1 00:00:00,190 --> 00:00:02,357 to receive testimony from General Todd 2 00:00:02,357 --> 00:00:04,246 Walters . Commander of the United 3 00:00:04,246 --> 00:00:06,079 States european command and NATO 4 00:00:06,079 --> 00:00:08,190 Supreme Allied Commander , europe and 5 00:00:08,190 --> 00:00:09,912 General Jacqueline van Provo's 6 00:00:09,912 --> 00:00:11,634 Commander of the United States 7 00:00:11,634 --> 00:00:13,857 Transportation Command . Thank you both 8 00:00:13,857 --> 00:00:15,801 for your service to the nation . I 9 00:00:15,801 --> 00:00:17,912 thank the men and women serving under 10 00:00:17,912 --> 00:00:20,023 your commands at this critical time . 11 00:00:20,023 --> 00:00:22,190 General Walters . I would also like to 12 00:00:22,190 --> 00:00:24,301 take a moment to recognize the tragic 13 00:00:24,301 --> 00:00:26,468 loss of four marines during a training 14 00:00:26,468 --> 00:00:28,634 accident in Norway . Please convey the 15 00:00:28,634 --> 00:00:30,468 committee's condolences to their 16 00:00:30,468 --> 00:00:32,357 families and fellow marines . The 17 00:00:32,357 --> 00:00:34,190 security challenges for european 18 00:00:34,190 --> 00:00:36,210 command or EUCOM have never been 19 00:00:36,210 --> 00:00:38,760 clearer . One month ago , Russia 20 00:00:38,760 --> 00:00:41,000 unleashed its illegal and unprovoked 21 00:00:41,000 --> 00:00:43,850 attack on Ukraine . Upending decades of 22 00:00:43,850 --> 00:00:46,072 general peace and stability in europe . 23 00:00:46,440 --> 00:00:48,662 Putin's invasion has inflicted horrible 24 00:00:48,662 --> 00:00:50,718 suffering upon innocent civilians in 25 00:00:50,718 --> 00:00:53,530 Ukraine threaten european security and 26 00:00:53,530 --> 00:00:55,474 cause serious consequences for the 27 00:00:55,474 --> 00:00:57,780 global economy . The Ukrainian military 28 00:00:57,780 --> 00:01:00,002 has performed heroically in the face of 29 00:01:00,002 --> 00:01:02,370 this overwhelming violence and the 30 00:01:02,370 --> 00:01:04,970 occurring people have shown the world 31 00:01:04,970 --> 00:01:08,210 what true cars looks like . If Putin 32 00:01:08,210 --> 00:01:10,432 thought his actions over the past month 33 00:01:10,432 --> 00:01:12,266 would drive a wedge between NATO 34 00:01:12,266 --> 00:01:14,321 members and within the international 35 00:01:14,321 --> 00:01:16,543 community . He was badly mistaken . The 36 00:01:16,543 --> 00:01:18,654 conflict in Ukraine has reinvigorated 37 00:01:18,654 --> 00:01:21,030 the NATO alliance and as NATO secretary 38 00:01:21,040 --> 00:01:23,660 General Stoltenberg noted recently , 39 00:01:23,670 --> 00:01:26,680 this is a pivotal moment for european 40 00:01:26,680 --> 00:01:28,930 security since the start of the 41 00:01:28,930 --> 00:01:31,097 conflict . The international community 42 00:01:31,097 --> 00:01:33,340 has implemented a severe and far 43 00:01:33,340 --> 00:01:35,360 reaching set of economic and energy 44 00:01:35,360 --> 00:01:37,980 sanctions , increased military and 45 00:01:37,980 --> 00:01:40,820 humanitarian assistance to Ukraine and 46 00:01:40,830 --> 00:01:42,774 reinforce NATO's military presence 47 00:01:42,780 --> 00:01:45,190 along the Eastern flank , Including the 48 00:01:45,190 --> 00:01:47,630 deployment of four new NATO battle 49 00:01:47,630 --> 00:01:50,350 groups in Bulgaria . Hungary Romania 50 00:01:50,360 --> 00:01:53,260 and Slovakia Germany has announced 51 00:01:53,260 --> 00:01:54,927 historic new defense spending 52 00:01:55,040 --> 00:01:57,096 additional nations have indicated an 53 00:01:57,096 --> 00:01:59,620 interest to join NATO . And even 54 00:01:59,620 --> 00:02:01,830 Switzerland has announced an intent to 55 00:02:01,830 --> 00:02:04,740 freeze Russian financial assets . The 56 00:02:04,740 --> 00:02:06,980 international community has united in a 57 00:02:06,980 --> 00:02:10,440 way not seen in generations . You calm 58 00:02:10,440 --> 00:02:12,750 and Transcom are playing a critical 59 00:02:12,750 --> 00:02:15,070 role in this effort . American troops 60 00:02:15,070 --> 00:02:17,390 continue to operate enormous for 61 00:02:17,400 --> 00:02:20,390 logistics tenants to receive , identify 62 00:02:20,400 --> 00:02:22,567 and transport the majority of security 63 00:02:22,567 --> 00:02:24,840 aid intended for Ukraine from across 64 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:27,200 the international community . This has 65 00:02:27,200 --> 00:02:30,750 been a herculean task executed with 66 00:02:30,760 --> 00:02:33,190 admirable skill . On very little notice , 67 00:02:33,840 --> 00:02:35,896 I would ask her witnesses to provide 68 00:02:35,896 --> 00:02:38,118 the committee with any updates and also 69 00:02:38,118 --> 00:02:40,007 to help place the current Ukraine 70 00:02:40,007 --> 00:02:42,007 crisis in the larger context of our 71 00:02:42,007 --> 00:02:44,340 long term competition with both of our 72 00:02:44,340 --> 00:02:46,650 strategic competitors , Russia and 73 00:02:46,650 --> 00:02:48,910 china keeping an eye for the future . 74 00:02:49,110 --> 00:02:51,166 An important reality we're seeing in 75 00:02:51,166 --> 00:02:53,580 Ukraine is that any potential adversary 76 00:02:53,790 --> 00:02:56,170 is going to attack our logistic support 77 00:02:56,170 --> 00:02:58,650 systems . This idea of congested 78 00:02:58,660 --> 00:03:00,870 logistics will include obvious threats 79 00:03:00,870 --> 00:03:03,170 to our forward bases as well as the 80 00:03:03,170 --> 00:03:05,392 aircraft and ships that we supply those 81 00:03:05,392 --> 00:03:07,990 bases . It also could include cyber 82 00:03:07,990 --> 00:03:09,768 attacks against the information 83 00:03:09,768 --> 00:03:11,768 technology systems that support our 84 00:03:11,768 --> 00:03:14,300 deployments , government and commercial 85 00:03:14,490 --> 00:03:16,546 and possible kinetic attacks against 86 00:03:16,546 --> 00:03:18,601 ports and airfields , supporting our 87 00:03:18,601 --> 00:03:20,790 deployments . I am concerned that are 88 00:03:20,790 --> 00:03:22,568 thinking about logistics during 89 00:03:22,568 --> 00:03:24,710 conflict has defaulted to our 90 00:03:24,710 --> 00:03:27,840 experiences dating back to Vietnam that 91 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:30,007 we have owned the sea and air lines of 92 00:03:30,007 --> 00:03:32,240 communication and valuable only to 93 00:03:32,240 --> 00:03:35,090 worry about logistics efficiency , not 94 00:03:35,090 --> 00:03:37,410 effectiveness . General Van all those I 95 00:03:37,410 --> 00:03:39,632 would like to know what steps are being 96 00:03:39,632 --> 00:03:41,688 taken to prepare for such threats to 97 00:03:41,688 --> 00:03:43,632 our logistics and how the military 98 00:03:43,632 --> 00:03:45,688 services can alter their acquisition 99 00:03:45,688 --> 00:03:47,743 programs to take these concerns into 100 00:03:47,743 --> 00:03:49,577 account . Thank you again to our 101 00:03:49,577 --> 00:03:51,243 witnesses . I look forward to 102 00:03:51,243 --> 00:03:53,410 testimonies . Now let me recognize the 103 00:03:53,410 --> 00:03:55,521 ranking member Senator Inhofe . Thank 104 00:03:55,521 --> 00:03:58,770 you . Mr . Chairman and general Walters . 105 00:03:58,770 --> 00:04:01,890 General Van Novo's it's nice having you 106 00:04:01,890 --> 00:04:04,520 here and we're always proud of you and 107 00:04:04,520 --> 00:04:06,980 the contributions that you make . I've 108 00:04:06,980 --> 00:04:09,790 said several times for this committee's 109 00:04:09,800 --> 00:04:11,910 top priority has been ensuring the 110 00:04:11,910 --> 00:04:14,660 effective implementation of the 111 00:04:15,440 --> 00:04:19,140 2000 18 National 112 00:04:19,140 --> 00:04:21,220 Defense Strategy . It's still good 113 00:04:21,220 --> 00:04:24,210 today . It told us china is our pacing 114 00:04:24,210 --> 00:04:26,150 threat and that we need much more 115 00:04:26,540 --> 00:04:29,320 Effort from our military to take on 116 00:04:29,320 --> 00:04:31,320 that threat . The threats have only 117 00:04:31,320 --> 00:04:33,431 gotten worse since then . Yesterday , 118 00:04:33,431 --> 00:04:35,653 the administration sent us a classified 119 00:04:35,750 --> 00:04:39,580 2022 National Defense Strategy . I hope 120 00:04:39,580 --> 00:04:42,350 the unclassified version is public soon . 121 00:04:42,740 --> 00:04:45,260 I understand this strategy was late in 122 00:04:45,260 --> 00:04:47,580 part because the biden administration 123 00:04:47,580 --> 00:04:51,450 revisited what we we're what we're 124 00:04:51,460 --> 00:04:54,800 likely rosy assumptions about china . 125 00:04:54,810 --> 00:04:58,270 It's a good reminder that we must deal 126 00:04:58,270 --> 00:05:00,980 with the world as it is and not as we 127 00:05:00,980 --> 00:05:03,640 would have it to be . Our plan to deal 128 00:05:03,640 --> 00:05:05,900 with . That world must rest on the 129 00:05:05,900 --> 00:05:08,700 strong foundation of military power and 130 00:05:08,700 --> 00:05:11,120 it must focus on actions , not words 131 00:05:11,130 --> 00:05:14,270 for credible deterrence four months ago . 132 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:16,860 Secretary Blinken Justified , not 133 00:05:16,860 --> 00:05:19,300 sanctioning Russia by saying , quote 134 00:05:19,520 --> 00:05:22,090 President , the President believes that 135 00:05:22,090 --> 00:05:25,080 sanctions are intended to deter last 136 00:05:25,080 --> 00:05:27,302 week . The President himself said . And 137 00:05:27,302 --> 00:05:29,940 this is a quote , sanctions never deter 138 00:05:30,240 --> 00:05:33,360 nothing about this makes sense , 139 00:05:33,940 --> 00:05:36,650 deterrence failed in Ukraine . We must 140 00:05:36,650 --> 00:05:39,460 ensure it does not fail anywhere else . 141 00:05:39,840 --> 00:05:41,951 The costs of war are far greater than 142 00:05:41,951 --> 00:05:45,780 the cost of preventing more . We 143 00:05:45,780 --> 00:05:48,420 must ensure that our combatant commands 144 00:05:48,420 --> 00:05:51,570 have what they need to credibly deter 145 00:05:51,570 --> 00:05:53,620 our adversaries and address the 146 00:05:53,620 --> 00:05:56,130 challenges of strategic competition . 147 00:05:56,460 --> 00:05:58,516 These threats highlight the need for 148 00:05:58,516 --> 00:06:02,510 real growth in the defense budget and a 149 00:06:02,510 --> 00:06:05,650 sense of urgency and willingness to 150 00:06:05,650 --> 00:06:08,460 take risks both at the pentagon and 151 00:06:08,460 --> 00:06:11,350 here in Congress we just received the 152 00:06:11,350 --> 00:06:15,040 President's Fiscal year 23 budget and 153 00:06:15,040 --> 00:06:17,660 it does not request the real growth we 154 00:06:18,140 --> 00:06:22,130 need we will do our due diligence in 155 00:06:22,130 --> 00:06:25,260 our constitutional duty as we did last 156 00:06:25,260 --> 00:06:28,070 year . General Walters . I look forward 157 00:06:28,070 --> 00:06:30,480 to hearing your assessment of Russia's 158 00:06:30,480 --> 00:06:33,370 invasion of Ukraine and how the United 159 00:06:33,370 --> 00:06:36,260 States and our NATO allies will bolster 160 00:06:36,270 --> 00:06:39,130 european defenses while continuing to 161 00:06:39,130 --> 00:06:41,150 support Ukraine's ability to defend 162 00:06:41,150 --> 00:06:43,710 itself . And I'm troubled by lackluster 163 00:06:43,710 --> 00:06:46,680 funding for the european deterrence 164 00:06:46,890 --> 00:06:49,270 initiative in recent years and 165 00:06:49,270 --> 00:06:52,540 concerned about the ability of our 166 00:06:52,550 --> 00:06:56,230 industrial base to support rearming 167 00:06:56,240 --> 00:06:59,510 ourselves our NATO allies and the 168 00:06:59,510 --> 00:07:02,940 Ukrainians General provost , I would 169 00:07:02,950 --> 00:07:06,220 like to know if you have the resources 170 00:07:06,220 --> 00:07:09,080 you need support , not only the general 171 00:07:09,080 --> 00:07:12,040 Walters in europe , but also our endo 172 00:07:12,040 --> 00:07:15,270 pecan commander . Additionally , I look 173 00:07:15,270 --> 00:07:17,326 forward to hearing your views on our 174 00:07:17,326 --> 00:07:20,410 current sealift readiness and how that 175 00:07:20,410 --> 00:07:23,420 impacts your ability to support our 176 00:07:23,430 --> 00:07:26,610 combatant command corner part . So 177 00:07:26,610 --> 00:07:29,060 thank you both again for your testimony 178 00:07:29,440 --> 00:07:32,540 today . Senator Reid thank you very 179 00:07:32,540 --> 00:07:36,260 much . Senator Inhofe . Uh General uh 180 00:07:37,340 --> 00:07:38,340 you may begin 181 00:07:44,340 --> 00:07:46,700 german read ranking member in off and 182 00:07:46,700 --> 00:07:48,867 distinguished members of the committee 183 00:07:48,867 --> 00:07:50,970 on behalf of the men , women and 184 00:07:50,970 --> 00:07:52,914 families who serve our nation . We 185 00:07:52,914 --> 00:07:54,970 extend our thanks for your steadfast 186 00:07:54,970 --> 00:07:57,150 support . It remains a privilege to 187 00:07:57,150 --> 00:07:58,928 serve alongside these dedicated 188 00:07:58,928 --> 00:08:01,360 patriots and our allies and partners . 189 00:08:02,040 --> 00:08:03,984 It's also an honest er on honor to 190 00:08:03,984 --> 00:08:06,720 testify alongside my longtime shipmate 191 00:08:06,930 --> 00:08:09,320 and General Jack even overdosed her 192 00:08:09,320 --> 00:08:11,390 Transcom team continues to deliver 193 00:08:11,390 --> 00:08:14,520 miracles at the point of need . We're 194 00:08:14,520 --> 00:08:16,576 fully aligned with the Department of 195 00:08:16,576 --> 00:08:18,909 Defense priorities to defend the nation , 196 00:08:18,909 --> 00:08:20,909 take care of our people and succeed 197 00:08:20,909 --> 00:08:23,131 through teamwork . Every day we work to 198 00:08:23,131 --> 00:08:25,076 generate peace with our allies and 199 00:08:25,076 --> 00:08:26,742 partners by strengthening the 200 00:08:26,742 --> 00:08:28,687 deterrence and defense of the Euro 201 00:08:28,687 --> 00:08:30,853 atlantic . This is a pivotal moment in 202 00:08:30,853 --> 00:08:32,964 europe with generational implications 203 00:08:33,020 --> 00:08:35,131 when testifying before this committee 204 00:08:35,131 --> 00:08:37,390 last year , Russia was already on the 205 00:08:37,390 --> 00:08:39,720 path to further intimidate and threaten 206 00:08:39,720 --> 00:08:41,664 Ukraine While testing the will and 207 00:08:41,664 --> 00:08:43,950 resolve of the transatlantic alliance , 208 00:08:44,740 --> 00:08:46,850 Russia's premeditated and unprovoked 209 00:08:46,850 --> 00:08:49,017 invasion of Ukraine has galvanized our 210 00:08:49,017 --> 00:08:51,840 allies and global partners . We admire 211 00:08:51,840 --> 00:08:53,618 the courage and tenacity of the 212 00:08:53,618 --> 00:08:56,390 Ukrainian armed forces and citizens and 213 00:08:56,390 --> 00:08:59,770 so respect their sovereign democracy in 214 00:08:59,770 --> 00:09:01,992 the Euro atlantic area NATO remains the 215 00:09:01,992 --> 00:09:04,760 cornerstone of deterrence and defense 216 00:09:05,440 --> 00:09:07,384 as we face the largest conflict in 217 00:09:07,384 --> 00:09:09,730 europe in three generations are 218 00:09:09,730 --> 00:09:11,952 transatlantic alliance has responded in 219 00:09:11,952 --> 00:09:14,850 all warfighting domains . In the air , 220 00:09:14,860 --> 00:09:16,860 NATO has established an air defense 221 00:09:16,860 --> 00:09:18,916 architecture along the eastern flank 222 00:09:18,916 --> 00:09:20,916 that includes contributions from 11 223 00:09:20,916 --> 00:09:23,820 allies on land . Allies continue to 224 00:09:23,820 --> 00:09:26,042 deploy additional forces to enhance its 225 00:09:26,042 --> 00:09:28,280 forward presence from talent in the 226 00:09:28,280 --> 00:09:32,170 north to Sofia in the south at sea 227 00:09:32,180 --> 00:09:34,013 are standing maritime forces are 228 00:09:34,013 --> 00:09:36,410 infused with additional capabilities to 229 00:09:36,410 --> 00:09:38,521 ensure freedom of navigation spanning 230 00:09:38,521 --> 00:09:40,360 from the arctic to the Aegean . 231 00:09:41,540 --> 00:09:43,040 Aircraft carriers . In the 232 00:09:43,040 --> 00:09:45,096 Mediterranean dramatically increased 233 00:09:45,096 --> 00:09:47,207 the inherent air combat capability in 234 00:09:47,207 --> 00:09:49,520 NATO's air defense architecture . Along 235 00:09:49,520 --> 00:09:52,490 the eastern front , NATO's capabilities 236 00:09:52,490 --> 00:09:54,760 in space and cyberspace are more 237 00:09:54,760 --> 00:09:56,816 closely integrated than at any other 238 00:09:56,816 --> 00:09:59,430 time in the alliance's history . The 239 00:09:59,430 --> 00:10:01,800 some of these modern multi domain 240 00:10:01,800 --> 00:10:04,070 capabilities underwrites the security 241 00:10:04,070 --> 00:10:07,500 of NATO's article five guarantee a 242 00:10:07,500 --> 00:10:09,800 protagonist of our commitment to NATO 243 00:10:09,800 --> 00:10:11,911 begins with our efforts in the United 244 00:10:11,911 --> 00:10:14,133 States , european command . Our primary 245 00:10:14,133 --> 00:10:17,350 mission is to compete deter and prepare 246 00:10:17,350 --> 00:10:19,517 to respond to aggression with the full 247 00:10:19,517 --> 00:10:21,920 weight of the NATO alliance . Our 248 00:10:21,920 --> 00:10:23,920 investments in military to military 249 00:10:23,920 --> 00:10:26,198 relationships , training and readiness , 250 00:10:26,198 --> 00:10:28,770 build unity , resolve and combat 251 00:10:28,770 --> 00:10:32,070 credible deterrence us . You come with 252 00:10:32,070 --> 00:10:34,237 support from forces in the continental 253 00:10:34,237 --> 00:10:36,630 United States has sparked allies to 254 00:10:36,630 --> 00:10:39,480 enhance posture along the eastern flank , 255 00:10:39,490 --> 00:10:41,520 rapidly deploying three brigades of 256 00:10:41,520 --> 00:10:43,800 european based and Conus based combat 257 00:10:43,800 --> 00:10:47,000 forces , a carrier strike group and 4th 258 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:49,780 and 5th generation fighters . This 259 00:10:49,780 --> 00:10:52,300 effort is America's effort With 260 00:10:52,300 --> 00:10:55,040 soldiers , sailors , Marines , Airmen 261 00:10:55,040 --> 00:10:56,873 Guardians and Defense Department 262 00:10:56,873 --> 00:10:59,400 civilians from all 50 states and 263 00:10:59,400 --> 00:11:02,080 territories , some based in europe 264 00:11:02,090 --> 00:11:04,312 others rotating into europe from across 265 00:11:04,312 --> 00:11:08,240 the nation . This build is enabled 266 00:11:08,240 --> 00:11:10,407 by years of focused investment through 267 00:11:10,407 --> 00:11:12,629 the european reassurance and deterrence 268 00:11:12,629 --> 00:11:15,340 initiatives commonly referred to as E R 269 00:11:15,340 --> 00:11:18,310 I N E D I . These enhancements 270 00:11:18,310 --> 00:11:21,020 including facilities , pre positioned 271 00:11:21,020 --> 00:11:23,940 equipment , rotational deployments and 272 00:11:23,940 --> 00:11:26,320 all domain exercises , improve our 273 00:11:26,320 --> 00:11:29,810 speed and agility . As a brief example , 274 00:11:29,810 --> 00:11:32,550 thanks to E . D I E . R . I , we were 275 00:11:32,550 --> 00:11:34,439 able to deploy the entirety of an 276 00:11:34,439 --> 00:11:36,600 armored brigade combat team from 277 00:11:36,600 --> 00:11:39,480 Georgia in the United States to Germany 278 00:11:39,490 --> 00:11:42,340 in just one week . That level of speed 279 00:11:42,340 --> 00:11:45,580 and agility is unmatched on behalf of 280 00:11:45,580 --> 00:11:47,802 the men and women of european command . 281 00:11:47,802 --> 00:11:49,747 We thank Congress and the american 282 00:11:49,747 --> 00:11:51,913 people for their contributions to this 283 00:11:51,913 --> 00:11:54,000 effort . The capabilities the 284 00:11:54,000 --> 00:11:55,889 department has brought to bear in 285 00:11:55,889 --> 00:11:57,667 response to this acute security 286 00:11:57,667 --> 00:11:59,611 environment have required critical 287 00:11:59,611 --> 00:12:01,570 partnerships with US Transcom , us 288 00:12:01,570 --> 00:12:04,320 cyber com , us stratcom and the 289 00:12:04,320 --> 00:12:06,870 intelligence community . These partners 290 00:12:06,870 --> 00:12:08,537 are vital to establishing and 291 00:12:08,537 --> 00:12:10,648 sustaining our current deterrence and 292 00:12:10,648 --> 00:12:13,340 defense posture . We are witnessing a 293 00:12:13,340 --> 00:12:15,680 generational moment , a historic 294 00:12:15,680 --> 00:12:18,670 demonstration of unity and will and an 295 00:12:18,670 --> 00:12:20,660 unprecedented effort by allies to 296 00:12:20,660 --> 00:12:23,430 strengthen defense while simultaneously 297 00:12:23,430 --> 00:12:26,580 helping those in need Just an example . 298 00:12:26,620 --> 00:12:28,890 But it's a critical one . We've seen 299 00:12:28,890 --> 00:12:31,580 Germany commit to meet the alliance 2% 300 00:12:31,580 --> 00:12:34,200 benchmark and we expect other allies 301 00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,200 will follow and redouble efforts to 302 00:12:36,200 --> 00:12:38,070 adequately invest in defense to 303 00:12:38,070 --> 00:12:41,520 generate peace from Turkey in the 304 00:12:41,520 --> 00:12:44,570 Southeast to Norway . Sweden and 305 00:12:44,570 --> 00:12:47,430 Finland in the north in air , land , 306 00:12:47,430 --> 00:12:50,030 sea , space and cyber allies and 307 00:12:50,030 --> 00:12:52,860 partners are committing Chairman Reed 308 00:12:52,870 --> 00:12:54,926 ranking member in off . We thank you 309 00:12:54,926 --> 00:12:57,037 again for this opportunity and I look 310 00:12:57,037 --> 00:12:59,092 forward to answering your question . 311 00:12:59,092 --> 00:13:01,314 Thank you for general Walters . General 312 00:13:01,314 --> 00:13:01,120 Van please . 313 00:13:05,840 --> 00:13:08,062 Chairman Reed Ranking member in hough . 314 00:13:08,062 --> 00:13:10,340 Distinguished members of the committee . 315 00:13:10,340 --> 00:13:13,170 Good morning . It's my honor to join 316 00:13:13,170 --> 00:13:15,059 you today with my senior enlisted 317 00:13:15,059 --> 00:13:17,003 leader , Fleet Master Chief Donald 318 00:13:17,003 --> 00:13:19,226 Marik to represent the men and women of 319 00:13:19,226 --> 00:13:21,059 the United States Transportation 320 00:13:21,059 --> 00:13:23,350 Command every day . I'm immensely proud 321 00:13:23,360 --> 00:13:25,380 of their contributions to national 322 00:13:25,380 --> 00:13:29,230 defense . As I sit here today , we are 323 00:13:29,230 --> 00:13:31,286 in lockstep with general Walters and 324 00:13:31,286 --> 00:13:33,390 providing critical 80 Ukraine and 325 00:13:33,390 --> 00:13:35,557 assuring our NATO allies through troop 326 00:13:35,557 --> 00:13:39,200 deployments and exercises . Transcom 327 00:13:39,200 --> 00:13:41,256 coordinates the joint deployment and 328 00:13:41,256 --> 00:13:43,311 distribution enterprise , creating a 329 00:13:43,311 --> 00:13:45,256 strategic comparative advantage to 330 00:13:45,256 --> 00:13:47,400 logistics that no other nation can 331 00:13:47,400 --> 00:13:50,090 achieve . Our success would not be 332 00:13:50,090 --> 00:13:52,257 possible without the steadfast support 333 00:13:52,257 --> 00:13:54,201 of this committee and the whole of 334 00:13:54,201 --> 00:13:56,560 Congress . Transcom operates an agile 335 00:13:56,560 --> 00:13:58,504 and resilient logistics enterprise 336 00:13:58,504 --> 00:14:00,671 comprised of our military components , 337 00:14:00,671 --> 00:14:02,504 commercial partners and industry 338 00:14:02,504 --> 00:14:04,616 teammates delivering for our nation , 339 00:14:04,616 --> 00:14:06,750 our allies and partners around the 340 00:14:06,750 --> 00:14:09,640 world . We project and sustain the 341 00:14:09,640 --> 00:14:12,180 world's most capable military force . 342 00:14:13,240 --> 00:14:15,600 The speed and reliability at which we 343 00:14:15,600 --> 00:14:17,940 execute these missions , demonstrates 344 00:14:17,940 --> 00:14:20,360 our nation's resolve and serves as a 345 00:14:20,360 --> 00:14:24,080 deterrent to our adversaries . However , 346 00:14:24,080 --> 00:14:26,191 the world is evolving and the complex 347 00:14:26,191 --> 00:14:28,358 contested environment that is emerging 348 00:14:28,358 --> 00:14:30,469 will test the future readiness of our 349 00:14:30,469 --> 00:14:32,469 enterprise and challenge transforms 350 00:14:32,469 --> 00:14:34,469 ability to deliver a decisive force 351 00:14:34,469 --> 00:14:38,040 when needed . It's imperative that we 352 00:14:38,040 --> 00:14:40,420 evolve into a more agile resilient 353 00:14:40,430 --> 00:14:42,530 mobility force through focused 354 00:14:42,540 --> 00:14:44,651 modernization and recapitalization of 355 00:14:44,651 --> 00:14:46,900 our capabilities to ensure we remain 356 00:14:46,900 --> 00:14:50,580 ready now and into the future . My top 357 00:14:50,590 --> 00:14:52,830 readiness concern remains sealift as 358 00:14:52,830 --> 00:14:55,500 70% of our government owned surge 359 00:14:55,500 --> 00:14:57,990 sealift ships will approach the end of 360 00:14:57,990 --> 00:15:01,570 their service life in 10 years . I 361 00:15:01,570 --> 00:15:03,737 greatly appreciate your support on the 362 00:15:03,737 --> 00:15:05,903 authorization and funding of the first 363 00:15:05,903 --> 00:15:08,014 steps of our sealift recapitalization 364 00:15:08,014 --> 00:15:10,580 effort . The funding for five years 365 00:15:10,580 --> 00:15:12,990 ships in the Fy 22 omnibus 366 00:15:12,990 --> 00:15:15,310 appropriations will enable us to 367 00:15:15,310 --> 00:15:18,020 continue this vital process and we look 368 00:15:18,020 --> 00:15:20,020 forward to working with the navy to 369 00:15:20,020 --> 00:15:22,260 satisfy restrictions and current law to 370 00:15:22,260 --> 00:15:25,560 execute these purchases . Next 371 00:15:26,140 --> 00:15:28,307 air refueling is critical to the joint 372 00:15:28,307 --> 00:15:30,670 forces ability to deploy and employ an 373 00:15:30,670 --> 00:15:33,710 immediate force . I appreciate your 374 00:15:33,710 --> 00:15:36,240 continued support to funding the KC 46 375 00:15:36,240 --> 00:15:38,720 recapitalization program and critical 376 00:15:38,720 --> 00:15:42,460 modifications to the KC 1 35 aircraft . 377 00:15:43,640 --> 00:15:45,910 We must continue to modernize and 378 00:15:45,910 --> 00:15:47,966 recapitalize our aging air refueling 379 00:15:47,966 --> 00:15:51,060 assets to ensure that they remain agile 380 00:15:51,100 --> 00:15:53,740 resilient and relevant to the future . 381 00:15:53,740 --> 00:15:56,760 Fight one last and very critical 382 00:15:56,760 --> 00:15:58,990 thought . Cyber is an area of 383 00:15:58,990 --> 00:16:01,110 significant vulnerability for trance 384 00:16:01,110 --> 00:16:04,270 cam As we are inextricably linked to 385 00:16:04,270 --> 00:16:07,120 our commercial industry and 90% of our 386 00:16:07,120 --> 00:16:09,287 systems operate outside the Department 387 00:16:09,287 --> 00:16:11,530 of Defense Information Network . We 388 00:16:11,530 --> 00:16:13,490 remain focused on strengthening 389 00:16:13,500 --> 00:16:15,556 partnerships with our transportation 390 00:16:15,556 --> 00:16:17,520 providers to mitigate cyber 391 00:16:17,530 --> 00:16:20,650 vulnerabilities as such , cyber 392 00:16:20,650 --> 00:16:22,710 resiliency and digital modernization 393 00:16:22,710 --> 00:16:25,560 initiatives are a top priority . 394 00:16:26,840 --> 00:16:28,784 Just as we are engaged globally in 395 00:16:28,784 --> 00:16:30,507 supporting the D . O . D . S . 396 00:16:30,507 --> 00:16:32,007 Operations . We have vital 397 00:16:32,007 --> 00:16:34,284 responsibilities to take care of our D . 398 00:16:34,284 --> 00:16:36,451 O . D . Employees and their families . 399 00:16:36,451 --> 00:16:38,229 Among the most important is the 400 00:16:38,229 --> 00:16:40,173 management of the defense personal 401 00:16:40,173 --> 00:16:42,284 property system , responsible for the 402 00:16:42,284 --> 00:16:44,062 movement of household goods are 403 00:16:44,062 --> 00:16:46,490 continuing overhaul of this system to 404 00:16:46,490 --> 00:16:48,490 include the recently awarded global 405 00:16:48,490 --> 00:16:50,490 household goods contract strives to 406 00:16:50,490 --> 00:16:52,379 deliver both the high quality our 407 00:16:52,379 --> 00:16:54,546 service members , department employees 408 00:16:54,546 --> 00:16:56,860 and families deserve as well as the 409 00:16:56,860 --> 00:17:00,420 accountability . Congress demanded I am 410 00:17:00,420 --> 00:17:02,642 honored to join general Walters and his 411 00:17:02,642 --> 00:17:04,753 last appearance before this committee 412 00:17:04,753 --> 00:17:06,864 and thank him for his nearly 40 years 413 00:17:06,864 --> 00:17:08,753 of service to our country and his 414 00:17:08,753 --> 00:17:10,753 commitment to our nation's security 415 00:17:10,753 --> 00:17:12,920 together with all combatant commands , 416 00:17:12,920 --> 00:17:14,920 Transcom routinely demonstrates the 417 00:17:14,920 --> 00:17:17,880 nation's ability to fight , deliver and 418 00:17:17,880 --> 00:17:20,680 win . I'd like to thank you once again 419 00:17:20,680 --> 00:17:22,902 for your leadership and for the support 420 00:17:22,902 --> 00:17:24,902 you provide our service members . I 421 00:17:24,902 --> 00:17:27,069 look forward to your questions . Thank 422 00:17:27,069 --> 00:17:29,069 you very much . Gentlemen , provost 423 00:17:29,069 --> 00:17:32,770 general Walters . The initial 424 00:17:32,780 --> 00:17:36,450 Russian plan did not work in their 425 00:17:36,450 --> 00:17:38,672 favor . Thank goodness . And due to the 426 00:17:38,672 --> 00:17:40,760 courage of Ukrainian people and the 427 00:17:40,760 --> 00:17:43,038 support of the international community . 428 00:17:43,038 --> 00:17:44,871 So it appears now that they were 429 00:17:44,871 --> 00:17:48,850 engaged as they were in Chechnya and 430 00:17:48,850 --> 00:17:51,630 other episodes in a campaign of 431 00:17:51,630 --> 00:17:55,170 attrition and directed attacks on 432 00:17:55,170 --> 00:17:57,410 civilian targets rather than military 433 00:17:57,410 --> 00:18:00,430 targets ? And the question really in 434 00:18:00,430 --> 00:18:04,150 that context is can the Ukrainian 435 00:18:04,150 --> 00:18:06,261 forces maintain their efforts and can 436 00:18:06,261 --> 00:18:08,094 when we continue to maintain our 437 00:18:08,094 --> 00:18:10,039 support for the Ukrainian forces ? 438 00:18:13,440 --> 00:18:15,790 Chairman ? I think we can and we will 439 00:18:15,790 --> 00:18:17,846 continue to maintain our support for 440 00:18:17,846 --> 00:18:20,720 the Ukrainian armed forces will do so 441 00:18:20,730 --> 00:18:23,380 with with material support as well as 442 00:18:23,380 --> 00:18:25,547 thought . And as you well know , we've 443 00:18:25,547 --> 00:18:27,436 made dramatic improvements in our 444 00:18:27,436 --> 00:18:28,991 information and sharing and 445 00:18:28,991 --> 00:18:30,824 intelligence sharing and as they 446 00:18:30,824 --> 00:18:33,158 continue to to prosecute their campaign , 447 00:18:33,158 --> 00:18:35,240 our advice and our assistance with 448 00:18:35,240 --> 00:18:37,470 respect to material will be very , very 449 00:18:37,470 --> 00:18:40,460 important . Thank you . Now 450 00:18:41,240 --> 00:18:44,250 we are in the commits to a tremendous 451 00:18:45,940 --> 00:18:49,050 shift or pivot as the general sector of 452 00:18:49,050 --> 00:18:53,050 NATO said , um what areas should 453 00:18:53,050 --> 00:18:56,180 we be encouraging our european and 454 00:18:56,180 --> 00:18:59,590 international allies to take to face 455 00:18:59,590 --> 00:19:02,550 this uh not only present threat but but 456 00:19:02,550 --> 00:19:04,550 the continuing threat of Russia and 457 00:19:04,550 --> 00:19:08,460 china Chairman , I 458 00:19:08,460 --> 00:19:10,293 think we have to comprehensively 459 00:19:10,293 --> 00:19:12,516 improve our military disposition in all 460 00:19:12,516 --> 00:19:15,760 quadrants in an all domain . And we 461 00:19:15,760 --> 00:19:18,290 have a plan in place to do so . And as 462 00:19:18,290 --> 00:19:20,346 the Secretary General approaches the 463 00:19:20,346 --> 00:19:22,179 Leaders summit , this june , his 464 00:19:22,179 --> 00:19:24,630 overall NATO plan coincides with that 465 00:19:24,630 --> 00:19:26,630 military plan to ensure that we can 466 00:19:26,630 --> 00:19:28,797 show greater NATO strength and greater 467 00:19:28,797 --> 00:19:30,797 military strength . And as you will 468 00:19:30,797 --> 00:19:33,040 know , we're on the appropriate glide 469 00:19:33,040 --> 00:19:35,600 path to do so as we continue to fortify 470 00:19:35,890 --> 00:19:38,001 The eight battle groups that exist in 471 00:19:38,001 --> 00:19:40,620 the proximity of Eastern Europe . Thank 472 00:19:40,620 --> 00:19:44,250 you . General overdosed . Uh the issue 473 00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:46,250 of contest ical logistics which you 474 00:19:46,250 --> 00:19:49,910 touched upon . It includes not just uh 475 00:19:49,920 --> 00:19:53,360 the platforms to carry material , but 476 00:19:53,360 --> 00:19:56,660 getting that material through to uh 477 00:19:57,240 --> 00:20:01,140 our forces in the pacific in in in 478 00:20:01,140 --> 00:20:03,580 europe or any place in the world and 479 00:20:03,580 --> 00:20:07,580 with the ability to of 480 00:20:07,580 --> 00:20:11,220 our adversaries to detect 481 00:20:11,230 --> 00:20:14,620 and to hit targets at long ranges . How 482 00:20:14,620 --> 00:20:17,360 are we planning to do that , 483 00:20:20,340 --> 00:20:22,690 Chairman ? That is of concern to us . 484 00:20:22,700 --> 00:20:25,620 And as we work in the indo pacific with 485 00:20:25,620 --> 00:20:27,787 Admiral Aquilino , we are looking at a 486 00:20:27,787 --> 00:20:31,090 strategy of diverse and disperse . In 487 00:20:31,090 --> 00:20:33,090 other words , we we are seeing that 488 00:20:33,090 --> 00:20:35,146 we're going to have more distributed 489 00:20:35,146 --> 00:20:37,368 operations in more locations which will 490 00:20:37,368 --> 00:20:39,090 provide us that redundancy and 491 00:20:39,090 --> 00:20:41,950 resilience and then diversity to have 492 00:20:41,950 --> 00:20:44,300 some some capability to move with with 493 00:20:44,300 --> 00:20:46,467 respect to ships on the water that are 494 00:20:46,467 --> 00:20:48,522 in motion which are harder to target 495 00:20:48,810 --> 00:20:51,660 than a large single location where we 496 00:20:51,660 --> 00:20:53,882 stack up our logistics . So we are very 497 00:20:53,882 --> 00:20:56,530 much looking at how we do intra theater 498 00:20:56,530 --> 00:20:58,930 dispersement at a time and place where 499 00:20:58,930 --> 00:21:01,200 we'll be able to resupply the forces 500 00:21:01,330 --> 00:21:03,890 securely but keep it moving . So they 501 00:21:03,890 --> 00:21:05,946 don't become targets in the future . 502 00:21:05,946 --> 00:21:08,001 That gets back to the agility of the 503 00:21:08,001 --> 00:21:10,112 force that we need and to do that our 504 00:21:10,112 --> 00:21:12,334 forces need to be connected . They need 505 00:21:12,334 --> 00:21:14,500 to be on the network , our ability to 506 00:21:14,500 --> 00:21:16,910 securely command and control and 507 00:21:16,910 --> 00:21:19,132 understand where the forces are , where 508 00:21:19,132 --> 00:21:21,243 the logistics are and where they need 509 00:21:21,243 --> 00:21:22,799 to go . So in some respects 510 00:21:22,799 --> 00:21:25,230 communications is the primary 511 00:21:26,200 --> 00:21:29,050 two . And your efforts . 512 00:21:29,740 --> 00:21:31,830 Yes . Chairman . The ability to 513 00:21:31,830 --> 00:21:35,000 securely command and control and direct 514 00:21:35,000 --> 00:21:37,510 the resources to the highest priorities 515 00:21:37,520 --> 00:21:39,950 is a critical , critical capability 516 00:21:39,950 --> 00:21:41,672 that we have also . I think by 517 00:21:41,672 --> 00:21:44,170 implication you would need a 518 00:21:44,180 --> 00:21:46,950 significant number of platforms and 519 00:21:46,960 --> 00:21:49,570 probably smaller than the ones were 520 00:21:49,570 --> 00:21:52,320 customarily used to . In addition , 521 00:21:52,320 --> 00:21:54,240 we'd have to take steps to try to 522 00:21:54,240 --> 00:21:58,190 electronically hide those vessels . 523 00:21:58,190 --> 00:22:00,023 Is that correct ? Or airplanes ? 524 00:22:00,340 --> 00:22:02,284 Senator ? We know that now that we 525 00:22:02,284 --> 00:22:05,800 cannot afford to simply disperse forces 526 00:22:05,800 --> 00:22:07,633 into the field , they have to be 527 00:22:07,633 --> 00:22:09,689 integrated integrated with all joint 528 00:22:09,689 --> 00:22:11,800 functions with fires , maneuver force 529 00:22:11,800 --> 00:22:13,967 protection . So in that in that manner 530 00:22:13,967 --> 00:22:16,189 we are we're going to have to deploy in 531 00:22:16,189 --> 00:22:18,244 packages forward and to your point , 532 00:22:18,244 --> 00:22:20,300 it's not simply large large ships or 533 00:22:20,300 --> 00:22:22,411 large aircraft . It will be a variety 534 00:22:22,411 --> 00:22:24,633 of capabilities depending on the scheme 535 00:22:24,633 --> 00:22:27,030 of maneuver and who were supporting . 536 00:22:27,190 --> 00:22:29,630 Thank you very much . Thank you both . 537 00:22:29,640 --> 00:22:31,870 Senator Inhofe , please thank you . Mr 538 00:22:31,870 --> 00:22:34,890 Chairman . The recent Emergency 539 00:22:34,890 --> 00:22:37,001 supplemental provide an additional $3 540 00:22:37,001 --> 00:22:40,040 billion dollars to support Ukraine 541 00:22:40,050 --> 00:22:42,540 backfill our allies and invest in the 542 00:22:42,550 --> 00:22:46,370 United States stocks dedicated to this 543 00:22:46,370 --> 00:22:49,270 effort . General Walters . You have 544 00:22:49,740 --> 00:22:51,850 indicated that you calm needs 545 00:22:51,850 --> 00:22:54,560 significant increases to sustain 546 00:22:54,940 --> 00:22:58,010 efforts to deter Russia including 547 00:22:58,020 --> 00:23:00,860 through through the european deterrence 548 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:02,960 initiative that the biden 549 00:23:02,960 --> 00:23:06,450 administration cut last year . Okay . 550 00:23:08,940 --> 00:23:11,620 General Walters credible deterrence 551 00:23:11,630 --> 00:23:13,930 only works when you have a strong 552 00:23:13,930 --> 00:23:17,590 national defense backing of our words 553 00:23:17,590 --> 00:23:21,270 in President biden's warnings to Putin 554 00:23:21,270 --> 00:23:23,214 clearly failed to stop this in his 555 00:23:23,214 --> 00:23:27,120 invasion . Russia's actions are a 556 00:23:27,130 --> 00:23:29,960 wake up call for this administration 557 00:23:30,440 --> 00:23:33,880 and for europe and Russia . The Russia 558 00:23:33,890 --> 00:23:37,360 remains a significant threat . As your 559 00:23:37,370 --> 00:23:40,580 opening statement tests this critical 560 00:23:40,840 --> 00:23:44,110 this crisis has provided how much of a 561 00:23:44,110 --> 00:23:46,510 game changer . The european deterrence 562 00:23:46,510 --> 00:23:48,850 initiative has been since it enabled 563 00:23:48,850 --> 00:23:51,330 the military to stand up the army 564 00:23:51,560 --> 00:23:54,470 positions , stock sites that our troops 565 00:23:54,470 --> 00:23:57,700 have now fallen in on . Um 566 00:23:57,710 --> 00:24:01,640 can you expand upon how critical those 567 00:24:01,640 --> 00:24:04,480 sites have been to enable our troops to 568 00:24:04,480 --> 00:24:08,450 surge in europe over the past few weeks , 569 00:24:11,840 --> 00:24:14,500 Senator Inhofe to take an armored 570 00:24:14,500 --> 00:24:17,150 brigade combat team and launch it from 571 00:24:17,150 --> 00:24:19,620 the continental United States and put 572 00:24:19,620 --> 00:24:22,390 it on european turf and have the tanks 573 00:24:22,390 --> 00:24:24,670 that comprise that brigade combat team 574 00:24:25,240 --> 00:24:27,240 to shoot , move and communicate and 575 00:24:27,240 --> 00:24:30,570 fire on range in one week ? Is is an 576 00:24:30,570 --> 00:24:32,792 amazing accomplishment and and that was 577 00:24:32,792 --> 00:24:35,220 facilitated by those army prepositioned 578 00:24:35,220 --> 00:24:38,130 stocks and it was practiced in previous 579 00:24:38,130 --> 00:24:41,090 exercises which are very expensive and 580 00:24:41,100 --> 00:24:44,840 and part of the E . D . I fund . So I 581 00:24:44,840 --> 00:24:46,673 would just say that when when we 582 00:24:46,673 --> 00:24:48,840 demonstrated to the european community 583 00:24:48,840 --> 00:24:50,784 and to the NATO community into the 584 00:24:50,784 --> 00:24:52,840 world , how well we can shoot , move 585 00:24:52,840 --> 00:24:55,007 and communicate and transition a large 586 00:24:55,007 --> 00:24:58,120 force from cones to europe at that pace 587 00:24:58,280 --> 00:25:00,224 is something that demonstrates the 588 00:25:00,224 --> 00:25:02,700 great value of E . D I . Yeah , I think 589 00:25:02,700 --> 00:25:04,867 that's right . And are there any force 590 00:25:04,867 --> 00:25:07,970 elements included in the new 20,000 591 00:25:07,980 --> 00:25:11,110 forces that you have in Europe now , 592 00:25:11,110 --> 00:25:13,760 that would be extremely useful in your 593 00:25:13,770 --> 00:25:17,060 deterrence efforts in the long run in 594 00:25:17,060 --> 00:25:20,990 the future . There are senator 595 00:25:20,990 --> 00:25:22,900 and most of them have to do with 596 00:25:22,910 --> 00:25:24,854 critical enablers that you're very 597 00:25:24,854 --> 00:25:27,077 familiar with and we've been able to to 598 00:25:27,077 --> 00:25:29,299 benefit from their existence as they've 599 00:25:29,299 --> 00:25:30,410 arrived in europe . 600 00:25:35,240 --> 00:25:38,940 And General Van provost strategic 601 00:25:38,940 --> 00:25:42,130 lift refers to the ability to transport 602 00:25:42,130 --> 00:25:45,840 personnel , equipment and stores from 603 00:25:45,840 --> 00:25:47,730 the continental United States to 604 00:25:47,730 --> 00:25:49,952 operational theaters around the world . 605 00:25:50,440 --> 00:25:54,140 Generally been provost as we discussed 606 00:25:54,140 --> 00:25:55,973 in my office . Could you further 607 00:25:55,973 --> 00:25:58,600 described the current readiness of the 608 00:25:58,600 --> 00:25:59,770 sealift fleet ? 609 00:26:02,740 --> 00:26:05,500 Thanks Sen . Look to sell . A fleet is 610 00:26:05,500 --> 00:26:07,890 critical to our execution of our plans . 611 00:26:07,890 --> 00:26:11,350 They move 90% of the cargo in wartime . 612 00:26:12,040 --> 00:26:15,380 And today , as we stand about 70% of 613 00:26:15,380 --> 00:26:19,080 our roll on roll off capacity is going 614 00:26:19,080 --> 00:26:21,440 to exceed its service life in 10 years . 615 00:26:21,450 --> 00:26:24,830 Our ability to keep those , those 616 00:26:24,840 --> 00:26:27,480 sealift ships in status and readiness 617 00:26:27,480 --> 00:26:30,290 status is costing more and more every 618 00:26:30,290 --> 00:26:33,160 year . So it's been imperative that we 619 00:26:33,160 --> 00:26:34,580 embark upon the sea lift 620 00:26:34,580 --> 00:26:36,920 recapitalization program for which I am . 621 00:26:36,930 --> 00:26:40,700 I am grateful for the appropriation and 622 00:26:40,700 --> 00:26:42,867 the authorization which will get us up 623 00:26:42,867 --> 00:26:45,440 to four use ships . And then we are 624 00:26:45,440 --> 00:26:48,170 going to work with the navy To get 625 00:26:48,170 --> 00:26:51,500 beyond four up to nine as they submit 626 00:26:51,770 --> 00:26:54,580 their sealift build plan . And 627 00:26:54,580 --> 00:26:56,636 hopefully that that will satisfy the 628 00:26:56,636 --> 00:26:58,691 requirements that we can continue to 629 00:26:58,691 --> 00:27:00,590 purchase C left C lift when the 630 00:27:00,600 --> 00:27:02,544 favorable conditions are occurring 631 00:27:02,544 --> 00:27:04,670 right now in the market good . And I 632 00:27:04,680 --> 00:27:06,740 think they will . Thank you . Mr . 633 00:27:06,740 --> 00:27:08,962 Chairman , Thank you . Senator Inhofe . 634 00:27:08,962 --> 00:27:11,240 Senator Gillibrand fairies . Thank you . 635 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:13,184 Mr Chairman , General Walters . Um 636 00:27:13,440 --> 00:27:16,270 Senator ernst Rosen and King . We just 637 00:27:16,270 --> 00:27:19,210 returned from visiting with our troops 638 00:27:19,210 --> 00:27:22,460 in Germany and meeting Ukrainians as 639 00:27:22,460 --> 00:27:24,793 they flee across the border into Poland . 640 00:27:24,940 --> 00:27:28,370 Um can you give us consistent with this 641 00:27:28,380 --> 00:27:31,460 unclassified setting , an update on 642 00:27:31,470 --> 00:27:34,200 what you calms role is and facilitating 643 00:27:34,200 --> 00:27:36,311 both the delivery of lethal aid , but 644 00:27:36,311 --> 00:27:38,144 also our humanitarian efforts to 645 00:27:38,144 --> 00:27:39,867 support the Ukrainian people . 646 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:43,751 Senators , as you're familiar , based 647 00:27:43,751 --> 00:27:45,990 off your visit , we had 18th Airborne 648 00:27:45,990 --> 00:27:49,370 Corps in the 82nd and in a in a large 649 00:27:49,370 --> 00:27:52,310 force uh put in play in the appropriate 650 00:27:52,310 --> 00:27:55,050 geographic region to assure and deter 651 00:27:55,540 --> 00:27:57,960 and and part of that program was when 652 00:27:57,960 --> 00:28:00,127 the conditions were right , facilitate 653 00:28:00,127 --> 00:28:02,610 the flow of citizens back and forth 654 00:28:02,610 --> 00:28:04,443 across the border . And that has 655 00:28:04,443 --> 00:28:06,270 certainly taken place . And the 656 00:28:06,270 --> 00:28:09,270 utilization of those 5500 soldiers has 657 00:28:09,270 --> 00:28:11,430 enhanced our ability to secure our 658 00:28:11,430 --> 00:28:14,200 European population on the Polish side 659 00:28:14,200 --> 00:28:16,367 of the border and to take into account 660 00:28:16,367 --> 00:28:18,589 the disposition of activities inside of 661 00:28:18,589 --> 00:28:21,460 Ukraine by consulting and communicating 662 00:28:21,520 --> 00:28:23,900 with with those who have departed . So 663 00:28:23,900 --> 00:28:26,450 that force has been integral to ensure 664 00:28:26,450 --> 00:28:28,820 that the four million plus refugees 665 00:28:28,820 --> 00:28:31,530 from Ukraine , I have a soft landing 666 00:28:31,530 --> 00:28:33,586 once they come into europe and we've 667 00:28:33,586 --> 00:28:35,697 still got a lot of work to do and and 668 00:28:35,697 --> 00:28:37,880 will continue to facilitate that flow 669 00:28:37,890 --> 00:28:40,057 and do the best we can from a military 670 00:28:40,057 --> 00:28:42,010 perspective to secure those soft 671 00:28:42,010 --> 00:28:44,990 landings for the refugees coming out of 672 00:28:44,990 --> 00:28:48,770 Ukraine . Can you speak to um 673 00:28:49,340 --> 00:28:51,700 Special Operations Command europe's um 674 00:28:51,700 --> 00:28:54,030 intention to establish a new forward 675 00:28:54,030 --> 00:28:56,630 operating base in Albania to improve 676 00:28:56,630 --> 00:28:58,741 our current ability to operate in the 677 00:28:58,741 --> 00:29:00,963 Balkans . And can you speak to how this 678 00:29:00,963 --> 00:29:04,780 has affected our ability to um 679 00:29:04,870 --> 00:29:06,960 partner with neighboring forces 680 00:29:08,840 --> 00:29:12,270 like I can't is 681 00:29:12,270 --> 00:29:15,130 critical with Albania will improve 682 00:29:15,140 --> 00:29:17,251 their resiliency , will improve their 683 00:29:17,251 --> 00:29:19,362 familiarity with other nations on the 684 00:29:19,362 --> 00:29:21,584 peripheries resiliency and it will make 685 00:29:21,584 --> 00:29:24,790 that region much stronger and much more 686 00:29:24,790 --> 00:29:26,750 ready when it comes to identifying 687 00:29:26,910 --> 00:29:28,854 nefarious activities that start to 688 00:29:28,854 --> 00:29:31,170 creep in . And the special forces do a 689 00:29:31,170 --> 00:29:33,003 fantastic job in the information 690 00:29:33,003 --> 00:29:35,114 environment of ensuring that were out 691 00:29:35,114 --> 00:29:37,560 in front of malign influence in that 692 00:29:37,560 --> 00:29:40,520 area . I appreciate the chart that 693 00:29:40,520 --> 00:29:42,631 you've given us for the U . S . Force 694 00:29:42,631 --> 00:29:44,853 posture in europe having a total of 100 695 00:29:44,853 --> 00:29:48,280 and 2000 forces as of March 24th 2022 . 696 00:29:48,290 --> 00:29:50,401 Um Do you envision additional changes 697 00:29:50,401 --> 00:29:52,568 to force posture in the next few weeks 698 00:29:52,568 --> 00:29:56,330 to um appropriately stand against 699 00:29:56,330 --> 00:30:00,000 Russia senator ? We take a conditions 700 00:30:00,000 --> 00:30:01,889 based approach and we look at the 701 00:30:01,889 --> 00:30:03,960 issues . Second by second minute by 702 00:30:03,960 --> 00:30:06,020 minute , I would just tell you that 703 00:30:06,020 --> 00:30:08,920 based off the the dynamic environment 704 00:30:08,920 --> 00:30:11,320 that exists today , that that number 705 00:30:11,330 --> 00:30:13,350 could change . I suspect that it 706 00:30:13,350 --> 00:30:15,470 probably will and in which direction 707 00:30:15,470 --> 00:30:17,470 will be too , it will be determined 708 00:30:17,470 --> 00:30:19,803 based off conditions in the environment . 709 00:30:20,340 --> 00:30:22,600 Um Could you please speak to the issue 710 00:30:22,610 --> 00:30:24,800 um as we are addressing the ongoing 711 00:30:24,800 --> 00:30:27,880 situation in Ukraine China continues to 712 00:30:27,880 --> 00:30:29,769 attempt to cultivate influence in 713 00:30:29,769 --> 00:30:31,824 europe . Uh and is another challenge 714 00:30:31,824 --> 00:30:35,010 that um has to face . Do you feel that 715 00:30:35,010 --> 00:30:37,010 um is adequately equipped to manage 716 00:30:37,010 --> 00:30:39,320 both the acute crisis in Ukraine as 717 00:30:39,320 --> 00:30:41,487 well as the long term challenges posed 718 00:30:41,487 --> 00:30:44,930 by china . We we are senator and this 719 00:30:44,930 --> 00:30:47,770 goes back to Senator Inhofe's . Nds 720 00:30:47,770 --> 00:30:49,937 from previous years in the new N . D . 721 00:30:49,937 --> 00:30:51,930 S . That is out that that focuses 722 00:30:51,930 --> 00:30:53,986 heavily from a U . S . Department of 723 00:30:53,986 --> 00:30:56,360 Defense perspective with respect to 724 00:30:56,360 --> 00:30:58,680 integrated deterrence and cross cocom 725 00:30:58,680 --> 00:31:00,870 activity . I'm very , very familiar 726 00:31:00,870 --> 00:31:02,703 with the challenges that Admiral 727 00:31:02,703 --> 00:31:04,703 Aquilino faces . An indo pay calm . 728 00:31:04,703 --> 00:31:06,870 He's very familiar with the challenges 729 00:31:06,870 --> 00:31:08,814 that we face in europe and when it 730 00:31:08,814 --> 00:31:10,814 comes to the transactions that take 731 00:31:10,814 --> 00:31:13,092 place between Russia , china and china . 732 00:31:13,092 --> 00:31:15,259 Russia were both very dialed into that 733 00:31:15,259 --> 00:31:17,259 as a result of the architecture and 734 00:31:17,259 --> 00:31:18,981 process that's in place in the 735 00:31:18,981 --> 00:31:20,926 department . Thank you General Van 736 00:31:20,926 --> 00:31:23,550 provost . Um One issue that my office 737 00:31:23,550 --> 00:31:25,272 has heard from service members 738 00:31:25,272 --> 00:31:27,720 throughout the pandemic was how covid 739 00:31:27,720 --> 00:31:30,820 delays negatively impacted their pcs , 740 00:31:30,820 --> 00:31:33,042 including service members being told to 741 00:31:33,042 --> 00:31:35,098 handle their own move due to lack of 742 00:31:35,098 --> 00:31:37,264 contractors and services , do you feel 743 00:31:37,264 --> 00:31:39,487 that transforms ability to help service 744 00:31:39,487 --> 00:31:41,653 members has improved and that Transcom 745 00:31:41,653 --> 00:31:43,876 has adapted to the new normal since the 746 00:31:43,876 --> 00:31:47,230 onset of the pandemic . Senator . We 747 00:31:47,230 --> 00:31:50,710 are also concerned about the household 748 00:31:50,710 --> 00:31:52,890 goods movement industry and but writ 749 00:31:52,890 --> 00:31:55,790 large with essentially contested 750 00:31:55,790 --> 00:31:58,280 logistics here in the homeland has 751 00:31:58,280 --> 00:32:01,030 affected all aspects of what we do . I 752 00:32:01,030 --> 00:32:02,974 do believe we're headed for a more 753 00:32:02,974 --> 00:32:05,197 stable future with respect to the labor 754 00:32:05,197 --> 00:32:07,290 market and frankly our ability to 755 00:32:07,300 --> 00:32:09,300 complete the global household goods 756 00:32:09,300 --> 00:32:11,770 contract . It means that I have I have 757 00:32:11,770 --> 00:32:13,937 really good indications we're going to 758 00:32:13,937 --> 00:32:16,048 have the capacity necessary to ensure 759 00:32:16,048 --> 00:32:17,937 that this doesn't happen into the 760 00:32:17,937 --> 00:32:20,800 future . Thank you . Senator Gillibrand 761 00:32:20,800 --> 00:32:23,080 center worker , please . Thank you very 762 00:32:23,080 --> 00:32:25,247 much . Mr . Chairman General Walters . 763 00:32:25,247 --> 00:32:27,520 In the last few moments we've seen news 764 00:32:27,520 --> 00:32:31,170 reports that Moscow is committing to 765 00:32:31,170 --> 00:32:33,300 withdrawing a majority of its forces 766 00:32:33,300 --> 00:32:36,830 surrounding Kiev . Of course it's now 767 00:32:36,840 --> 00:32:39,160 afternoon where the negotiators are 768 00:32:40,280 --> 00:32:44,090 multiple teams 769 00:32:44,100 --> 00:32:47,010 have been withdrawn from the axis of 770 00:32:47,010 --> 00:32:49,177 the attack . And D . O . D . Officials 771 00:32:50,240 --> 00:32:52,670 are saying they see this as a major 772 00:32:53,140 --> 00:32:56,870 strategy shift according to news 773 00:32:56,870 --> 00:33:00,800 reports . Um what is your 774 00:33:00,800 --> 00:33:04,730 assessment of the of the authority 775 00:33:04,730 --> 00:33:07,950 and status of the current Russians 776 00:33:08,540 --> 00:33:12,290 who are negotiating at this moment ? We 777 00:33:12,290 --> 00:33:14,860 have heard reports initially that they 778 00:33:14,860 --> 00:33:17,760 were not sending the a team to these 779 00:33:17,760 --> 00:33:21,600 negotiations . Senator . I've heard 780 00:33:21,600 --> 00:33:24,350 those same reports , but I can't verify 781 00:33:24,360 --> 00:33:26,990 whether or not they're the varsity or 782 00:33:26,990 --> 00:33:30,930 the junior varsity . I can verify 783 00:33:30,930 --> 00:33:33,152 that the comments you made with respect 784 00:33:33,152 --> 00:33:35,319 to the shifting dynamics in the ground 785 00:33:35,319 --> 00:33:38,100 domain in the vicinity of Kiev or 786 00:33:38,110 --> 00:33:40,054 exactly what we see from the Yukon 787 00:33:40,054 --> 00:33:43,840 perspective . Um Okay , well , we'll 788 00:33:43,840 --> 00:33:47,430 we'll see how significant 789 00:33:47,440 --> 00:33:50,140 that is . I've got my doubts , but we 790 00:33:50,140 --> 00:33:52,840 certainly hope for for peace . Let me 791 00:33:52,840 --> 00:33:56,790 just ask you um in terms of 792 00:33:56,800 --> 00:34:00,430 permanent permanently stationed forces 793 00:34:00,440 --> 00:34:04,090 in you , calm is our current 794 00:34:04,090 --> 00:34:07,270 posture enough . Um 795 00:34:07,940 --> 00:34:10,051 what are the numbers there and should 796 00:34:10,051 --> 00:34:12,162 the United States have more permanent 797 00:34:12,340 --> 00:34:16,330 or rotational forces in Yukon and and 798 00:34:16,340 --> 00:34:18,310 specifically in the Baltics 799 00:34:21,840 --> 00:34:25,260 senator , the numbers increase from a 800 00:34:25,260 --> 00:34:27,500 US perspective as as a result of the 801 00:34:27,500 --> 00:34:30,670 incursion into Ukraine by Russia have 802 00:34:31,140 --> 00:34:33,670 Have boosted our numbers from 60 to 803 00:34:33,670 --> 00:34:37,070 approximately 100,000 . What I also 804 00:34:37,070 --> 00:34:39,850 examined in my other command hat is the 805 00:34:39,850 --> 00:34:42,580 increase of european involvement and in 806 00:34:42,580 --> 00:34:46,340 specific targeting of what we're 807 00:34:46,340 --> 00:34:48,396 doing with respect to the population 808 00:34:48,396 --> 00:34:50,340 and the capability increase in the 809 00:34:50,340 --> 00:34:52,284 Baltics . We we've seen a dramatic 810 00:34:52,284 --> 00:34:54,507 shift as a result of contributions from 811 00:34:54,507 --> 00:34:56,970 multiple nations . Uh several have been 812 00:34:56,970 --> 00:35:00,200 published in in in open press 813 00:35:00,740 --> 00:35:03,520 Germany , the United Kingdom Denmark 814 00:35:03,530 --> 00:35:05,840 have all been very very generous with 815 00:35:05,840 --> 00:35:07,951 respect to their recent contributions 816 00:35:07,951 --> 00:35:09,951 to the FP battle groups . But sir , 817 00:35:09,951 --> 00:35:12,118 what is your recommendation as to more 818 00:35:12,118 --> 00:35:15,850 permanent U . S . Forces ? I 819 00:35:15,850 --> 00:35:18,020 think what we need to do from a from a 820 00:35:18,020 --> 00:35:21,280 US forced perspective is look at what 821 00:35:21,290 --> 00:35:24,190 takes place in europe following the 822 00:35:24,190 --> 00:35:26,650 completion of the Ukraine Russia 823 00:35:26,650 --> 00:35:28,890 scenario and examine the european 824 00:35:28,890 --> 00:35:31,680 contributions and braced based off the 825 00:35:31,690 --> 00:35:33,579 breadth and depth of the european 826 00:35:33,579 --> 00:35:36,060 contributions . Be prepared to adjust 827 00:35:36,060 --> 00:35:38,300 the U . S contributions and and my 828 00:35:38,300 --> 00:35:40,620 suspicion is we're gonna still need 829 00:35:40,620 --> 00:35:43,030 more and obviously there's always a mix 830 00:35:43,030 --> 00:35:45,640 between the requirement of permanent 831 00:35:45,640 --> 00:35:47,950 versus rotational and there are pluses 832 00:35:47,950 --> 00:35:50,006 and minuses of each one will have to 833 00:35:50,006 --> 00:35:51,839 continue to examine the european 834 00:35:51,839 --> 00:35:54,006 contributions to make a smart decision 835 00:35:54,006 --> 00:35:56,340 about where to go in the future . Okay . 836 00:35:56,350 --> 00:35:59,760 Um , let me ask you about 837 00:35:59,770 --> 00:36:02,390 expectations when this war began . What 838 00:36:02,390 --> 00:36:05,350 we were hearing is the Russians , uh , 839 00:36:05,360 --> 00:36:07,940 would would defeat the Ukrainians and 840 00:36:07,950 --> 00:36:11,400 obtain their invasion objectives within 841 00:36:11,410 --> 00:36:13,240 uh , five days or so . 842 00:36:15,130 --> 00:36:18,460 Is there an intelligence gap 843 00:36:19,730 --> 00:36:22,660 in our capability that made us 844 00:36:23,230 --> 00:36:25,440 overestimate the Russians and 845 00:36:25,440 --> 00:36:28,590 underestimate the defensive 846 00:36:28,590 --> 00:36:31,050 capability of the Ukrainians ? 847 00:36:33,130 --> 00:36:35,297 Senator . There ? There there could be 848 00:36:35,297 --> 00:36:37,463 and as we've always done in the past , 849 00:36:37,463 --> 00:36:39,870 when , when this crisis is over with we 850 00:36:39,880 --> 00:36:42,300 we will accomplish a comprehensive 851 00:36:42,300 --> 00:36:44,640 after action . Review it in all domains 852 00:36:44,650 --> 00:36:47,030 in an all departments and find out 853 00:36:47,030 --> 00:36:49,280 where our weak areas were and make sure 854 00:36:49,280 --> 00:36:51,336 that we can find ways to improve and 855 00:36:51,336 --> 00:36:53,502 and this could be one of those areas . 856 00:36:54,630 --> 00:36:56,810 And then finally , um , what barriers 857 00:36:56,810 --> 00:36:59,290 do you see increasing the number of 858 00:36:59,300 --> 00:37:03,010 DDgs in row to 26 859 00:37:05,830 --> 00:37:07,997 Senator . The infrastructure is set as 860 00:37:07,997 --> 00:37:10,052 a result of the tremendous E . D . I 861 00:37:10,052 --> 00:37:12,230 contributions over the years . And as 862 00:37:12,230 --> 00:37:15,540 we speak , we have temporarily put more 863 00:37:15,540 --> 00:37:18,380 destroyers into uh , you calms 864 00:37:18,380 --> 00:37:21,140 portfolio and we've been able to test 865 00:37:21,140 --> 00:37:23,196 the infrastructure receptiveness and 866 00:37:23,196 --> 00:37:25,490 wrote to taking on two more cruisers , 867 00:37:25,490 --> 00:37:27,546 destroyers and we're ready , willing 868 00:37:27,546 --> 00:37:30,320 and able to support . Thank you sir . 869 00:37:30,330 --> 00:37:32,441 Thank you . Mr Chairman . Thank you . 870 00:37:32,441 --> 00:37:34,441 Senator Worker . Senator Blumenthal 871 00:37:34,441 --> 00:37:37,400 please thank you both for your service 872 00:37:37,400 --> 00:37:39,456 and thank you for being here today . 873 00:37:39,456 --> 00:37:43,410 And General Van Alice in 874 00:37:43,410 --> 00:37:45,354 my visit to the border a couple of 875 00:37:45,354 --> 00:37:49,230 weeks ago , I was impressed not only 876 00:37:49,230 --> 00:37:52,340 with the Incredible courage and 877 00:37:52,340 --> 00:37:54,229 resilience of the refugees coming 878 00:37:54,229 --> 00:37:56,340 across the border , but also the work 879 00:37:56,340 --> 00:37:59,430 of the 82nd Airborne in that area 880 00:37:59,630 --> 00:38:03,170 enabling the Ukrainian military to 881 00:38:03,170 --> 00:38:06,440 transport many of the 882 00:38:07,020 --> 00:38:10,030 resupplies of weapons , 883 00:38:10,920 --> 00:38:12,990 singer and javelin missiles and so 884 00:38:12,990 --> 00:38:16,420 forth . Two the forces on the 885 00:38:16,420 --> 00:38:19,640 ground sometimes within hours of 886 00:38:20,020 --> 00:38:23,250 the Mhm unloading 887 00:38:24,120 --> 00:38:27,270 to actual combat . Would you agree with 888 00:38:27,270 --> 00:38:29,670 me that the Ukrainians and they are the 889 00:38:29,670 --> 00:38:33,040 ones who are transporting ? I know that 890 00:38:33,520 --> 00:38:36,700 none of your men or women are involved , 891 00:38:36,770 --> 00:38:38,881 but would you agree with me that they 892 00:38:38,881 --> 00:38:40,881 have been extraordinarily agile and 893 00:38:40,881 --> 00:38:43,880 effective in there transporting across 894 00:38:43,880 --> 00:38:46,750 Ukraine under fire or potential fire 895 00:38:47,520 --> 00:38:49,630 to their forces of those weapons 896 00:38:49,630 --> 00:38:51,519 systems and other supplies we are 897 00:38:51,519 --> 00:38:54,730 providing . Thank you . Senator . Uh 898 00:38:54,740 --> 00:38:57,220 look , I absolutely believe that they 899 00:38:57,220 --> 00:38:59,620 have been effective as you could see uh 900 00:38:59,630 --> 00:39:01,852 that none of the lines really have been 901 00:39:01,852 --> 00:39:04,510 hit on the way . And it appears they've 902 00:39:04,520 --> 00:39:06,464 been delivering right to the right 903 00:39:06,464 --> 00:39:08,687 location at the right time . And I want 904 00:39:08,687 --> 00:39:10,742 to thank uh everyone with respect to 905 00:39:10,742 --> 00:39:14,590 supporting the logistics flow and and 906 00:39:14,600 --> 00:39:16,730 be able to donate the security 907 00:39:16,730 --> 00:39:19,440 cooperation that has been so successful 908 00:39:19,440 --> 00:39:22,540 to date The 82nd Airborne has been 909 00:39:22,550 --> 00:39:24,439 extraordinary . I know that other 910 00:39:24,439 --> 00:39:26,494 forces of the United States and NATO 911 00:39:26,494 --> 00:39:28,439 allies have been as well . General 912 00:39:28,439 --> 00:39:31,750 Walters as 913 00:39:33,920 --> 00:39:36,031 very far from the expert that you are 914 00:39:36,031 --> 00:39:38,253 in this area . I think too many of us , 915 00:39:38,253 --> 00:39:40,550 it looks like the Ukrainians could win 916 00:39:40,550 --> 00:39:42,661 this fight if it were a fair fight on 917 00:39:42,661 --> 00:39:45,000 the ground and if they were not 918 00:39:45,000 --> 00:39:47,167 vulnerable from the skies to the reign 919 00:39:47,167 --> 00:39:50,330 of terror that the Russian military has 920 00:39:50,340 --> 00:39:54,120 unleashed through artillery , jet 921 00:39:54,120 --> 00:39:58,040 fighters , missiles and the urgent 922 00:39:58,920 --> 00:40:02,410 and predominant need is aerial 923 00:40:02,410 --> 00:40:06,360 defense . Could you tell 924 00:40:06,360 --> 00:40:09,720 the committee how many ? S three 925 00:40:09,720 --> 00:40:12,610 hundred's essay three's ? What is the 926 00:40:12,610 --> 00:40:15,460 inventory that's available to provide 927 00:40:15,470 --> 00:40:18,940 to Ukraine so that it can defend itself 928 00:40:20,510 --> 00:40:23,970 and in effect have a fair fight on the 929 00:40:23,970 --> 00:40:26,500 ground and also protect civilian 930 00:40:26,500 --> 00:40:28,960 targets which Vladimir Putin has 931 00:40:28,970 --> 00:40:31,730 mercilessly and ruthlessly hit 932 00:40:31,740 --> 00:40:32,740 repeatedly . 933 00:40:35,310 --> 00:40:37,254 Senator in a different setting , I 934 00:40:37,254 --> 00:40:39,143 adore the opportunity to give you 935 00:40:39,143 --> 00:40:41,950 specific numbers . What I can say is 936 00:40:41,950 --> 00:40:43,783 from a US perspective , there is 937 00:40:43,783 --> 00:40:46,170 consultation about supply and demand on 938 00:40:46,170 --> 00:40:49,190 the Ukrainian armed forces in to ensure 939 00:40:49,190 --> 00:40:50,912 that they're getting the right 940 00:40:50,912 --> 00:40:53,670 equipment at the right time based off 941 00:40:53,670 --> 00:40:57,400 their military campaign designed 942 00:40:57,570 --> 00:40:59,570 so that they can best protect their 943 00:40:59,570 --> 00:41:01,626 forces . In your judgment , Are they 944 00:41:01,626 --> 00:41:03,330 getting what they need ? 945 00:41:06,010 --> 00:41:09,050 They are senator . And are we 946 00:41:09,050 --> 00:41:11,490 replenishing or backfilling ? For 947 00:41:11,490 --> 00:41:13,379 example , as we apparently did in 948 00:41:13,379 --> 00:41:16,030 Slovakia with Patriot missile systems . 949 00:41:16,610 --> 00:41:18,666 The air defense that our NATO allies 950 00:41:19,010 --> 00:41:22,020 need if they are providing the 951 00:41:23,510 --> 00:41:27,450 soviet era air defense such as 952 00:41:27,460 --> 00:41:29,270 the as 300 953 00:41:31,310 --> 00:41:33,340 We are senator and in multiple 954 00:41:33,340 --> 00:41:36,730 portfolios above and beyond . Just the 955 00:41:36,730 --> 00:41:40,050 surface to air missiles . one of the 956 00:41:40,050 --> 00:41:43,320 lessons that seems to me of the combat 957 00:41:43,320 --> 00:41:47,140 so far is that the Russian 958 00:41:47,610 --> 00:41:50,740 tanks have been far more vulnerable 959 00:41:51,210 --> 00:41:53,300 then Putin never contemplated . Are 960 00:41:53,300 --> 00:41:56,290 there lessons about the use of tanks 961 00:41:56,290 --> 00:41:59,030 here for future warfare in your 962 00:41:59,040 --> 00:42:02,960 judgment ? Absolutely . To include 963 00:42:02,960 --> 00:42:05,320 the command and control of those tanks 964 00:42:05,800 --> 00:42:07,467 and that would involve better 965 00:42:07,467 --> 00:42:10,800 communications systems . It would , 966 00:42:10,800 --> 00:42:14,300 Senator . Are you satisfied that the 967 00:42:14,300 --> 00:42:16,620 United States and our NATO allies 968 00:42:18,400 --> 00:42:20,840 could and would avoid those same kinds 969 00:42:20,840 --> 00:42:23,920 of mistakes ? If we had to respond 970 00:42:24,500 --> 00:42:27,430 two aggression by 971 00:42:28,300 --> 00:42:32,040 the Russian army , we can and we 972 00:42:32,040 --> 00:42:34,540 could . And we would Thank you . Thanks 973 00:42:34,540 --> 00:42:36,707 general and thanks for your many years 974 00:42:36,707 --> 00:42:38,929 of service to both of you . Thank you . 975 00:42:38,970 --> 00:42:40,859 Thank you sent Blumenthal Senator 976 00:42:40,859 --> 00:42:43,180 Fischer , please thank you mr Chairman 977 00:42:43,180 --> 00:42:45,347 and thank you general Walters for your 978 00:42:45,347 --> 00:42:47,890 many years of service . Thank you . 979 00:42:47,900 --> 00:42:50,960 General provost for being here today as 980 00:42:50,960 --> 00:42:52,910 well . General Walters . In your 981 00:42:52,910 --> 00:42:54,799 prepared testimony , you note the 982 00:42:54,799 --> 00:42:57,430 importance of our nuclear deterrent and 983 00:42:57,430 --> 00:43:00,030 in particular are nonstrategic nuclear 984 00:43:00,030 --> 00:43:02,520 weapons that are for forward deployed 985 00:43:02,520 --> 00:43:05,880 in europe . Can you talk a bit more 986 00:43:05,890 --> 00:43:08,057 about their importance and the support 987 00:43:08,057 --> 00:43:10,279 that our allies have for this mission , 988 00:43:13,300 --> 00:43:15,910 Senator , What nuclear strategic 989 00:43:15,910 --> 00:43:19,020 deterrence offers is is tough to 990 00:43:19,020 --> 00:43:21,550 communicate to our european partners 991 00:43:21,560 --> 00:43:23,782 and over the course of the last several 992 00:43:23,782 --> 00:43:26,004 years that they've all gained a greater 993 00:43:26,004 --> 00:43:27,782 understanding of the freedom of 994 00:43:27,782 --> 00:43:30,310 maneuver , that the strategic nuclear 995 00:43:30,310 --> 00:43:33,300 deterrence umbrella provides those 996 00:43:33,300 --> 00:43:35,880 nations in europe and and with with 997 00:43:35,880 --> 00:43:38,102 contributions from the european nations 998 00:43:38,102 --> 00:43:39,940 with respect to allowing the 999 00:43:39,940 --> 00:43:42,170 facilitation of nonstrategic nuclear 1000 00:43:42,170 --> 00:43:44,560 weapons . I feel that europe is in a 1001 00:43:44,560 --> 00:43:46,782 much better place to effectively defend 1002 00:43:46,782 --> 00:43:49,570 and deter . Thank you . Can you also 1003 00:43:49,570 --> 00:43:51,910 talk about the support that our allies 1004 00:43:51,910 --> 00:43:55,030 have shown for the additional four 1005 00:43:55,060 --> 00:43:58,130 battle groups and the level of interest 1006 00:43:58,130 --> 00:44:00,840 you've seen from them in participating 1007 00:44:00,840 --> 00:44:04,430 please . The participation has been 1008 00:44:04,430 --> 00:44:06,319 very , very strong . The level of 1009 00:44:06,319 --> 00:44:08,660 interest continues to increase and it 1010 00:44:08,660 --> 00:44:11,690 corresponds with nations voluntary 1011 00:44:11,690 --> 00:44:13,912 national contributions that continue to 1012 00:44:13,912 --> 00:44:17,580 mount specifically in those four battle 1013 00:44:17,580 --> 00:44:19,636 groups in Hungary Romania , Bulgaria 1014 00:44:19,636 --> 00:44:21,858 and Slovakia . The campaign momentum to 1015 00:44:21,858 --> 00:44:23,858 build those minimum battalion sized 1016 00:44:23,858 --> 00:44:25,524 battle groups with all domain 1017 00:44:25,524 --> 00:44:27,802 capability is improving with every day . 1018 00:44:28,790 --> 00:44:31,890 And also many of our NATO allies 1019 00:44:31,900 --> 00:44:34,780 are talking about increasing their 1020 00:44:34,780 --> 00:44:38,380 defense spending . I think basically in 1021 00:44:38,380 --> 00:44:40,530 response to the Russian invasion that 1022 00:44:40,530 --> 00:44:42,610 we've seen in Ukraine . We've seen 1023 00:44:42,990 --> 00:44:45,990 Countries in NATO are our allies come 1024 00:44:45,990 --> 00:44:49,010 together and pledged to reach that 2% . 1025 00:44:49,390 --> 00:44:52,000 Some have even pledged to go higher . 1026 00:44:52,490 --> 00:44:55,350 Can you tell us how you are working 1027 00:44:55,360 --> 00:44:57,960 with our allies and partners to ensure 1028 00:44:57,960 --> 00:45:01,330 that the additional sources are , are 1029 00:45:01,330 --> 00:45:02,886 really focused on the right 1030 00:45:02,886 --> 00:45:06,830 capabilities that are needed . I can't 1031 00:45:06,830 --> 00:45:09,110 senator . We have a strategy . We have 1032 00:45:09,110 --> 00:45:12,540 plans that ultimately allow nations to 1033 00:45:12,540 --> 00:45:15,110 identify military requirements that 1034 00:45:15,110 --> 00:45:16,721 contribute to delivering the 1035 00:45:16,721 --> 00:45:18,832 appropriate effect in the environment 1036 00:45:18,832 --> 00:45:20,943 to ensure that we can better defend . 1037 00:45:20,943 --> 00:45:22,770 So now you have in print , the 1038 00:45:22,770 --> 00:45:24,659 appropriate connected tissue that 1039 00:45:24,659 --> 00:45:26,437 allows the taxpayers in all the 1040 00:45:26,437 --> 00:45:28,700 european countries to understand why it 1041 00:45:28,700 --> 00:45:30,922 is they're committing the euros to what 1042 00:45:30,922 --> 00:45:32,867 caused to generate the appropriate 1043 00:45:32,867 --> 00:45:34,900 defense . The appropriate effect to 1044 00:45:34,910 --> 00:45:37,510 have better defense is the United 1045 00:45:37,510 --> 00:45:40,880 States participate in um not just with 1046 00:45:40,880 --> 00:45:43,200 with the alliance as a whole , but with 1047 00:45:43,210 --> 00:45:45,340 individual countries in trying to 1048 00:45:45,340 --> 00:45:49,200 determine just what is needed , 1049 00:45:49,200 --> 00:45:51,420 where what type of capabilities are 1050 00:45:51,420 --> 00:45:53,510 needed , where when you look at the 1051 00:45:53,510 --> 00:45:57,380 entire alliance , Sen , the US 1052 00:45:57,380 --> 00:45:59,980 is and and so are the other 29 nations 1053 00:45:59,980 --> 00:46:02,050 of NATO . And and and that's part of 1054 00:46:02,050 --> 00:46:05,190 the of the great aspect of having an 1055 00:46:05,190 --> 00:46:07,440 alliance like NATO . There's a lot to 1056 00:46:07,440 --> 00:46:09,384 be learned when you are willing to 1057 00:46:09,384 --> 00:46:11,607 listen to Estonia's needs and and we do 1058 00:46:11,607 --> 00:46:13,718 and we learn a lot and they listen to 1059 00:46:13,718 --> 00:46:17,690 ours from a us perspective , are 1060 00:46:17,690 --> 00:46:19,980 you hopeful that the alliance will 1061 00:46:19,980 --> 00:46:23,210 continue to work well together ? That 1062 00:46:23,580 --> 00:46:25,747 that there's a new understanding about 1063 00:46:25,747 --> 00:46:27,969 the threats that are out there ? I have 1064 00:46:27,969 --> 00:46:31,470 I have deep concerns about um the 1065 00:46:31,470 --> 00:46:34,350 classified briefings that we have and 1066 00:46:34,350 --> 00:46:37,060 most of that all of that information is 1067 00:46:37,060 --> 00:46:39,090 not available to the people of this 1068 00:46:39,090 --> 00:46:42,800 country . I think if we could um see 1069 00:46:43,080 --> 00:46:44,858 see some material that would be 1070 00:46:44,858 --> 00:46:48,210 declassified and be able to share with 1071 00:46:48,980 --> 00:46:51,310 the citizens of the United States , 1072 00:46:51,320 --> 00:46:54,620 there really would be a deeper 1073 00:46:54,620 --> 00:46:58,600 understanding um more concern felt 1074 00:46:58,610 --> 00:47:01,690 when when the population understands 1075 00:47:01,690 --> 00:47:03,746 the threats that are out there and I 1076 00:47:03,746 --> 00:47:05,912 can see that happening in europe , but 1077 00:47:05,912 --> 00:47:08,079 it took an invasion for it to happen . 1078 00:47:08,079 --> 00:47:10,710 How do how are we going to address that ? 1079 00:47:14,380 --> 00:47:17,100 Senator ? I'm I'm hopeful and confident 1080 00:47:17,110 --> 00:47:19,277 that the degree of cooperation amongst 1081 00:47:19,277 --> 00:47:21,280 the NATO nations will continue and 1082 00:47:21,290 --> 00:47:23,690 looking back to how we approach this 1083 00:47:23,690 --> 00:47:26,050 campaign and the degree of intelligence 1084 00:47:26,050 --> 00:47:28,440 sharing and information sharing in the 1085 00:47:28,440 --> 00:47:30,760 impact that it had on building trust 1086 00:47:30,770 --> 00:47:32,730 amongst nations was very , very 1087 00:47:32,730 --> 00:47:34,841 powerful and we need to continue that 1088 00:47:34,841 --> 00:47:37,008 practice . I think we need to continue 1089 00:47:37,008 --> 00:47:39,320 it in this country as well , so that 1090 00:47:39,330 --> 00:47:41,108 the people in the United States 1091 00:47:41,260 --> 00:47:45,080 understand the very real threats that 1092 00:47:45,080 --> 00:47:47,030 we face to our national security . 1093 00:47:47,040 --> 00:47:49,240 Thank you sir . Thank you . Senator 1094 00:47:49,240 --> 00:47:51,240 Fischer . Senator Hirono , please . 1095 00:47:51,260 --> 00:47:53,371 Thank you . Mr . Chairman , thank you 1096 00:47:53,371 --> 00:47:55,538 both for being here . General walter . 1097 00:47:55,538 --> 00:47:57,427 As you mentioned , something that 1098 00:47:57,427 --> 00:48:01,330 definitely perfect my interest 1099 00:48:01,330 --> 00:48:04,000 piqued my interest and we know that 1100 00:48:04,010 --> 00:48:06,130 China and Russia has , they have a 1101 00:48:06,130 --> 00:48:09,160 relationship and china seeks to expand 1102 00:48:09,160 --> 00:48:10,993 its influence in europe . So you 1103 00:48:10,993 --> 00:48:14,450 mentioned that you are working I think 1104 00:48:14,450 --> 00:48:17,280 much more closely with Admiral Aquilino 1105 00:48:17,870 --> 00:48:20,320 because of this recognition that things 1106 00:48:20,320 --> 00:48:22,650 don't just stay in one command theater . 1107 00:48:22,660 --> 00:48:24,660 So , can you talk a little bit more 1108 00:48:24,660 --> 00:48:28,540 about your increase uh closer 1109 00:48:28,540 --> 00:48:31,920 working with with Admiral 1110 00:48:31,920 --> 00:48:35,870 Aquilino ? I can't , Senator . 1111 00:48:35,870 --> 00:48:39,320 We've we've shared thoughts about what 1112 00:48:39,330 --> 00:48:42,060 Russia has done with respect to its 1113 00:48:42,070 --> 00:48:44,070 physical actions in the vicinity of 1114 00:48:44,070 --> 00:48:46,530 Ukraine and its activities outside of 1115 00:48:46,530 --> 00:48:48,910 Ukraine with its so called allies and 1116 00:48:48,910 --> 00:48:51,610 partners and the impact that it has on 1117 00:48:51,610 --> 00:48:54,330 the actual execution . And Admiral 1118 00:48:54,330 --> 00:48:56,497 Aquilino was obviously very interested 1119 00:48:56,497 --> 00:48:59,170 in that because he he faces a scenario 1120 00:48:59,170 --> 00:49:01,337 that's reasonably similar to this with 1121 00:49:01,337 --> 00:49:03,460 respect to Taiwan and and how we 1122 00:49:03,460 --> 00:49:06,840 examine the US response , the allies 1123 00:49:06,840 --> 00:49:09,940 and partners response will help image 1124 00:49:09,950 --> 00:49:12,450 Admiral Aquilino in in working his way 1125 00:49:12,450 --> 00:49:14,840 through uh some of the tough spots that 1126 00:49:14,840 --> 00:49:16,951 we anticipate that he'll have to work 1127 00:49:16,951 --> 00:49:18,896 with in the future with respect to 1128 00:49:18,896 --> 00:49:21,240 state on state activities and state on 1129 00:49:21,240 --> 00:49:24,180 state alliance activities and state on 1130 00:49:24,180 --> 00:49:26,347 state activities with respect to other 1131 00:49:26,347 --> 00:49:28,513 partners and allies on the periphery . 1132 00:49:29,870 --> 00:49:32,080 It sounds as though this is a more 1133 00:49:32,090 --> 00:49:34,670 close relationship that you are having 1134 00:49:34,670 --> 00:49:37,510 with another combatant commander . So 1135 00:49:37,510 --> 00:49:41,430 is that so I 1136 00:49:41,550 --> 00:49:44,090 have that I have that same relationship 1137 00:49:44,090 --> 00:49:46,430 with all the other combatant commanders . 1138 00:49:47,370 --> 00:49:49,537 That's good to know , it makes sense . 1139 00:49:49,870 --> 00:49:52,910 General von overdosed . I it's good to 1140 00:49:52,910 --> 00:49:55,240 see to talk with you again . As you're 1141 00:49:55,240 --> 00:49:57,129 aware , the Department of Defense 1142 00:49:57,129 --> 00:49:59,850 recently made the decision to close the 1143 00:49:59,860 --> 00:50:01,970 two D fuel and close the Redhill 1144 00:50:01,980 --> 00:50:05,640 storage facility on Oahu . And so there 1145 00:50:05,640 --> 00:50:07,751 will be a transition period . It will 1146 00:50:07,751 --> 00:50:09,862 take a significant amount of planning 1147 00:50:09,862 --> 00:50:11,973 and funding for this transition . And 1148 00:50:11,973 --> 00:50:14,084 last year's Indy established Transcom 1149 00:50:14,084 --> 00:50:16,307 as the D . O . D . S bulk field manager 1150 00:50:16,760 --> 00:50:18,760 of the department which will become 1151 00:50:18,760 --> 00:50:20,704 effective later this year . As you 1152 00:50:20,704 --> 00:50:23,690 assume this new role . What will be uh 1153 00:50:24,660 --> 00:50:27,060 what will you be focused on to ensure 1154 00:50:27,060 --> 00:50:29,230 the department's fuel needs are met in 1155 00:50:29,230 --> 00:50:32,020 the pacific And do you , what do you 1156 00:50:32,020 --> 00:50:34,353 anticipate being the greatest challenge ? 1157 00:50:34,353 --> 00:50:36,464 As Red Hill is closed ? That we moved 1158 00:50:36,464 --> 00:50:39,590 to a more distributed lay down . Thank 1159 00:50:39,590 --> 00:50:41,600 you senator . Um as you're aware , 1160 00:50:41,610 --> 00:50:43,499 there's really multiple studies , 1161 00:50:43,499 --> 00:50:45,930 analyses and war games highlighted that 1162 00:50:45,940 --> 00:50:48,540 our global bulk fuel our command and 1163 00:50:48,540 --> 00:50:51,560 control our distribution where it's at 1164 00:50:51,570 --> 00:50:54,510 access to it um and and the 1165 00:50:54,520 --> 00:50:56,990 infrastructure that supports it are 1166 00:50:56,990 --> 00:50:59,090 inadequate uh in this contestant 1167 00:50:59,090 --> 00:51:01,420 environment , frankly , as the new NDS 1168 00:51:01,430 --> 00:51:04,260 also states that the PRC is the most 1169 00:51:04,260 --> 00:51:06,371 consequential strategic competitor we 1170 00:51:06,371 --> 00:51:08,690 have . So as we look to the pacific , 1171 00:51:08,700 --> 00:51:12,100 we have to do things differently . So 1172 00:51:12,100 --> 00:51:14,156 what we're doing right now under the 1173 00:51:14,156 --> 00:51:16,322 throes of providing a strategy to back 1174 00:51:16,322 --> 00:51:19,060 to Congress here on one October on how 1175 00:51:19,060 --> 00:51:21,130 we are looking at the globe with 1176 00:51:21,130 --> 00:51:24,660 respect to posture war reserves our 1177 00:51:24,660 --> 00:51:27,510 ability to to maneuver the force both 1178 00:51:27,650 --> 00:51:29,790 from an inter theater standpoint and 1179 00:51:29,790 --> 00:51:32,340 within the theater to ensure that we 1180 00:51:32,340 --> 00:51:35,450 have dispersed and diverse 1181 00:51:35,590 --> 00:51:38,490 specifically with respect to fuel . To 1182 00:51:38,490 --> 00:51:42,250 reduce the risk . Indeed , in the 1183 00:51:42,260 --> 00:51:45,850 decision to dif you'll Redhill , we're 1184 00:51:45,850 --> 00:51:48,780 going to use that as an opportunity to 1185 00:51:48,780 --> 00:51:51,520 put a storage of float so that we can 1186 00:51:51,520 --> 00:51:53,353 actually practice techniques and 1187 00:51:53,353 --> 00:51:55,710 procedures that we would actually use . 1188 00:51:55,710 --> 00:51:57,821 Should we , should we have to have to 1189 00:51:57,821 --> 00:51:59,766 go to conflict with respect to our 1190 00:51:59,766 --> 00:52:01,766 inter theater tankers doing console 1191 00:52:01,766 --> 00:52:04,180 operations and new intra theater , 1192 00:52:04,180 --> 00:52:06,291 smaller tankers that we would need to 1193 00:52:06,291 --> 00:52:08,680 move the fuel forward into theater . So 1194 00:52:08,750 --> 00:52:10,780 as we look to those con ops in 1195 00:52:10,780 --> 00:52:12,947 developing them and resources and will 1196 00:52:12,947 --> 00:52:15,058 be something we'll be looking forward 1197 00:52:15,058 --> 00:52:17,169 in the future as the global bulk fuel 1198 00:52:17,169 --> 00:52:19,336 manager . Just one more question along 1199 00:52:19,336 --> 00:52:22,150 those lines . So as we move to a more 1200 00:52:22,150 --> 00:52:25,070 distributed fuel operations um is there 1201 00:52:25,070 --> 00:52:27,237 an opportunity to expand investment in 1202 00:52:27,237 --> 00:52:29,480 places like the compact states to build 1203 00:52:29,480 --> 00:52:31,890 out a resilient fuel lay down while 1204 00:52:31,890 --> 00:52:35,610 also building economic cooperation with 1205 00:52:35,610 --> 00:52:39,350 our compact partners . Senator I defer 1206 00:52:39,350 --> 00:52:41,350 to Admiral Aquilino with respect to 1207 00:52:41,350 --> 00:52:43,628 specific partners . He has as you know , 1208 00:52:43,628 --> 00:52:46,060 a to be posture that's laid out that is 1209 00:52:46,060 --> 00:52:48,840 really looking more south uh and and in 1210 00:52:48,840 --> 00:52:52,700 that area and from my perspective we 1211 00:52:52,700 --> 00:52:54,700 could not do what we do without the 1212 00:52:54,700 --> 00:52:56,756 commercial partnerships that we have 1213 00:52:56,756 --> 00:52:58,978 around the world . So we are looking to 1214 00:52:58,978 --> 00:53:01,200 thicken our our partnerships especially 1215 00:53:01,200 --> 00:53:03,370 out in the pacific thank you . Thank 1216 00:53:03,370 --> 00:53:05,426 you . Mr . Chairman , thank you very 1217 00:53:05,426 --> 00:53:07,537 much . Senator Ronald Center Lawrence 1218 00:53:07,537 --> 00:53:10,500 please Thank you . Mr . Chair and 1219 00:53:10,510 --> 00:53:12,454 general Villanova boston . General 1220 00:53:12,454 --> 00:53:14,510 Walters , thank you so much for your 1221 00:53:14,510 --> 00:53:16,621 service and for appearing in front of 1222 00:53:16,621 --> 00:53:19,300 our committee today and general Walters . 1223 00:53:19,310 --> 00:53:21,780 You know that I traveled with many of 1224 00:53:21,790 --> 00:53:24,890 my colleagues uh several weekends ago 1225 00:53:24,940 --> 00:53:28,170 to visit Germany and Poland and we were 1226 00:53:28,170 --> 00:53:30,337 grateful that for the time that we had 1227 00:53:30,337 --> 00:53:32,059 on the ground , we had Senator 1228 00:53:32,059 --> 00:53:34,170 gillibrand , Senator King and Senator 1229 00:53:34,170 --> 00:53:36,510 Rosen from this committee . Um so we 1230 00:53:36,510 --> 00:53:38,920 were able to spend time not only with 1231 00:53:38,920 --> 00:53:41,610 significant leaders from Germany and 1232 00:53:41,610 --> 00:53:43,721 Poland , but also with the tremendous 1233 00:53:43,721 --> 00:53:45,666 men and women of the 18th Airborne 1234 00:53:45,666 --> 00:53:48,910 Corps , the 82nd Airborne All American 1235 00:53:48,910 --> 00:53:52,790 and our Armor Brigade as well . I want 1236 00:53:52,790 --> 00:53:55,030 to thank those men and women for being 1237 00:53:55,030 --> 00:53:57,420 there on the front lines and assisting 1238 00:53:57,420 --> 00:54:00,700 with your NATO mission . Um , but as we 1239 00:54:00,700 --> 00:54:02,850 focus on Ukraine , we also get very 1240 00:54:02,850 --> 00:54:06,740 concerned about uh movement with 1241 00:54:06,740 --> 00:54:09,100 Russia and the thoughts that perhaps 1242 00:54:09,100 --> 00:54:12,260 they would also engage in other 1243 00:54:12,260 --> 00:54:14,371 countries as well . This is something 1244 00:54:14,371 --> 00:54:16,680 we really haven't addressed in this 1245 00:54:16,680 --> 00:54:20,580 hearing yet , but despite 1246 00:54:20,580 --> 00:54:22,900 the fact that Russia is stalling a bit 1247 00:54:22,910 --> 00:54:26,780 in Ukraine , There are a number of 1248 00:54:26,780 --> 00:54:29,010 Russian troops , I believe about 1500 1249 00:54:29,010 --> 00:54:31,460 Russian troops that exist in Moldova . 1250 00:54:32,040 --> 00:54:35,060 And we are concerned about that . And 1251 00:54:35,070 --> 00:54:37,292 uh for folks that might be watching out 1252 00:54:37,292 --> 00:54:39,292 there , Moldova is a country on the 1253 00:54:39,292 --> 00:54:42,750 southwestern border of Ukraine . So we 1254 00:54:42,750 --> 00:54:46,060 are concerned about uh , about 1255 00:54:46,070 --> 00:54:49,710 this community this country as well . 1256 00:54:49,710 --> 00:54:53,200 So what capabilities or uh but 1257 00:54:53,200 --> 00:54:55,740 militarily , perhaps you can speak to 1258 00:54:55,740 --> 00:54:58,350 humanitarian issues as well . But what 1259 00:54:58,350 --> 00:55:02,340 have we offered to Moldova as a way of 1260 00:55:02,340 --> 00:55:04,760 reassuring their country as well ? 1261 00:55:07,140 --> 00:55:09,730 Sen , our our European strategy calls 1262 00:55:09,730 --> 00:55:11,786 for comprehensive defense and shared 1263 00:55:11,786 --> 00:55:13,452 response . And from the Yukon 1264 00:55:13,452 --> 00:55:15,674 perspective , we examine the 51 nations 1265 00:55:15,674 --> 00:55:17,880 as part of that grouping in Moldova is 1266 00:55:17,880 --> 00:55:19,936 one of them . And whenever there are 1267 00:55:19,936 --> 00:55:22,047 opportunities to increase our ability 1268 00:55:22,047 --> 00:55:24,380 to share more info and share more Intel , 1269 00:55:24,380 --> 00:55:26,547 we are attempting to do so so that for 1270 00:55:26,547 --> 00:55:28,780 all of Europe , we're improving our 1271 00:55:28,790 --> 00:55:30,950 comprehensive indications in mornings 1272 00:55:30,960 --> 00:55:33,127 and command and control and feedback . 1273 00:55:33,127 --> 00:55:35,530 So when problems arise , we hear about 1274 00:55:35,530 --> 00:55:37,760 it sooner rather than later . And if 1275 00:55:37,760 --> 00:55:40,620 there are information pieces that need 1276 00:55:40,620 --> 00:55:42,620 to go to Moldova sooner rather than 1277 00:55:42,620 --> 00:55:45,060 later to help their disposition with 1278 00:55:45,060 --> 00:55:47,004 respect to participating in a free 1279 00:55:47,004 --> 00:55:49,560 europe , we're doing so . And the 1280 00:55:49,560 --> 00:55:51,616 number of liaisons and the number of 1281 00:55:51,616 --> 00:55:53,730 times that we exchange has certainly 1282 00:55:53,730 --> 00:55:56,620 grown over the years . Have we seen any 1283 00:55:56,620 --> 00:55:58,731 movement of those Russian troops that 1284 00:55:58,731 --> 00:56:02,390 exist in Moldova to reinforce the 1285 00:56:02,390 --> 00:56:05,180 actions in Ukraine ? Or do we see any 1286 00:56:05,180 --> 00:56:07,730 movement shifting from Ukraine into 1287 00:56:07,740 --> 00:56:11,530 Moldova at this point , Senator . 1288 00:56:11,540 --> 00:56:14,660 Neither . Okay , that's good . Um So we 1289 00:56:14,660 --> 00:56:17,440 know that that Poland has has offered 1290 00:56:17,450 --> 00:56:21,130 mig fighter jets uh the S 300 anti 1291 00:56:21,130 --> 00:56:24,630 aircraft systems to support the defense 1292 00:56:24,630 --> 00:56:26,960 of Ukraine . And to this point the 1293 00:56:26,960 --> 00:56:30,290 United States has chosen not to engage 1294 00:56:30,290 --> 00:56:32,420 and be party to those transfers or to 1295 00:56:32,420 --> 00:56:35,200 backfill or NATO allies . And my 1296 00:56:35,200 --> 00:56:37,200 question is not why I think there's 1297 00:56:37,200 --> 00:56:39,311 been a lot of debate about that . But 1298 00:56:39,311 --> 00:56:41,600 who specifically is the final authority 1299 00:56:41,600 --> 00:56:44,790 on making the decision on what gets 1300 00:56:44,790 --> 00:56:46,250 transferred to who ? 1301 00:56:48,930 --> 00:56:52,790 Senator with respect to . Mhm . My 1302 00:56:52,800 --> 00:56:56,070 my european job , the national leader 1303 00:56:56,070 --> 00:56:58,014 is obviously the individual who is 1304 00:56:58,014 --> 00:56:59,959 responsible for making that policy 1305 00:56:59,959 --> 00:57:02,126 decision and I say that because as you 1306 00:57:02,126 --> 00:57:04,348 well know , other nations were involved 1307 00:57:04,348 --> 00:57:06,570 in this transaction and the first thing 1308 00:57:06,570 --> 00:57:08,737 that Secretary General Stoltenberg was 1309 00:57:08,737 --> 00:57:10,848 keen on was the fact that nations can 1310 00:57:10,848 --> 00:57:13,070 make the choice uh with this decision . 1311 00:57:13,070 --> 00:57:14,959 And it typically comes from their 1312 00:57:14,959 --> 00:57:17,181 national leaders . And if we shift back 1313 00:57:17,181 --> 00:57:19,237 to the United States of America with 1314 00:57:19,237 --> 00:57:21,459 the assumption that those countries are 1315 00:57:21,459 --> 00:57:25,090 willing to receive um or to transfer if 1316 00:57:25,090 --> 00:57:27,312 we are to be a party of those actions , 1317 00:57:27,312 --> 00:57:29,660 if we are transferring items , who is 1318 00:57:29,660 --> 00:57:31,882 the ultimate authority in that decision 1319 00:57:31,882 --> 00:57:34,150 making chain ? Our commander in chief . 1320 00:57:34,170 --> 00:57:36,226 Okay , thank you . I'll yield back . 1321 00:57:36,830 --> 00:57:40,110 Thank you . Thank you . Senator ernst 1322 00:57:40,120 --> 00:57:42,470 Senator Warren , please . Thank you . 1323 00:57:42,470 --> 00:57:44,530 Mr Chairman and thank you general 1324 00:57:44,540 --> 00:57:46,650 Walters for your leadership in 1325 00:57:46,650 --> 00:57:49,110 responding to Russia's invasion of 1326 00:57:49,110 --> 00:57:51,332 Ukraine to support the Ukrainian people 1327 00:57:51,332 --> 00:57:54,200 and our allies in this work . So 1328 00:57:54,210 --> 00:57:57,250 Congress recently approved $13.6 1329 00:57:57,250 --> 00:58:00,050 billion for Ukraine , including 6.5 1330 00:58:00,060 --> 00:58:02,420 billion for the pentagon . We also 1331 00:58:02,420 --> 00:58:05,470 supported NATO partners against Russian 1332 00:58:05,480 --> 00:58:07,313 aggression for years through the 1333 00:58:07,313 --> 00:58:09,970 european deterrence initiative or the E . 1334 00:58:09,970 --> 00:58:12,760 D . I . But because of the way Congress 1335 00:58:12,760 --> 00:58:15,500 and D O . D . Set up this fund , the 1336 00:58:15,500 --> 00:58:18,070 pentagon doesn't have to explain how E . 1337 00:58:18,070 --> 00:58:21,170 D . I spending supports a long term 1338 00:58:21,170 --> 00:58:24,380 plan . E . D . I was first funded 1339 00:58:24,380 --> 00:58:26,213 through the overseas contingency 1340 00:58:26,213 --> 00:58:29,120 operations or Oco account which was 1341 00:58:29,120 --> 00:58:31,390 primarily set up to support operations 1342 00:58:31,390 --> 00:58:34,310 in Afghanistan and Iraq . But it became 1343 00:58:34,310 --> 00:58:36,532 a slush fund for the pentagon to funnel 1344 00:58:36,610 --> 00:58:38,630 billions of dollars toward programs 1345 00:58:38,630 --> 00:58:40,910 that were unrelated to those conflicts . 1346 00:58:41,230 --> 00:58:43,010 Now , the biden administration 1347 00:58:43,020 --> 00:58:46,220 eliminated . Oko . And to make sure 1348 00:58:46,220 --> 00:58:48,230 that E . D . I didn't turn into the 1349 00:58:48,230 --> 00:58:51,060 same thing . Congress required your 1350 00:58:51,060 --> 00:58:53,790 command to provide annual plans for 1351 00:58:53,790 --> 00:58:56,760 long term idea . I spending general 1352 00:58:56,760 --> 00:58:59,040 Walters . Three of those plans have 1353 00:58:59,040 --> 00:59:02,950 been due since the Fy 2020 1354 00:59:02,960 --> 00:59:05,650 N . D . A . Made this requirement the 1355 00:59:05,650 --> 00:59:07,800 law . How many of those plans have 1356 00:59:07,800 --> 00:59:09,856 actually been provided to Congress ? 1357 00:59:12,160 --> 00:59:14,680 Sen I can tell you that you calm has 1358 00:59:14,680 --> 00:59:16,680 made a response and the transaction 1359 00:59:16,680 --> 00:59:18,902 between the department and Congress I'm 1360 00:59:18,902 --> 00:59:20,958 not aware of . Okay , well I'll tell 1361 00:59:20,958 --> 00:59:23,590 you the answer . zero . Congress has 1362 00:59:23,590 --> 00:59:27,150 pumped an additional 13 billion into 1363 00:59:27,150 --> 00:59:30,430 the e . d . i . And it is now highly 1364 00:59:30,430 --> 00:59:32,597 likely that the E . D . I will grow in 1365 00:59:32,597 --> 00:59:35,580 tandem tandem with our need to support 1366 00:59:35,590 --> 00:59:39,160 our european allies . So even though 1367 00:59:39,160 --> 00:59:41,680 these are required by law , we haven't 1368 00:59:41,680 --> 00:59:44,410 gotten these reports . General Walters . 1369 00:59:44,420 --> 00:59:47,240 Has your command provided the excuse me , 1370 00:59:47,500 --> 00:59:49,556 the D . O . D . With the information 1371 00:59:49,556 --> 00:59:51,840 they need to provide those plans to 1372 00:59:51,840 --> 00:59:53,840 Congress this year so that they can 1373 00:59:53,840 --> 00:59:56,570 finally follow the law and submit a 1374 00:59:56,570 --> 01:00:00,420 report . We have senator . I'm sorry . 1375 01:00:00,430 --> 01:00:02,652 We have senator . You have provided the 1376 01:00:02,652 --> 01:00:05,100 information . I appreciate that because 1377 01:00:05,100 --> 01:00:07,690 I'm counting on seeing that report soon . 1378 01:00:08,110 --> 01:00:10,490 If we don't , it sounds like the 1379 01:00:10,490 --> 01:00:13,890 process is breaking down at D . O . D . 1380 01:00:13,900 --> 01:00:16,280 And I will follow up with D . O . D . 1381 01:00:16,280 --> 01:00:18,560 To make sure that we get the report . 1382 01:00:18,570 --> 01:00:20,237 We need and I appreciate your 1383 01:00:20,237 --> 01:00:23,180 cooperation in that . Now . In addition 1384 01:00:23,190 --> 01:00:25,357 to requiring plans for how E . D . I . 1385 01:00:25,357 --> 01:00:27,730 Money would be spent the upcoming year , 1386 01:00:27,750 --> 01:00:31,560 the Fy 20 N . D . A . Put in place 1387 01:00:31,560 --> 01:00:33,810 requirements for an annual report on 1388 01:00:33,810 --> 01:00:37,300 how E . D . I . Money was 1389 01:00:37,310 --> 01:00:40,600 spent . Congress also never received 1390 01:00:40,600 --> 01:00:42,950 those reports . So general Walters . 1391 01:00:42,950 --> 01:00:45,117 Will you make sure that this committee 1392 01:00:45,117 --> 01:00:47,117 receives a report by November 30 of 1393 01:00:47,117 --> 01:00:51,040 this year on how E . D . I . Money has 1394 01:00:51,040 --> 01:00:54,730 been spent to date . I will do 1395 01:00:54,730 --> 01:00:56,897 everything within my command authority 1396 01:00:56,897 --> 01:00:59,119 to do so soon . Alright , well that was 1397 01:00:59,119 --> 01:01:01,174 within your command authority . So I 1398 01:01:01,174 --> 01:01:03,341 very much appreciate that . You know , 1399 01:01:03,341 --> 01:01:03,100 this committee is being asked to sign 1400 01:01:03,100 --> 01:01:06,670 off on an $813 billion dollars 1401 01:01:06,870 --> 01:01:09,680 in national security spending next year . 1402 01:01:09,720 --> 01:01:11,940 It's no secret that I think that level 1403 01:01:11,940 --> 01:01:14,560 of spending is too high . Our strong 1404 01:01:14,560 --> 01:01:16,870 multilateral response in Ukraine shows 1405 01:01:16,870 --> 01:01:19,640 how important it is for us to invest in 1406 01:01:19,640 --> 01:01:22,620 diplomacy , in helping refugees and in 1407 01:01:22,620 --> 01:01:25,330 using all of our foreign policy tools . 1408 01:01:25,710 --> 01:01:27,599 But that does not mean giving the 1409 01:01:27,599 --> 01:01:30,850 pentagon a blank check or shrugging . 1410 01:01:30,850 --> 01:01:32,461 When we don't get the budget 1411 01:01:32,461 --> 01:01:35,480 information we need to conduct spending 1412 01:01:35,490 --> 01:01:38,070 oversight , tracking these dollars is 1413 01:01:38,070 --> 01:01:40,910 part of how we keep America safe and 1414 01:01:40,910 --> 01:01:43,400 how we work with our allies . Thank you . 1415 01:01:43,400 --> 01:01:45,240 Mr Chairman . I yield back my time