OK . And I got a little bit of time

01:44:14.521 --> 01:44:14.169
left , Mr . Secretary . I wanted to

01:44:14.169 --> 01:44:16.280
talk to you about the plane that will

01:44:16.280 --> 01:44:18.600
not die , the A-10 . Uh , I remember

01:44:18.600 --> 01:44:20.544
almost maybe it was 30 years ago ,

01:44:20.544 --> 01:44:22.711
there was a plan to , to , to mothball

01:44:22.711 --> 01:44:24.711
it , and yet it's still here and it

01:44:24.711 --> 01:44:26.878
still has use . Uh , what , how do you

01:44:26.878 --> 01:44:26.819
see us using the A-10 in the future ?

01:44:28.209 --> 01:44:31.470
Again , I asked for a little help from ,

01:44:31.609 --> 01:44:33.665
uh , uh , the chief here , but , but

01:44:33.665 --> 01:44:35.776
generally , it's in the , it's in the

01:44:35.776 --> 01:44:37.831
combat search and rescue role is its

01:44:37.831 --> 01:44:39.942
primary role right now . Uh , it , it

01:44:39.942 --> 01:44:41.998
is a great platform , uh , and , and

01:44:41.998 --> 01:44:44.053
we're going to keep it around , uh ,

01:44:44.053 --> 01:44:46.109
really in many cases to provide that

01:44:46.109 --> 01:44:47.998
capability and not have a loss of

01:44:47.998 --> 01:44:50.220
capability as we replace it with , with

01:44:50.220 --> 01:44:52.331
even more combat effective aircraft .

01:44:52.331 --> 01:44:54.498
And I would say we can , we can use it

01:44:54.498 --> 01:44:56.879
in a more permissive environments in

01:44:56.879 --> 01:44:59.200
really high threat environments . Um ,

01:44:59.359 --> 01:45:01.470
we , we are challenged with having it

01:45:01.470 --> 01:45:03.415
survive and , and so we would , we

01:45:03.415 --> 01:45:05.748
would need to have it , have it be in a ,

01:45:05.748 --> 01:45:07.970
in a permissive environment . It's kind

01:45:07.970 --> 01:45:10.081
of like I'm Backer of the skies , you

01:45:10.081 --> 01:45:12.248
know , just anyway , it's real tough .

01:45:12.248 --> 01:45:14.137
When , when I was , when I was in

01:45:14.137 --> 01:45:16.359
college and , and thought I might get a

01:45:16.359 --> 01:45:18.581
pilot slot , I did not , but , uh , the

01:45:18.581 --> 01:45:17.799
A-10 was actually an aircraft I wanted

01:45:17.799 --> 01:45:19.966
to fly . So that tells you a bit . How

01:45:19.966 --> 01:45:22.132
long that platform's been around . And

01:45:22.132 --> 01:45:24.355
Mr . Chairman , my time has expired . I

01:45:24.355 --> 01:45:23.870
yield back . Thank you . Yes , sir .

01:45:23.959 --> 01:45:26.181
Thank you . The gentleman yields back .

01:45:26.181 --> 01:45:28.181
The chair now recognized the gentle

01:45:28.181 --> 01:45:30.181
lady from Maryland , Miss Elfrith .

01:45:30.181 --> 01:45:32.237
Thank you , Mr . Chair . Gentlemen ,

01:45:32.237 --> 01:45:34.181
thank you for being here . General

01:45:34.181 --> 01:45:36.181
Scholtzman , thank you for your 3.5

01:45:36.181 --> 01:45:38.403
decades and your families of service to

01:45:38.403 --> 01:45:38.390
this country . We greatly appreciate it ,

01:45:38.660 --> 01:45:40.771
and I'd be remiss if I didn't ask you

01:45:40.771 --> 01:45:42.771
to pass along to your successor . I

01:45:42.771 --> 01:45:44.882
want to align myself with Congressman

01:45:44.882 --> 01:45:47.104
Whitman's comments about Wallops Island

01:45:47.104 --> 01:45:48.882
in Virginia . While it's in his

01:45:48.882 --> 01:45:48.540
Commonwealth , about 50% of the

01:45:48.540 --> 01:45:50.540
employees live in Maryland . And so

01:45:50.540 --> 01:45:52.339
anything that we can do to be

01:45:52.339 --> 01:45:54.506
supportive of trying to alleviate some

01:45:54.506 --> 01:45:56.506
of the pressure on the other . Um ,

01:45:56.509 --> 01:45:59.270
other assets that you have with Wallops .

01:45:59.350 --> 01:46:01.683
I want to be a part of that team . So I ,

01:46:01.683 --> 01:46:03.906
I appreciate that . Um , I do want to ,

01:46:03.906 --> 01:46:05.850
gentlemen , just touch on the fuel

01:46:05.850 --> 01:46:07.683
spill at Joint Base Andrews just

01:46:07.683 --> 01:46:09.739
briefly . Um , 22,000 gallons of jet

01:46:09.739 --> 01:46:11.979
fuel flowing , uh , through a creek

01:46:11.979 --> 01:46:14.090
into the Potomac . Obviously , nobody

01:46:14.090 --> 01:46:16.312
wants that in their district , in their

01:46:16.312 --> 01:46:18.479
community , in their state . I do want

01:46:18.479 --> 01:46:20.701
to thank you both . Um , your staff has

01:46:20.701 --> 01:46:20.140
made themselves available to my office

01:46:20.140 --> 01:46:22.362
on many occasions to brief us on this .

01:46:22.362 --> 01:46:24.418
I know we're still kind of searching

01:46:24.418 --> 01:46:26.140
for some answers and while the

01:46:26.140 --> 01:46:28.307
investigation's underway . I just , if

01:46:28.307 --> 01:46:30.640
I could have you both commit to me , um ,

01:46:30.640 --> 01:46:32.751
to brief the full Maryland delegation

01:46:32.751 --> 01:46:34.862
when that investigation is complete .

01:46:34.862 --> 01:46:36.973
Uh , absolutely , I appreciate that .

01:46:37.069 --> 01:46:39.291
Um , just lessons learned , I think are

01:46:39.291 --> 01:46:41.513
gonna be important here to prevent this

01:46:41.513 --> 01:46:41.109
from happening in , in future

01:46:41.109 --> 01:46:43.830
communities . Um , I wanted piggyback

01:46:43.830 --> 01:46:45.830
on the comments with cyber and Mr .

01:46:45.830 --> 01:46:47.997
Secretary , thank you for sitting down

01:46:47.997 --> 01:46:50.163
with the Maryland delegation last year

01:46:50.163 --> 01:46:52.386
to talk about the cyber wing , um , for

01:46:52.386 --> 01:46:54.608
our national defense in Maryland , uh .

01:46:54.608 --> 01:46:56.608
I , I've been toying with whether I

01:46:56.608 --> 01:46:58.663
should use this pun , but we have to

01:46:58.663 --> 01:47:00.441
land that plane still , uh , in

01:47:00.441 --> 01:47:02.608
Maryland . And so we need to make sure

01:47:02.608 --> 01:47:01.990
that Milon is there , that we're

01:47:01.990 --> 01:47:04.270
actually building out the , the

01:47:04.270 --> 01:47:06.939
necessary , uh , home for that cyber

01:47:06.939 --> 01:47:09.050
wing , as we've all acknowledge cyber

01:47:09.050 --> 01:47:11.050
is becoming more and more important

01:47:11.050 --> 01:47:13.161
with every passing mission . Um , for

01:47:13.161 --> 01:47:15.106
all of our services . I'm a little

01:47:15.106 --> 01:47:17.328
concerned though , you know , we're not

01:47:17.328 --> 01:47:19.495
quite behind the ball , but I just , I

01:47:19.495 --> 01:47:19.470
need to hear both from you about what

01:47:19.470 --> 01:47:21.581
we can do to get that Milon in line .

01:47:21.581 --> 01:47:23.748
The planning is about , I believe it's

01:47:23.748 --> 01:47:25.970
about 15% right now . We need to get it

01:47:25.970 --> 01:47:27.970
to 35% as quickly as possible , get

01:47:27.970 --> 01:47:30.192
that on the ground , and then grow that

01:47:30.192 --> 01:47:32.414
cyber mission if either of you have any

01:47:32.414 --> 01:47:34.526
thoughts on that . So I believe we've

01:47:34.526 --> 01:47:36.692
actually received the 35% design build

01:47:36.692 --> 01:47:38.803
package , and we're going through the

01:47:38.803 --> 01:47:41.081
process of , of reviewing that package .

01:47:41.081 --> 01:47:43.137
So I think that's actually . Uh , at

01:47:43.137 --> 01:47:43.029
least the feedback I got , uh ,

01:47:43.430 --> 01:47:45.263
yesterday was that , that , that

01:47:45.263 --> 01:47:47.486
package is in pretty good shape . So we

01:47:47.486 --> 01:47:49.819
are , we are , uh , we believe we're on ,

01:47:49.819 --> 01:47:52.041
on track to do that . They're , they're

01:47:52.041 --> 01:47:51.750
working on how they're going to do the

01:47:51.750 --> 01:47:53.972
training , uh , for the union , do that

01:47:53.972 --> 01:47:55.972
transition , and , and you , as you

01:47:55.972 --> 01:47:58.028
mentioned , as we've all mentioned ,

01:47:58.028 --> 01:48:00.194
cyber is critically important , and we

01:48:00.194 --> 01:47:59.669
want to make sure we get that done . I

01:47:59.669 --> 01:48:01.502
had a note here that said it was

01:48:01.502 --> 01:48:03.725
completed in completion due in May , so

01:48:03.725 --> 01:48:05.725
I guess I'm just a day late . Yes ,

01:48:05.725 --> 01:48:07.836
there is May . OK . Thank you . And ,

01:48:07.836 --> 01:48:09.891
and of course , we want to work with

01:48:09.891 --> 01:48:12.225
you to , to land that , that plane . Um ,

01:48:12.225 --> 01:48:14.169
following up on the Warthog , uh ,

01:48:14.169 --> 01:48:13.729
unfortunately , Maryland lost our

01:48:13.729 --> 01:48:15.930
A-tens , uh , as we're gaining the

01:48:15.930 --> 01:48:18.263
cyber mission , which is very important ,

01:48:18.263 --> 01:48:20.597
but I do , especially since we had , uh ,

01:48:20.597 --> 01:48:22.708
Admiral Cooper here yesterday talking

01:48:22.708 --> 01:48:24.597
about the A-10s and their , their

01:48:24.597 --> 01:48:24.240
unique capability , particularly for

01:48:24.240 --> 01:48:26.689
him in CEO right now . And just , I'm

01:48:26.689 --> 01:48:28.745
worried about this gap that we might

01:48:28.745 --> 01:48:30.522
have , uh , in capability . You

01:48:30.522 --> 01:48:32.580
mentioned , you know , adding that

01:48:32.580 --> 01:48:35.060
capability to other aircraft , but can

01:48:35.060 --> 01:48:37.171
you give us or this committee a sense

01:48:37.171 --> 01:48:39.393
of , do you appreciate that there could

01:48:39.393 --> 01:48:41.560
be a gap and , and how are we going to

01:48:41.560 --> 01:48:43.979
make sure that we are , uh , being

01:48:43.979 --> 01:48:46.419
seamless in that capability , right ,

01:48:46.540 --> 01:48:48.762
so the mission of the A-10 is close air

01:48:48.762 --> 01:48:50.929
support . Part of that subset of close

01:48:50.929 --> 01:48:53.262
air support is combat search and rescue .

01:48:53.379 --> 01:48:55.959
Uh , and we can do close air support

01:48:55.959 --> 01:48:58.569
and we can do combat , uh , combat

01:48:58.569 --> 01:49:00.625
search and rescue support from other

01:49:00.625 --> 01:49:03.419
platforms , and it's unacceptable to

01:49:03.419 --> 01:49:05.586
have a gap . Uh , if you have somebody

01:49:05.586 --> 01:49:07.586
down behind enemy lines like we saw

01:49:07.586 --> 01:49:09.808
with dude 44 Bravo , you have to go get

01:49:09.808 --> 01:49:12.379
them . It's , it's our , I mean , it's

01:49:12.379 --> 01:49:14.700
our duty , right ? So we will not have

01:49:14.700 --> 01:49:16.660
a gap in support to CSAR .

01:49:18.930 --> 01:49:20.708
And I would say the , the , the

01:49:20.708 --> 01:49:22.430
extension , uh , work with the

01:49:22.430 --> 01:49:24.652
president , secretary , the extension ,

01:49:24.652 --> 01:49:26.930
and then the support from the Congress ,

01:49:26.930 --> 01:49:29.097
uh , the extension of the A-10 units ,

01:49:29.097 --> 01:49:31.208
basically slowing down the retirement

01:49:31.208 --> 01:49:33.541
of those allows us to make sure that we ,

01:49:33.541 --> 01:49:33.299
we don't have a break in that

01:49:33.299 --> 01:49:35.490
capability . Well , there's nothing

01:49:35.490 --> 01:49:37.509
like a , uh , uh , it's great , but

01:49:37.509 --> 01:49:39.565
planning the budget is even better .

01:49:39.565 --> 01:49:41.509
And so making sure we are actually

01:49:41.509 --> 01:49:44.430
funding that training . So this 27

01:49:44.430 --> 01:49:47.740
budget has $10 billion for flying hours .

01:49:48.319 --> 01:49:50.541
In those flying hours , we can train to

01:49:50.541 --> 01:49:52.763
this mission , OK . I appreciate that .

01:49:52.763 --> 01:49:54.875
Um , I had one further question , but

01:49:54.875 --> 01:49:56.930
I'll , I'll submit it for the record

01:49:56.930 --> 01:49:59.097
just around stormwater , uh , flooding

01:49:59.097 --> 01:50:01.263
fund stormwater funding for flooding ,

01:50:01.263 --> 01:50:03.041
uh , across all of our bases is

01:50:03.041 --> 01:50:05.208
incredibly challenging , and it's kind

01:50:05.208 --> 01:50:07.041
of pushing out , uh , many other

01:50:07.041 --> 01:50:09.263
priority Milon projects when we have to

01:50:09.263 --> 01:50:09.029
address flooding in on the ground right

01:50:09.029 --> 01:50:11.029
now , but we will submit it for the

01:50:11.029 --> 01:50:13.307
record . So , uh , with that , I yield .

01:50:13.307 --> 01:50:15.140
General Eddie yields . Chair now

01:50:15.140 --> 01:50:17.473
recognizes the gentleman from Minnesota ,

01:50:17.473 --> 01:50:21.470
Mr . Finstead . Thank

01:50:21.470 --> 01:50:24.470
you , Mr . Chair . uh . Thank you to

01:50:24.470 --> 01:50:28.370
our uh . Our great leaders here today ,

01:50:28.459 --> 01:50:31.140
uh , General Saltzman , thank you for

01:50:31.140 --> 01:50:33.140
having us , uh , at your retirement

01:50:33.140 --> 01:50:35.251
party . It's great to be here . Thank

01:50:35.251 --> 01:50:36.918
you for your service . Really

01:50:36.918 --> 01:50:39.140
appreciate uh the opportunity to get to

01:50:39.140 --> 01:50:41.580
know you and to learn uh from you and

01:50:41.580 --> 01:50:43.913
to really see your leadership in action .

01:50:43.913 --> 01:50:46.080
So congratulations on a great career .

01:50:46.370 --> 01:50:48.890
Uh , Minnesota is home to some of our

01:50:48.890 --> 01:50:51.001
nation's most dedicated and effective

01:50:51.001 --> 01:50:53.330
guardsmen and women . The 148th Fighter

01:50:53.330 --> 01:50:55.959
Wing is uh consistently one of the top

01:50:55.959 --> 01:50:58.270
performing wings . In the Air Guard and

01:50:58.270 --> 01:51:00.509
it's consistently and constantly called

01:51:00.509 --> 01:51:02.830
upon to support overseas missions . Uh ,

01:51:02.910 --> 01:51:05.077
unfortunately , the guard is sometimes

01:51:05.077 --> 01:51:07.077
overlooked by the DOW despite their

01:51:07.077 --> 01:51:09.299
involvement in every major conflict and

01:51:09.299 --> 01:51:11.299
more recently , Operations Midnight

01:51:11.299 --> 01:51:13.669
Hammer , uh , Absolute Resolve , and

01:51:13.669 --> 01:51:17.399
Epic Ferry . Excuse me . Secretary Mink ,

01:51:17.479 --> 01:51:19.646
I want to thank you for finalizing the

01:51:19.646 --> 01:51:22.399
OP 1617 , uh , basing criteria and for

01:51:22.399 --> 01:51:24.359
putting such an emphasis on unit

01:51:24.359 --> 01:51:26.680
performance and airspace . I think it

01:51:26.680 --> 01:51:28.902
is common sense that our best equipment

01:51:28.902 --> 01:51:31.069
is most utilized when put in the hands

01:51:31.069 --> 01:51:33.124
of our top soldiers . Airspace plays

01:51:33.124 --> 01:51:35.124
such a crucial role in training and

01:51:35.124 --> 01:51:37.240
evaluating units . These developments

01:51:37.240 --> 01:51:40.049
are greatly appreciated . So with that ,

01:51:40.129 --> 01:51:42.549
uh , I believe it's important , uh , I

01:51:42.549 --> 01:51:44.660
believe an important consideration is

01:51:44.660 --> 01:51:46.993
strategic location of our fighter wings ,

01:51:46.993 --> 01:51:48.938
although it's not mentioned in the

01:51:48.938 --> 01:51:51.129
criteria . So Secretary , uh , Me ,

01:51:51.649 --> 01:51:53.816
when developing the , these criteria ,

01:51:53.816 --> 01:51:55.538
did you or your staff have any

01:51:55.538 --> 01:51:57.538
discussions about the importance of

01:51:57.538 --> 01:51:59.649
aerospace control alert detachments ,

01:51:59.649 --> 01:52:01.649
particularly in the northern tier ?

01:52:03.009 --> 01:52:05.065
Yeah , and , uh , yeah , there was a

01:52:05.065 --> 01:52:07.899
discussion and , uh , I'm gonna go back

01:52:07.899 --> 01:52:09.955
and take an even closer look to make

01:52:09.955 --> 01:52:12.177
sure that we've captured what kind of ,

01:52:12.177 --> 01:52:14.399
I think you're pulling out a little bit

01:52:14.399 --> 01:52:16.177
here . Uh , but under strategic

01:52:16.177 --> 01:52:18.343
alignments , uh , units , uh , pulling

01:52:18.343 --> 01:52:18.180
that type of alert actually can get

01:52:18.180 --> 01:52:20.569
points , uh , during the , uh , scoring .

01:52:20.979 --> 01:52:23.090
Uh , I think it's also important that

01:52:23.259 --> 01:52:25.481
as , as we go through the scoring , the

01:52:25.481 --> 01:52:27.703
wing commander and the adjutant general

01:52:27.703 --> 01:52:29.815
have an opportunity . Uh , to look at

01:52:29.815 --> 01:52:31.981
how we're doing that to , to make sure

01:52:32.140 --> 01:52:34.418
that we're , we're doing it right . Um ,

01:52:34.500 --> 01:52:36.722
so I , I think , I think we've captured

01:52:36.722 --> 01:52:38.944
that , uh , but I will go back and make

01:52:38.944 --> 01:52:40.833
sure that we didn't miss them . I

01:52:40.833 --> 01:52:43.000
appreciate that . Uh , in the criteria

01:52:43.000 --> 01:52:45.167
for the OP 1617 , the specific details

01:52:45.167 --> 01:52:47.389
for several capacity categories such as

01:52:47.389 --> 01:52:49.611
munition storage , weapons space , uh ,

01:52:49.611 --> 01:52:51.778
they're not clearly defined , and this

01:52:51.778 --> 01:52:53.833
makes it difficult to understand how

01:52:53.833 --> 01:52:56.000
inclusive the CAT codes will be . Uh ,

01:52:56.000 --> 01:52:58.111
do you have the details for those cat

01:52:58.111 --> 01:53:00.278
codes readily available ? And if not ,

01:53:00.278 --> 01:53:02.167
would you be willing to commit to

01:53:02.167 --> 01:53:04.333
transmitting them to my office ? I can

01:53:04.333 --> 01:53:06.500
commit to providing that information ,

01:53:06.500 --> 01:53:08.722
but again , I believe that , that in my

01:53:08.722 --> 01:53:10.778
review , uh , yesterday that those ,

01:53:10.970 --> 01:53:13.248
all those things are actually captured ,

01:53:13.248 --> 01:53:15.248
uh , within the criteria , but I'll

01:53:15.248 --> 01:53:17.248
make sure . Yeah , and I appreciate

01:53:17.248 --> 01:53:19.470
that . I do realize this is hot off the

01:53:19.470 --> 01:53:21.581
press information , but the 148th and

01:53:21.581 --> 01:53:23.748
the folks in Minnesota are . Obviously

01:53:23.748 --> 01:53:25.970
very aware and , uh , uh , in tune with

01:53:25.970 --> 01:53:25.930
what's going on here and I want to be

01:53:25.930 --> 01:53:28.263
as helpful as can be to my constituents .

01:53:28.770 --> 01:53:30.881
And again , I , I'll go take a look ,

01:53:30.881 --> 01:53:32.992
but the things that you mentioned are

01:53:32.992 --> 01:53:35.326
pretty much core things we look at . So ,

01:53:35.326 --> 01:53:37.103
I just want to make sure that I

01:53:37.103 --> 01:53:36.609
understand how they're being captured ,

01:53:36.649 --> 01:53:38.982
but I'm , I'm pretty confident they are .

01:53:38.982 --> 01:53:40.982
Yeah , just , uh , for , you know ,

01:53:40.982 --> 01:53:43.149
just , just to get this in your mind ,

01:53:43.149 --> 01:53:45.371
the 18th , Minnesota , just keep saying

01:53:45.371 --> 01:53:47.427
that to yourself , uh . We , uh , we

01:53:47.427 --> 01:53:49.649
really value , uh , the men and women ,

01:53:49.649 --> 01:53:51.649
uh , that are in the 148th and what

01:53:51.649 --> 01:53:53.649
they bring not only to the state of

01:53:53.649 --> 01:53:55.927
Minnesota but to our defense base , uh ,

01:53:55.927 --> 01:53:57.927
nationwide , worldwide , and , uh ,

01:53:57.927 --> 01:53:59.871
really honored to represent , uh ,

01:53:59.871 --> 01:53:59.680
those folks . And so I appreciate your

01:53:59.680 --> 01:54:01.513
service , appreciate , uh , this

01:54:01.513 --> 01:54:03.624
hearing today , and with that I yield

01:54:03.624 --> 01:54:05.680
back , Mr . Chair . It's going to be

01:54:06.609 --> 01:54:08.553
Gentlemen , yields back here and I

01:54:08.553 --> 01:54:10.776
recognize the gentleman from Virginia ,

01:54:10.776 --> 01:54:13.109
Mr . Benman . Thank you , Chairman . Uh ,

01:54:13.109 --> 01:54:14.942
I wanna also thank you , General

01:54:14.942 --> 01:54:16.665
Saltzman , for your decades of

01:54:16.665 --> 01:54:18.887
honorable service to this country , and

01:54:18.887 --> 01:54:20.998
I appreciated , uh , meeting you last

01:54:20.998 --> 01:54:24.419
year , and , uh , you lead , uh , an

01:54:24.419 --> 01:54:26.680
amazing and really , um ,

01:54:28.259 --> 01:54:30.250
Uh , a , a , uh , a portion of the

01:54:30.250 --> 01:54:32.649
military that is absolutely

01:54:32.649 --> 01:54:34.859
indispensable in , in modern warfare .

01:54:34.970 --> 01:54:37.026
And I'm , I'm proud of the work that

01:54:37.026 --> 01:54:38.970
the Space Force does and the Delta

01:54:38.970 --> 01:54:40.748
that's stationed at , at , um ,

01:54:40.779 --> 01:54:43.310
Dahlgren , uh , Air , um , Naval Base .

01:54:43.529 --> 01:54:46.660
So thank you for that . Uh , Secretary

01:54:46.660 --> 01:54:49.279
Mink , um , thank you for your response

01:54:49.279 --> 01:54:51.240
to the bipartisan letter that Rep

01:54:51.240 --> 01:54:53.407
Turner and I sent to you regarding the

01:54:53.407 --> 01:54:55.629
Ukraine F-16 program . I wanna give you

01:54:55.629 --> 01:54:57.573
an opportunity , uh , in this open

01:54:57.573 --> 01:54:59.518
setting to update the committee on

01:54:59.518 --> 01:55:01.684
where things stand , and can you speak

01:55:01.684 --> 01:55:04.240
to how the Um , SAFIA is functioning as

01:55:04.240 --> 01:55:06.351
a single point of contact and whether

01:55:06.351 --> 01:55:08.018
that designation has improved

01:55:08.018 --> 01:55:10.129
coordination with , uh , DSCA , state

01:55:10.129 --> 01:55:13.419
and European partners . Uh ,

01:55:14.009 --> 01:55:16.919
my understanding is , is , it , it has

01:55:16.930 --> 01:55:19.569
improved and that those discussions are ,

01:55:19.680 --> 01:55:22.680
are going well . It's , uh , obviously ,

01:55:22.689 --> 01:55:24.800
there's still work to be done , but ,

01:55:24.800 --> 01:55:27.022
but I think the , the coordination is ,

01:55:27.022 --> 01:55:30.100
is good . OK . So our letter flagged

01:55:30.100 --> 01:55:32.580
specific munitions shortfalls affecting

01:55:32.580 --> 01:55:34.979
F-16's operational impact . And without

01:55:34.979 --> 01:55:37.035
getting into sensitive details , can

01:55:37.035 --> 01:55:39.020
you speak generally to whether

01:55:39.020 --> 01:55:40.964
deliveries are moving in the right

01:55:40.964 --> 01:55:42.909
direction , either from the United

01:55:42.909 --> 01:55:45.131
States or from NATO partners , and what

01:55:45.131 --> 01:55:47.187
role this budget plays in sustaining

01:55:47.187 --> 01:55:49.970
that momentum ? Uh , yeah , so I can't

01:55:49.970 --> 01:55:51.803
probably dive into the sensitive

01:55:51.803 --> 01:55:53.970
details here , but , uh , what I would

01:55:53.970 --> 01:55:56.350
say is that , uh , we've leaned a way

01:55:56.350 --> 01:55:58.669
forward in supporting the Deputy

01:55:58.669 --> 01:56:01.029
Secretary of War and , and with it to

01:56:01.029 --> 01:56:03.140
all the requests that we're , we're ,

01:56:03.140 --> 01:56:05.362
we're getting out of , out of Ukraine .

01:56:05.362 --> 01:56:07.251
Uh , uh , Chief , do you have any

01:56:07.251 --> 01:56:09.473
additional ? No , and , and it's , it's

01:56:09.473 --> 01:56:11.585
a balancing act , uh , our priorities

01:56:11.585 --> 01:56:14.379
because not only are we helping Ukraine ,

01:56:14.640 --> 01:56:16.879
but our other allies in the Middle East

01:56:16.879 --> 01:56:18.823
as well are getting munitions , so

01:56:18.823 --> 01:56:20.712
we're , we're balancing all those

01:56:20.712 --> 01:56:23.589
requests from our partners . Thank you

01:56:23.589 --> 01:56:25.367
for that . Sounds like there is

01:56:25.367 --> 01:56:27.533
movement in the right direction . So I

01:56:27.533 --> 01:56:29.478
wanna turn my attention now , uh ,

01:56:29.478 --> 01:56:31.589
General , uh , Wilsbach to , um , the

01:56:31.589 --> 01:56:35.069
Flying Hours program . And so the FY 27

01:56:35.069 --> 01:56:38.029
budget is a $1.8 billion dollar

01:56:38.029 --> 01:56:39.973
increase to that program . Is that

01:56:40.439 --> 01:56:42.879
Accurate . Yes , and that program

01:56:42.879 --> 01:56:45.279
sustains 1.1 million , uh , flying

01:56:45.279 --> 01:56:48.959
hours across , um , critical

01:56:48.959 --> 01:56:52.919
missions as , uh , 300,000

01:56:52.919 --> 01:56:55.030
hours for training platforms like the

01:56:55.030 --> 01:56:58.729
T7 . 230,000 almost for combat , uh ,

01:56:58.750 --> 01:57:01.569
Air Force platforms like F-22 and F-35 .

01:57:02.910 --> 01:57:05.580
And then 306,000 for the global , um ,

01:57:05.589 --> 01:57:07.589
global mobility . Is that , is that

01:57:07.589 --> 01:57:11.310
accurate ? I'd have to go back and

01:57:11.310 --> 01:57:13.366
look exactly at those that they're ,

01:57:13.366 --> 01:57:15.532
they're in the ballpark . OK , I think

01:57:15.532 --> 01:57:17.754
those are generally accurate . I mean ,

01:57:17.754 --> 01:57:19.866
1.8 billion is a lot of money , and ,

01:57:19.866 --> 01:57:21.866
and the reason why that , um , that

01:57:21.866 --> 01:57:24.720
amount struck me is because , um , The

01:57:24.720 --> 01:57:28.490
president sued his own government , um ,

01:57:28.919 --> 01:57:32.279
and then directed his attorney general

01:57:32.279 --> 01:57:34.759
to settle the lawsuit for that exact

01:57:34.759 --> 01:57:37.120
amount of money . And I've been getting

01:57:37.120 --> 01:57:39.799
phone calls actually for the last day

01:57:39.799 --> 01:57:42.080
or so , dozens of phone calls about

01:57:42.080 --> 01:57:44.136
this friends and family slush fund .

01:57:44.319 --> 01:57:46.839
And General , I , I fear that given

01:57:46.839 --> 01:57:49.060
that we have a finite amount of money

01:57:49.189 --> 01:57:52.560
in our budget , that um we may not be

01:57:52.560 --> 01:57:54.338
able to provide the hundreds of

01:57:54.338 --> 01:57:57.240
thousands of , of hours , flying hours

01:57:57.240 --> 01:58:01.029
for readiness because They're going to

01:58:01.029 --> 01:58:03.196
a slush fund . We have a finite amount

01:58:03.196 --> 01:58:05.910
of money . American taxpayer , hard

01:58:05.910 --> 01:58:08.077
earned money going into the , into the

01:58:08.077 --> 01:58:10.229
government fisc could be spent on

01:58:10.229 --> 01:58:12.396
national security , which is a measure

01:58:12.396 --> 01:58:14.562
like this . Literally $1.8 billion the

01:58:14.562 --> 01:58:16.729
same amount of money could be spent on

01:58:16.729 --> 01:58:19.007
healthcare . It could be spent on , um ,

01:58:19.007 --> 01:58:21.350
it could be spent on food and nutrition

01:58:21.350 --> 01:58:23.517
programs . That's a significant amount

01:58:23.517 --> 01:58:25.470
of money . Unfortunately , this

01:58:25.470 --> 01:58:27.581
president in an act of corruption , I

01:58:27.581 --> 01:58:30.649
think , never before seen . In the

01:58:30.649 --> 01:58:32.816
history of this country has decided to

01:58:32.816 --> 01:58:35.819
create a friends and family slush fund .

01:58:35.939 --> 01:58:37.995
And oh , by the way , as part of the

01:58:37.995 --> 01:58:41.779
settlement , also , uh , directed his

01:58:41.779 --> 01:58:43.446
own attorney general to never

01:58:43.446 --> 01:58:46.180
investigate him or his two sons'

01:58:46.180 --> 01:58:49.640
business . So that $1.8 billion

01:58:49.640 --> 01:58:53.160
of taxpayer money has been allocated

01:58:53.160 --> 01:58:55.609
and , uh , I'm I'm not sure we have it

01:58:55.609 --> 01:58:57.665
in the budget , but thank you . With

01:58:57.665 --> 01:58:59.553
that , I yield back . Gentlemen ,

01:58:59.553 --> 01:58:59.549
yields back , Chair , and I recognize

01:58:59.549 --> 01:59:01.771
the gentleman from Guam , Mr . Moylan .

01:59:01.930 --> 01:59:04.041
Thank you , Mr . Chairman . Thank you

01:59:04.041 --> 01:59:06.359
to our panel , sir . Mr . Secretary ,

01:59:06.799 --> 01:59:08.799
little story there where I remember

01:59:08.799 --> 01:59:10.799
what we went through , but I really

01:59:10.799 --> 01:59:12.799
appreciate the opportunity to be in

01:59:12.799 --> 01:59:14.966
front of you folks and I thank you for

01:59:14.966 --> 01:59:17.299
your service to our nation , our states ,

01:59:17.299 --> 01:59:19.466
and our territories and the homeland .

01:59:19.466 --> 01:59:21.743
So thank you , thank you so much . But ,

01:59:21.743 --> 01:59:23.632
Mr . Secretary , I appreciate you

01:59:23.632 --> 01:59:25.799
coming on out to Guam . I think it was

01:59:25.799 --> 01:59:27.855
early on in your assignment . It was

01:59:27.855 --> 01:59:30.021
one of your first trips and we had the

01:59:30.021 --> 01:59:31.910
opportunity to literally hang out

01:59:31.910 --> 01:59:34.077
together in the back of a plane , open

01:59:34.077 --> 01:59:36.021
bay and just dangling our feet out

01:59:36.021 --> 01:59:38.132
there as we traveled across the aisle

01:59:38.132 --> 01:59:37.879
and say , That was a good experience

01:59:37.879 --> 01:59:39.990
for you , I hope , and I , I did that

01:59:39.990 --> 01:59:43.319
once and I'm , I'm good . So , but I

01:59:43.319 --> 01:59:45.486
appreciate you coming on out and , and

01:59:45.486 --> 01:59:47.541
realizing the importance of , of the

01:59:47.541 --> 01:59:49.763
islands , and you were able to also see

01:59:49.763 --> 01:59:51.819
the , um , the massive buildup we're

01:59:51.819 --> 01:59:53.720
having there , and I'm sure you

01:59:53.720 --> 01:59:55.553
understand the importance of our

01:59:55.553 --> 01:59:57.609
workforce since we don't get it from

01:59:57.609 --> 01:59:59.831
the mainland and our workforce is not .

01:59:59.859 --> 02:00:02.490
Uh , there with the visa waivers as

02:00:02.490 --> 02:00:05.740
apple pickers , we have H-1 workforce

02:00:05.740 --> 02:00:08.810
there , uh , um , skilled , uh ,

02:00:09.060 --> 02:00:11.171
engineers and doctors and nurses that

02:00:11.171 --> 02:00:13.282
we rely on because of our shortage of

02:00:13.282 --> 02:00:16.060
expertise and H-2B workers there as

02:00:16.060 --> 02:00:18.459
well during the , um , buildup and

02:00:18.459 --> 02:00:21.709
construction that we got going . Um ,

02:00:22.049 --> 02:00:24.160
but yet , we have difficulties , uh ,

02:00:24.299 --> 02:00:27.259
maintaining , uh , our long term , we ,

02:00:27.310 --> 02:00:29.532
uh , we had to go back and forth , uh ,

02:00:29.669 --> 02:00:32.709
with our Um , different budgets that we

02:00:32.709 --> 02:00:34.876
have to ensure we can have them in the

02:00:34.876 --> 02:00:37.109
long run too for the completion of this

02:00:37.109 --> 02:00:39.229
important mission , uh , for the

02:00:39.229 --> 02:00:41.709
success of our , our nation , uh , and

02:00:41.709 --> 02:00:43.931
most recently we have , uh , some issue

02:00:43.931 --> 02:00:46.839
with our H1 . Uh , I understand the ,

02:00:46.879 --> 02:00:49.040
uh , we want , uh , US workers , of

02:00:49.040 --> 02:00:51.160
course , to , uh , to be hired in the

02:00:51.160 --> 02:00:53.216
US , but unfortunately we don't have

02:00:53.216 --> 02:00:55.640
that , uh , luxury on , on Guam , the

02:00:55.640 --> 02:00:58.290
most western soil , so close out there ,

02:00:58.459 --> 02:01:00.570
uh , to Asia and the Pacific , and it

02:01:00.570 --> 02:01:03.720
costs an additional $100,000 for now

02:01:03.720 --> 02:01:05.680
the H-1s , uh , to come and get

02:01:05.680 --> 02:01:08.200
reassigned and plays a big role in with

02:01:08.200 --> 02:01:10.399
our contractors that are on base and

02:01:10.399 --> 02:01:13.490
building . Uh , and it's just gonna

02:01:13.490 --> 02:01:15.434
increase the cost of which will be

02:01:15.434 --> 02:01:18.330
passed on to , um , the Department of ,

02:01:18.410 --> 02:01:20.466
uh , Department of War or , uh , the

02:01:20.466 --> 02:01:22.729
different branches as well . So I , I

02:01:22.729 --> 02:01:25.279
just your opinion on , on also the , uh ,

02:01:25.290 --> 02:01:27.346
the importance that we maintain this

02:01:27.346 --> 02:01:29.512
workforce and what projects do you see

02:01:29.512 --> 02:01:32.089
them assigned to and the importance of

02:01:32.089 --> 02:01:34.399
us continuing that workforce , Mr .

02:01:34.410 --> 02:01:37.529
Secretary . Uh , so I don't , I don't ,

02:01:37.580 --> 02:01:40.020
I go into the specifics on what

02:01:40.020 --> 02:01:42.187
projects , uh , they would be assigned

02:01:42.187 --> 02:01:44.353
to . Um , obviously , Guam is going to

02:01:44.353 --> 02:01:46.187
continue to be , uh , critically

02:01:46.187 --> 02:01:48.298
important , uh , location for us as ,

02:01:48.298 --> 02:01:50.779
as , as you know , uh , very well , the

02:01:50.779 --> 02:01:52.946
amount of capability we have there and

02:01:52.946 --> 02:01:55.279
the amount of additional capability and ,

02:01:55.279 --> 02:01:57.001
and , and , and it's just this

02:01:57.001 --> 02:01:59.112
geographic location would be critical

02:01:59.112 --> 02:02:01.057
and how we talk about agile combat

02:02:01.057 --> 02:02:02.890
employment . Uh , so , so we are

02:02:02.890 --> 02:02:02.859
willing to , I'm willing to work with

02:02:02.859 --> 02:02:06.319
you , however , we can help on , on ,

02:02:06.540 --> 02:02:09.549
on the workforce , uh , and , and what

02:02:09.549 --> 02:02:11.493
innovative things we can do from a

02:02:11.493 --> 02:02:13.438
military construction and FSRM out

02:02:13.438 --> 02:02:15.689
there . So , I really , really

02:02:15.689 --> 02:02:17.911
appreciate your support and be happy to

02:02:17.911 --> 02:02:20.022
work with you on that , right . Thank

02:02:20.022 --> 02:02:21.856
you . Thank you very much . Uh ,

02:02:21.856 --> 02:02:23.745
General , uh , Will's back . Uh ,

02:02:23.745 --> 02:02:27.560
speaking of SR uh SFSRM and MICO

02:02:27.560 --> 02:02:31.029
and the FY 27 budget . Um , there ,

02:02:31.149 --> 02:02:33.371
there's that increase , of course , and

02:02:33.371 --> 02:02:35.538
looking at Anderson Air Force Base for

02:02:35.538 --> 02:02:37.538
Guam , the strategic location , the

02:02:37.538 --> 02:02:40.069
import , the most western soil , um ,

02:02:40.229 --> 02:02:42.340
how much of that increased funding do

02:02:42.340 --> 02:02:44.340
you see going to Anderson Air Force

02:02:44.340 --> 02:02:46.173
Base and what projects could you

02:02:46.173 --> 02:02:48.810
highlight for us ? I'll have to get the ,

02:02:48.970 --> 02:02:51.399
first of all , half a day , uh , uh ,

02:02:51.410 --> 02:02:53.577
but uh I'll have to get you the , uh ,

02:02:53.577 --> 02:02:55.970
the details for Anderson specific . Uh ,

02:02:56.089 --> 02:02:58.839
the , in general , what I would , uh ,

02:02:58.890 --> 02:03:01.209
what I would like to see at Anderson is

02:03:01.209 --> 02:03:03.153
things that help us to improve the

02:03:03.153 --> 02:03:05.320
readiness of the , of the island and ,

02:03:05.370 --> 02:03:07.799
and also , um , of our base there at

02:03:07.799 --> 02:03:10.720
Anderson . Uh , thank you . Final

02:03:10.720 --> 02:03:12.680
question , General Saltzman , I

02:03:12.680 --> 02:03:14.736
remember the first day I saw you , I

02:03:14.736 --> 02:03:16.791
said , this guy is sharp , man , and

02:03:16.791 --> 02:03:18.958
still this day , you're still , you're

02:03:18.958 --> 02:03:21.013
still very sharp . I appreciate your

02:03:21.013 --> 02:03:23.069
service , sir . Uh , also , uh , the

02:03:23.069 --> 02:03:25.402
other day we heard from CenterCOM , and ,

02:03:25.402 --> 02:03:27.569
and they said how important it was for

02:03:27.569 --> 02:03:29.791
Space Force to , uh , be part of that ,

02:03:29.791 --> 02:03:32.013
and I'm hoping that IOPECO , that's the

02:03:32.013 --> 02:03:34.490
same import that we have there . So for ,

02:03:34.560 --> 02:03:37.000
uh , in Guam , uh , you know , we had

02:03:37.000 --> 02:03:39.222
the ring . Corps , we got the Navy , we

02:03:39.222 --> 02:03:41.278
got the Air Force , uh , we have the

02:03:41.278 --> 02:03:43.500
Army , Coast Guard , merchant marines ,

02:03:43.500 --> 02:03:45.667
but we don't have space forces there ,

02:03:45.740 --> 02:03:47.907
you know , if , if you think in just a

02:03:47.907 --> 02:03:49.796
couple of seconds there , is that

02:03:49.796 --> 02:03:51.962
something we can see for the buildup ,

02:03:51.962 --> 02:03:54.018
the buildout that you're planning to

02:03:54.018 --> 02:03:56.240
come to Guam . It's , we're hard to see

02:03:56.240 --> 02:03:58.407
sometimes in plain sight , but we , we

02:03:58.407 --> 02:04:00.407
do have capability there . We don't

02:04:00.407 --> 02:04:02.629
have a lot of people , uh , necessary ,

02:04:02.629 --> 02:04:02.290
but we have the remote tracking

02:04:02.290 --> 02:04:04.457
stations , uh , there at Guam , and we

02:04:04.457 --> 02:04:06.457
plan to put additional capabilities

02:04:06.457 --> 02:04:08.679
there as well . So Space Force presence

02:04:08.679 --> 02:04:08.129
is definitely on Guam . It's a

02:04:08.129 --> 02:04:10.290
strategic force as well . Thank you ,

02:04:10.569 --> 02:04:12.791
sir . Yeah , I've had a chance to visit

02:04:12.791 --> 02:04:15.013
with several of the guardians in Guam ,

02:04:15.013 --> 02:04:17.069
and , uh , we , we are there . We're

02:04:17.069 --> 02:04:19.125
gonna , we're gonna grow it though .

02:04:19.125 --> 02:04:21.236
With that , uh , chair recognizes the

02:04:21.236 --> 02:04:20.529
gentleman from Missouri , Mr . Bale .

02:04:21.810 --> 02:04:23.921
Thank you , Mr . Chair . Thank you to

02:04:23.921 --> 02:04:26.729
our witnesses for being here today . Uh ,

02:04:26.970 --> 02:04:29.330
general , I echo , uh , my colleague's

02:04:29.330 --> 02:04:31.497
remarks . Thank you for your service .

02:04:31.799 --> 02:04:34.370
Um , I'm proud that my district has

02:04:34.370 --> 02:04:36.649
become a major hub for the development

02:04:36.649 --> 02:04:38.816
and production of some of our nation's

02:04:38.816 --> 02:04:41.500
most advanced aircraft . As well as

02:04:41.500 --> 02:04:44.160
cutting edge UAS and counter UAS

02:04:44.160 --> 02:04:46.459
capabilities . We're proud to have

02:04:46.459 --> 02:04:48.779
Scott Air Force Base just across the

02:04:48.779 --> 02:04:50.779
Mississippi River , home to Air

02:04:50.779 --> 02:04:52.835
Mobility Command , the major command

02:04:52.835 --> 02:04:56.060
responsible uh for providing global

02:04:56.060 --> 02:04:58.359
airlift , aerial refueling ,

02:04:58.859 --> 02:05:01.580
aeromedical evacuation and mobility

02:05:01.580 --> 02:05:04.459
support operations that rapidly project

02:05:04.459 --> 02:05:07.419
and sustain US military forces

02:05:07.419 --> 02:05:09.890
worldwide . I've said it before and

02:05:09.890 --> 02:05:11.834
I'll say it again . The St . Louis

02:05:11.834 --> 02:05:14.450
region is a sleeping giant . St . Louis

02:05:14.450 --> 02:05:17.330
is already playing a leading role in

02:05:17.330 --> 02:05:19.497
supporting our national security today

02:05:19.729 --> 02:05:22.209
while also helping develop and produce

02:05:22.209 --> 02:05:24.839
the solutions needed to address the

02:05:24.839 --> 02:05:27.830
threats of tomorrow . Aircraft

02:05:27.830 --> 02:05:30.200
development and production remain an

02:05:30.200 --> 02:05:32.479
anchor of our economy and industrial

02:05:32.479 --> 02:05:34.910
base , but defense technology , AI ,

02:05:36.000 --> 02:05:38.600
GO GOINT , and advanced capabilities

02:05:38.600 --> 02:05:41.000
are increasingly at the center of that

02:05:41.000 --> 02:05:44.080
growth . At a time when our Air Force

02:05:44.080 --> 02:05:46.080
and installations across the Middle

02:05:46.080 --> 02:05:48.439
East face persistent threats from small

02:05:48.439 --> 02:05:51.399
and medium sized drones , recognizing ,

02:05:51.680 --> 02:05:53.791
investing in , and accelerating these

02:05:53.791 --> 02:05:56.839
capabilities is more important now than

02:05:56.839 --> 02:05:58.799
ever . The Air Force has a

02:05:58.799 --> 02:06:01.359
responsibility to keep aircraft ,

02:06:01.439 --> 02:06:04.319
munitions , fuel , and command nodes

02:06:04.319 --> 02:06:06.600
protected so it can continue generating

02:06:06.600 --> 02:06:09.549
combat power even under persistent

02:06:09.549 --> 02:06:11.959
drone attack . We need field-ready

02:06:11.959 --> 02:06:14.220
capabilities that can move quickly ,

02:06:14.479 --> 02:06:16.839
integrate seamlessly , and protect

02:06:16.839 --> 02:06:20.470
high-value assets now . Secretary Mink

02:06:20.470 --> 02:06:23.149
and General Wilsbach , the Army has

02:06:23.149 --> 02:06:25.038
worked with a variety of industry

02:06:25.038 --> 02:06:27.149
partners to develop potential counter

02:06:27.149 --> 02:06:29.205
UAS solutions , including the mobile

02:06:29.205 --> 02:06:31.410
low , slow , small unmanned aircraft

02:06:31.830 --> 02:06:34.140
integrated defeat system . Will you

02:06:34.140 --> 02:06:36.390
commit to accelerating the field , the

02:06:36.390 --> 02:06:39.180
fielding of proven mobile counter UAS

02:06:39.180 --> 02:06:41.629
capabilities , leveraging work already

02:06:41.629 --> 02:06:44.069
being done across the joint force , and

02:06:44.069 --> 02:06:45.791
assure this committee that the

02:06:45.791 --> 02:06:47.950
department is prioritizing rapid and

02:06:47.950 --> 02:06:50.859
scalable deployment using existing

02:06:50.870 --> 02:06:52.370
production ready systems .

02:06:54.689 --> 02:06:56.411
Um , yes , Congressman , I , I

02:06:56.411 --> 02:06:58.633
appreciate your emphasis on this . I've

02:06:58.633 --> 02:07:00.745
been talking about this for years and

02:07:00.745 --> 02:07:02.578
in fact , um , in Epic Fury , we

02:07:02.578 --> 02:07:04.899
actually did leverage some of the Army

02:07:04.899 --> 02:07:06.955
programs and put them at air bases .

02:07:07.180 --> 02:07:10.390
Thank you . Uh , it , yeah , it needs

02:07:10.390 --> 02:07:13.129
to be , uh , again , nuclear deterrence

02:07:13.310 --> 02:07:16.270
and , and cyber are , are some of the

02:07:16.270 --> 02:07:19.509
biggest . Threats that we face , but ,

02:07:19.830 --> 02:07:22.052
uh , defending our air bases , not only

02:07:22.052 --> 02:07:24.386
overseas , but , but in the homeland is ,

02:07:24.386 --> 02:07:26.386
is , is becoming an increasing high

02:07:26.386 --> 02:07:28.330
priority . Um , and we are working

02:07:28.330 --> 02:07:31.529
closely with , uh , OSD , you know , uh ,

02:07:31.589 --> 02:07:34.339
OSD and joint staff to , to , in the

02:07:34.339 --> 02:07:36.450
various task forces that we've set up

02:07:36.450 --> 02:07:38.395
to really focus on delivering this

02:07:38.395 --> 02:07:40.617
capability . And , and I think we agree

02:07:40.617 --> 02:07:42.783
100% is the , the airmen and guardians

02:07:42.783 --> 02:07:44.895
have a responsibility to defend our ,

02:07:44.895 --> 02:07:47.228
our air bases , defend our , our forces ,

02:07:47.228 --> 02:07:49.450
uh , regardless of where they are , and

02:07:49.450 --> 02:07:51.617
we are focusing on all the way from uh

02:07:51.617 --> 02:07:54.180
electronic warfare to , to , uh ,

02:07:54.189 --> 02:07:56.939
directed energy to , to kinetic uh

02:07:56.939 --> 02:07:59.149
capabilities to defend , defend our

02:07:59.149 --> 02:08:01.779
airmen and guardians . Um , Secretary

02:08:01.779 --> 02:08:03.668
Mack and General Wilsbach again .

02:08:03.668 --> 02:08:05.723
Recent reporting and the president's

02:08:05.723 --> 02:08:07.835
budget requests indicate that the Air

02:08:07.835 --> 02:08:10.479
Force is looking to expand , excuse me ,

02:08:10.759 --> 02:08:13.270
the Plan 15 EX Eagle 2 fleet to help

02:08:13.270 --> 02:08:15.529
maintain fighter capacity during the

02:08:15.529 --> 02:08:18.359
transition to next generation platforms .

02:08:18.680 --> 02:08:21.479
Can you discuss the role F-15EX is

02:08:21.479 --> 02:08:23.479
expected to play in the Air Force's

02:08:23.479 --> 02:08:24.923
broader fighter roadmap ?

02:08:27.660 --> 02:08:30.779
Yes , Congressman , the F-15EX will be

02:08:30.779 --> 02:08:34.080
an air superiority fighter ,

02:08:34.459 --> 02:08:37.500
and it's actually not necessarily a

02:08:37.500 --> 02:08:39.859
bridge to something else . It's to fill

02:08:39.859 --> 02:08:42.569
in a gap . Most of our 5th and 6th ,

02:08:42.819 --> 02:08:45.041
all of our 5th gen and 6th gen aircraft

02:08:45.229 --> 02:08:47.439
carry their weapons internally , which

02:08:48.419 --> 02:08:50.641
negates the ability to carry really big

02:08:50.641 --> 02:08:52.975
weapons , and that's what the F-15 does .

02:08:53.310 --> 02:08:55.720
And so the F-15EX will be an air

02:08:55.720 --> 02:08:57.887
superiority aircraft that will be able

02:08:57.887 --> 02:09:00.790
to carry really long-range missiles ,

02:09:01.160 --> 02:09:03.160
and it also will have an air-ground

02:09:03.160 --> 02:09:05.271
capability as well and it can carry ,

02:09:05.271 --> 02:09:07.493
just like the F-15E can carry some very

02:09:07.493 --> 02:09:09.604
heavy munitions and so we get um some

02:09:09.604 --> 02:09:11.720
big bang for our buck there . I'll ,

02:09:11.839 --> 02:09:13.728
I'll send my time is up , so I'll

02:09:13.728 --> 02:09:16.061
submit my questions , but thank you all .

02:09:16.061 --> 02:09:18.395
See you later . Gentlemen , yields back ,

02:09:18.395 --> 02:09:20.506
Chair , and I recognize the gentleman

02:09:20.506 --> 02:09:22.450
from Texas , Doctor Jackson . Uh ,

02:09:22.450 --> 02:09:24.617
thank you , Mr . Chairman . Uh , thank

02:09:24.617 --> 02:09:23.450
you , gentlemen , for being here today .

02:09:23.529 --> 02:09:25.640
Appreciate your time . Uh , before we

02:09:25.640 --> 02:09:27.862
get started , General , I , I , I wanna

02:09:27.862 --> 02:09:30.029
also thank you for taking time to meet

02:09:30.029 --> 02:09:29.500
with the , uh , Shepherd Military

02:09:29.500 --> 02:09:31.556
Affairs Committee and members of the

02:09:31.556 --> 02:09:33.611
Wichita Falls community during their

02:09:33.611 --> 02:09:35.444
recent DC fly-in . That was much

02:09:35.444 --> 02:09:37.667
appreciated . Thank you . Um , during ,

02:09:37.667 --> 02:09:39.944
my most recent visit at Air Force Base ,

02:09:39.944 --> 02:09:42.167
a pressing issue came to my attention .

02:09:42.167 --> 02:09:44.389
Currently , Air Force installation unit

02:09:44.389 --> 02:09:44.379
manpower document authorizations , the

02:09:44.379 --> 02:09:47.140
UMD , primarily reflects , uh , reflect

02:09:47.140 --> 02:09:49.196
permanently assigned personnel , and

02:09:49.196 --> 02:09:51.362
there is no requirement to account for

02:09:51.362 --> 02:09:53.584
the sustained support demands generated

02:09:53.584 --> 02:09:55.918
by large rotational student populations .

02:09:55.918 --> 02:09:57.529
As a result , major training

02:09:57.529 --> 02:09:59.529
installations like Shepherd , which

02:09:59.529 --> 02:10:01.584
produced 48% , which produces 48% of

02:10:01.584 --> 02:10:03.751
our tech training graduates and 50% of

02:10:03.751 --> 02:10:05.973
all US fighter pilots experience severe

02:10:05.973 --> 02:10:08.084
manpower shortfalls relative to their

02:10:08.084 --> 02:10:09.918
actual day to day workload . For

02:10:09.918 --> 02:10:11.918
example , the eighty-second Medical

02:10:11.918 --> 02:10:14.084
Group at Shepard must provide care for

02:10:14.084 --> 02:10:13.564
more than half of the Air Force's

02:10:13.564 --> 02:10:16.165
annual throughput of airmen in training ,

02:10:16.404 --> 02:10:18.460
as well as for student pilots in the

02:10:18.460 --> 02:10:20.604
Euro Euronato jet pilot training

02:10:20.604 --> 02:10:22.771
program . Yet none of these rotational

02:10:22.771 --> 02:10:24.984
trainees captured in the base's UMD

02:10:24.984 --> 02:10:28.290
authorizations in general is . The Air

02:10:28.290 --> 02:10:30.179
Force open to a new approach that

02:10:30.179 --> 02:10:31.957
properly resources the workload

02:10:31.957 --> 02:10:33.734
generated by rotational student

02:10:33.734 --> 02:10:35.846
populations . Specifically , what are

02:10:35.846 --> 02:10:37.623
your thoughts on integrating an

02:10:37.623 --> 02:10:39.846
installation's average daily load , the

02:10:39.846 --> 02:10:41.734
ADL , the steady-state population

02:10:41.734 --> 02:10:43.568
physically present and requiring

02:10:43.568 --> 02:10:45.234
installation support into UMD

02:10:45.234 --> 02:10:47.179
authorizations to improve manpower

02:10:47.179 --> 02:10:49.234
planning for essential services like

02:10:49.234 --> 02:10:51.290
housing , medical care , logistics ,

02:10:51.290 --> 02:10:53.709
security , and base operations . Um ,

02:10:53.759 --> 02:10:55.981
yes , uh , Congressman , I agree . Uh ,

02:10:56.080 --> 02:10:58.024
they , they do have a lot of folks

02:10:58.024 --> 02:11:00.302
there and in fact , um , just in March ,

02:11:00.302 --> 02:11:02.136
uh , we author , authorized some

02:11:02.136 --> 02:11:04.359
special pay increases for the staff

02:11:04.359 --> 02:11:06.415
that's , uh , that's there at , um ,

02:11:06.415 --> 02:11:08.939
Shepherd . Uh , so that , um , we , you

02:11:08.939 --> 02:11:10.995
know , one , we can keep more people

02:11:10.995 --> 02:11:13.161
there , uh , so that , um , they can ,

02:11:13.161 --> 02:11:15.328
uh , support , uh , support the base .

02:11:15.328 --> 02:11:19.060
Um , it's , um , a 35% increase

02:11:19.060 --> 02:11:22.620
for GS 11 and 12 , and then , uh , a

02:11:22.620 --> 02:11:24.731
lesser increase for , for higher rank

02:11:24.731 --> 02:11:26.787
structures , but , um , I agree with

02:11:26.787 --> 02:11:28.509
you that um we , we need to do

02:11:28.509 --> 02:11:30.731
something , uh , and , and this , these

02:11:30.731 --> 02:11:32.953
measures will help us with that to keep

02:11:32.953 --> 02:11:35.500
the , the base population that's there

02:11:35.500 --> 02:11:38.040
working . Um , while we have additional

02:11:38.040 --> 02:11:40.151
people there going through training ,

02:11:40.151 --> 02:11:42.429
absolutely , yeah , I think that's key .

02:11:42.429 --> 02:11:44.484
I mean , paying them more money . My

02:11:44.484 --> 02:11:43.879
second question is gonna come , is

02:11:43.879 --> 02:11:45.935
gonna adjust a little bit of that as

02:11:45.935 --> 02:11:48.101
well , but we need more bodies too , I

02:11:48.101 --> 02:11:47.700
think , you know , just , uh , with my

02:11:47.700 --> 02:11:49.867
previous example with having been in ,

02:11:49.867 --> 02:11:52.200
in the in the medical corps for a while ,

02:11:52.200 --> 02:11:54.311
uh , you know , it's , uh , it , it ,

02:11:54.311 --> 02:11:56.478
it's , it's difficult to retain people

02:11:56.478 --> 02:11:58.644
when they're in that environment where

02:11:58.644 --> 02:11:57.979
they're so overwhelmed with the , you

02:11:57.979 --> 02:12:00.090
know , the . of patients , the number

02:12:00.090 --> 02:12:02.257
of people that they're responsible for

02:12:02.257 --> 02:12:01.810
every day because they're just short

02:12:01.810 --> 02:12:04.259
bodies . So yeah , agreed , and the 27

02:12:04.259 --> 02:12:06.890
budget also allows for an increase in

02:12:06.890 --> 02:12:09.223
the total end strength of the Air Force .

02:12:09.250 --> 02:12:11.472
And as we look at where there are needs

02:12:11.770 --> 02:12:13.881
because we'll have those extra bodies

02:12:13.881 --> 02:12:16.048
that will be funded , we'll be able to

02:12:16.048 --> 02:12:17.937
apply those in places where we're

02:12:17.937 --> 02:12:20.103
shorthanded . Perfect . I got one more

02:12:20.103 --> 02:12:19.620
quick question here and then I have two

02:12:19.620 --> 02:12:21.731
questions I'm going to submit for the

02:12:21.731 --> 02:12:23.953
record . For you , Mr . Secretary , but

02:12:23.953 --> 02:12:26.176
I'm , I'm increasingly concerned by the

02:12:26.176 --> 02:12:28.009
declining manning levels for the

02:12:28.009 --> 02:12:29.842
civilian simulator instructors ,

02:12:29.842 --> 02:12:32.009
particularly Shepherd Air Force Base's

02:12:32.009 --> 02:12:34.231
80th Flying Training Wing , home to the

02:12:34.231 --> 02:12:33.959
Euronato jet pilot Training Program .

02:12:34.189 --> 02:12:36.259
An aging workforce and rising

02:12:36.430 --> 02:12:38.319
retirements are creating critical

02:12:38.319 --> 02:12:40.689
shortages of these instructors directly

02:12:40.689 --> 02:12:42.522
threatening our pilot generation

02:12:42.522 --> 02:12:45.439
pipeline . Because these GS positions

02:12:45.439 --> 02:12:47.328
compete directly with the private

02:12:47.328 --> 02:12:49.550
sector , namely commercial aviation and

02:12:49.550 --> 02:12:51.717
advanced tech industry , start pay and

02:12:51.717 --> 02:12:53.828
benefit disparities , as well as slow

02:12:53.828 --> 02:12:55.939
hiring timelines , severely limit the

02:12:55.939 --> 02:12:58.161
Air Force's ability to recruit talent .

02:12:58.161 --> 02:13:00.272
Left unaddressed this , this shortage

02:13:00.272 --> 02:13:02.550
will force reductions in class loading ,

02:13:02.550 --> 02:13:04.772
worsening the Air Force's broader pilot

02:13:04.772 --> 02:13:06.828
shortfall . Mr . Secretary , are you

02:13:06.828 --> 02:13:08.828
and your team aware of this growing

02:13:08.828 --> 02:13:11.050
challenge , and how can the Air Force ,

02:13:11.050 --> 02:13:13.383
whether through direct higher authority ,

02:13:13.383 --> 02:13:13.250
expanded use of special salary rates ,

02:13:13.330 --> 02:13:15.274
recruitment incentives , retention

02:13:15.274 --> 02:13:17.386
allowances , or other targeted hiring

02:13:17.386 --> 02:13:19.608
flexibilities , mitigate this issue and

02:13:19.608 --> 02:13:21.497
help ensure consistent instructor

02:13:21.497 --> 02:13:23.552
manning at critical training install

02:13:23.552 --> 02:13:26.060
installations like Shepherd ? Yeah ,

02:13:26.140 --> 02:13:28.196
thanks , Congressman . I , I , I , I

02:13:28.196 --> 02:13:30.307
think I'd point out two things . Uh ,

02:13:30.307 --> 02:13:32.307
the first is we're , we're actually

02:13:32.307 --> 02:13:34.473
delegating , uh , uh , civilian hiring

02:13:34.473 --> 02:13:36.473
authority down , uh , to the center

02:13:36.473 --> 02:13:38.251
level or below in some cases to

02:13:38.251 --> 02:13:40.307
actually accelerate across the board

02:13:40.307 --> 02:13:42.473
hiring and make that easier and faster

02:13:42.473 --> 02:13:44.640
so that when people do apply , they're

02:13:44.640 --> 02:13:44.060
not sitting around forever waiting to

02:13:44.060 --> 02:13:46.171
get , waiting to get picked up . Uh ,

02:13:46.171 --> 02:13:48.004
and then secondly , that as , as

02:13:48.004 --> 02:13:50.227
General Wilsbach mentioned , uh , we're

02:13:50.227 --> 02:13:52.004
looking at incentive bonuses or

02:13:52.004 --> 02:13:54.116
incentive pay , um , across the , the

02:13:54.116 --> 02:13:56.282
ranks to , to bring people on and keep

02:13:56.282 --> 02:13:58.504
them . Yes , sir , I think that's gonna

02:13:58.504 --> 02:14:00.616
be key , and I'm willing to help in ,

02:14:00.616 --> 02:14:02.893
in any way I can in making that happen .

02:14:02.893 --> 02:14:02.520
Uh , I have two questions I'm gonna

02:14:02.520 --> 02:14:04.359
submit for the record . One , is

02:14:04.359 --> 02:14:07.470
related to , uh , the , uh , MH 139 and ,

02:14:07.479 --> 02:14:10.109
uh , the plan to , uh , put , uh , H60s

02:14:10.109 --> 02:14:12.331
into a program here to , uh , shuttle ,

02:14:12.331 --> 02:14:14.959
uh , folks around in the NCR . And the

02:14:14.959 --> 02:14:17.070
last , the last question will involve

02:14:17.070 --> 02:14:19.181
the T7 , but also , I don't have time

02:14:19.181 --> 02:14:18.470
to ask these questions , so I'll submit

02:14:18.470 --> 02:14:20.692
these for the record . I go back , Mr .

02:14:20.692 --> 02:14:22.748
Chairman Emis back chair . recognize

02:14:22.748 --> 02:14:22.680
gentleman from Colorado , Mr . Crow .

02:14:23.339 --> 02:14:25.561
Thank you , Chairman . Thank you to all

02:14:25.561 --> 02:14:27.672
of you for joining today . Appreciate

02:14:27.672 --> 02:14:29.950
your , your service and your testimony .

02:14:29.950 --> 02:14:32.283
A special thank you to General Saltzman ,

02:14:32.283 --> 02:14:34.339
uh , for your long and honorable and

02:14:34.339 --> 02:14:36.506
incredible career , uh , in service to

02:14:36.506 --> 02:14:38.561
the country , uh , and as a founding

02:14:38.561 --> 02:14:40.783
chair of the , the Space Force Caucus ,

02:14:40.783 --> 02:14:42.895
it's been a real delight to work with

02:14:42.895 --> 02:14:44.950
you actually over the last couple of

02:14:44.950 --> 02:14:47.172
years . We haven't always agreed . Uh ,

02:14:47.172 --> 02:14:46.600
but we've done great work together .

02:14:46.660 --> 02:14:48.827
We've had some good debates together ,

02:14:48.827 --> 02:14:50.827
but you always come informed , uh ,

02:14:50.827 --> 02:14:52.938
committed , transparent , and , and I

02:14:52.938 --> 02:14:55.160
can always work with that . So grateful

02:14:55.160 --> 02:14:57.160
for your , your work . So , for old

02:14:57.160 --> 02:14:59.327
times' sake , you know I have to raise

02:14:59.327 --> 02:15:01.327
LP 480 . Uh , which is one of those

02:15:01.327 --> 02:15:03.660
things we disagreed on , and , and , uh ,

02:15:03.660 --> 02:15:05.771
Secretary Mink , um , I , I lost that

02:15:05.771 --> 02:15:07.604
battle . I fought it , uh , on a

02:15:07.604 --> 02:15:09.827
bipartisan basis . Uh , every , every ,

02:15:09.827 --> 02:15:12.049
uh , tag , every governor joined me and

02:15:12.049 --> 02:15:14.271
expressed some concerns about it . Uh ,

02:15:14.271 --> 02:15:16.438
you all got it passed in the NDAA , so

02:15:16.438 --> 02:15:18.549
now we're just trying to implement it

02:15:18.549 --> 02:15:20.604
the best we can and address it . And

02:15:20.604 --> 02:15:22.604
one of the concerns that , uh , the

02:15:22.604 --> 02:15:24.771
tags and governors and , and , um , we

02:15:24.771 --> 02:15:26.938
raised was this issue of some guards ,

02:15:26.938 --> 02:15:28.827
men and women falling through the

02:15:28.827 --> 02:15:31.049
cracks . Uh , and , and unfortunately ,

02:15:31.049 --> 02:15:33.271
that is actually happening a little bit

02:15:33.271 --> 02:15:35.327
in the states . Uh , so I sent you a

02:15:35.327 --> 02:15:37.660
letter , uh , Secretary Mink , May 18th .

02:15:37.660 --> 02:15:39.493
Every , uh , every member of the

02:15:39.493 --> 02:15:41.549
Colorado delegation , Republican and

02:15:41.549 --> 02:15:43.438
Democrats , signed on to this and

02:15:43.438 --> 02:15:45.493
joined me because we have almost 400

02:15:45.493 --> 02:15:47.660
guardsmen and women who are kind of in

02:15:47.660 --> 02:15:49.827
limbo now , who haven't been , many of

02:15:49.827 --> 02:15:51.938
whom haven't been remissioned , who ,

02:15:51.938 --> 02:15:54.104
who have decided not to join the Space

02:15:54.104 --> 02:15:56.049
Force , who are committed to . The

02:15:56.049 --> 02:15:58.104
state mission , you know , these are

02:15:58.104 --> 02:15:57.569
citizen soldiers and a lot of them are

02:15:57.569 --> 02:15:59.458
really committed to being citizen

02:15:59.458 --> 02:16:01.347
soldiers and want to do the state

02:16:01.347 --> 02:16:03.402
mission as well as the federal , and

02:16:03.402 --> 02:16:05.513
they just don't wanna be in the Space

02:16:05.513 --> 02:16:07.625
Force for a variety of reasons . So ,

02:16:07.625 --> 02:16:09.902
can I have your commitment , Secretary ,

02:16:09.902 --> 02:16:09.649
that you'll look at this letter , that

02:16:09.649 --> 02:16:11.816
you'll respond to it , and you'll work

02:16:11.816 --> 02:16:13.927
with us to try to figure out how . We

02:16:13.927 --> 02:16:15.982
can get these guards , men and women

02:16:15.982 --> 02:16:18.205
missions and get them working and , and

02:16:18.205 --> 02:16:20.371
keep everyone happy . So I'll , I'll ,

02:16:20.371 --> 02:16:22.593
I'll look at the letter , Congressman ,

02:16:22.593 --> 02:16:24.649
and I , I know we've had a number of

02:16:24.649 --> 02:16:26.871
discussions on this , but I , I do want

02:16:26.871 --> 02:16:28.871
to reiterate that , that , that the

02:16:28.871 --> 02:16:30.982
state will not lose guard positions .

02:16:30.982 --> 02:16:33.149
Those bills are staying there . Uh , I

02:16:33.149 --> 02:16:35.316
think what you're , you're poking at a

02:16:35.316 --> 02:16:37.371
little bit is , is we need to get on

02:16:37.371 --> 02:16:39.371
with that remissioning to just make

02:16:39.371 --> 02:16:41.482
People have a better understanding of

02:16:41.482 --> 02:16:43.705
where they fit and , and , and how they

02:16:43.705 --> 02:16:43.120
want to participate . So , so we're

02:16:43.120 --> 02:16:45.120
working with the local guards to do

02:16:45.120 --> 02:16:47.231
that , not just Colorado , but across

02:16:47.231 --> 02:16:49.287
the board . Uh , but , but again , I

02:16:49.287 --> 02:16:51.509
want to reiterate that the states are ,

02:16:51.509 --> 02:16:53.676
are not losing billets with respect to

02:16:53.676 --> 02:16:55.731
guards . Those who didn't transfer ,

02:16:55.731 --> 02:16:57.731
those billets are staying , uh , we

02:16:57.731 --> 02:16:57.370
just need to get in remission to , to

02:16:57.370 --> 02:16:59.703
get the people back . I appreciate that .

02:16:59.703 --> 02:17:01.926
And , and there's actually no dispute ,

02:17:01.926 --> 02:17:01.619
I'm not disputing your commitment to

02:17:01.619 --> 02:17:03.619
that , but we just want to get them

02:17:03.619 --> 02:17:05.952
working . We want to get them a mission .

02:17:05.952 --> 02:17:07.619
We've lost 14 of them , is my

02:17:07.619 --> 02:17:09.786
understanding already to retirements ,

02:17:09.786 --> 02:17:09.298
them saying , you know , I'm not gonna

02:17:09.298 --> 02:17:11.409
just sit around and not do anything ,

02:17:11.409 --> 02:17:13.465
transferred to other units . We just

02:17:13.465 --> 02:17:15.631
want to make sure we're doing right by

02:17:15.631 --> 02:17:15.458
them and their families and giving them

02:17:15.458 --> 02:17:17.569
some certainty . So I appreciate that

02:17:17.569 --> 02:17:19.791
commitment . Um , the , the last , last

02:17:19.791 --> 02:17:21.902
piece , um , Secretary Mink is , uh ,

02:17:21.902 --> 02:17:23.791
Buckley Space Force Base has been

02:17:23.791 --> 02:17:26.014
selected as a preferred site , uh , for

02:17:26.014 --> 02:17:28.236
the nuclear microreactor as part of the

02:17:28.236 --> 02:17:28.030
Air Force's advanced nuclear power

02:17:28.030 --> 02:17:29.974
installations initiative . This is

02:17:29.974 --> 02:17:32.141
exciting . Uh , this is something that

02:17:32.141 --> 02:17:34.308
I've , I've supported the research and

02:17:34.308 --> 02:17:36.530
development on . Uh , obviously , power

02:17:36.530 --> 02:17:38.641
is a , a problem and , you know , the

02:17:38.641 --> 02:17:38.349
ratepayers in Colorado , like many

02:17:38.349 --> 02:17:40.820
places pay way too much . And , uh ,

02:17:40.830 --> 02:17:44.669
taking Uh , Buckley's , um , energy off

02:17:44.669 --> 02:17:46.725
of the grid will , will help relieve

02:17:46.725 --> 02:17:48.669
ratepayer pressure , uh , and also

02:17:48.669 --> 02:17:50.780
assure resiliency . But we do want to

02:17:50.780 --> 02:17:52.947
make sure it's the right thing because

02:17:52.947 --> 02:17:54.947
you talk about microreactors , uh ,

02:17:55.190 --> 02:17:57.023
understandably , everyone in the

02:17:57.023 --> 02:17:59.190
community has questions and , and they

02:17:59.190 --> 02:18:01.357
want engagement , and I raised my kids

02:18:01.357 --> 02:18:03.523
just a couple of miles from Buckley as

02:18:03.523 --> 02:18:05.523
well . So , Uh , the bottom line is

02:18:05.523 --> 02:18:05.099
that , I want to be able to support

02:18:05.099 --> 02:18:08.070
this . This is a good initiative , but

02:18:08.070 --> 02:18:09.848
I , I just want the Air Force's

02:18:09.848 --> 02:18:11.959
commitment that you'll work with us ,

02:18:11.959 --> 02:18:14.126
my office and the senator's offices in

02:18:14.126 --> 02:18:15.903
Colorado to do robust community

02:18:15.903 --> 02:18:18.014
engagement . I think this is key , is

02:18:18.014 --> 02:18:19.959
making sure we're meeting with the

02:18:19.959 --> 02:18:21.903
local counties , the cities , city

02:18:21.903 --> 02:18:23.903
councilors , the , the neighborhood

02:18:23.903 --> 02:18:25.903
associations to put information out

02:18:25.903 --> 02:18:28.126
there , answer people's questions , and

02:18:28.126 --> 02:18:30.348
just do really robust engagement on the

02:18:30.348 --> 02:18:32.514
front end so that Uh , uncertainty and

02:18:32.514 --> 02:18:34.237
any anxiety about this is , is

02:18:34.237 --> 02:18:37.468
addressed . Absolutely willing to , to

02:18:37.468 --> 02:18:39.524
work with you on , on that and , and

02:18:39.524 --> 02:18:41.746
the communication plants . Uh , I , I ,

02:18:41.746 --> 02:18:43.857
I'm a big supporter . I , I believe ,

02:18:43.857 --> 02:18:46.024
uh , in many ways that , that , that's

02:18:46.024 --> 02:18:48.079
the future . Um , I , I was actually

02:18:48.079 --> 02:18:50.024
out in California , uh , um , last

02:18:50.024 --> 02:18:53.029
weekend , and spent a few hours with a

02:18:53.029 --> 02:18:54.918
contractor that's delivering that

02:18:54.918 --> 02:18:57.140
reactor radiant . Um , uh , that , that

02:18:57.140 --> 02:18:59.379
is , it's about the safest power

02:18:59.379 --> 02:19:01.379
sources , as you can come up with .

02:19:01.379 --> 02:19:04.209
It's just amazing the levels of , of

02:19:04.209 --> 02:19:06.580
safety they have just inherent within ,

02:19:06.700 --> 02:19:09.299
within that approach . Um , I'd put it

02:19:09.299 --> 02:19:11.188
outside my house . No problem . I

02:19:11.188 --> 02:19:13.299
understand that it's small enough you

02:19:13.299 --> 02:19:15.132
can hug it , although that's not

02:19:15.132 --> 02:19:17.188
recommended . You , you , you , it's

02:19:17.188 --> 02:19:19.410
not quite that small , but , uh , but ,

02:19:19.410 --> 02:19:21.410
uh , actually you could hug it . It

02:19:21.410 --> 02:19:23.730
would be totally . It's basically inert

02:19:23.730 --> 02:19:25.730
for all practical purposes from the

02:19:25.730 --> 02:19:27.841
outside . OK , well , we look forward

02:19:27.841 --> 02:19:27.059
to working with you . Uh , you'll back ,

02:19:27.419 --> 02:19:29.660
great , and , and I'm a big proponent

02:19:29.660 --> 02:19:31.827
of it as well . It is the future , and

02:19:31.827 --> 02:19:34.049
we got to get on with it . I'm thrilled

02:19:34.049 --> 02:19:33.690
to hear Buckley is one of the places

02:19:33.690 --> 02:19:35.746
that's gonna be a part of that pilot

02:19:35.746 --> 02:19:37.634
program . Gentleman from Junior's

02:19:37.634 --> 02:19:39.579
recognized . Uh , thank you , Mr .

02:19:39.579 --> 02:19:39.339
Chairman . Thank you to our witnesses

02:19:39.339 --> 02:19:41.450
for being here and General Saltzman .

02:19:41.780 --> 02:19:44.002
Thank you for your incredible service .

02:19:44.002 --> 02:19:46.113
I've only known about the Space Force

02:19:46.113 --> 02:19:48.280
since I've been in about 17 months and

02:19:48.280 --> 02:19:50.502
you've been the face of it . One of the

02:19:50.502 --> 02:19:50.099
things we do as members of Congress is

02:19:50.099 --> 02:19:52.266
we have service academies every year ,

02:19:52.266 --> 02:19:54.377
and I noticed that this year we had a

02:19:54.377 --> 02:19:56.432
large number of people interested in

02:19:56.432 --> 02:19:55.860
the Space Force . So I'm looking

02:19:55.860 --> 02:19:58.027
forward to learning more from you guys

02:19:58.027 --> 02:20:00.027
so that I can share that with those

02:20:00.027 --> 02:20:02.138
guys . Uh , just a question for you ,

02:20:02.138 --> 02:20:04.027
General Saltzman . Um , Operation

02:20:04.027 --> 02:20:06.082
Midnight Hammer , absolute resolve ,

02:20:06.082 --> 02:20:08.249
and epic fury . How critical was Space

02:20:08.249 --> 02:20:10.193
Force towards the success of those

02:20:10.193 --> 02:20:12.416
incredible missions and could they have

02:20:12.416 --> 02:20:15.469
done it without Space Force ? We have a

02:20:15.469 --> 02:20:17.950
pretty incredible joint force , uh , so

02:20:17.950 --> 02:20:20.006
never put anything past them , but I

02:20:20.006 --> 02:20:22.228
think all of them would agree that with

02:20:22.228 --> 02:20:24.394
the addition of the space capabilities

02:20:24.394 --> 02:20:24.230
that were provided , it just made it a

02:20:24.230 --> 02:20:26.286
little bit easier to get the mission

02:20:26.286 --> 02:20:28.230
accomplished . So , whether it was

02:20:28.230 --> 02:20:30.452
integrated into the planning out of the

02:20:30.452 --> 02:20:32.619
outset , cutting off , uh , key , uh ,

02:20:32.619 --> 02:20:34.508
satellite communications that our

02:20:34.508 --> 02:20:33.990
adversaries were trying to use ,

02:20:34.299 --> 02:20:36.355
whether that was for their own drone

02:20:36.355 --> 02:20:38.466
capabilities or command and control .

02:20:38.466 --> 02:20:40.632
Uh , we , we were , we were there to ,

02:20:40.632 --> 02:20:42.855
to , to try to deny those and , and did

02:20:42.855 --> 02:20:45.021
a pretty good job of it . Probably the

02:20:45.021 --> 02:20:44.259
most important thing though is the ,

02:20:44.549 --> 02:20:46.493
the targeting capabilities that we

02:20:46.493 --> 02:20:48.716
provide , as well as the warning , uh ,

02:20:48.716 --> 02:20:50.771
of the missiles that are inbound and

02:20:50.771 --> 02:20:52.882
the tracking of those missiles , uh ,

02:20:52.882 --> 02:20:54.938
put up a pretty capable defense . So

02:20:54.938 --> 02:20:56.716
whether it was in planning , in

02:20:56.716 --> 02:20:59.049
execution , or in defense of our forces ,

02:20:59.049 --> 02:20:58.480
the Space Force was right there

02:20:58.480 --> 02:21:01.120
supporting . We appreciate it . Um , so

02:21:01.120 --> 02:21:03.839
this is a question for , um , either

02:21:03.839 --> 02:21:06.030
maybe , maybe the secretary is , uh ,

02:21:06.040 --> 02:21:09.519
how important is the , uh , ARal uh

02:21:09.519 --> 02:21:11.686
CC , the advanced fighter , what is it

02:21:11.686 --> 02:21:15.000
the , uh , CCF CCF . How important ,

02:21:15.400 --> 02:21:17.511
how do you say it ? CCA collaborative

02:21:17.511 --> 02:21:19.567
collaborator , correct ? That's it .

02:21:19.567 --> 02:21:21.678
How , how , uh , effective is the CCA

02:21:21.678 --> 02:21:23.400
and how does it compare to our

02:21:23.400 --> 02:21:26.839
adversaries ? I think , well , it's

02:21:26.839 --> 02:21:30.480
going to be very effective . Uh , I'm a

02:21:30.480 --> 02:21:32.147
huge fan of the program . Two

02:21:32.147 --> 02:21:34.202
contractors , Andre and GA , both of

02:21:34.202 --> 02:21:36.258
them are doing a great job . I think

02:21:36.258 --> 02:21:38.900
it's going to be a , a , a massive , uh ,

02:21:39.169 --> 02:21:41.589
cost-efficient force multiplier for our ,

02:21:41.719 --> 02:21:44.089
our combat , our combat Air Force . I ,

02:21:44.139 --> 02:21:46.040
I think , I think , again , both

02:21:46.040 --> 02:21:47.984
contractors are already flying and

02:21:47.984 --> 02:21:50.207
demonstrating and , and , and exercis .

02:21:50.207 --> 02:21:52.262
Exercises or other activities , uh ,

02:21:52.262 --> 02:21:54.484
with respect to our , our adversaries ,

02:21:54.484 --> 02:21:56.540
I , I don't know , probably can't go

02:21:56.540 --> 02:21:58.707
into the details , but I don't know of

02:21:58.707 --> 02:22:00.707
anything that is approaching , uh ,

02:22:00.707 --> 02:22:02.651
what we're doing , uh , but , uh ,

02:22:02.651 --> 02:22:04.762
maybe have General Wolsbach add a few

02:22:04.762 --> 02:22:06.873
comments about it . No , he's exactly

02:22:06.873 --> 02:22:09.040
right . We , we see some evidence that

02:22:09.040 --> 02:22:11.262
they're pursuing what we've already got

02:22:11.262 --> 02:22:13.429
flying , but they're years behind us ,

02:22:13.429 --> 02:22:15.429
and you've only had a few questions

02:22:15.429 --> 02:22:17.596
this week about the A-10 . But talking

02:22:17.596 --> 02:22:19.762
to operators from all , all branches ,

02:22:19.762 --> 02:22:21.596
they just say that 100% of every

02:22:21.596 --> 02:22:23.540
operator says it's , it's the best

02:22:23.540 --> 02:22:25.596
thing that we can have when you need

02:22:25.596 --> 02:22:27.484
help on the ground with close air

02:22:27.484 --> 02:22:29.651
support , especially combat search and

02:22:29.651 --> 02:22:31.818
rescue . Do we have any other aircraft

02:22:31.818 --> 02:22:31.610
currently that can match the

02:22:31.610 --> 02:22:35.000
capabilities of the A-10 Warthog ? Well ,

02:22:35.360 --> 02:22:37.360
match is probably in the eye of the

02:22:37.360 --> 02:22:39.527
beholder . Uh , we have other aircraft

02:22:39.527 --> 02:22:41.527
that are capable of doing close air

02:22:41.527 --> 02:22:43.360
support and , um , certainly can

02:22:43.360 --> 02:22:45.693
support combat search and rescue . Well ,

02:22:45.693 --> 02:22:47.860
I'm glad you guys decided to keep that

02:22:47.860 --> 02:22:50.040
going until 2030 . I would , until we

02:22:50.040 --> 02:22:52.262
see something that's capable , I'd like

02:22:52.262 --> 02:22:54.484
to see it go further . Is finding spare

02:22:54.484 --> 02:22:56.707
parts , getting spare parts going to be

02:22:56.707 --> 02:22:56.480
a challenge over the next couple of

02:22:56.480 --> 02:23:00.259
years ? Uh , I don't think so ,

02:23:00.429 --> 02:23:02.651
especially with the 27 budget and the ,

02:23:02.651 --> 02:23:05.660
uh , the dollars that we have uh for

02:23:05.660 --> 02:23:07.493
flying hours and weapons systems

02:23:07.493 --> 02:23:09.604
sustainment . But for the A-10 , it's

02:23:09.604 --> 02:23:11.938
not that we're keeping all of the A-10s .

02:23:11.938 --> 02:23:14.271
Uh , we are still retiring some of them ,

02:23:14.271 --> 02:23:16.382
and we'll keep up to 3 squadrons into

02:23:16.382 --> 02:23:18.493
2030 . Um , what that allows us to do

02:23:18.493 --> 02:23:20.438
is fleet manage and so as you have

02:23:20.438 --> 02:23:22.549
aircraft that get to the end of their

02:23:22.549 --> 02:23:24.771
life , uh , we can use them for parts ,

02:23:24.771 --> 02:23:26.827
send them to the boney yard , and so

02:23:26.827 --> 02:23:29.049
the ones that you keep flying are going

02:23:29.049 --> 02:23:31.271
to be sustained . You know this may not

02:23:31.271 --> 02:23:33.216
be a necessary thing or a possible

02:23:33.216 --> 02:23:35.160
thing , but if for some reason you

02:23:35.160 --> 02:23:34.910
wanted to go to the bone yard and

02:23:34.910 --> 02:23:36.966
reactivate some of those aircraft in

02:23:36.966 --> 02:23:39.021
the future , is that a possibility ?

02:23:39.021 --> 02:23:41.188
Yes , we actually just did that with a

02:23:41.188 --> 02:23:43.188
KC-135 , um , about two weeks ago .

02:23:43.188 --> 02:23:45.188
Awesome . What about the , uh , the

02:23:45.188 --> 02:23:47.243
B-21 ? How's our progress looking on

02:23:47.243 --> 02:23:49.860
that ? It's it's going very well . You

02:23:49.860 --> 02:23:51.638
probably saw the news . We just

02:23:51.638 --> 02:23:53.804
recently did the first air refueling .

02:23:53.804 --> 02:23:55.804
We're quite happy with the progress

02:23:55.804 --> 02:23:57.860
that Northrop is making . We've also

02:23:57.860 --> 02:23:59.971
asked them to increase the production

02:23:59.971 --> 02:24:02.690
rate from 10 aircraft at a time to 12 ,

02:24:03.099 --> 02:24:05.321
so they're in the process of getting to

02:24:05.321 --> 02:24:07.543
that . So we're quite pleased with it .

02:24:07.543 --> 02:24:09.766
What's the status of the F-15 , I think

02:24:09.766 --> 02:24:11.877
you call it EX , the newest version ,

02:24:11.877 --> 02:24:13.988
correct ? It's It's , uh , it's going

02:24:13.988 --> 02:24:16.210
well . It's a fantastic aircraft , uh ,

02:24:16.210 --> 02:24:18.377
the ones that we've received . I would

02:24:18.377 --> 02:24:20.155
like to see Boeing , meet their

02:24:20.155 --> 02:24:22.377
contractual obligation of 2 per month .

02:24:22.377 --> 02:24:24.655
Have you used any of them yet , combat ?

02:24:24.655 --> 02:24:28.120
Uh , no . Awesome . Well , I appreciate

02:24:28.120 --> 02:24:30.453
your service and with that I yield back ,

02:24:30.453 --> 02:24:32.509
gentlemen , yields back here , and I

02:24:32.509 --> 02:24:31.969
recognize gentleman from California ,

02:24:32.049 --> 02:24:33.993
Mr . Whitesides . Thank you , Mr .

02:24:33.993 --> 02:24:35.938
Chairman , and uh thank you to our

02:24:35.938 --> 02:24:38.105
witnesses for , uh , joining us , uh ,

02:24:38.105 --> 02:24:41.339
today , um . I represent California's

02:24:41.339 --> 02:24:43.700
27th district , as you probably know ,

02:24:43.780 --> 02:24:46.339
which is home to Plant 42 , uh , where

02:24:46.339 --> 02:24:48.339
the future of American air power is

02:24:48.339 --> 02:24:50.395
being built , the B-21 radar . Thank

02:24:50.395 --> 02:24:52.395
you , uh , Congressman , for , uh ,

02:24:52.395 --> 02:24:54.506
asking some of my questions will be a

02:24:54.506 --> 02:24:56.561
cornerstone of our nuclear deterrent

02:24:56.561 --> 02:24:58.617
and a powerful signal to adversaries

02:24:58.617 --> 02:24:58.450
that the United States will always be

02:24:58.450 --> 02:25:00.820
able to reach and defeat any threat

02:25:00.820 --> 02:25:04.440
anywhere . Um , Right next door sits

02:25:04.440 --> 02:25:06.662
Lockheed Skunkworks , the birthplace of

02:25:06.662 --> 02:25:08.870
the U-2 , the SR-71 , and the F-117 .

02:25:09.240 --> 02:25:11.351
For decades , Skunkworks has produced

02:25:11.351 --> 02:25:13.351
breakthroughs that no adversary can

02:25:13.351 --> 02:25:15.296
anticipate and no competitor could

02:25:15.296 --> 02:25:17.407
match that traditional , tradition of

02:25:17.407 --> 02:25:19.184
bold classified innovation is a

02:25:19.184 --> 02:25:21.240
national security asset , and one we

02:25:21.240 --> 02:25:23.650
must continue to leverage . Um , We are

02:25:23.740 --> 02:25:25.851
eager to learn at the right time what

02:25:25.851 --> 02:25:27.962
the ultimate production goals for the

02:25:27.962 --> 02:25:29.851
B-21 program will be . I note the

02:25:29.851 --> 02:25:29.620
Secretary of Defense stated to Haask ,

02:25:29.669 --> 02:25:32.160
we need a lot more . IndoPaycom

02:25:32.160 --> 02:25:34.382
Commander Paparo said to Hask , I favor

02:25:34.382 --> 02:25:36.604
200 . StratCOM Commander Correll said ,

02:25:36.604 --> 02:25:38.716
we need 145 , not including the joint

02:25:38.716 --> 02:25:40.771
force requirements . I also note the

02:25:40.771 --> 02:25:42.771
Air Force comments last week that a

02:25:42.771 --> 02:25:44.771
process is underway and welcome any

02:25:44.771 --> 02:25:43.860
updates they can provide on the

02:25:43.860 --> 02:25:45.693
department's reassessment . Mr .

02:25:45.693 --> 02:25:47.638
Secretary , are there any comments

02:25:47.638 --> 02:25:49.804
you'd like to make to the committee on

02:25:49.804 --> 02:25:52.219
your current plans for the program ? Uh ,

02:25:52.370 --> 02:25:54.703
again , the , the program is going well .

02:25:54.703 --> 02:25:56.481
Uh , again , these are all very

02:25:56.481 --> 02:25:58.370
complicated and extremely capable

02:25:58.370 --> 02:26:00.537
systems . Uh , it's great that we have

02:26:00.537 --> 02:26:02.592
essentially two of them flying and ,

02:26:02.592 --> 02:26:04.314
and one's done , done some air

02:26:04.314 --> 02:26:06.314
refueling and , uh , they're in the

02:26:06.314 --> 02:26:08.481
build of production aircraft , uh , in

02:26:08.481 --> 02:26:10.648
many forms right now . So it all looks

02:26:10.648 --> 02:26:12.981
good . Uh , we are working closely with ,

02:26:12.981 --> 02:26:15.259
thanks to some congressional help , uh ,

02:26:15.259 --> 02:26:17.314
with the congressional ads , uh , to

02:26:17.314 --> 02:26:19.481
increase production . We're working to

02:26:19.481 --> 02:26:21.703
To be honest , we're working to squeeze

02:26:21.703 --> 02:26:23.870
as much out of the facilitization that

02:26:23.870 --> 02:26:26.169
we can . Um , it's gonna be a long-term

02:26:26.169 --> 02:26:28.500
production , no question about it . Uh ,

02:26:28.620 --> 02:26:30.787
but , uh , I don't know if I can go to

02:26:30.787 --> 02:26:32.842
the specifics on the numbers , but ,

02:26:32.842 --> 02:26:32.660
but we are squeezing every little bit

02:26:32.660 --> 02:26:34.771
of production out of them that we can

02:26:34.771 --> 02:26:36.993
and work closely with the contractor to

02:26:36.993 --> 02:26:38.938
do that . Uh , with respect to the

02:26:38.938 --> 02:26:38.820
requirements , yeah , the , the

02:26:38.820 --> 02:26:41.379
chairman , uh , um , signed up to take

02:26:41.379 --> 02:26:43.490
a look at the requirements and we are

02:26:43.490 --> 02:26:45.712
working closely with them . And all the

02:26:45.712 --> 02:26:47.601
customers and you know , that's a

02:26:47.601 --> 02:26:47.410
dual-use platform , both nuclear and

02:26:47.410 --> 02:26:49.521
conventional , so we got to work with

02:26:49.521 --> 02:26:51.466
the whole , uh , Global strike and

02:26:51.466 --> 02:26:53.688
Stratcom to , to , to work through that

02:26:53.688 --> 02:26:55.910
requirement that we're doing that now .

02:26:55.910 --> 02:26:58.132
I , I , I , I think it would be safe to

02:26:58.132 --> 02:27:00.188
say that , that it will be more than

02:27:00.188 --> 02:27:02.354
100 . Uh , how many , I , I think more

02:27:02.354 --> 02:27:04.632
than 100 we're working our way through .

02:27:04.632 --> 02:27:06.743
Thank you , Mr . Secretary . Um , I'd

02:27:06.743 --> 02:27:08.688
like to turn , uh , my comments to

02:27:08.688 --> 02:27:10.854
wildfire . Uh , I'm tracking the rapid

02:27:10.854 --> 02:27:12.854
evolution of our space-based assets

02:27:12.854 --> 02:27:14.966
with great interest . Um , the threat

02:27:14.966 --> 02:27:16.799
to military installations in the

02:27:16.799 --> 02:27:18.910
American West is getting bigger every

02:27:18.910 --> 02:27:18.900
year . We've seen this clearly in

02:27:18.900 --> 02:27:20.844
recent large fires , including the

02:27:20.844 --> 02:27:22.567
Canyon Fire , which threatened

02:27:22.567 --> 02:27:24.733
Vandenberg Force Base , 12,000 acres ,

02:27:24.733 --> 02:27:26.910
Waldo Canyon , US Air Force Academy ,

02:27:27.269 --> 02:27:30.660
18,000 acres , Fort Cava Cavazos , uh ,

02:27:30.669 --> 02:27:33.910
training range , um , uh , and others .

02:27:34.269 --> 02:27:36.436
Uh , and of course , there's the , the

02:27:36.436 --> 02:27:38.602
civil impact , the Palisades and Eaton

02:27:38.602 --> 02:27:40.602
fires in Southern California , uh ,

02:27:40.602 --> 02:27:43.750
caused $50 billion of damage . And the

02:27:43.750 --> 02:27:45.583
historically , the Department of

02:27:45.583 --> 02:27:47.472
Defense , and other agencies have

02:27:47.472 --> 02:27:49.639
recognized that keeping bases safe and

02:27:49.639 --> 02:27:51.750
the homeland safe includes supporting

02:27:51.750 --> 02:27:53.806
civilian authorities during domestic

02:27:53.806 --> 02:27:56.028
emergencies . Uh , the DOD has built an

02:27:56.028 --> 02:27:58.028
undeniable track record in wildfire

02:27:58.028 --> 02:28:00.083
mitigation through targeted programs

02:28:00.083 --> 02:28:02.250
like Fire Hawk , Eagle Vision , and of

02:28:02.250 --> 02:28:05.160
course Fireguard . Uh , the basic

02:28:05.160 --> 02:28:08.219
principle is defense resources can be ,

02:28:08.230 --> 02:28:10.459
uh , applied to support , uh ,

02:28:10.469 --> 02:28:13.040
defensive bases and , and , uh , also

02:28:13.040 --> 02:28:16.639
civilian , um , assets when disaster

02:28:16.639 --> 02:28:19.980
strikes . Um . There are a few

02:28:19.980 --> 02:28:22.549
different ways to do this . Um , but

02:28:22.549 --> 02:28:24.549
I'd just love to get your top-level

02:28:24.549 --> 02:28:27.139
commitment to helping us use the assets

02:28:27.139 --> 02:28:29.669
that we have , um , including

02:28:29.669 --> 02:28:31.613
potentially procurement mechanisms

02:28:31.613 --> 02:28:34.179
around , um , commercial data . There

02:28:34.179 --> 02:28:36.179
are , there are these new platforms

02:28:36.179 --> 02:28:38.290
that are coming on . Um , generally ,

02:28:38.290 --> 02:28:40.623
you've taken advantage of some of these ,

02:28:40.623 --> 02:28:42.846
and I think your acquisition efforts in

02:28:42.846 --> 02:28:42.150
that respect are really to be

02:28:42.150 --> 02:28:44.261
complemented . It's exactly the right

02:28:44.261 --> 02:28:46.150
direction . We'd love to get your

02:28:46.150 --> 02:28:48.740
commitment , um , to helping us advance

02:28:48.740 --> 02:28:50.629
the security of our bases and our

02:28:50.629 --> 02:28:52.740
frontline communities , uh , in the

02:28:52.740 --> 02:28:54.851
American West , um , through creative

02:28:54.851 --> 02:28:57.073
techniques . Um , General Salzman , our

02:28:57.073 --> 02:28:59.240
secretary , would you like to make any

02:28:59.240 --> 02:29:01.351
comment to that ? Well , I'll start ,

02:29:01.351 --> 02:29:03.684
um . We're absolutely committed to that ,

02:29:03.684 --> 02:29:03.669
and I think it starts with

02:29:03.669 --> 02:29:05.891
understanding what the capabilities are

02:29:05.891 --> 02:29:07.947
that are out there in the commercial

02:29:07.947 --> 02:29:10.002
marketplace and then having contract

02:29:10.002 --> 02:29:09.669
mechanisms that can be rapidly put in

02:29:09.669 --> 02:29:11.809
place when the emergency arises . So

02:29:11.950 --> 02:29:14.283
we're focusing on that service provider ,

02:29:14.283 --> 02:29:16.228
that's our commercial space office

02:29:16.228 --> 02:29:18.450
building out the contract . Vehicles so

02:29:18.450 --> 02:29:18.299
that we can rapidly pull them in and

02:29:18.299 --> 02:29:20.521
then evaluating the technologies as the

02:29:20.521 --> 02:29:22.466
commercial markets that makes them

02:29:22.466 --> 02:29:24.577
available , uh , whether it's imagery

02:29:24.577 --> 02:29:26.466
or otherwise , um , but our , our

02:29:26.466 --> 02:29:28.521
Vandenberg Fire Department has , has

02:29:28.521 --> 02:29:30.299
spent a lot of time on the road

02:29:30.299 --> 02:29:32.521
fighting fires and I think they've been

02:29:32.521 --> 02:29:34.688
great partners of the community . Uh ,

02:29:34.688 --> 02:29:34.339
gentleman's time's expired . Chair and

02:29:34.339 --> 02:29:36.228
I recognize gentleman from , uh ,

02:29:36.228 --> 02:29:38.228
Indiana , Mr . Mesmer , and we have

02:29:38.228 --> 02:29:40.172
already been called for votes . So

02:29:40.172 --> 02:29:42.061
let's try to make sure we can get

02:29:42.061 --> 02:29:43.950
through this . Uh , thank you for

02:29:43.950 --> 02:29:43.669
witnesses for being here today and

02:29:43.669 --> 02:29:45.669
thank you , Chairman , uh , General

02:29:45.669 --> 02:29:47.780
Willsbach . Can you give an update on

02:29:47.780 --> 02:29:49.947
the development and testing of the AGM

02:29:49.947 --> 02:29:53.309
183 , um , ARW and Hackam programs ?

02:29:54.269 --> 02:29:56.491
Um , yes , Congressman , uh , they're ,

02:29:56.491 --> 02:29:58.547
they're obviously , um , both , uh ,

02:29:58.547 --> 02:30:00.658
both are included in this 27 budget .

02:30:00.658 --> 02:30:02.880
Uh , we , we , um , are actually trying

02:30:02.880 --> 02:30:05.709
to , um , double the production of the

02:30:05.709 --> 02:30:08.469
arrow from previous years . Uh , the

02:30:08.469 --> 02:30:10.610
testing so far is , um , promising .

02:30:10.669 --> 02:30:12.836
We've got some test shots um coming up

02:30:12.836 --> 02:30:15.058
and we'll learn more . OK , thank you .

02:30:15.299 --> 02:30:17.355
Seen in a publicly released photo of

02:30:17.355 --> 02:30:19.969
the B-1B Lancer bomber carrying an

02:30:19.969 --> 02:30:23.269
arrow over Edwards Air Force Base ,

02:30:23.620 --> 02:30:25.453
when should the committee expect

02:30:25.453 --> 02:30:27.676
procurement program lines to begin , to

02:30:27.676 --> 02:30:29.620
begin for arrow ? Well , they've ,

02:30:29.940 --> 02:30:32.162
they've already really started . Good .

02:30:32.162 --> 02:30:33.662
OK , very good . Uh , what

02:30:33.662 --> 02:30:35.662
manufacturing capability limits are

02:30:35.662 --> 02:30:37.718
preventing the Air Force from buying

02:30:37.718 --> 02:30:39.829
hypersonic weapons in more meaningful

02:30:39.829 --> 02:30:43.629
quantities ? There's a lot

02:30:43.629 --> 02:30:46.070
of facilitization . There's the supply

02:30:46.070 --> 02:30:48.070
chain . Um , there's the commitment

02:30:48.070 --> 02:30:51.030
from the contractors in the defense

02:30:51.030 --> 02:30:54.200
industrial base to , to move out , um ,

02:30:54.309 --> 02:30:56.253
and these are the discussions that

02:30:56.253 --> 02:30:58.365
we've been having with them as a part

02:30:58.365 --> 02:31:00.531
of the executive order we got from the

02:31:00.531 --> 02:31:02.990
president . I think what I , I think

02:31:02.990 --> 02:31:05.549
what I'd add is in in munitions across

02:31:05.549 --> 02:31:07.882
the board , especially in some of these ,

02:31:07.910 --> 02:31:10.549
these hypersonic weapons , the , the ,

02:31:10.629 --> 02:31:12.351
as the , as the general said .

02:31:13.009 --> 02:31:16.089
stability , long-term stability so that

02:31:16.089 --> 02:31:18.145
they can facilitize and , and do the

02:31:18.145 --> 02:31:20.530
R&D necessarily get those weapons to a

02:31:20.530 --> 02:31:22.697
cost point that we can actually afford

02:31:22.697 --> 02:31:24.974
large numbers of them is critical . Uh ,

02:31:24.974 --> 02:31:27.141
this is another one of the areas where

02:31:27.141 --> 02:31:28.863
multi-year and other long-term

02:31:28.863 --> 02:31:28.450
contracts are really , really important .

02:31:28.719 --> 02:31:30.552
Um , you know , use of long-term

02:31:30.552 --> 02:31:32.719
contracts sends the demand signal that

02:31:32.719 --> 02:31:34.886
the industry should need . Thank you .

02:31:34.886 --> 02:31:36.775
Secretary Mink , uh , what is the

02:31:36.775 --> 02:31:38.608
update on the next generation of

02:31:38.608 --> 02:31:40.775
Responsive strike program known as the

02:31:40.775 --> 02:31:42.941
XRS ? For the last several years , the

02:31:42.941 --> 02:31:44.997
NDA has included language expressing

02:31:44.997 --> 02:31:47.163
our support and interest in a reusable

02:31:47.163 --> 02:31:50.540
hypersonic aircraft . Uh , I , I can

02:31:50.540 --> 02:31:52.980
get you , uh , uh , maybe more details

02:31:52.980 --> 02:31:55.091
on where we stand in , in a different

02:31:55.091 --> 02:31:57.258
environment , uh , but the , the basic

02:31:57.258 --> 02:31:59.900
R&D activities look promising , um ,

02:31:59.980 --> 02:32:02.370
but there's still work to do . OK . Uh ,

02:32:02.379 --> 02:32:04.268
can you give us a picture of what

02:32:04.268 --> 02:32:06.157
budgeting for reusable hypersonic

02:32:06.157 --> 02:32:08.379
aircraft technologies might look , look

02:32:08.379 --> 02:32:10.379
like over the next few years ? I'll

02:32:10.379 --> 02:32:09.900
have to get back to you on that . I

02:32:09.900 --> 02:32:12.011
don't know that one off the top of my

02:32:12.011 --> 02:32:14.289
head . OK , thank you , Secretary Mink .

02:32:14.289 --> 02:32:16.456
Last year , the department argued that

02:32:16.456 --> 02:32:18.511
the E7 was not survivable enough and

02:32:18.511 --> 02:32:20.678
that other sensors could assume . More

02:32:20.678 --> 02:32:22.844
of an airborne early warning mission .

02:32:22.844 --> 02:32:24.789
Since then , Congress has kept the

02:32:24.789 --> 02:32:26.900
program alive , and , and now the Air

02:32:26.900 --> 02:32:29.011
Force has 7 aircraft under contract .

02:32:29.019 --> 02:32:30.797
What change in the department's

02:32:30.797 --> 02:32:32.963
assessment of the E-7's value and what

02:32:32.963 --> 02:32:35.130
gaps will remain if the Air Force does

02:32:35.130 --> 02:32:37.352
not sustain the FY-27 funding ? Uh , so

02:32:37.352 --> 02:32:39.519
our plan is to submit a , a , a budget

02:32:39.519 --> 02:32:41.686
adjustment to fund the FY 27 and as we

02:32:41.686 --> 02:32:44.410
do the FY 28 bill to , to , to lay in

02:32:44.410 --> 02:32:46.577
the , uh , your , uh , production of ,

02:32:46.577 --> 02:32:48.688
of the seven aircraft you mentioned .

02:32:48.688 --> 02:32:50.966
Uh , what's changed is , it's actually ,

02:32:50.966 --> 02:32:53.188
it's pretty simple , Congressman . Um ,

02:32:53.450 --> 02:32:55.506
when the decision to cut the program

02:32:55.506 --> 02:32:58.200
was made , we were looking at an 890

02:32:58.200 --> 02:33:00.410
top line at the DOW level . Uh , there

02:33:00.410 --> 02:33:02.243
were a lot of programs that were

02:33:02.243 --> 02:33:04.243
valuable that were being cut . Uh ,

02:33:04.243 --> 02:33:06.929
that was one of them . Um , we knew we

02:33:06.929 --> 02:33:09.610
needed the space-based AMTI for a whole

02:33:09.610 --> 02:33:11.721
host of reasons we could talk about ,

02:33:11.721 --> 02:33:13.888
uh , quite a while on , but the bottom

02:33:13.888 --> 02:33:15.999
line was , is at the 890 point , we ,

02:33:15.999 --> 02:33:17.999
we could not afford it and a lot of

02:33:17.999 --> 02:33:20.221
important programs were being cut . Now

02:33:20.221 --> 02:33:19.650
that we have more budget flexibility ,

02:33:19.769 --> 02:33:23.360
we're working with you , uh , and , uh ,

02:33:23.370 --> 02:33:25.481
up through the , the executive branch

02:33:25.481 --> 02:33:27.203
to get it back in the budget .

02:33:27.203 --> 02:33:29.370
Excellent . Uh , Secretary Mink of the

02:33:29.370 --> 02:33:31.481
department supports Golden Dome and a

02:33:31.481 --> 02:33:33.592
more resilient sensing architecture .

02:33:33.592 --> 02:33:35.759
Should Congress think about the E-7 as

02:33:35.759 --> 02:33:35.589
part of that layered architecture

02:33:35.589 --> 02:33:37.645
rather than a stand-alone aircraft ?

02:33:39.700 --> 02:33:41.589
I , I , I guess I would leave the

02:33:41.589 --> 02:33:43.478
specifics of , of the Golden Dome

02:33:43.478 --> 02:33:45.644
strategy to General Gutline , uh , but

02:33:45.644 --> 02:33:47.811
my understanding is , is that it would

02:33:47.811 --> 02:33:50.033
be a part of homeland , of , of support

02:33:50.033 --> 02:33:52.311
of , of the coast , uh , with the , uh ,

02:33:52.311 --> 02:33:54.533
the capability of that platform . So it

02:33:54.533 --> 02:33:56.256
will be a multi-use platform ,

02:33:56.256 --> 02:33:58.367
obviously . Secretary Min , districts

02:33:58.367 --> 02:34:00.478
like Indiana's 8th District have deep

02:34:00.478 --> 02:34:02.311
radar , electronic warfare , and

02:34:02.311 --> 02:34:04.200
electron electromagnetic spectrum

02:34:04.200 --> 02:34:06.367
expertise through NWSC Crane and local

02:34:06.367 --> 02:34:08.422
industry . As I understand , the Air

02:34:08.422 --> 02:34:10.644
Force is buying 737 green aircraft from

02:34:10.644 --> 02:34:12.811
Boeing and then doing the retrofitting

02:34:12.811 --> 02:34:15.429
of those airframes . As the Air Force

02:34:15.429 --> 02:34:17.373
expands the program , would it not

02:34:17.373 --> 02:34:19.429
benefit from leveraging our domestic

02:34:19.429 --> 02:34:21.651
industrial base and do that work in the

02:34:21.651 --> 02:34:24.679
US ? I , I think there's some work

02:34:24.679 --> 02:34:27.110
going on in the UK , um , part of the ,

02:34:27.440 --> 02:34:30.259
part of it , uh , part of the , uh , um ,

02:34:30.879 --> 02:34:33.157
the installation is going on in the UK ,

02:34:33.157 --> 02:34:35.379
and , and part of it is , is , is going

02:34:35.379 --> 02:34:37.490
on here . Uh , it , it's again , it's

02:34:37.490 --> 02:34:39.601
one of those joint programs , right ?

02:34:39.601 --> 02:34:41.935
OK , I yelled back . Thank you , Jordan .

02:34:41.935 --> 02:34:41.679
I recognize you from North Carolina ,

02:34:41.759 --> 02:34:44.059
Mr . Harrigan . Uh , thank you ,

02:34:44.259 --> 02:34:46.370
Chairman and gentlemen , great to see

02:34:46.370 --> 02:34:48.481
you before Congress again . I'm gonna

02:34:48.481 --> 02:34:47.940
keep this short because we all got to

02:34:47.940 --> 02:34:49.940
get the votes . Uh , it's been said

02:34:49.940 --> 02:34:51.996
that the next great terror attack on

02:34:51.996 --> 02:34:54.162
our homeland will be like 9/11 without

02:34:54.162 --> 02:34:56.384
martyrs . Uh , the without martyrs part

02:34:56.384 --> 02:34:59.089
referring to low-cost , highly

02:34:59.089 --> 02:35:01.780
autonomous drone aircraft . We all know

02:35:01.780 --> 02:35:04.002
that this is a great threat . Uh , both

02:35:04.002 --> 02:35:06.224
General Will Spock in the Air Force and

02:35:06.224 --> 02:35:08.224
General Saltzman at the Space Force

02:35:08.224 --> 02:35:10.058
have been working hard . Uh , to

02:35:10.058 --> 02:35:12.002
counter this threat , can you talk

02:35:12.002 --> 02:35:14.002
about some of the work that you all

02:35:14.002 --> 02:35:13.740
have done to counter this threat , and

02:35:13.740 --> 02:35:16.129
can you qualify how much more work we

02:35:16.129 --> 02:35:18.129
still have yet to do to protect our

02:35:18.129 --> 02:35:21.690
homeland against this threat ? Uh , so

02:35:21.690 --> 02:35:24.690
since Epic Fury started , we've really

02:35:24.690 --> 02:35:27.070
rushed capability to the Middle East

02:35:27.490 --> 02:35:30.759
and uh as I mentioned earlier , we had

02:35:30.759 --> 02:35:32.969
some army systems that we um installed

02:35:32.969 --> 02:35:35.080
in some of our bases to protect those

02:35:35.080 --> 02:35:37.358
air bases , but even domestically , uh ,

02:35:37.358 --> 02:35:39.509
we've also rushed several systems out

02:35:39.700 --> 02:35:43.349
to key bases with high

02:35:43.349 --> 02:35:45.516
priority weapons that are stored there

02:35:45.516 --> 02:35:47.860
so that those bases are covered as well .

02:35:48.070 --> 02:35:50.669
This includes domain awareness , um ,

02:35:50.990 --> 02:35:53.070
additional non-kinetic , um , some ,

02:35:53.709 --> 02:35:55.598
some also directed energy in some

02:35:55.598 --> 02:35:58.230
places as well . We have a lot more

02:35:58.230 --> 02:36:00.389
work to do because so far we've only

02:36:00.389 --> 02:36:02.556
covered down on a few of our bases and

02:36:02.556 --> 02:36:04.667
frankly , we need to cover them all .

02:36:05.629 --> 02:36:07.573
And very quickly , obviously , the

02:36:07.573 --> 02:36:09.629
smaller the , the , the threat , the

02:36:09.629 --> 02:36:11.851
harder it is to see from space , but we

02:36:11.851 --> 02:36:13.796
focused on , uh , putting the data

02:36:13.796 --> 02:36:15.796
network in place at , at , at scale

02:36:15.796 --> 02:36:18.129
around the globe so we can rapidly move .

02:36:18.129 --> 02:36:20.129
Once something's detected , rapidly

02:36:20.129 --> 02:36:21.962
move the data , the track to the

02:36:21.962 --> 02:36:24.018
decision maker where an affector can

02:36:24.018 --> 02:36:26.129
take advantage of it . Uh , so we try

02:36:26.129 --> 02:36:25.629
to play our part even if we can't

02:36:25.629 --> 02:36:27.685
detect it fully from space with that

02:36:27.685 --> 02:36:30.690
size . And last point of clarification ,

02:36:30.809 --> 02:36:33.250
how is the coordination between the

02:36:33.250 --> 02:36:35.417
Department of War and other government

02:36:35.417 --> 02:36:37.528
agencies that are tasked with dealing

02:36:37.528 --> 02:36:39.417
with this threat ? Uh , where's ,

02:36:39.417 --> 02:36:41.750
where's it working ? Where's it lacking ?

02:36:42.209 --> 02:36:44.450
We actually just um had a one-week

02:36:44.450 --> 02:36:47.440
conference and we actually brought the

02:36:47.440 --> 02:36:49.218
entire , you know , interagency

02:36:49.218 --> 02:36:51.107
together . So we had , you know ,

02:36:51.107 --> 02:36:53.162
multiple agencies together trying to

02:36:53.162 --> 02:36:55.384
solve this problem . So I feel like the

02:36:55.384 --> 02:36:57.900
coordination is really good . Mr .

02:36:57.980 --> 02:36:59.924
Chairman , I yelled back . Chair ,

02:36:59.924 --> 02:37:02.202
recognize the gentleman from Wisconsin ,

02:37:02.202 --> 02:37:04.091
Mr . Van Orden . Thank you , Mr .

02:37:04.091 --> 02:37:05.869
Chairman . I , um , as a life .

02:37:06.080 --> 02:37:09.629
Lifetime Navy man . Mr .

02:37:09.690 --> 02:37:12.000
Secretary , I'm going to just ask for ,

02:37:12.530 --> 02:37:14.641
for the love of all that is holy , do

02:37:14.641 --> 02:37:16.641
not give the army nuclear weapons .

02:37:16.740 --> 02:37:20.330
Just , just don't . Thank you , dear

02:37:20.330 --> 02:37:22.769
Lord . Um , I'm very proud to represent

02:37:22.769 --> 02:37:24.991
the 126th Combat Weather Flight and the

02:37:24.991 --> 02:37:27.400
128th Air Control Squadron at Volk

02:37:27.400 --> 02:37:29.929
Field , and , uh , the guys that live

02:37:29.929 --> 02:37:32.151
over in Madison fly their F-35s there .

02:37:32.190 --> 02:37:35.150
It's um , it's a fantastic facility .

02:37:35.669 --> 02:37:37.891
Uh , can you tell me what percentage of

02:37:37.891 --> 02:37:40.290
our deployed forces at any given time

02:37:40.290 --> 02:37:42.346
are reservists and National Guards ,

02:37:42.346 --> 02:37:45.580
guards men and women ? I think I'm

02:37:45.580 --> 02:37:47.700
going to have to call on a friend for

02:37:47.700 --> 02:37:49.867
that . Do you know that number off the

02:37:49.867 --> 02:37:51.978
top of your head ? I don't , but it's

02:37:51.978 --> 02:37:53.978
increasingly more , you know , back

02:37:53.978 --> 02:37:56.033
when you were serving , you know , a

02:37:56.033 --> 02:37:58.200
much higher preponderance of the force

02:37:58.200 --> 02:38:00.200
was active duty , and as we've gone

02:38:00.200 --> 02:38:02.311
forward in time , you know , more and

02:38:02.311 --> 02:38:04.144
more are guard and reserve , and

02:38:04.144 --> 02:38:06.256
frankly , Congressman . You know , we

02:38:06.256 --> 02:38:08.478
can't tell the difference between guard

02:38:08.478 --> 02:38:10.644
and reserve and active duty , which is

02:38:10.644 --> 02:38:12.811
fantastic , um , and they are allowing

02:38:12.811 --> 02:38:14.867
us to do missions all over the , all

02:38:14.867 --> 02:38:16.978
over the world , specifically in , in

02:38:16.978 --> 02:38:19.144
Epic Fury right now . There's a high ,

02:38:19.144 --> 02:38:21.422
a higher percentage than probably , uh ,

02:38:21.422 --> 02:38:23.533
in recent past , um , of guarding the

02:38:23.533 --> 02:38:25.589
reserves . General , unfortunately ,

02:38:25.589 --> 02:38:27.700
oftentimes we can tell the difference

02:38:27.700 --> 02:38:29.756
between the two when it comes to the

02:38:29.756 --> 02:38:32.089
budget . And when it comes to equipment ,

02:38:32.110 --> 02:38:34.166
this is more so an issue with rotary

02:38:34.166 --> 02:38:36.719
ringing in the Army , but I just want

02:38:36.719 --> 02:38:39.160
to make sure that our National Guards

02:38:39.160 --> 02:38:41.360
men and women and our reservists have

02:38:41.360 --> 02:38:44.519
the most up to-date equipment to train

02:38:44.719 --> 02:38:46.719
so that when they do forward deploy

02:38:47.080 --> 02:38:48.799
that they are mission capable

02:38:48.799 --> 02:38:52.160
immediately and I , I , I really

02:38:52.160 --> 02:38:54.216
respect their service because they ,

02:38:54.216 --> 02:38:56.271
they do something that we don't do ,

02:38:56.271 --> 02:38:58.327
they got a day job and then all of a

02:38:58.327 --> 02:38:58.269
sudden they got to leave their home and

02:38:58.269 --> 02:39:00.860
it's . It's really , it can be very ,

02:39:01.040 --> 02:39:03.320
uh , disconcerting for them . Um , I

02:39:03.320 --> 02:39:05.376
would in the future like to see your

02:39:05.376 --> 02:39:07.431
senior enlisted leaders with you . I

02:39:07.431 --> 02:39:09.653
noticed that they're not here . Um , it

02:39:09.653 --> 02:39:11.820
would be good to have them around just

02:39:11.820 --> 02:39:13.931
so we can , you know , slap hands and

02:39:13.931 --> 02:39:16.059
whatnot . Um , I wanna talk about the

02:39:16.059 --> 02:39:19.959
A-10 . So , the F-35 , you know , what

02:39:19.959 --> 02:39:23.110
does a unit cost for an F-35 ? 80 to

02:39:23.110 --> 02:39:25.820
$110 million . Uh , what's the unit

02:39:25.820 --> 02:39:28.929
cost for an 810 ? Adjusted for

02:39:28.929 --> 02:39:30.929
inflation . I know we haven't built

02:39:30.929 --> 02:39:33.151
since the 80s . It's , I , I , I'd have

02:39:33.151 --> 02:39:34.762
to go do the math , but it's

02:39:34.762 --> 02:39:36.818
considerably less than an F-35 . And

02:39:36.818 --> 02:39:39.040
what's the flat hour cost for an F-35 ?

02:39:39.500 --> 02:39:43.379
Up to $40,000 . Uh , it's , it's

02:39:43.379 --> 02:39:45.490
probably not quite that high , but it

02:39:45.490 --> 02:39:47.657
could be , um , 10 is certainly less ,

02:39:47.700 --> 02:39:51.540
OK , at loiter time . For the

02:39:51.540 --> 02:39:55.099
F-35 . Uh , Depending on

02:39:55.099 --> 02:39:57.969
basing , obviously , but it's it's ,

02:39:58.000 --> 02:40:00.519
it's shorter than the A-10 . OK , so

02:40:00.740 --> 02:40:03.099
having been on the ground as a United

02:40:03.099 --> 02:40:06.150
States Navy SEAL in combat . Loiter

02:40:06.150 --> 02:40:08.870
time matters . The we can work with the

02:40:08.870 --> 02:40:11.037
cost , you know , the budget's there ,

02:40:11.037 --> 02:40:13.092
but we have to , we have to have the

02:40:13.092 --> 02:40:15.314
ability to have somebody sitting around

02:40:15.314 --> 02:40:17.537
with a GAU 8 with 1200 rounds via a GAU

02:40:17.537 --> 02:40:20.309
22 alpha and an F-35 with 200 rounds ,

02:40:20.669 --> 02:40:23.099
which , which has had issues with , um ,

02:40:23.110 --> 02:40:26.790
accuracy . So we cannot have a gap .

02:40:27.650 --> 02:40:29.983
I know that you're working towards that ,

02:40:29.983 --> 02:40:32.330
um , and I , I , I'm no longer an

02:40:32.330 --> 02:40:34.608
operator , it's obvious I'm , you know ,

02:40:34.608 --> 02:40:36.663
fat as a house and got a white beard

02:40:36.663 --> 02:40:39.150
now , but , uh , all of my friends are

02:40:39.150 --> 02:40:41.290
still and our children are at this

02:40:41.290 --> 02:40:44.889
point , so we cannot have a gap in

02:40:44.889 --> 02:40:47.129
close air support , a close air support

02:40:47.129 --> 02:40:49.530
platform . That will be able to kill

02:40:49.530 --> 02:40:52.690
the enemy that is in that hallway vice

02:40:52.690 --> 02:40:55.730
dropping something from an F-35 , and I

02:40:55.730 --> 02:40:57.841
know you care about the men and women

02:40:57.841 --> 02:40:59.952
in the military . I know you do too ,

02:40:59.952 --> 02:41:02.119
General , um , so let's just make sure

02:41:02.119 --> 02:41:04.341
that does not happen . And for the sake

02:41:04.341 --> 02:41:04.290
of brevity , I will say congratulations

02:41:04.290 --> 02:41:06.490
on your retirement . Uh , this is not

02:41:06.490 --> 02:41:08.712
Turkey , so you probably won't be going

02:41:08.712 --> 02:41:10.879
to prison , and that's a great thing .

02:41:10.879 --> 02:41:12.934
So God bless you and the , the folks

02:41:12.934 --> 02:41:15.101
that you watch out after . Gentlemen ,

02:41:15.101 --> 02:41:17.268
yields back , uh , I wanna thank the ,

02:41:17.268 --> 02:41:19.379
uh , panelists . Uh , you did a great

02:41:19.379 --> 02:41:21.490
job , and I will tell you , you got a

02:41:21.490 --> 02:41:23.712
lot of love today from this committee .

02:41:23.712 --> 02:41:23.459
That doesn't happen with all the

02:41:23.459 --> 02:41:25.860
services , so way to go . Uh , thank

02:41:25.860 --> 02:41:28.027
you . You've been very helpful . We're

02:41:28.027 --> 02:41:27.379
adjourned .