WEBVTT

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He will come to order . First , I'd

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like to welcome ranking member Ossoff

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and congratulate him on the birth of

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his second daughter Lila . I've got 3

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daughters , lots of drama in my house .

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I look forward to working with uh you

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on the subcommittee , and again , we

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just want to welcome you . We meet

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today to discuss the president's fiscal

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year 2026 budget request for military

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construction and family housing for the

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Department of Defense . I would like to

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begin by recognizing today's panel .

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Today we'll hear from representatives

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of the military services as well as the

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office of the Secretary of Defense .

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Joining us are the Honorable Dale Marks ,

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Assistant Secretary of Defense for

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Energy Installations and Environment .

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Lieutenant General David Wilson , Army

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Deputy Chief of Staff G9 , Vice Admiral

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Jeffrey Jamlon , Deputy Chief of Naval

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Operations for . Installations and

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logistics Lieutenant General Stephen

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Seleka , I'm sorry , Deputy Commandant

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for installations and Logistics ,

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Lieutenant General Tom Miller , Air

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Force Deputy Chief of Staff for

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Logistics , Engineering , and Force

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protection , who is approaching

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retirement after 34 years of service .

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General , thank you so much . Uh , for

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your many years of service , and we

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certainly wish you well in your

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retirement . I'm sure we'll be hearing

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more from you someplace , but again ,

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uh , we do appreciate you very , very

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much , Brigadier General , uh , Zachary

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Orkhomsky , Space Force Assistant

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Deputy Chief of Space Operations for

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operations , cyber and nuclear . This

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year's MLCO's request is $18.9 billion

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a figure we only recently received due

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to significant delays in the delivery

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of the budget to Congress . We on the

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subcommittee look forward to receiving

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the justification books and related

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exhibits which still have not been

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delivered but are expected later this

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month . From the data currently

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available , we know this request is an

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increase of $1.4 billion over the

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fiscal year 2025 enacted

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levels . While I'm encouraged to see

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another year of growth in the milk on

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request , I remain concerned that we're

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not necessarily buying more , we're

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simply paying more . Some of these

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budget numbers are staggering . Not

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that long ago , hitting the $100

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million mark on a single project was

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significant . Now it has become routine .

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Increments once the exception . Are

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increasingly the norm accounting for

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nearly $6 billion . In this year's

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request . That's more than 40 projects

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so costly they require incremental

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funding over multiple years .

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That may seem normal now , but this was

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not always the case . Multibillion

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dollar recapitalization efforts

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combined with the increasing complexity

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of facilities needed to support today's

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weapon systems are resulting in larger

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and more complex projects . At the same

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time , inflation and other economic

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pressures continue to escalate cost .

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This trajectory is not sustainable ,

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and future budget requests cannot

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continue absorbing these rising costs .

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To that end , I am encouraged by the

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conversations taking place within the

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department that are examining the full

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range of factors , policies ,

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procedures , regulations , and laws

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that affect milk on its associated cost .

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Some of these are established by

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Congress . Others stem from DOD policy ,

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and some may be self-imposed . As such ,

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the effort required to drive meaningful

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changes will vary , but I am hopeful

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that these discussions will lead to

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thoughtful analysis , honest dialogue ,

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and ultimately real improvements in the

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efficiency of the Milcon process . Some

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of this will require close

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collaboration between Congress and the

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department , and I'm committed to being

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a partner in that effort . There will

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always be factors beyond your control

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which makes managing the areas you

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control all the more critical . The

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recent injunction reinstating Project

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labor agreement requirements is a clear

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example of how external influences can

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introduce uncertainty and added cost .

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Into the milk on process , costs that

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are especially difficult to anticipate

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given how long the current planning

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program and budgeting cycles take . I

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hope one outcome of the ongoing review

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directed by the Deputy Secretary of

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Defense is a faster timeline for

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project inception to final delivery .

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As a critical force enabler , Milon

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supports everything from infrastructure

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tied to new weapons platforms to

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quality of life facilities like

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hospitals , schools , and housings . We

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owe it to the service members , the

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taxpayer to deliver timely , high

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quality facilities on schedule with and

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within budget , and I hope that future

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budget requests reflect efficiencies

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that lower the cost of individual

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projects . I look forward to hearing

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from our witnesses today and continuing

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the dialogue and work needed for a

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successful MLCO program . Before we

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turn to our witnesses , I would like to

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recognize my colleague , Senator Asi

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for his opening remarks . Good morning

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and thank you very much , uh , Chairman

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Boseman . Thank you for your , your

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partnership . I look forward to . The

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important bipartisan work we'll do

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together leading the subcommittee . I

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also wanna thank you for your kind

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words , uh , celebrating Lila's arrival ,

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and I'm pleased to report , Mr .

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Chairman , that , uh , baby and mother

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are both healthy . So thank you for the

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well wishes to our witnesses . Thank

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you for being here . Thank you for your

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service to the nation . Uh , I do want

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to note that , uh , in General

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Skallinka and General Warkovsky we have ,

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uh , two Georgians on the panel from

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Marietta and Snellville , so we're

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proud of you and your work , uh , and

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it's great to be here at my first M

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Milon VA hearing as the subcommittee's

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ranking member to review the fiscal

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year 2026 budget request for military

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construction and family housing . The

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military construction budget is

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essential to our national security to

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the capabilities and resilience of

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military installations across the

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country and around the world and to

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quality of life for service members and

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military families . And Georgia , of

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course , is home to 13 defense

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installations vital to our national

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security and home to some of the

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nation's most important missions and

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capabilities , including key Air Force

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missions at Robbins Air Force Base in

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Warner Robins and Moody Air Force Base

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in Valdosta , the maneuver Center of

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Excellence at Fort Benning outside of

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Columbus , Naval Submarine Base Kings

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Bay on Georgia's coast , Fort Stewart ,

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home of the 3rd ID . Fort Gordon , home

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of the Army Signal Corps and the Cyber

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Center of Excellence , uh , where they

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also host a vital NSA facility . Hunter

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Army Airfield , which hosts elite US

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Army Ranger and aviation Elements , uh ,

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the Marine Corps logistics base in

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Albany , combat readiness Training

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Center in Savannah , and more , and

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through this subcommittee , I'll

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continue my work alongside Chairman

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Boseman and members on both sides of

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the aisle to ensure that installations

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in Georgia . Across the continental

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United States and around the world are

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resourced to defend our nation and to

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deliver the safety , security , health

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and quality of life deserved by our

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service members and their families .

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For too long , Congress and the

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department have under-resourced

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facilities like child development

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centers , Department of Defense schools ,

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family housing , and barracks ,

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plundering the accounts that support

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military quality of life in order to

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fund other priorities , and this

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persistent neglect of military quality

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of life does a disservice to those who

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serve and to their families . It's also

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a national security issue . If service

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members can't live , eat , train and

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work in safe , healthy world class

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facilities , our readiness is

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undermined and so is morale . And the

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department's failure to provide

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military families , especially junior

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enlisted personnel , with the health ,

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safety and quality of life they deserve

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undermines recruiting and retention of

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talented young people to defend the

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United States . I'm pleased that this

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year's military construction budget

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request includes nearly $500 million

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for five important Georgia projects in

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fiscal year 26 . These are projects

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I've championed for years from a new

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elementary school at Fort Benning to

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the Trident facility at King's Bay ,

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and their inclusion in this request

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demonstrates the critical contributions

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of Georgia's installations , missions ,

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and units to America's national defense ,

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and I'll continue working through this

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subcommittee . To see them through in

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total this year's budget requests $18.9

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billion from Milan , a $1.4 billion

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dollar increase over the current

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year-long CR . We know that Milon has

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historically acted as a bill payer for

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other efforts within the department and

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that the services have extensive unmet

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needs . And as I noted earlier ,

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deferred Milon has contributed to

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service members living in dilapidated

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barracks , training and insufficient

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facilities and working in deficient

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spaces . For their missions I want to

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note a few concerns . First of all , I

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note with concern that the White House

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has decided to circumvent the budget

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process and push $900 million of MOLO

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funding into the partisan

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reconciliation measure . Let me be

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clear , Milan in a reconciliation bill

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is not Milon appropriations . It's a

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slush fund . The nature of

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reconciliation is such that neither

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this subcommittee nor the whole Senate

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will have control or meaningful

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oversight of those funds , and it's my

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belief that if Congress makes the

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mistake of accommodating this request

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to fund military construction via

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reconciliation rather than through the

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appropriations process . We bow to

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executive overreach , degrade our own

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constitutional authority , and

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drastically diminish our ability to

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oversee the use of these funds .

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I am concerned that the administration

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intends to use those funds $900 million

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of military construction through the

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reconciliation process , not to upgrade

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defense facilities at home and abroad ,

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but instead to build a migrant

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detention complex across Department of

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Defense facilities nationwide and

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around the world and in so doing divert

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the department's mission from fighting

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and winning wars to domestic

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immigration enforcement . Our soldiers ,

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sailors , airmen , marines , and

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guardians are war fighters , not

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jailers of migrants . I look forward to

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engaging with the administration , Mr .

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Marks , to get greater clarity on the

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intended purposes of those $900 million

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because if the administration does

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intend to fund the construction of

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migrant detention facilities at

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military bases using military

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construction funds , it should include

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those specific plans in its budget

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request . At minimum , the

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administration must provide the

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subcommittee with a detailed accounting

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of how it intends to use the $900

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million requested for military

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construction in reconciliation . Few

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additional concerns I'd like to note .

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First of all , the use and invocation

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of emergency authorities to justify

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reprogramming of military construction

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dollars . There is a place for the use

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of emergency authorities to support

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reprogramming . If it becomes a habit ,

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it can circumvent the appropriations

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process . I'll also note concern that

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there is a substantial defunding of

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family housing accounts for the army

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and the navy , including for programs

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that provide essential maintenance of

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an oversight of privatized family

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housing . I think we all know that

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privatized family housing at DOD

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installations is a mess . I've spent

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years investigating it . Heard

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testimony from folks like Captain

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Samuel Cho in Georgia who experienced

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firsthand the effects on his daughter's

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health of mold and contamination and

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privatized family housing at Fort

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Gordon . His eight year old daughter ,

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as he testified before the Permanent

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Subcommittee on Investigations here in

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the Senate , developed a rash so severe

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that as Captain Cho testified , quote ,

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her skin became hardened and rough and

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reptilian in nature , and when she

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would scratch it , it would bleed

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profusely . This was the . Eight year

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old daughter of a US Army captain

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who because of the poor condition of

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housing in this Balfour Beatty homes

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development at Fort Gordon was bleeding

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when she scratched her own skin so I'm

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concerned uh that the reduction in

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funds for uh these family housing

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programs could reduce our ability to

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hold those contractors to a high

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standard and to look out for those

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personnel and their families . Uh , I

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echo the chairman in noting that we

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have yet to receive , uh . The budget

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justifications required for us uh to do

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our jobs with all the information that

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is necessary we still do not have the

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unfunded priorities lists that will

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allow members of Congress to highlight

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projects critical to their home states

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that may have been left out of the

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request . Mr . Chairman , I'm looking

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forward to working with you on those

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issues and throughout this process . I

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wanna thank again uh the uh . Uh ,

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witnesses here for your service to the

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nation and for being here to brief us

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and to answer members' questions . I

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think the subcommittee is known for

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rising above the fray and working in a

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constructive civil and bipartisan

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manner . It's simply too important for

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us not to do that , uh , and , uh , I

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thank you again , Mr . Chairman . Look

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forward to the conversation . Thank you .

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Very good , uh , Assistant secretary

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Marks you're recognized . Thank you ,

13:58.690 --> 14:00.857
Chairman Boseman , ranking member also

14:00.857 --> 14:02.746
the distinguished members of this

14:02.746 --> 14:04.912
subcommittee as the newly confirmed on

14:04.912 --> 14:07.079
day 7 , Assistant Secretary of Defense

14:07.079 --> 14:08.690
for Energy Installations and

14:08.690 --> 14:10.523
Environment , I appreciate . The

14:10.523 --> 14:12.690
opportunity to discuss the president's

14:12.690 --> 14:14.746
proposed fiscal year 2026 budget for

14:14.746 --> 14:16.579
the Department of Defense Energy

14:16.579 --> 14:18.912
Installations and Environment portfolio .

14:18.912 --> 14:21.079
The president and Secretary of Defense

14:21.079 --> 14:20.679
have laid out a clear objective for the

14:20.679 --> 14:22.559
department achieve peace through

14:22.559 --> 14:24.726
strength . As the secretary has said ,

14:24.726 --> 14:26.837
the threats we face are serious . Our

14:26.837 --> 14:28.948
investments to counter them must also

14:28.948 --> 14:31.170
be , and that's what this budget does .

14:31.170 --> 14:33.337
I firmly believe that the strength and

14:33.337 --> 14:35.559
lethality of our military is built both

14:35.559 --> 14:37.615
on the weapon systems that defend us

14:37.615 --> 14:37.169
and on the readiness of our service

14:37.169 --> 14:38.836
members and their families to

14:38.836 --> 14:40.836
accomplish this mission and make no

14:40.836 --> 14:43.330
mistake , our installations are weapon

14:43.330 --> 14:45.552
systems just like our ships , tanks and

14:45.552 --> 14:47.663
planes . We must ensure that they are

14:47.663 --> 14:49.830
postured in terms of quality condition

14:49.830 --> 14:51.886
and lay down to carry out the entire

14:51.886 --> 14:53.997
spectrum of military operations . But

14:53.997 --> 14:56.108
at the same time we know that America

14:56.108 --> 14:58.108
is a target . Our installations are

14:58.108 --> 14:59.941
under threat , not just from our

14:59.941 --> 14:59.789
adversaries but from aging

14:59.789 --> 15:01.956
infrastructure , extreme weather , and

15:01.956 --> 15:03.789
increasingly complex operational

15:03.789 --> 15:05.900
demands to address these challenges ,

15:06.030 --> 15:07.919
we're focusing on an installation

15:07.919 --> 15:09.752
resilience approach that focuses

15:09.752 --> 15:11.697
squarely on military readiness and

15:11.697 --> 15:13.808
operational capability . This ensures

15:13.808 --> 15:15.808
our resources directly support what

15:15.808 --> 15:17.919
matters most maintaining ready forces

15:17.919 --> 15:19.974
and resilient installations that can

15:19.974 --> 15:21.641
operate effectively under any

15:21.641 --> 15:23.586
conditions . In particular , we're

15:23.586 --> 15:25.086
focusing on infrastructure

15:25.086 --> 15:27.197
modernization and energy resilience ,

15:27.197 --> 15:29.086
operational energy security , and

15:29.086 --> 15:30.863
investing in our innovation and

15:30.863 --> 15:32.974
research programs at the same time we

15:32.974 --> 15:34.752
recognize the resilience of our

15:34.752 --> 15:36.974
installations is enhanced by partnering

15:36.974 --> 15:38.919
with our defense communities we're

15:38.919 --> 15:41.086
making a concerted effort to work with

15:41.086 --> 15:43.308
them on mutually beneficial initiatives

15:43.308 --> 15:45.308
that enhance resilience and prevent

15:45.308 --> 15:47.363
risks to national security . We also

15:47.363 --> 15:49.363
recognize that our service members'

15:49.363 --> 15:51.474
readiness starts at home . We want to

15:51.474 --> 15:53.474
ensure our war fighters are able to

15:53.474 --> 15:55.586
deliver 100% of their effort to their

15:55.586 --> 15:57.752
missions without having to worry about

15:57.752 --> 15:59.974
issues with their housing or the health

15:59.974 --> 16:02.197
and safety of their family members back

16:02.197 --> 16:04.419
home . The department remains committed

16:04.419 --> 16:03.890
to ensuring that the DT's housing

16:03.890 --> 16:06.112
portfolio meets appropriate life health

16:06.112 --> 16:08.279
and safety requirements and provides a

16:08.279 --> 16:10.501
positive living experience for military

16:10.501 --> 16:12.446
personnel and their families , and

16:12.446 --> 16:14.501
we're continuing to address risks to

16:14.501 --> 16:16.334
human health and the environment

16:16.334 --> 16:16.289
through our environmental clean up

16:16.289 --> 16:18.456
programs . To accomplish these goals ,

16:18.456 --> 16:20.678
the department must ensure that we make

16:20.678 --> 16:22.900
the most efficient use of our resources

16:22.900 --> 16:24.733
and manpower , and as such , the

16:24.733 --> 16:26.956
Secretary of Defense has issued a clear

16:26.956 --> 16:29.178
directive to focus on eliminating waste

16:29.178 --> 16:30.845
and duplication to enable the

16:30.845 --> 16:33.067
department to focus on its core mission

16:33.067 --> 16:35.178
of the defending the nation . EINE is

16:35.178 --> 16:37.345
coordinating several efforts to review

16:37.345 --> 16:39.400
current processes and regulations to

16:39.400 --> 16:41.456
create efficiencies , reduce costs ,

16:41.456 --> 16:43.567
including a review of our MilLCon and

16:43.567 --> 16:45.456
FSRM investment portfolios , real

16:45.456 --> 16:47.622
property efficiencies , and review our

16:47.622 --> 16:49.678
implementation of environmental laws

16:49.678 --> 16:51.900
and regulations . And finally , as part

16:51.900 --> 16:53.900
of this administration's efforts to

16:53.900 --> 16:55.900
counter China's malign actions , we

16:55.900 --> 16:55.289
continue to work with key stake

16:55.289 --> 16:58.265
stakeholders across DODs . Of lands and

16:58.265 --> 17:00.487
natural resources in Hawaii through the

17:00.487 --> 17:02.765
Hawaii Coordination cell going forward ,

17:02.804 --> 17:04.971
we have some big issues to tackle such

17:04.971 --> 17:06.915
as meeting Congress's directive to

17:06.915 --> 17:08.637
significantly increase our SRM

17:08.637 --> 17:10.637
investments to at least 4% of plant

17:10.637 --> 17:12.804
replacement value , and I look forward

17:12.804 --> 17:14.637
to working with the committee to

17:14.637 --> 17:16.693
address these challenges head on and

17:16.693 --> 17:18.971
fulfill our commitment to our soldiers ,

17:18.971 --> 17:18.755
sailors , airmen , Marines , and

17:18.755 --> 17:20.922
guardians . Thank you . I look forward

17:20.922 --> 17:23.849
to your questions . Thank you , uh ,

17:23.859 --> 17:26.839
General Wilson . Chairman Bosman ,

17:26.900 --> 17:28.719
ranking member , also have been

17:28.719 --> 17:30.330
distinguished members of the

17:30.330 --> 17:32.441
subcommittee . Thank you for allowing

17:32.441 --> 17:34.608
me , uh , to appear before you today .

17:34.608 --> 17:36.680
Our installations are the bedrock of

17:36.680 --> 17:39.719
army readiness , lethality , and war

17:39.719 --> 17:41.775
fighting capability . There were our

17:41.775 --> 17:45.000
soldiers trained , live , work , and

17:45.000 --> 17:47.760
prepared to defend our nations . My

17:47.760 --> 17:49.871
testimony today highlights the army's

17:49.871 --> 17:51.982
unwavering commitment to transforming

17:51.982 --> 17:53.816
our installations into agile and

17:53.816 --> 17:55.927
adaptable platforms that can meet the

17:55.927 --> 17:58.160
evolving missions and counter emerging

17:58.160 --> 18:00.439
threats from cyber attacks to natural

18:00.439 --> 18:02.400
disasters . Our investments in the

18:02.400 --> 18:04.122
right locations and facilities

18:04.122 --> 18:06.439
guarantees that our war fighters will

18:06.439 --> 18:08.272
have the operational and support

18:08.272 --> 18:10.839
infrastructure they need to succeed in

18:10.839 --> 18:13.839
their mission . Our facility investment

18:13.839 --> 18:16.280
plan prioritizes military construction

18:16.280 --> 18:18.560
and infrastructure projects based on

18:18.560 --> 18:20.782
the direct input from the commanders in

18:20.782 --> 18:22.893
the field and a careful assessment of

18:22.893 --> 18:25.959
the strategic needs . In FY 24 we

18:25.959 --> 18:28.239
awarded significant funding for MiLO

18:28.239 --> 18:30.406
projects and we are allocating more in

18:30.406 --> 18:33.219
FY25 representing an increase in

18:33.219 --> 18:34.941
investment and a commitment to

18:34.941 --> 18:37.163
improving our infrastructure . Beyond M

18:37.163 --> 18:38.997
Milon we're investing heavily in

18:38.997 --> 18:41.130
facility , sustainment , restoration

18:41.130 --> 18:44.380
and modernization or FSRM . In the

18:44.380 --> 18:46.890
future , and we appreciate Congress

18:46.890 --> 18:48.660
recognizing the vital need by

18:48.660 --> 18:51.969
establishing the minimum FRS FRSM

18:51.969 --> 18:55.619
requirements and the 2025 NDAA , and we

18:55.619 --> 18:57.341
look forward to continuing our

18:57.341 --> 18:59.300
collaboration . Taking care of our

18:59.300 --> 19:01.522
soldiers and their families remains our

19:01.522 --> 19:03.300
number one priority , and their

19:03.300 --> 19:05.699
well-being is directly linked to the

19:05.699 --> 19:07.810
readiness and the ability of the army

19:07.810 --> 19:10.060
to accomplish its mission . We're also

19:10.060 --> 19:12.282
deeply focused on improving the quality

19:12.282 --> 19:13.949
of Army family housing , both

19:13.949 --> 19:15.930
government owned and privatized .

19:16.339 --> 19:18.420
Tenant satisfaction is improving ,

19:18.530 --> 19:20.530
however , we recognize that there's

19:20.530 --> 19:22.890
always more work to be done . We're

19:22.890 --> 19:25.119
also actively exploring innovative

19:25.119 --> 19:27.119
energy solutions including tactical

19:27.119 --> 19:29.008
micro grids and the potential for

19:29.008 --> 19:31.119
nuclear energy on our installations .

19:31.119 --> 19:33.569
The army continues to leverage public

19:33.569 --> 19:35.680
private partnerships to drive broader

19:35.680 --> 19:37.810
innovation and reduce our reliance on

19:37.810 --> 19:39.849
traditional funding sources . For

19:39.849 --> 19:42.016
example , we are actively using energy

19:42.016 --> 19:44.449
saving performance contracts , utility

19:44.449 --> 19:46.116
energy saving contracts , and

19:46.116 --> 19:48.338
intergovernmental support agreements to

19:48.338 --> 19:50.449
improve our installation efficiency ,

19:50.449 --> 19:52.810
lower operational costs , and promote

19:52.810 --> 19:55.430
sustainability . Predictable resourcing

19:55.430 --> 19:58.060
is an absolute essential to modernize

19:58.060 --> 20:00.171
our army installations , maintain our

20:00.171 --> 20:02.116
war fighting edge , and ensure the

20:02.116 --> 20:04.282
safety and wellbeing of our soldiers ,

20:04.282 --> 20:06.116
their families , and our defense

20:06.116 --> 20:07.949
communities . Thank you for your

20:07.949 --> 20:10.060
continued support and your commitment

20:10.060 --> 20:12.171
to our military and the dedication to

20:12.171 --> 20:14.504
ensuring that the readiness of our army ,

20:14.530 --> 20:16.859
uh , is first and foremost at the

20:16.859 --> 20:18.803
forefront . I look forward to your

20:18.803 --> 20:21.300
questions . Thank you , uh , Admiral

20:21.300 --> 20:24.829
Jablon . Chairman

20:24.829 --> 20:26.739
Boseman , ranking member Ossoff ,

20:26.869 --> 20:28.480
distinguished members of the

20:28.480 --> 20:30.313
subcommittee , thank you for the

20:30.313 --> 20:32.647
opportunity to testify before you today .

20:32.930 --> 20:35.041
I'm looking forward to discussing the

20:35.041 --> 20:37.208
critical role of our installations and

20:37.208 --> 20:39.041
infrastructure that they play in

20:39.041 --> 20:41.209
effectively developing , generating ,

20:41.280 --> 20:43.502
employing , and sustaining the navy and

20:43.502 --> 20:46.459
joint force . It is an honor to appear

20:46.459 --> 20:48.459
before you today and a privilege to

20:48.459 --> 20:50.681
speak on behalf of the sailors and Navy

20:50.681 --> 20:52.348
civilians stationed at our 70

20:52.348 --> 20:55.319
installations around the world . The

20:55.319 --> 20:57.530
Navy's total MilLO and FSRM

20:57.530 --> 20:59.680
requirements far exceeds the funds

20:59.680 --> 21:01.599
available , but with strong

21:01.599 --> 21:03.821
congressional support , we are focusing

21:03.821 --> 21:05.719
our infrastructure investments to

21:05.719 --> 21:08.489
maximize operational readiness and to

21:08.489 --> 21:10.489
improve the quality of life for our

21:10.489 --> 21:13.849
personnel and their families . Your

21:13.849 --> 21:16.071
trust , confidence , and commitment are

21:16.071 --> 21:18.238
vital to ensuring the Navy's continued

21:18.238 --> 21:20.182
capability to maintain the peace ,

21:20.489 --> 21:22.739
respond to crisis and support critical

21:22.739 --> 21:24.795
Navy and joint force requirements to

21:24.795 --> 21:27.709
win decisively in war . The Secretary

21:27.709 --> 21:29.869
of Defense recently issued interim

21:29.869 --> 21:31.869
national defense strategic guidance

21:32.069 --> 21:34.069
which directs Department of Defense

21:34.069 --> 21:36.069
activities to restore peace through

21:36.069 --> 21:37.736
strength . The Navy Logistics

21:37.736 --> 21:39.513
Enterprise , which includes our

21:39.513 --> 21:42.219
installations and infrastructure , is

21:42.219 --> 21:44.386
focused on carrying out the tenants of

21:44.386 --> 21:46.330
the strategic guidance through the

21:46.330 --> 21:48.441
implementation of the Navy's maritime

21:48.441 --> 21:51.869
sustainment strategy . Navy understands

21:51.869 --> 21:53.925
that readiness starts from the shore

21:53.949 --> 21:55.949
and effective infrastructure is the

21:55.949 --> 21:58.171
cornerstone of our maritime sustainment

21:58.171 --> 22:00.109
strategy to not only support the

22:00.109 --> 22:02.229
quality of life for our sailors but

22:02.229 --> 22:04.550
also sustain operations of the Navy and

22:04.550 --> 22:07.430
joint force around the globe . We're

22:07.430 --> 22:09.640
focusing our efforts to prioritize and

22:09.640 --> 22:12.380
program resources to repair , modernize ,

22:12.550 --> 22:14.599
and replace critical infrastructure

22:14.599 --> 22:16.377
directly supporting operational

22:16.377 --> 22:19.109
readiness in the Indo-Pacific . For

22:19.109 --> 22:21.670
example , the $2.2 billion Congress

22:21.670 --> 22:23.910
provided in the fiscal year 25 disaster

22:23.910 --> 22:26.109
supplemental provides critical

22:26.109 --> 22:28.550
resources for Typhoon model or recovery

22:28.550 --> 22:31.589
efforts in Guam to include repairs to

22:31.589 --> 22:34.989
Opera Harbor Glass breakwater , HSC 25

22:34.989 --> 22:37.599
Hanger Milon . And hardening of our

22:37.599 --> 22:39.821
critical electrical feeders to the navy

22:39.821 --> 22:42.500
base . And with congressional support ,

22:42.890 --> 22:44.446
continued investment in our

22:44.446 --> 22:46.279
infrastructure will maintain our

22:46.279 --> 22:48.334
progress toward a modern , resilient

22:48.334 --> 22:50.770
and ready network of installations that

22:50.770 --> 22:52.920
ensure fleet readiness , combat

22:52.920 --> 22:55.280
logistics capability across peacetime ,

22:55.550 --> 22:57.300
competition , and contested

22:57.300 --> 22:59.411
environments to support both the Navy

22:59.411 --> 23:01.890
and Joint For lethality . Thank you and

23:01.890 --> 23:04.168
I look forward to our discussion today .

23:07.869 --> 23:11.060
Thank you , General Skanka . The , uh ,

23:11.089 --> 23:13.089
Chairman Bozeman and Ranking member

23:13.089 --> 23:15.311
Ossoff and distinguished members of the

23:15.311 --> 23:17.478
subcommittee , I , I really appreciate

23:17.478 --> 23:17.319
the opportunity to testify today

23:17.689 --> 23:19.745
regarding your Marine Corps military

23:19.745 --> 23:21.633
construction and the , the , uh ,

23:21.633 --> 23:23.633
quality of life initiatives that we

23:23.633 --> 23:25.800
have on behalf of the comment , also I

23:25.800 --> 23:25.770
want to make a special thanks , uh , to

23:25.770 --> 23:27.881
all of you for your continued support

23:27.890 --> 23:30.112
to all of our , our marines , the , the

23:30.112 --> 23:31.890
active duty reserve component ,

23:31.890 --> 23:33.779
civilian retired of course to our

23:33.779 --> 23:36.130
families and the infrastructure MiLO

23:36.130 --> 23:38.130
challenge is confronting the Marine

23:38.130 --> 23:40.297
Corps today . These are decades in the

23:40.297 --> 23:42.297
making , and there are no quick fix

23:42.297 --> 23:44.408
solutions as repeatedly documented by

23:44.408 --> 23:46.574
the Government Accountability Office .

23:46.574 --> 23:46.369
Our deferred maintenance and our milk

23:46.369 --> 23:48.469
on needs , they're significant , and

23:48.469 --> 23:50.802
they go beyond our ability to , to , uh ,

23:50.802 --> 23:52.802
self fund . The yearlong continuing

23:52.802 --> 23:54.636
resolution has exacerbated these

23:54.636 --> 23:56.802
challenges , but what I'm not gonna do

23:56.802 --> 23:58.913
today is I'm not gonna state that the

23:58.913 --> 24:01.136
only , uh , solution to these issues is

24:01.136 --> 24:03.302
more money and greater resourcing . As

24:03.302 --> 24:05.413
we've previously testified and as has

24:05.413 --> 24:07.358
been noted by the GAO , additional

24:07.358 --> 24:09.525
funding is indeed required , but so is

24:09.525 --> 24:09.469
leadership and to that end , the

24:09.469 --> 24:11.589
commandant , his directive to us has

24:11.589 --> 24:13.589
been clear it's a commitment to our

24:13.589 --> 24:15.533
Marines and their families , young

24:15.533 --> 24:17.756
people from your respective states that

24:17.756 --> 24:19.978
commitment's unwavering . They are what

24:19.978 --> 24:21.978
we value the most and that's why we

24:21.978 --> 24:23.756
will continue to accelerate the

24:23.756 --> 24:25.867
delivery of our barracks 2030 project

24:25.867 --> 24:27.978
as well as aggressively implement our

24:27.978 --> 24:27.300
force design and Marine Corps

24:27.300 --> 24:29.411
modernization now regarding our bases

24:29.411 --> 24:31.900
and stations . The comment and I have

24:31.910 --> 24:34.349
have long expressed the point that

24:34.349 --> 24:36.310
these are no longer administrative

24:36.310 --> 24:38.390
garrison sanctuaries . I think we

24:38.390 --> 24:40.612
should expect that the opening salvo in

24:40.612 --> 24:42.779
any conflict with the peer adversary ,

24:42.779 --> 24:44.446
it's going to be aimed at our

24:44.446 --> 24:46.612
infrastructure . And our installations

24:46.612 --> 24:48.834
here in the homeland will not be exempt

24:48.834 --> 24:50.946
from such attacks . In fact , I think

24:50.946 --> 24:53.168
the case can easily easily be made that

24:53.168 --> 24:55.501
the first shots are already being fired ,

24:55.501 --> 24:57.557
fired in the form of cyber attacks ,

24:57.557 --> 24:59.223
UAS incursions , campaigns of

24:59.223 --> 25:01.168
subversion as well as disruption .

25:01.168 --> 25:03.334
Against the peer adversary we're gonna

25:03.334 --> 25:03.310
find ourselves not only fighting from

25:03.310 --> 25:05.254
our bases and installations but in

25:05.254 --> 25:07.032
several cases we'll likely find

25:07.032 --> 25:09.088
ourselves fighting for those very uh

25:09.088 --> 25:11.032
bases and installations . Now with

25:11.032 --> 25:12.977
strong support from Congress we're

25:12.977 --> 25:15.254
making progress , but this is gonna be ,

25:15.254 --> 25:17.254
it's gonna require , uh , sustained

25:17.254 --> 25:19.477
effort over a sustained period . No one

25:19.477 --> 25:21.477
budget year is gonna provide enough

25:21.477 --> 25:23.421
resources to overcome our existing

25:23.421 --> 25:25.588
challenges or to eliminate the threats

25:25.588 --> 25:27.643
to our installations . However , the

25:27.643 --> 25:29.866
Marine Corps , as we always have , will

25:29.866 --> 25:32.088
continue to make every dollar count and

25:32.088 --> 25:31.739
maximize the return on investment for

25:31.739 --> 25:33.739
the American people and the Marines

25:33.849 --> 25:36.071
that they've entrusted us to lead . Now

25:36.071 --> 25:38.071
we remain extremely grateful to the

25:38.071 --> 25:40.182
subcommittee for your partnership and

25:40.182 --> 25:39.939
your leadership and together we're

25:39.939 --> 25:42.300
gonna ensure that our installations are

25:42.300 --> 25:44.140
as resilient and as ready as the

25:44.140 --> 25:46.251
Marines that they support . Thank you

25:46.251 --> 25:48.307
again for the opportunity to testify

25:48.307 --> 25:50.140
today and I look forward to your

25:50.140 --> 25:52.479
questions . Thank you and General

25:52.479 --> 25:55.920
Miller . Good morning Chair

25:55.920 --> 25:58.430
Boseman and ranking member Ossoff and

25:58.430 --> 26:00.041
distinguished members of the

26:00.041 --> 26:02.097
subcommittee . I'm honored to appear

26:02.097 --> 26:04.319
today , uh , to discuss the fiscal year

26:04.319 --> 26:06.374
2026 Air Force Military construction

26:06.374 --> 26:08.597
program . I'd like to begin by thanking

26:08.597 --> 26:10.597
the subcommittee for your steadfast

26:10.597 --> 26:12.708
support of our nation's Air Force and

26:12.708 --> 26:14.874
the military construction funding that

26:14.874 --> 26:16.874
you've provided . Multiple projects

26:16.874 --> 26:16.829
including an air traffic control tower ,

26:16.949 --> 26:19.189
a childcare development center . And

26:19.189 --> 26:21.270
multiple uh military construction

26:21.270 --> 26:23.439
projects benefited from the $160

26:23.439 --> 26:25.495
million in additional appropriations

26:25.630 --> 26:28.050
provided by Congress beyond the FY25

26:28.050 --> 26:31.660
president's budget . Importantly , $487

26:31.660 --> 26:34.589
million of that Congress provided for

26:34.589 --> 26:36.959
the FY25 disaster relief supplemental

26:37.270 --> 26:39.750
provides much needed resources to to

26:39.750 --> 26:41.639
support Anderson Air Force Base's

26:41.639 --> 26:43.472
recovery from the devastation of

26:43.472 --> 26:45.869
Typhoon Marwa . Our nation continues to

26:45.869 --> 26:48.109
face a nexus of complex challenges

26:48.390 --> 26:50.557
defending the homeland , deterring the

26:50.557 --> 26:52.501
pacing threat of China in the Indo

26:52.501 --> 26:54.668
Pacific , the increasing complexity of

26:54.668 --> 26:56.390
multi-domain threats , and the

26:56.390 --> 26:58.279
competition for resources and the

26:58.279 --> 27:00.612
increasing rate of technological change .

27:00.612 --> 27:02.779
The People's Liberation Army continues

27:02.779 --> 27:04.946
expanding , modernizing , diversifying

27:04.946 --> 27:07.168
its entire military , including its air

27:07.168 --> 27:09.390
space , cyber , and nuclear forces . In

27:09.390 --> 27:11.390
the face of these challenges , this

27:11.390 --> 27:13.390
year's FY26 budget reflects ongoing

27:13.390 --> 27:15.279
modernization efforts , including

27:15.279 --> 27:16.946
revolutionizing global strike

27:16.946 --> 27:19.112
capabilities built around the Sentinel

27:19.112 --> 27:21.168
and the B-21 radar . Sentinel is the

27:21.168 --> 27:23.223
largest , most complex weapon system

27:23.223 --> 27:25.334
acquisition program the Air Force has

27:25.334 --> 27:27.390
ever undertaken . We're working with

27:27.390 --> 27:29.557
the office of the Secretary of Defense

27:29.557 --> 27:31.501
in seeking opportunities to reduce

27:31.501 --> 27:34.119
costs while reversing the revising the

27:34.119 --> 27:36.397
program's milestone be recertification .

27:36.900 --> 27:39.011
Milon for Sentinel support facilities

27:39.011 --> 27:41.344
at Vandenberg Space Force Base and Hill ,

27:41.344 --> 27:44.010
FE Warren and Malmstrom Air Force bases

27:44.020 --> 27:46.187
continue as the program restructures .

27:46.187 --> 27:48.409
The budget request includes funding for

27:48.409 --> 27:50.631
utility corridors and design for launch

27:50.631 --> 27:53.939
and control facilities . Support to the

27:53.939 --> 27:56.739
B-21 program across Ellsworth , DIA ,

27:57.020 --> 28:00.020
Whiteman Air Force bases is also

28:00.020 --> 28:02.000
included in this year's , uh ,

28:02.420 --> 28:04.910
submission . Without question , our

28:04.910 --> 28:06.966
airmen are the foundation of the Air

28:06.966 --> 28:08.910
Force . This request preserves the

28:08.910 --> 28:10.854
well-being and quality of life for

28:10.854 --> 28:12.799
service members and their families

28:12.799 --> 28:14.688
through investment in much needed

28:14.688 --> 28:16.577
housing and childcare development

28:16.577 --> 28:18.632
centers . Gen generous congressional

28:18.632 --> 28:20.743
support in fiscal years 22 through 25

28:20.743 --> 28:22.869
funded most of our CDC projects that

28:22.869 --> 28:25.430
were currently , uh , executable design

28:25.430 --> 28:27.670
stage . The Air Force is actively

28:27.670 --> 28:30.420
working a design of 15 additional CDC

28:30.420 --> 28:33.189
projects totaling $492 million for

28:33.189 --> 28:35.839
inclusion in future budget submissions .

28:35.849 --> 28:38.199
Additionally , in FY 26 , the Air Force

28:38.199 --> 28:40.750
Military Family housing construction

28:40.750 --> 28:43.569
program focuses on planning studies ,

28:43.579 --> 28:45.690
designs for future construction , and

28:45.690 --> 28:48.023
two projects improving housing in Japan ,

28:48.023 --> 28:50.023
one at Yokota and one at Kadena Air

28:50.023 --> 28:51.912
Base . In closing the Air Force's

28:51.912 --> 28:53.523
strong partnership with this

28:53.523 --> 28:55.690
subcommittee's members , the dedicated

28:55.690 --> 28:57.746
staff that are both essential to the

28:57.746 --> 28:59.635
modernization of our assets , the

28:59.635 --> 29:01.746
safety of our installations , and the

29:01.746 --> 29:04.023
welfare of our airmen and our families .

29:04.023 --> 29:06.357
I look forward to continuing to support ,

29:06.357 --> 29:08.412
uh , into this hearing today . Thank

29:08.412 --> 29:10.301
you . Thank you , General Woski .

29:12.040 --> 29:13.929
Chairman Boseman , ranking member

29:13.929 --> 29:16.151
Ossoff and distinguished members of the

29:16.151 --> 29:17.984
subcommittee , thank you for the

29:17.984 --> 29:20.207
opportunity to testify on behalf of the

29:20.207 --> 29:19.560
US Space Force for our military

29:19.560 --> 29:22.170
construction program . The space force

29:22.170 --> 29:24.281
remains laser focused on securing our

29:24.281 --> 29:26.369
nation's interest in , from and to

29:26.369 --> 29:28.760
space and as access to space grows ,

29:28.849 --> 29:30.849
the strategic landscape is becoming

29:30.849 --> 29:33.489
increasingly complex . Many of our

29:33.489 --> 29:35.656
systems were fielded in an uncontested

29:35.656 --> 29:37.878
environment , and today our adversaries

29:37.878 --> 29:40.045
are aggressively fielding capabilities

29:40.045 --> 29:42.378
to contest and ultimately control space ,

29:42.729 --> 29:44.785
fundamentally shifting it into a war

29:44.785 --> 29:46.562
fighting domain . They are also

29:46.562 --> 29:48.562
posturing to challenge our critical

29:48.562 --> 29:50.840
infrastructure both at home and abroad .

29:50.840 --> 29:53.007
Meanwhile , our installations serve as

29:53.007 --> 29:54.840
home to our guardians , airmen ,

29:54.840 --> 29:56.951
mission partners , and their families

29:56.951 --> 29:58.618
who live and work there . The

29:58.618 --> 30:00.507
preponderance of our combat ready

30:00.507 --> 30:02.451
guardians are employed in place at

30:02.451 --> 30:04.451
their home stations executing their

30:04.451 --> 30:06.562
missions from our installations which

30:06.562 --> 30:08.673
serve as power projection platforms .

30:08.673 --> 30:10.840
The vital importance of our facilities

30:10.840 --> 30:13.173
and infrastructure cannot be overstated .

30:13.173 --> 30:15.229
It is foundational to the launch and

30:15.229 --> 30:17.396
operational missions we conduct across

30:17.396 --> 30:19.340
the entire spectrum of conflict to

30:19.340 --> 30:21.451
provide essential capabilities to the

30:21.451 --> 30:24.000
joint force . Military construction

30:24.000 --> 30:26.056
funding for the space force provides

30:26.056 --> 30:28.111
flexibility balancing infrastructure

30:28.111 --> 30:30.389
requirements across our weapon systems ,

30:30.389 --> 30:32.278
quality of life , and for support

30:32.278 --> 30:34.890
portfolios . FSRM priorities include

30:34.890 --> 30:36.557
essential upgrades to power ,

30:36.557 --> 30:38.390
electrical , and water systems ,

30:38.390 --> 30:40.668
heating and cooling , fire suppression ,

30:40.668 --> 30:42.880
roofs , and dormitories . Milon

30:42.880 --> 30:45.102
priorities focus on increasing capacity

30:45.102 --> 30:47.158
and reducing risk to mission with an

30:47.158 --> 30:49.560
emphasis on mission bed down , security

30:49.560 --> 30:51.719
improvements , and assured access to

30:51.719 --> 30:53.869
space . The Spaceport of the Future

30:53.869 --> 30:55.925
initiative encompassing our East and

30:55.925 --> 30:58.310
West Coast launch complexes remains the

30:58.310 --> 31:00.270
foundation of our shared access to

31:00.270 --> 31:02.589
space and is instrumental in enhancing

31:02.589 --> 31:04.533
our national security space launch

31:04.533 --> 31:07.030
capabilities . We continue to diversify

31:07.030 --> 31:08.974
launch providers , increase launch

31:08.974 --> 31:11.390
sites , and invest in range facilities

31:11.390 --> 31:13.168
and increase payload processing

31:13.168 --> 31:15.989
capacity , all while closely monitoring

31:15.989 --> 31:18.130
the launch supply chain . We want to

31:18.130 --> 31:20.352
thank Congress for the 109.8 million in

31:20.352 --> 31:24.010
MILCO , 444.5 million in FSRM , and the

31:24.010 --> 31:26.530
84.9 million in planning and design the

31:26.530 --> 31:29.650
Space Force received in FY 25 . This

31:29.650 --> 31:31.650
includes 63 million in planning and

31:31.650 --> 31:33.761
design for Spaceport of the future to

31:33.761 --> 31:35.761
keep our launch enterprise globally

31:35.761 --> 31:37.761
competitive . Thanks again for your

31:37.761 --> 31:39.706
continued advocacy for Space Force

31:39.706 --> 31:41.872
MILCO , as well as the Quality of Life

31:41.872 --> 31:43.983
initiative supporting our guardians ,

31:43.983 --> 31:46.039
airmen , and their families . I look

31:46.039 --> 31:49.119
forward to our dialogue . Thank you

31:49.119 --> 31:50.841
very much . Thank you for your

31:50.841 --> 31:54.040
testimony . Um , we'll get started with

31:54.040 --> 31:55.707
our questions . I , I had the

31:55.707 --> 31:59.010
opportunity to go to the uh . To the

31:59.010 --> 32:01.729
Army Museum , uh , over the weekend , I

32:01.729 --> 32:04.890
saw a little blurb on , uh , one of the

32:04.890 --> 32:06.890
morning shows about the new exhibit

32:06.890 --> 32:08.890
there , and it's , it's in the Army

32:08.890 --> 32:11.189
museum . But it really is about the ,

32:11.209 --> 32:14.630
the fighting uh patriots that really ,

32:14.800 --> 32:17.560
you know , were so , uh , a step

32:17.560 --> 32:20.079
forward at the time of crisis as our

32:20.079 --> 32:22.246
country was beginning , but I'd really

32:22.246 --> 32:24.301
recommend that all of you go and see

32:24.301 --> 32:26.523
it's outstanding again it's in the Army

32:26.523 --> 32:28.579
museum , but it's really not an army

32:28.579 --> 32:30.760
museum in this army exhibit in the

32:30.760 --> 32:34.469
sense that that same spirit is what uh

32:34.880 --> 32:37.319
embodies you all , uh , the people that

32:37.319 --> 32:39.609
have served since then . Uh , that have

32:39.609 --> 32:41.720
done such a tremendous job of keeping

32:41.720 --> 32:44.689
us safe , keeping us free , sacrifices

32:44.689 --> 32:46.800
of you in uniform and your families .

32:46.800 --> 32:49.579
It certainly is a family affair . And

32:49.589 --> 32:51.645
we're gonna be talking about housing

32:51.645 --> 32:53.645
all of the things that we can do to

32:53.645 --> 32:56.420
keep , uh , you know , uh , families

32:56.420 --> 32:58.949
together , you know that that aspect of

32:58.949 --> 33:01.060
things . So let's start out with Mr .

33:01.060 --> 33:03.227
Marks . Mr . Marks , given the ongoing

33:03.227 --> 33:05.338
legal uncertainty surrounding project

33:05.338 --> 33:07.005
labor agreements , how is the

33:07.005 --> 33:08.949
department managing the day to day

33:08.949 --> 33:11.005
impact on projects in the pipeline ,

33:11.310 --> 33:13.366
especially those approaching award .

33:13.680 --> 33:15.902
That are now stalled due to uncertainty

33:15.902 --> 33:18.124
over whether a PLA is required or not .

33:18.579 --> 33:21.689
Has any guidance been given to Avoid

33:21.689 --> 33:24.199
delays or compliance issues in the

33:24.199 --> 33:26.890
interim and finally , how will this

33:26.890 --> 33:28.849
impact the projects in this year's

33:28.849 --> 33:31.410
request if it's determined that PLAs

33:31.410 --> 33:34.369
are required . Senator , first , thank

33:34.369 --> 33:36.359
you for that question , and I do

33:36.359 --> 33:38.526
appreciate the questions yes Senator ,

33:38.530 --> 33:40.689
uh , but I do uh appreciate the time

33:40.689 --> 33:42.745
that we did have to begin to discuss

33:42.745 --> 33:44.745
this first and foremost , uh , as I

33:44.745 --> 33:46.911
shared with you , anything that , uh ,

33:46.911 --> 33:48.911
increases cost and schedule is of a

33:48.911 --> 33:51.133
concern to the department right now and

33:51.133 --> 33:51.010
so we're working very , very hard to

33:51.010 --> 33:52.899
look at that the administration .

33:52.899 --> 33:54.788
Supports the use of project labor

33:54.788 --> 33:56.954
agreements where those are practicable

33:56.954 --> 33:59.121
and cost effective but I again want to

33:59.121 --> 34:01.510
emphasize that I affirm it and

34:01.510 --> 34:03.849
recognize your concerns about the cost

34:03.849 --> 34:06.016
and the drivers that could potentially

34:06.016 --> 34:08.439
cause those projects uh to increase

34:08.439 --> 34:10.217
right now we're not going to be

34:10.217 --> 34:12.328
pursuing any blanket deviations , but

34:12.328 --> 34:14.575
we are working with NAAC and . Says to

34:14.575 --> 34:16.686
go project by project and ensure that

34:16.686 --> 34:18.797
we're finding the most economical and

34:18.797 --> 34:20.853
speedy way to continue to move these

34:20.853 --> 34:23.075
projects along um so that we can assess

34:23.075 --> 34:25.186
those on a project by project basis .

34:25.186 --> 34:27.456
Uh we're also looking working with OMB

34:27.795 --> 34:29.962
uh to determine our next steps and how

34:29.962 --> 34:32.184
we best address this issue for the long

34:32.184 --> 34:34.295
term , uh , given the nature of where

34:34.295 --> 34:36.406
we stand today . And so the impact of

34:36.406 --> 34:38.517
that as we spoke earlier is all about

34:38.517 --> 34:40.517
mission and readiness and how do we

34:40.517 --> 34:42.684
drive that forward and so part much of

34:42.684 --> 34:44.628
the directions that we've given in

34:44.628 --> 34:46.795
working with these esteemed colleagues

34:46.795 --> 34:48.795
to my left is really to continue to

34:48.795 --> 34:48.681
drive those as as quickly as we

34:48.681 --> 34:50.882
possibly can to meet the readiness

34:50.882 --> 34:52.993
concerns we have and to keep the cost

34:52.993 --> 34:55.160
down as best as we possibly can . Very

34:55.160 --> 34:57.520
good , thank you . The deputy secretary

34:57.520 --> 34:59.520
of defense directed a review of the

34:59.520 --> 35:01.909
Milon portfolio to identify

35:01.909 --> 35:04.370
opportunities for greater efficiency .

35:04.719 --> 35:06.719
As you know , initiatives like this

35:06.719 --> 35:09.219
often take time while the review isn't

35:09.219 --> 35:11.275
complete , I'd like to hear from the

35:11.275 --> 35:13.497
panel , are there any early findings or

35:13.497 --> 35:15.663
promising areas that could be acted on

35:15.663 --> 35:17.775
quickly ? Since you're already in the

35:17.775 --> 35:20.610
midst of building the fiscal year 2027

35:20.610 --> 35:22.820
budget , is there any realistic

35:22.820 --> 35:24.820
expectation that these efficiencies

35:24.820 --> 35:26.987
will be reflected in that submission ,

35:27.290 --> 35:29.346
or are we likely looking at a longer

35:29.346 --> 35:31.689
timeline before we see tangible changes ?

35:33.659 --> 35:35.881
Senator , let me lead with that just in

35:35.881 --> 35:38.048
a broad sense , and then I'll defer to

35:38.048 --> 35:40.048
my colleagues , but , uh , as we're

35:40.048 --> 35:42.103
working on those , some of the early

35:42.103 --> 35:44.048
things that we're examining , uh ,

35:44.048 --> 35:45.826
continue to be the use of other

35:45.826 --> 35:47.770
transactional authorities where it

35:47.770 --> 35:49.715
makes sense to move quickly . More

35:49.715 --> 35:51.881
importantly , uh , we're taking a page

35:51.881 --> 35:54.103
from our partners at Defense Innovation

35:54.103 --> 35:53.689
Unit with an accelerated design bill .

35:53.810 --> 35:56.032
Ways to bring contractors together more

35:56.032 --> 35:58.399
quickly , uh , get through this

35:58.399 --> 36:00.679
changing requirements idea so that we

36:00.679 --> 36:02.901
can get it done quickly , move it ahead

36:02.901 --> 36:05.040
quickly , um , the idea of also

36:05.040 --> 36:07.280
building projects , um , building

36:07.280 --> 36:09.310
bundling multiple projects together

36:09.639 --> 36:11.879
where that makes sense , um , so that

36:11.879 --> 36:13.768
we can again move things together

36:13.768 --> 36:15.768
quickly . Uh , and then finally the

36:15.768 --> 36:17.935
idea behind , uh , replacing failed or

36:17.935 --> 36:20.046
failing facilities , so the repair by

36:20.046 --> 36:22.046
replace , uh , work that we've done

36:22.046 --> 36:24.268
collectively , uh , to more efficiently

36:24.268 --> 36:26.490
replace those using ONM dollars again ,

36:26.490 --> 36:28.712
all of those are things that we want to

36:28.712 --> 36:30.823
share collectively and make sure that

36:30.823 --> 36:30.429
we're doing those in a way that moves

36:30.429 --> 36:32.909
us ahead transparently , uh , to meet

36:32.909 --> 36:35.989
the mission requirements . Anyone else ?

36:38.669 --> 36:40.669
Senator , as you said , the milk on

36:40.669 --> 36:42.891
costs is , is really astronomical and ,

36:42.891 --> 36:45.058
uh , really getting out of hand , uh ,

36:45.058 --> 36:47.280
so what our objective is to think , act

36:47.280 --> 36:50.350
and operate differently in the navy for

36:50.350 --> 36:52.239
possible alternative construction

36:52.239 --> 36:54.239
methods , module construction using

36:54.239 --> 36:56.429
tension fabric structures instead of

36:56.429 --> 36:58.510
regular brick and mortar , uh , that

36:58.510 --> 37:00.621
will buy us some efficiencies both in

37:00.621 --> 37:03.149
cost and time . Uh , also , um ,

37:03.260 --> 37:05.899
Honorable Marks mentioned about , uh ,

37:05.909 --> 37:09.149
block by of specific types of buildings

37:09.149 --> 37:11.429
that we do repetitively such as CDCs

37:11.429 --> 37:13.629
and barracks , uh , could bring the

37:13.629 --> 37:16.739
cost down . Very gooden Rosso .

37:18.129 --> 37:20.018
Thank you Mr . Chairman . General

37:20.018 --> 37:22.860
Miller . Thank you again for being here .

37:22.879 --> 37:24.601
Thank you for our conversation

37:24.601 --> 37:26.546
yesterday as well . I think you're

37:26.546 --> 37:28.768
aware last August I had the pleasure of

37:28.768 --> 37:30.601
hosting Air Force Chief of Staff

37:30.601 --> 37:32.712
General Alvin in Georgia . We visited

37:32.712 --> 37:34.823
several installations including Moody

37:34.823 --> 37:36.990
Air Force Base in Valdosta , and man ,

37:36.990 --> 37:39.212
are the people of Valdosta proud of and

37:39.212 --> 37:41.260
supportive of Moody ? Uh , Mayor

37:41.260 --> 37:44.530
Matheson , Doctor Lucy Green of Moody

37:44.530 --> 37:46.586
Support Group , I mean that is a , a

37:46.586 --> 37:48.780
base community but just loves hosting

37:48.780 --> 37:51.969
the Air Force and provides so much

37:51.969 --> 37:54.300
support for , uh , the airmen and the

37:54.300 --> 37:56.659
civilians who work on and around the

37:56.659 --> 37:59.780
base , and they are thrilled that uh

37:59.780 --> 38:02.300
Moody has been selected to host the

38:02.300 --> 38:06.139
F-35 with the A-10s leaving the force .

38:06.739 --> 38:09.139
Uh , and critical infrastructure

38:09.139 --> 38:11.659
upgrades are already underway to

38:11.659 --> 38:14.030
prepare the installation for that

38:14.030 --> 38:16.219
transition . You and I discussed this

38:16.219 --> 38:18.441
yesterday and , and here in this public

38:18.441 --> 38:20.608
setting I'd like your commitment again

38:20.860 --> 38:22.916
that you will work closely with me ,

38:22.916 --> 38:25.027
with the subcommittee , uh , with the

38:25.027 --> 38:27.370
community in Valdosta to ensure that

38:27.370 --> 38:29.979
the base is prepared and successful to

38:29.979 --> 38:32.939
swiftly bring those aircraft to Georgia .

38:36.659 --> 38:38.715
Senator Ossoff , uh , ranking member

38:38.715 --> 38:40.492
Ossoff , thank you for the call

38:40.492 --> 38:42.437
yesterday , taking the time . Uh ,

38:42.437 --> 38:44.810
absolutely , Moody has so much combat

38:44.810 --> 38:46.866
capability for the United States Air

38:46.866 --> 38:48.921
Force in one place , from the rescue

38:48.921 --> 38:51.143
squadron into the base defense group to

38:51.143 --> 38:53.366
the , the fighters there A-10s . Now at

38:53.366 --> 38:55.532
35s in the future . I do commit to you

38:55.532 --> 38:57.588
to work . It's a multifaceted , uh ,

38:57.588 --> 38:59.830
question to you asked how do we pull to

38:59.830 --> 39:02.129
the left ? Uh , and so pulling to the

39:02.129 --> 39:04.129
left is , you know , looking at the

39:04.129 --> 39:05.962
environmental requirements , the

39:05.962 --> 39:07.962
facility requirements that you just

39:07.962 --> 39:10.129
mentioned , uh , the aircraft lay down

39:10.129 --> 39:12.185
all the combat capability and , uh ,

39:12.185 --> 39:14.185
most familiar with with Robbins and

39:14.185 --> 39:16.351
Valdosta's , you know , support to the

39:16.351 --> 39:18.462
Air Force communities and can't thank

39:18.462 --> 39:20.462
Georgia enough for that . Thank you

39:20.462 --> 39:22.629
looking forward to working with you on

39:22.629 --> 39:24.740
that and I do wanna discuss Robin's ,

39:24.740 --> 39:26.962
uh , and again you and I discussed this

39:26.962 --> 39:29.129
yesterday , but I , I wanna raise here

39:29.129 --> 39:31.296
in this public setting once again with

39:31.296 --> 39:33.462
you the condition of the air logistics

39:33.462 --> 39:35.129
complex . I mean you know how

39:35.129 --> 39:38.239
extraordinary the work being done at

39:38.239 --> 39:41.560
Robbins is in terms of uh all of the

39:41.560 --> 39:45.040
maintenance and uh not just on uh the

39:45.040 --> 39:47.280
airframes but also the avionics and so

39:47.280 --> 39:49.659
many of the systems . Um , but that air

39:49.659 --> 39:52.459
logistics complex really needs more

39:52.459 --> 39:55.620
investment . The condition , uh , of ,

39:55.699 --> 39:57.366
uh , uh , of the facilities ,

39:57.366 --> 39:59.580
degradation , neglect , faulty

39:59.580 --> 40:01.358
construction , it just , it's a

40:01.358 --> 40:03.699
disservice to the airmen and civilians

40:03.699 --> 40:06.219
who are there , uh , making sure that ,

40:06.229 --> 40:08.449
uh , that the Air Force has aircraft

40:08.449 --> 40:11.510
avionics systems . Uh , that are in the

40:11.510 --> 40:13.843
state they need to be in , so I'm , I'm ,

40:13.843 --> 40:15.510
uh , asking you here for your

40:15.510 --> 40:17.454
commitment to work with me and the

40:17.454 --> 40:19.399
subcommittee and the leadership at

40:19.399 --> 40:21.621
Robbins to accelerate investment in key

40:21.621 --> 40:23.677
projects at Robbins that may include

40:23.677 --> 40:25.843
FSRM funding and to upgrade facilities

40:25.843 --> 40:28.439
at the air logistics complex . Yes ,

40:28.520 --> 40:30.576
sir , and in the public forum , I do

40:30.576 --> 40:32.959
wanna just applaud Warren Robins Air

40:32.959 --> 40:35.830
Logistics Complex produces . Uh , has

40:35.830 --> 40:38.340
turned around vexing problems we've had

40:38.340 --> 40:41.830
with weapon systems F-15 , C5 , C-130

40:41.830 --> 40:44.989
in all aspects meeting on time delivery

40:44.989 --> 40:47.350
and providing more flight line

40:47.350 --> 40:49.517
availability for those weapons systems

40:49.517 --> 40:51.794
in wings throughout the Air Force , uh ,

40:51.794 --> 40:54.030
and you remark avionics in particular

40:54.030 --> 40:56.141
is a particular skill set that , uh ,

40:56.141 --> 40:58.399
the complex there produces for , uh ,

40:58.409 --> 41:00.409
many weapons system . that I didn't

41:00.409 --> 41:02.187
just mention and you do have my

41:02.187 --> 41:04.409
commitment that looking at not only the

41:04.409 --> 41:06.409
workload that's there now at Warner

41:06.409 --> 41:08.520
Robins that what's in the future also

41:08.520 --> 41:10.409
coming to Warner Robbins that the

41:10.409 --> 41:12.631
facilities , the infrastructure , the ,

41:12.631 --> 41:14.798
the overhead cranes , the power , uh ,

41:14.798 --> 41:16.465
all the ability , uh , in the

41:16.465 --> 41:18.465
classified environment also for the

41:18.465 --> 41:20.754
avionics as mentioned , uh , will be

41:20.754 --> 41:22.810
addressed and planned for in advance

41:22.810 --> 41:25.429
and not late to need . Thank you so

41:25.429 --> 41:27.596
much , uh , looking forward to working

41:27.596 --> 41:29.818
with you , General , and , uh , Admiral

41:29.818 --> 41:31.870
Jablon , thank you as well for your

41:31.870 --> 41:34.092
service and your testimony today . Uh ,

41:34.092 --> 41:36.010
Georgia is proud to host Naval

41:36.010 --> 41:38.350
Submarine Base Kings Bay . We are proud

41:38.350 --> 41:42.310
to host the uh East Coast home for the

41:42.310 --> 41:44.659
Ohio class submarines . We are , uh ,

41:44.669 --> 41:47.090
working closely with the Navy and with

41:47.090 --> 41:49.257
the department in order to prepare for

41:49.257 --> 41:51.312
the transition of the Columbia class

41:51.312 --> 41:53.479
boats . It is one of my top priorities

41:53.479 --> 41:55.534
to make sure that we're investing in

41:55.534 --> 41:57.312
Kings Bay to prepare it for the

41:57.312 --> 41:59.312
equipment and the missions that are

41:59.312 --> 42:01.423
coming . Can I have your commitment ,

42:01.423 --> 42:01.330
Admiral , to work with me in the

42:01.330 --> 42:03.274
subcommittee and the leadership of

42:03.274 --> 42:05.441
Kings Bay and local leaders in Georgia

42:05.441 --> 42:07.274
to ensure that the base is fully

42:07.274 --> 42:09.274
prepared to accept the new Columbia

42:09.274 --> 42:11.600
class submarines . Senator , thank you

42:11.600 --> 42:13.656
for that , uh , that question . As a

42:13.656 --> 42:15.822
former submarine Group 10 commander in

42:15.822 --> 42:17.989
King's Bay , you do have my commitment

42:17.989 --> 42:20.156
to work with you in the subcommittee .

42:20.156 --> 42:22.267
Uh , as you know , the Columbia Class

42:22.267 --> 42:24.489
submarine is our number one priority in

42:24.489 --> 42:26.711
the Navy , and the infrastructure which

42:26.711 --> 42:28.933
supports that is vital to its success .

42:28.933 --> 42:30.989
Thank you , Admiral . Thank you Mr .

42:30.989 --> 42:32.989
Chairman . Thank you , Senator Hide

42:32.989 --> 42:35.100
Smith . Thank you , Mr . Chairman and

42:35.100 --> 42:37.267
thank you ranking member and thank you

42:37.267 --> 42:39.378
for being on the panel today and your

42:39.378 --> 42:41.267
willingness to serve , and I just

42:41.267 --> 42:43.322
appreciate everybody here in uniform

42:43.322 --> 42:45.267
and that's not in uniform for your

42:45.267 --> 42:47.378
commitments . I just want to get that

42:47.378 --> 42:49.600
out there . And I really appreciate the

42:49.600 --> 42:51.656
fact that in your FY 25 budget , you

42:51.656 --> 42:53.600
included the Kesler Air Force Base

42:53.909 --> 42:56.669
tower that is so important for that air

42:56.669 --> 42:59.270
traffic control tower there , and it's

42:59.270 --> 43:01.548
certainly part of our national defense ,

43:01.548 --> 43:03.790
but , uh , we're very proud of it and

43:03.989 --> 43:06.590
appreciate that . And this is for those

43:06.590 --> 43:08.870
who want to answer that a concern of

43:08.870 --> 43:11.939
mine is how is the department ensuring

43:12.070 --> 43:14.590
that smaller but strategically

43:14.590 --> 43:16.701
essential installations such as those

43:16.701 --> 43:19.300
in Mississippi are not overlooked when

43:19.300 --> 43:21.669
it comes to long term planning for

43:21.669 --> 43:24.500
necessary infrastructure upgrades and

43:24.500 --> 43:26.129
resource prioritization .

43:29.739 --> 43:31.906
Senator , thank you and good morning .

43:31.906 --> 43:33.961
Um , first and foremost is , as I've

43:33.961 --> 43:35.961
mentioned before in , uh , previous

43:35.961 --> 43:37.906
testimony , the understanding that

43:37.906 --> 43:40.017
combatant commanders and the lay down

43:40.017 --> 43:39.929
and the needs , so as we think about

43:39.929 --> 43:42.151
things like Golden Dome , when we think

43:42.151 --> 43:44.318
about the defense of our installations

43:44.318 --> 43:46.429
counter small UAS other things is the

43:46.429 --> 43:48.651
importance of our installations again ,

43:48.651 --> 43:50.818
not only as force projection platforms

43:50.818 --> 43:53.040
but as war fighting places themselves ,

43:53.040 --> 43:54.985
um , and so as we take that with a

43:54.985 --> 43:57.207
departments taking a comprehensive look

43:57.207 --> 43:59.373
at all of our locations to ensure that

43:59.373 --> 43:58.969
we are in the right locations at the

43:58.969 --> 44:01.136
right time . Um , and making sure that

44:01.136 --> 44:03.302
we're making the proper investments to

44:03.302 --> 44:05.413
meet those there , and I know each of

44:05.413 --> 44:06.913
the services has their own

44:06.913 --> 44:09.191
determination of how that is important ,

44:09.191 --> 44:09.010
but , uh , I assure you that we are

44:09.010 --> 44:11.232
taking that seriously as we look across

44:11.232 --> 44:12.788
the entire portfolio of our

44:12.788 --> 44:14.899
installations and their importance to

44:14.899 --> 44:16.843
what the the future defense of the

44:16.843 --> 44:19.260
national or national security . Thank

44:19.260 --> 44:21.899
you for that and uh I'll go back to you .

44:21.939 --> 44:25.040
The prior administration was very slow

44:25.040 --> 44:27.340
in evaluating processing and reporting

44:27.340 --> 44:29.219
to this committee , the required

44:29.219 --> 44:31.739
projects , uh , restructurings under

44:31.739 --> 44:34.810
the military housing . Privatization

44:34.810 --> 44:36.979
initiative , particularly those caused

44:36.979 --> 44:39.300
by shortfalls in the long-term

44:39.300 --> 44:41.659
reinvestment accounts for those

44:41.659 --> 44:43.879
projects . What is your team doing to

44:43.879 --> 44:46.300
expedite these evaluations and reports

44:46.300 --> 44:49.439
to this committee and OMB so that our

44:49.439 --> 44:51.495
service members can benefit from the

44:51.495 --> 44:53.419
much needed improvements these

44:53.419 --> 44:55.860
restructurings will provide for them ?

44:57.100 --> 44:59.211
Senator , thank you for that and as a

44:59.211 --> 45:01.620
past resident of military housing , I

45:01.620 --> 45:04.800
assure you that I um appreciate greatly

45:04.800 --> 45:07.260
what you are discussing here today . um ,

45:07.330 --> 45:09.441
what I , we are doing right now is to

45:09.441 --> 45:11.552
take a hard look at that working with

45:11.552 --> 45:13.719
my service partners to ensure that the

45:13.719 --> 45:15.719
investments that are being made are

45:15.719 --> 45:17.608
there the , the , the care of our

45:17.608 --> 45:19.552
families is of utmost not only for

45:19.552 --> 45:21.719
their own readiness but their health ,

45:21.719 --> 45:21.284
life and safe . As well as you know ,

45:21.415 --> 45:24.014
um , and so I wanted to uh make sure

45:24.014 --> 45:26.054
that we take a harder look at that

45:26.054 --> 45:28.455
again early into the job and diving

45:28.455 --> 45:30.455
deeper with each of the services to

45:30.455 --> 45:32.622
look at that but I share your concerns

45:32.622 --> 45:34.733
and we'll continue to share with this

45:34.733 --> 45:36.955
committee what we learn and how we make

45:36.955 --> 45:38.899
improvements uh to the portfolio .

45:38.899 --> 45:41.122
That's very much appreciated and I have

45:41.122 --> 45:44.070
no further questions . Senator

45:44.070 --> 45:46.348
Gillibrand , thank you , Mr . Chairman .

45:46.348 --> 45:48.570
Um , in January , uh , General Wilson ,

45:49.459 --> 45:51.348
Wilson , General Wilson , um , in

45:51.348 --> 45:53.570
January of this year , I wrote a letter

45:53.570 --> 45:55.681
advocating for the inclusion of a new

45:55.681 --> 45:57.903
4-second Infantry Division headquarters

45:57.903 --> 46:00.179
on the Army's fiscal year 26th unfunded

46:00.179 --> 46:02.419
priority list . Funding this project

46:02.419 --> 46:04.530
will secure an overdue upgrade to the

46:04.530 --> 46:06.697
42nd Infantry Division headquarters in

46:06.697 --> 46:08.808
Troy , New York and help facilitate .

46:08.808 --> 46:10.808
The planned construction of an $800

46:10.808 --> 46:12.969
million cannon factory at the nearby

46:12.969 --> 46:16.179
Watervliet arsenal . Watervliet Armory .

46:16.389 --> 46:18.222
I would like you to speak to the

46:18.222 --> 46:20.278
significance of both projects . What

46:20.278 --> 46:22.389
can you tell us , tell this committee

46:22.389 --> 46:23.945
about the impact of the new

46:23.945 --> 46:23.870
headquarters for the Forty-Second

46:23.870 --> 46:26.092
Infantry division and the importance of

46:26.092 --> 46:28.203
continuing the expansion of the Water

46:28.203 --> 46:32.060
of Leet Armory . Yes , Senator , uh ,

46:32.250 --> 46:36.250
on the , uh , of limy , um ,

46:36.550 --> 46:39.060
Army Material Command has , uh ,

46:39.070 --> 46:41.229
prioritized , uh , that facility and

46:41.229 --> 46:43.270
the facility investment plan , the

46:43.270 --> 46:45.459
facility investment plan that's ran ,

46:45.790 --> 46:49.189
um , annually by the Army Installation

46:49.189 --> 46:52.489
Management command . Uh , and , and so

46:52.489 --> 46:54.969
that's uh accounted for , uh , in that

46:54.969 --> 46:57.330
space is all of our projects and we run

46:57.330 --> 47:00.280
this facility investment plan annually ,

47:00.449 --> 47:03.139
uh , across with senior commander input

47:03.370 --> 47:05.439
and they determine what , uh ,

47:05.449 --> 47:07.560
prioritization each of their projects

47:07.560 --> 47:09.639
and their respective areas will have

47:09.639 --> 47:11.472
and we continue to support those

47:11.472 --> 47:13.689
commanders on the ground priorities

47:13.689 --> 47:15.800
from the Department of the Army staff

47:15.800 --> 47:18.133
level . Thank you . Um , General Miller ,

47:18.133 --> 47:20.078
I'd like to discuss infrastructure

47:20.078 --> 47:22.189
projects in Niagara Falls Air Reserve

47:22.189 --> 47:24.189
Station . I'm requesting funding to

47:24.189 --> 47:25.967
construct a combined operations

47:25.967 --> 47:28.022
airfield facility to further support

47:28.022 --> 47:30.133
the work done by the 914th Operations

47:30.133 --> 47:32.245
Group and subordinate units . It's my

47:32.245 --> 47:34.078
understanding that although this

47:34.078 --> 47:36.078
project is not . In the president's

47:36.078 --> 47:35.689
budget request , it is a strong

47:35.689 --> 47:37.689
candidate for the unfunded priority

47:37.689 --> 47:39.911
list . Can you speak to the benefits of

47:39.911 --> 47:41.856
a modernization and properly sized

47:41.856 --> 47:44.022
combined operation airfield facility ,

47:44.022 --> 47:45.911
particularly at the location like

47:45.911 --> 47:47.856
Niagara Falls , which is certified

47:47.856 --> 47:49.578
nuclear ready and supports the

47:49.578 --> 47:51.856
worldwide combat air refueling mission .

47:51.856 --> 47:54.022
Thank you , Senator for the question .

47:54.022 --> 47:56.510
The , uh , combined ops , uh , having a

47:56.510 --> 47:59.949
combined mission set in one facility

47:59.949 --> 48:03.780
has a very . Qualitative

48:03.780 --> 48:06.002
improvement for the mission when people

48:06.002 --> 48:07.780
work together and they can team

48:07.780 --> 48:09.724
together , especially , uh , and a

48:09.724 --> 48:11.891
responsibility like you just described

48:11.891 --> 48:13.724
that Niagara Falls has and other

48:13.724 --> 48:15.780
responsibilities that could go there

48:15.780 --> 48:17.947
having a team that works at a facility

48:17.947 --> 48:20.169
that they can be proud of that they are

48:20.169 --> 48:22.169
that'll be able to last for mission

48:22.169 --> 48:24.391
upon mission that comes down , not just

48:24.391 --> 48:24.110
playing a short game for the mission

48:24.110 --> 48:27.860
but a long game has uh . A huge

48:27.860 --> 48:29.971
impact and we're a retention force as

48:29.971 --> 48:31.971
you know so when we bring an airman

48:31.971 --> 48:34.193
into whichever component within the Air

48:34.193 --> 48:36.304
Force guard reserve or active duty we

48:36.304 --> 48:38.638
wanna keep them we're investing in them .

48:38.638 --> 48:40.804
It's a tech , it's a high tech service

48:40.804 --> 48:40.780
and so they're making a decision on

48:40.780 --> 48:43.270
whether they're staying based on the

48:43.270 --> 48:45.326
facilities they get to work in , you

48:45.326 --> 48:47.492
know , the , the care that we put into

48:47.492 --> 48:49.770
where they work , where they live . Um ,

48:49.770 --> 48:52.103
absolutely important . Well , thank you ,

48:52.103 --> 48:54.270
General Miller . General Wilson , um ,

48:54.270 --> 48:56.214
it's my understanding that the new

48:56.214 --> 48:55.889
runway lighting infrastructure is

48:55.889 --> 48:57.778
needed to improve aircraft safety

48:57.778 --> 49:00.159
during takeoff and landing at Wheeler

49:00.159 --> 49:02.909
Sack Army Airfield located at Fort Drum .

49:03.250 --> 49:05.250
Considering the recent frequency of

49:05.250 --> 49:07.419
airfield incidents , including the

49:07.419 --> 49:09.790
tragic collision at GCA in January ,

49:09.929 --> 49:12.151
can you speak to the importance of this

49:12.151 --> 49:14.373
project as well as other infrastructure

49:14.373 --> 49:16.262
projects that may be necessary to

49:16.262 --> 49:18.207
improve air traffic safety ? Yes ,

49:18.207 --> 49:20.318
Senator . In fact , the Army supports

49:20.318 --> 49:22.485
this and supports the move , um , from

49:22.485 --> 49:25.500
FY 27 to 26 for this project timeline

49:25.500 --> 49:27.556
move out and that was just signed on

49:27.556 --> 49:29.556
yesterday . Great , thank you . And

49:29.556 --> 49:31.667
last question , General Miller , um ,

49:31.667 --> 49:33.722
with the continuing proliferation of

49:33.722 --> 49:35.500
small unmanned aerial systems ,

49:35.510 --> 49:37.600
including the strategic . Success of

49:37.600 --> 49:39.820
Ukraine's Operation Spider's Web and

49:39.820 --> 49:42.159
Israel's recent drone operations staged

49:42.159 --> 49:44.800
from within Iranian territory . I'm

49:44.800 --> 49:46.760
wondering what additional passive

49:46.760 --> 49:49.159
infrastructure defenses the Air Force

49:49.159 --> 49:51.590
may be considering to protect aircraft

49:51.590 --> 49:53.312
on the flight line , including

49:53.312 --> 49:55.201
construction of hardened aircraft

49:55.201 --> 49:59.189
shelters . Thank you , Senator . Very

49:59.189 --> 50:01.300
we've been thinking about this , uh ,

50:01.300 --> 50:03.467
long before , uh , the dramatic events

50:03.467 --> 50:05.189
that we , that everyone saw on

50:05.189 --> 50:06.745
television . I think it's a

50:06.745 --> 50:08.300
multifaceted problem with a

50:08.300 --> 50:10.245
multifaceted approach . Facilities

50:10.245 --> 50:12.679
absolutely has a a play there . But

50:12.679 --> 50:14.846
also electromagnetic spectrum , how do

50:14.846 --> 50:17.070
you directed energy , uh , the

50:17.070 --> 50:19.159
authorities to especially within the

50:19.159 --> 50:21.520
United States coordination with the FAA

50:21.520 --> 50:23.919
coordination to prosecute , whether

50:23.919 --> 50:27.629
it's FBI that is , uh , going left

50:27.629 --> 50:30.689
of launch of , of , of counter Suez so .

50:31.229 --> 50:33.118
Facilities and infrastructure and

50:33.118 --> 50:34.951
hardening does have a play , but

50:34.951 --> 50:37.173
there's a it's a multifaceted play . We

50:37.173 --> 50:39.340
don't wanna spend years and years only

50:39.340 --> 50:41.507
going after the facility piece only to

50:41.507 --> 50:43.507
learn that something that there's a

50:43.507 --> 50:45.507
different threat that uh that we're

50:45.507 --> 50:47.507
seeing in the rearview mirror . And

50:47.507 --> 50:49.618
when can we expect a plan or proposal

50:49.618 --> 50:52.530
with regard to um UAS ? I actually work

50:52.530 --> 50:54.590
very closely with our director of

50:54.590 --> 50:56.701
operations who's the lead for the Air

50:56.701 --> 50:58.923
Force because it is uh all the things I

50:58.923 --> 51:00.868
just mentioned , uh , which I know

51:00.868 --> 51:03.090
you're we're short on time , but , um ,

51:03.090 --> 51:05.312
I will get back with the A3 as the lead

51:05.312 --> 51:05.169
for the Air Force on it and we'll get

51:05.169 --> 51:07.502
back with your officer if you have time ,

51:07.502 --> 51:09.558
uh , with you any time . Thank you .

51:09.558 --> 51:11.780
Thank you , Mr . Chairman . Thank you ,

51:11.780 --> 51:14.719
Mr . ranking member . Um ,

51:17.899 --> 51:20.889
Admiral Jamblin and General Miller ,

51:20.929 --> 51:23.096
the Navy and Air Force sustained major

51:23.570 --> 51:25.810
infrastructure damage on Guam due to

51:25.810 --> 51:29.530
Typhoon MA . While Congress provided an

51:29.530 --> 51:32.129
initial down payment to the disaster

51:32.129 --> 51:34.209
relief supplemental , significant

51:34.209 --> 51:36.530
unfunded recovery remains . There

51:36.530 --> 51:38.308
appears to be little , if any ,

51:38.308 --> 51:40.419
disaster recovery recovery funding in

51:40.419 --> 51:42.308
this year's budget request . What

51:42.308 --> 51:44.252
actions are the Navy and Air Force

51:44.252 --> 51:46.474
currently taking to address the damaged

51:46.474 --> 51:48.530
infrastructure on Guam , and what is

51:48.530 --> 51:50.530
your plan to request and secure the

51:50.530 --> 51:52.586
additional funding required for full

51:52.586 --> 51:52.300
recovery ?

51:56.969 --> 51:59.191
Senator , thank you for that question .

51:59.191 --> 52:01.080
Uh , as I mentioned in my opening

52:01.080 --> 52:03.136
statement , uh , really thankful for

52:03.136 --> 52:05.191
Congress's supplemental $2.2 billion

52:05.540 --> 52:08.399
focusing those , those that , uh , that

52:08.399 --> 52:11.219
investment , uh , specifically on FSRM

52:11.219 --> 52:13.560
investments to get after the typhoon

52:13.560 --> 52:17.560
Malwar , uh , uh , effects that that

52:17.560 --> 52:20.199
destroyed many facilities . Uh , the

52:20.199 --> 52:23.320
backlog of , of infrastructure to

52:23.320 --> 52:25.719
correct from MAWAR is about $40 billion

52:25.719 --> 52:28.830
right now . So we are looking at those

52:28.830 --> 52:32.669
most critical infrastructure assets

52:32.669 --> 52:35.002
hardening our electrical utilities , uh ,

52:35.002 --> 52:37.229
going after electric utilities within

52:37.229 --> 52:39.419
the navy base at Polaris Point , uh ,

52:39.550 --> 52:42.300
to focus FSRM and Milan dollars on that ,

52:42.550 --> 52:44.979
uh , but we're working as diligently as

52:44.989 --> 52:47.590
as we can in a prioritized way to get

52:47.590 --> 52:50.949
after my war recovery efforts . And

52:51.149 --> 52:53.669
Chair Boseman , if I could add from uh

52:54.810 --> 52:57.760
From the the the punishing environment

52:57.760 --> 53:00.790
as you know of of Guam , of humidity ,

53:01.080 --> 53:05.000
uh , wind , uh , it has

53:05.000 --> 53:07.510
a uh degrading effect on equipment .

53:07.679 --> 53:09.401
We've had a lot of preposition

53:09.401 --> 53:11.568
equipment that we had prepositioned at

53:11.568 --> 53:13.568
Anderson , and this is prior to the

53:13.568 --> 53:15.790
typhoon where we didn't have adequate .

53:15.790 --> 53:17.957
Uh , facilities to shelter from , um ,

53:17.957 --> 53:20.068
the weather that was only accelerated

53:20.068 --> 53:23.100
through , uh , the when the typhoon hit ,

53:23.110 --> 53:26.020
so we had degrading spalding concrete ,

53:26.270 --> 53:28.469
um , and uncovered equipment that just

53:28.469 --> 53:30.989
accelerated after the typhoon . We , we

53:30.989 --> 53:33.550
have , uh , taken the funds that have

53:33.550 --> 53:36.310
already been provided by Congress and

53:37.030 --> 53:39.197
doing warehousing to get equipment out

53:39.197 --> 53:41.500
of the . Out of the weather , uh , we

53:41.500 --> 53:44.889
have $109 million in two projects which

53:44.889 --> 53:47.379
will award in September , August and

53:47.379 --> 53:50.459
September to address two dorms that we

53:50.459 --> 53:53.610
need to , uh , renovate , uh , 2 out of

53:53.610 --> 53:56.899
4 , that we're looking at , but to get

53:56.899 --> 53:59.610
your , to your question very directly ,

53:59.659 --> 54:03.620
I , we would be decades . Uh , trying

54:03.620 --> 54:06.179
to absorb the requirements that we have ,

54:06.209 --> 54:08.820
uh , to within the base budget of the

54:08.820 --> 54:12.540
service , uh , if it's $8 billion is

54:12.540 --> 54:14.762
the current estimate , uh , for the Air

54:14.762 --> 54:16.762
Force , which is more than twice as

54:16.762 --> 54:18.818
much as we have in MILCO for any one

54:18.818 --> 54:20.929
year from current Mission Milon and ,

54:20.929 --> 54:22.318
uh , new Mission Milan .

54:28.060 --> 54:31.659
Senator Murkowski . Thank you , Mr .

54:31.669 --> 54:34.739
Chairman , and , uh , good morning ,

54:35.110 --> 54:37.860
gentlemen , thank you for your service ,

54:38.030 --> 54:41.810
um . Uh , I want to begin my questions

54:41.810 --> 54:44.239
to , to you , General Miller . Uh ,

54:44.250 --> 54:46.306
you're nodding like you're expecting

54:46.306 --> 54:50.280
this , so . Yes , I have an excellent

54:50.280 --> 54:52.336
team . Thank you very much . I wanna

54:52.336 --> 54:54.502
talk about the Jiti . Um , this is the

54:54.502 --> 54:56.613
Joint Integrated Testing and Training

54:56.613 --> 54:59.250
Center at JBER , one of the Air Force's

54:59.250 --> 55:02.929
top priority priorities for Milan . Uh ,

55:03.050 --> 55:06.280
the FY 26-1 files that the committee

55:06.639 --> 55:08.583
received last week , the Air Force

55:08.583 --> 55:11.199
increases that request to 152 million

55:11.199 --> 55:14.600
in FY26 authorizations , um .

55:15.659 --> 55:18.699
Can you share with the committee how we

55:18.699 --> 55:21.610
jumped ? This was always a significant

55:21.610 --> 55:24.780
project . It was big even in , even in

55:24.780 --> 55:27.659
uh Air Force , uh , uh , terms , but

55:27.659 --> 55:29.899
increasing from $97 million to

55:29.899 --> 55:33.850
$152 million and also whether or not

55:33.850 --> 55:35.906
we should expect any delays or other

55:35.906 --> 55:39.409
consequences in in the project based on

55:39.409 --> 55:42.250
the late addition to the to the scope

55:42.500 --> 55:44.959
of the project . Yes , Senator , thank

55:44.959 --> 55:47.080
you . The the jedd , the , the

55:47.080 --> 55:49.669
importance of the jedd can , uh , I

55:49.669 --> 55:51.725
don't have the words to describe how

55:51.725 --> 55:53.836
important it is to the joint force to

55:53.836 --> 55:55.947
the air domain , um , so you know the

55:55.947 --> 55:58.058
mission analysis behind that . In the

55:58.058 --> 56:00.479
analysis as we were going forward , the

56:00.479 --> 56:02.423
power requirements because of that

56:02.423 --> 56:04.669
unique capability that the jedd brings

56:04.669 --> 56:07.199
drove an additional substation that was

56:07.199 --> 56:10.020
required to 105 million . Additional

56:10.020 --> 56:12.076
dollar that that was the majority of

56:12.076 --> 56:13.949
the escalation is the power

56:13.949 --> 56:16.679
requirements are so dramatically larger

56:16.679 --> 56:18.790
for what the mission of the jedd will

56:18.790 --> 56:21.830
be that was the escalation . So can you ,

56:22.229 --> 56:25.360
can you share then um because you you

56:25.360 --> 56:27.870
know the situation in Cook Inlet with

56:27.870 --> 56:31.250
the natural gas supplies dwindling . Um ,

56:31.419 --> 56:34.580
how are , how is the Air Force working

56:34.580 --> 56:38.370
to secure long term energy needs , uh ,

56:38.379 --> 56:41.709
for not only JAR there but really for ,

56:41.780 --> 56:44.290
for the bases more broadly in Alaska ?

56:44.540 --> 56:46.590
So Senator , I'm , I'm sure you're

56:46.590 --> 56:49.429
aware of the , the recent announcement

56:49.429 --> 56:52.389
for the microreactor finally we're

56:52.389 --> 56:54.611
pleased to see that . Yes ma'am . And ,

56:54.629 --> 56:57.110
and that's really I think uh that's an

56:57.110 --> 56:59.909
indicator for the future for us , not

56:59.909 --> 57:03.229
only for a location that's so reliant

57:03.229 --> 57:05.469
on a source of reliable , that's

57:05.469 --> 57:07.780
repetitive energy to have it there ,

57:08.030 --> 57:10.252
but from a resiliency standpoint , from

57:10.252 --> 57:12.419
being able to island off of the grid .

57:12.419 --> 57:14.252
Uh , it was mentioned earlier in

57:14.252 --> 57:16.790
testimony that absolutely attacking our

57:16.790 --> 57:18.949
scata systems at the beginning of an

57:18.949 --> 57:22.030
attack from a cyber perspective is , is

57:22.030 --> 57:24.252
an , is an easy take for an adversary .

57:24.252 --> 57:26.419
So if we have mission systems that are

57:26.419 --> 57:29.020
relying on a commercial electrical grid

57:29.310 --> 57:31.254
and thinking about the impact that

57:31.254 --> 57:33.421
would the the energy independence that

57:33.421 --> 57:35.669
it would give us . Uh , for to be able

57:35.669 --> 57:37.590
to island , uh , from an energy

57:37.590 --> 57:39.479
perspective on installations with

57:39.479 --> 57:41.701
critical missions throughout the United

57:41.701 --> 57:43.923
States and deployed , and I think the ,

57:43.923 --> 57:46.219
uh , encouraging piece there is . It's

57:46.219 --> 57:48.969
a 5 megawatt reactor , but to build ,

57:49.100 --> 57:51.211
if there's additional requirements to

57:51.211 --> 57:53.378
build additional we're , we're looking

57:53.378 --> 57:55.433
forward to that and seeing what's it

57:55.433 --> 57:57.433
gonna do to your timeline ? Are you

57:57.433 --> 57:59.544
worried about that , that , uh , it ,

57:59.544 --> 58:01.780
it , it , it pushes out um the timeline

58:01.780 --> 58:03.947
for the jedd to to be fully stood up .

58:04.810 --> 58:07.449
Time is not on our side on any piece of

58:07.449 --> 58:10.340
this , so I , I'll have to get back

58:10.340 --> 58:12.507
with your team on the specifics of the

58:12.507 --> 58:14.860
timeline . I'm not aware . I was aware

58:14.860 --> 58:17.770
of the dollar escalation from a time

58:17.770 --> 58:19.992
perspective . I think once they came to

58:19.992 --> 58:22.103
the conclusion of there's just no way

58:22.103 --> 58:23.992
to meet it with the current power

58:23.992 --> 58:26.159
requirements , they took that into the

58:26.159 --> 58:28.214
planning . I , I , I'll have to take

58:28.214 --> 58:28.139
that for the record to get you the

58:28.139 --> 58:30.969
details , I would appreciate that . Um ,

58:31.090 --> 58:33.179
let me turn now to , to you , Mr .

58:33.209 --> 58:37.080
Marks , um . Uh , also sticking with

58:37.080 --> 58:40.370
the energy vulnerability , um , uh , we

58:40.370 --> 58:43.090
know the situation in Alaska again a

58:43.090 --> 58:45.209
great reliance on natural gas out of

58:45.209 --> 58:48.129
the Cook Inlet and , um , uh , up in

58:48.129 --> 58:50.296
the interior there , uh , specifically

58:50.296 --> 58:53.870
at Fort Wainwright , um , the concern

58:53.870 --> 58:56.070
about . Uh , Wainwright being

58:56.070 --> 58:58.719
vulnerable to unexpected outages and

58:58.719 --> 59:02.360
operational issues , um , wondering

59:02.360 --> 59:05.040
whether the budget request reflects ,

59:05.159 --> 59:07.120
um , appropriate funding levels to

59:07.120 --> 59:10.120
address energy reliability challenges

59:10.120 --> 59:13.409
like we have at uh at at Wainwright and

59:13.409 --> 59:15.576
then I'm gonna throw an extra question

59:15.576 --> 59:18.189
in here and this is related to dual use

59:18.479 --> 59:21.370
infrastructure , um . I have been

59:21.370 --> 59:24.639
pushing much more aggressively on what

59:24.639 --> 59:28.000
we can be doing uh within particularly

59:28.000 --> 59:31.760
the , the Alaska . Environment to

59:32.169 --> 59:35.610
uh to move towards um opportunities to

59:35.610 --> 59:37.969
construct projects that are able to

59:37.969 --> 59:40.570
serve multiple departments and agencies .

59:40.649 --> 59:42.816
I'm concerned about energy and I wanna

59:42.816 --> 59:45.239
focus on on dual use infrastructure .

59:46.330 --> 59:48.497
Senator , thank you for that . First ,

59:48.497 --> 59:50.552
uh , being sensitive at the time , I

59:50.552 --> 59:52.719
know the first one installation energy

59:52.719 --> 59:54.830
resiliency plans are , uh , certainly

59:54.830 --> 59:56.774
part of what has been put into the

59:56.774 --> 59:58.941
program and so , um , I'll be happy to

59:58.941 --> 59:58.360
come back to you and we can discuss

59:58.360 --> 01:00:00.189
that one further , um , uh ,

01:00:00.199 --> 01:00:02.310
alternatively , on dual use , I agree

01:00:02.310 --> 01:00:04.310
with you partnership . And industry

01:00:04.310 --> 01:00:06.477
best practices are things that we need

01:00:06.477 --> 01:00:08.366
to continue to pursue and so also

01:00:08.366 --> 01:00:07.959
that's something that we can share

01:00:07.959 --> 01:00:10.181
together and I'll be happy to come back

01:00:10.181 --> 01:00:12.292
and and meet with you on that . Thank

01:00:12.292 --> 01:00:14.292
you , Mr . Chairman . I have , um ,

01:00:14.292 --> 01:00:14.000
many questions that I'll submit for the

01:00:14.000 --> 01:00:16.320
record , but I appreciate , uh , the

01:00:16.320 --> 01:00:18.376
individuals being here today . Thank

01:00:18.376 --> 01:00:20.209
you , Senator . Thank you , Mr .

01:00:20.209 --> 01:00:22.376
Chairman and ranking member , um , and

01:00:22.376 --> 01:00:24.376
thank you to all of our witnesses .

01:00:24.376 --> 01:00:26.376
Thank you for your service . Um , I

01:00:26.376 --> 01:00:28.598
wanna start with you , General Wilson .

01:00:28.598 --> 01:00:30.709
Um , I understand the Army Reserve is

01:00:30.709 --> 01:00:33.179
facing a multi-billion dollar backlog

01:00:33.179 --> 01:00:36.189
in deferred facilities restoration and

01:00:36.189 --> 01:00:38.300
maintenance , and I'm concerned about

01:00:38.300 --> 01:00:40.429
the impact this backlog has on

01:00:40.429 --> 01:00:43.030
readiness , uh , for not just the

01:00:43.030 --> 01:00:45.260
reserve but also the active component

01:00:45.629 --> 01:00:47.573
given the critical sustainment and

01:00:47.573 --> 01:00:49.620
logistics capabilities that reside

01:00:49.620 --> 01:00:53.379
within the Army reserve . Fort McCoy in

01:00:53.379 --> 01:00:56.010
Wisconsin is a key installation for

01:00:56.010 --> 01:00:58.379
reserve component training and large

01:00:58.379 --> 01:01:02.110
scale mobilization , uh , for the Army

01:01:02.110 --> 01:01:05.540
G9 perspective , how are military

01:01:05.540 --> 01:01:07.707
construction investments at Fort McCoy

01:01:07.707 --> 01:01:10.300
as well as those for individual reserve

01:01:10.300 --> 01:01:13.459
units in Wisconsin being prioritized to

01:01:13.459 --> 01:01:17.110
support their long term strategic value ?

01:01:18.850 --> 01:01:21.290
Thank you Senator . Uh , all of those

01:01:21.290 --> 01:01:24.209
requirements are prioritized by that

01:01:24.209 --> 01:01:26.729
component , the Army Reserve COO 3 ,

01:01:26.810 --> 01:01:28.810
and so what comes in as part of the

01:01:28.810 --> 01:01:31.143
facilities investment plan for the , uh ,

01:01:31.143 --> 01:01:34.199
COO 3 , it's their assessment based on

01:01:34.199 --> 01:01:36.850
the status of their , uh , facilities

01:01:36.850 --> 01:01:39.017
and infrastructure and would like Fort

01:01:39.017 --> 01:01:42.399
McCoy , which is a serious , um , uh ,

01:01:42.449 --> 01:01:44.729
mobilization station in sight for the

01:01:44.729 --> 01:01:47.060
Army . Um , I could tell you that they

01:01:47.060 --> 01:01:48.949
were giving it the right level of

01:01:48.949 --> 01:01:51.459
attention , uh , and ensuring that

01:01:51.459 --> 01:01:53.239
accounted for in the facilities

01:01:53.239 --> 01:01:55.459
investment plan moving forward . OK ,

01:01:55.860 --> 01:01:57.749
thank you , uh , General Wilson .

01:01:58.060 --> 01:02:01.159
Secretary Marks , um . I uh worked with

01:02:01.159 --> 01:02:04.520
this committee to secure funding for a

01:02:04.520 --> 01:02:07.310
new community noise mitigation program

01:02:07.800 --> 01:02:10.600
implemented by the Office of Local

01:02:10.600 --> 01:02:13.629
Community Defense cooperation . Uh , I

01:02:13.629 --> 01:02:15.989
was disappointed by the long delay in

01:02:15.989 --> 01:02:18.110
making the first round of funding

01:02:18.110 --> 01:02:20.277
available to local governments , and I

01:02:20.277 --> 01:02:22.443
wanna make sure that you're aware that

01:02:22.443 --> 01:02:24.388
communities such as Dane County in

01:02:24.388 --> 01:02:26.510
Wisconsin have been waiting for this

01:02:26.510 --> 01:02:29.989
funding for years . The , uh , 115th

01:02:29.989 --> 01:02:33.149
fighter wing began receiving F-35

01:02:33.149 --> 01:02:36.850
aircraft in 2023 . And the neighboring

01:02:36.850 --> 01:02:39.072
residents are still waiting for federal

01:02:39.072 --> 01:02:41.520
assistance in addressing noise impacts .

01:02:41.810 --> 01:02:43.921
So , um , Assistant secretary Marks ,

01:02:44.010 --> 01:02:47.090
will you work to ensure this funding uh

01:02:47.090 --> 01:02:49.969
competition moves forward without delay ?

01:02:50.649 --> 01:02:52.871
Senator , absolutely , and first let me

01:02:52.871 --> 01:02:54.982
thank you for your leadership on that

01:02:54.982 --> 01:02:56.816
as someone who just left an F-35

01:02:56.816 --> 01:02:59.038
training base with more than 50 F-35s ,

01:02:59.038 --> 01:03:01.260
I understand the source of your concern

01:03:01.260 --> 01:03:03.482
at Tru X , so thank you for that . Um ,

01:03:03.482 --> 01:03:05.538
yes , ma'am , in fact , what I would

01:03:05.538 --> 01:03:07.705
like to do is come back to you and sit

01:03:07.705 --> 01:03:06.959
down with you and explain the

01:03:06.959 --> 01:03:08.919
competitive process in ways that I

01:03:08.919 --> 01:03:11.030
think we can bolster the case to make

01:03:11.030 --> 01:03:12.863
sure that that does move forward

01:03:12.863 --> 01:03:14.808
without delay , um , and so I'd be

01:03:14.808 --> 01:03:14.719
happy to come back and do that with my

01:03:14.719 --> 01:03:16.941
team , uh , if that would be acceptable

01:03:16.941 --> 01:03:18.552
to you . The second round of

01:03:18.552 --> 01:03:20.775
competition is ongoing right now and so

01:03:20.775 --> 01:03:22.886
we certainly . Want to make sure that

01:03:22.886 --> 01:03:22.774
we put all of the effort behind that ,

01:03:23.064 --> 01:03:25.286
um , and I acknowledge that and we'd be

01:03:25.286 --> 01:03:27.508
happy to schedule that with your team .

01:03:27.508 --> 01:03:29.675
It , it , it , uh , closes out shortly

01:03:29.675 --> 01:03:31.620
in early July , and I know that my

01:03:31.620 --> 01:03:33.842
community is working very hard on their

01:03:33.842 --> 01:03:35.731
submission for that , and I would

01:03:35.731 --> 01:03:37.842
welcome a follow up with your team to

01:03:37.842 --> 01:03:40.120
talk in more granular detail . Um , Mr .

01:03:40.120 --> 01:03:42.120
Mr . Secretary , this committee has

01:03:42.120 --> 01:03:44.064
also long been concerned about the

01:03:44.064 --> 01:03:46.120
backup of cleanup efforts at current

01:03:46.120 --> 01:03:48.500
and former defense installations . The

01:03:48.500 --> 01:03:50.530
most recent publicly available

01:03:50.530 --> 01:03:52.141
information from the Defense

01:03:52.141 --> 01:03:54.760
Environmental Restoration Program , uh ,

01:03:54.780 --> 01:03:57.300
on the status of planned remediation is

01:03:57.300 --> 01:04:00.739
from fiscal year 2023 . Uh , that

01:04:00.739 --> 01:04:02.850
information lists an intent to devote

01:04:02.850 --> 01:04:05.560
over $1 million to clean up activities ,

01:04:05.969 --> 01:04:08.939
um , uh , Wisconsin in , uh , in

01:04:08.939 --> 01:04:11.939
Wisconsin in , uh , fiscal year 2025 .

01:04:12.379 --> 01:04:14.157
I know I speak for many on this

01:04:14.157 --> 01:04:15.823
committee when I expressed my

01:04:15.823 --> 01:04:17.810
dissatisfaction with the full year

01:04:17.810 --> 01:04:20.530
continuing resolution that passed in

01:04:20.530 --> 01:04:22.697
March , but my question for you , Mr .

01:04:22.697 --> 01:04:24.752
Secretary , is what is the status of

01:04:24.752 --> 01:04:27.620
this fiscal year 2025 funding that was

01:04:27.620 --> 01:04:29.676
planned for locations in Wisconsin ,

01:04:29.676 --> 01:04:32.270
including Badger Army ammunition plant

01:04:32.570 --> 01:04:34.292
and the second question is the

01:04:34.292 --> 01:04:36.409
department still on track to devote

01:04:36.409 --> 01:04:38.576
this funding towards urgently needed ,

01:04:38.689 --> 01:04:40.745
uh , clean up effort efforts there .

01:04:41.419 --> 01:04:43.641
Senator , thank you . We take our , our

01:04:43.641 --> 01:04:45.641
environmental responsibilities very

01:04:45.641 --> 01:04:47.808
seriously and uh I do owe you a deeper

01:04:47.808 --> 01:04:50.030
dive as I'm learning the position right

01:04:50.030 --> 01:04:52.197
now , uh , with my team in each of the

01:04:52.197 --> 01:04:54.197
cases and unless General Wilson may

01:04:54.197 --> 01:04:56.141
have more to this , um , but I can

01:04:56.141 --> 01:04:57.919
assure you that we are going to

01:04:57.919 --> 01:04:57.419
continue to push forward for those

01:04:57.419 --> 01:04:59.586
things . Um , what I need to make sure

01:04:59.586 --> 01:05:01.752
that I go back and look at is how that

01:05:01.752 --> 01:05:03.863
all lays down flat within Wisconsin ,

01:05:03.863 --> 01:05:06.086
um , which I don't have with me today .

01:05:06.086 --> 01:05:05.649
I'd be happy to take that for the

01:05:05.649 --> 01:05:07.760
record and come back to you on that .

01:05:07.760 --> 01:05:09.959
I'd appreciate that maybe we can do uh

01:05:09.959 --> 01:05:12.280
both topics at once as a follow up

01:05:12.280 --> 01:05:15.560
meeting um that for many years the

01:05:15.560 --> 01:05:17.760
Badger Arm and ammunition plant uh

01:05:17.760 --> 01:05:21.639
operated and I , and I , while it was

01:05:21.639 --> 01:05:25.120
declared surplus to the army and

01:05:25.120 --> 01:05:27.389
the Department of Defense's , uh ,

01:05:27.399 --> 01:05:30.750
needs , uh , back in the late 1990s ,

01:05:31.159 --> 01:05:33.199
um , there's still some remediation

01:05:33.199 --> 01:05:35.770
that needs to happen there . Thank you

01:05:35.770 --> 01:05:38.270
Mr . Chairman . And Senator from the

01:05:38.270 --> 01:05:40.709
army standpoint we we account there's

01:05:40.709 --> 01:05:43.429
27 sites that we're still , uh ,

01:05:43.439 --> 01:05:45.550
working toward and we're committed to

01:05:45.550 --> 01:05:48.429
the EPA standards for for remediation

01:05:48.429 --> 01:05:52.149
and uh the prioritization of course

01:05:52.149 --> 01:05:55.699
most contaminated uh uh location

01:05:55.989 --> 01:05:58.389
is how we're making sure that we step

01:05:58.389 --> 01:06:02.139
through the the list . Thank

01:06:02.139 --> 01:06:04.899
you , the senior senator from North

01:06:04.899 --> 01:06:07.169
Dakota . Thank you , Miss . Thank you ,

01:06:07.179 --> 01:06:09.179
Mr . Chairman . Thanks to you and

01:06:09.179 --> 01:06:11.401
ranking member for holding this hearing

01:06:11.401 --> 01:06:13.457
today . I'd I'd like to thank all of

01:06:13.457 --> 01:06:15.679
you for your credible service and , and

01:06:15.679 --> 01:06:17.901
as well as , uh , all your staff that's

01:06:17.901 --> 01:06:17.270
here with you . Thanks for your

01:06:17.270 --> 01:06:19.381
incredible service . We appreciate it

01:06:19.381 --> 01:06:21.603
for being here today . General Miller ,

01:06:21.603 --> 01:06:23.770
some gratitude , uh , to you for the ,

01:06:23.770 --> 01:06:26.610
uh . The uh resurfacing , um , at the

01:06:26.610 --> 01:06:29.739
uh Grand Forks , uh , Air Force Base

01:06:30.179 --> 01:06:32.580
runway , um , or the upgrades I should

01:06:32.580 --> 01:06:34.636
say that runway very important right

01:06:34.636 --> 01:06:36.802
now we're actually hosting as you know

01:06:36.802 --> 01:06:39.439
the B1 from uh Ellsworth . As they're

01:06:39.439 --> 01:06:41.669
making modifications there , uh , for

01:06:41.669 --> 01:06:44.199
the new B-21 and I think we're the

01:06:44.199 --> 01:06:46.729
logical place to bring it for the DISB

01:06:46.729 --> 01:06:49.062
ones when they have to do the same . So ,

01:06:49.062 --> 01:06:51.285
uh , thank you for that being on top of

01:06:51.285 --> 01:06:53.340
that appreciate it and that's by the

01:06:53.340 --> 01:06:55.507
way , that's going very well , uh , in

01:06:55.507 --> 01:06:57.173
addition to our ISR mission ,

01:06:57.173 --> 01:06:59.285
hypersonics , satellite , and all the

01:06:59.285 --> 01:06:59.070
other things we do there at Gran Forks ,

01:06:59.600 --> 01:07:02.459
um . I wanna ask you about Sentinel

01:07:02.459 --> 01:07:04.860
though very important we keep Sentinel

01:07:04.860 --> 01:07:07.260
on track , um , as you know , because

01:07:07.260 --> 01:07:09.719
of the Nun McCurdy review we've had it ,

01:07:09.979 --> 01:07:12.860
we've had a pause , uh , but now from

01:07:12.860 --> 01:07:15.027
what I've seen Air Force is doing some

01:07:15.027 --> 01:07:16.916
very good things about getting to

01:07:16.916 --> 01:07:19.080
concurrency . And , uh , actually

01:07:19.080 --> 01:07:21.320
installing sentinel across the three

01:07:21.320 --> 01:07:23.840
ICBM bases , uh , and working to get

01:07:23.840 --> 01:07:25.951
back on track , talk to and we worked

01:07:25.951 --> 01:07:28.062
very hard to keep that program funded

01:07:28.062 --> 01:07:30.007
and we're doing that again through

01:07:30.007 --> 01:07:32.118
reconciliation . Talk to me about how

01:07:32.118 --> 01:07:34.229
you're gonna make sure that that gets

01:07:34.229 --> 01:07:36.173
done concurrently across the three

01:07:36.173 --> 01:07:38.669
bases and on schedule . Thank you ,

01:07:38.689 --> 01:07:40.633
Senator for the question and the .

01:07:41.020 --> 01:07:43.979
Concurrently versus serial , you know ,

01:07:44.060 --> 01:07:46.699
and getting , getting there's important

01:07:46.699 --> 01:07:48.421
work right now even during the

01:07:48.421 --> 01:07:50.699
restructuring on Sentinel , uh , for

01:07:50.699 --> 01:07:53.219
utility corridor work which is uh

01:07:53.219 --> 01:07:55.780
vitally important regardless of the

01:07:55.780 --> 01:07:57.780
specific restructuring action , the

01:07:57.780 --> 01:08:00.739
utility corridor um work that is being

01:08:00.739 --> 01:08:02.795
done now and the planning and design

01:08:02.795 --> 01:08:05.017
for launch launch facilities and launch

01:08:05.017 --> 01:08:07.128
control facilities all has to be done

01:08:07.128 --> 01:08:10.169
in advance , I think , uh . Not knowing

01:08:10.179 --> 01:08:13.020
what the future brings , there's their

01:08:13.020 --> 01:08:15.187
budgetary requirements in the future .

01:08:15.340 --> 01:08:17.396
Do the things we can do right now in

01:08:17.396 --> 01:08:19.660
the known environment is important and

01:08:19.660 --> 01:08:22.810
so that's where we have parts of the

01:08:22.810 --> 01:08:25.020
Sentinel program , uh , have paused on

01:08:25.020 --> 01:08:27.187
the restructuring but not the part you

01:08:27.187 --> 01:08:28.964
just described . So the utility

01:08:28.964 --> 01:08:31.020
corridor and the planning and design

01:08:31.020 --> 01:08:30.959
for that launch facility , launch

01:08:30.959 --> 01:08:33.181
control facility all can be done and is

01:08:33.181 --> 01:08:35.348
being done now and you're committed to

01:08:35.348 --> 01:08:37.459
proceeding as I've just described and

01:08:37.459 --> 01:08:39.792
you and I have just discussed . Yes sir .

01:08:39.792 --> 01:08:41.737
Thank you . Uh , and then the weap

01:08:41.737 --> 01:08:43.792
weapons generation facility at Minor

01:08:43.792 --> 01:08:43.629
Air Force Base right now the only place

01:08:43.629 --> 01:08:46.109
that we have air launch cruise missiles ,

01:08:46.259 --> 01:08:49.109
particularly nuclear , uh , air launch

01:08:49.109 --> 01:08:51.229
cruise missiles , is Minot , and Mint

01:08:51.229 --> 01:08:53.340
and Barksdale will be the only places

01:08:53.340 --> 01:08:55.340
going forward . We need upgrades to

01:08:55.340 --> 01:08:57.562
that weapon gen's facility . Talk to me

01:08:57.562 --> 01:08:59.785
about how you're gonna get that done in

01:08:59.785 --> 01:09:02.680
a timely way . There are $44 million in

01:09:02.680 --> 01:09:04.513
projects that the Global strikes

01:09:04.513 --> 01:09:06.479
identified specifically to get uh

01:09:06.479 --> 01:09:08.839
that's FSRM actually to keep the

01:09:08.839 --> 01:09:12.310
weapons , uh , storage area not only

01:09:12.310 --> 01:09:14.439
viable but able to accept LRSO .

01:09:14.560 --> 01:09:16.959
There's LSO LRSO specifically there's

01:09:16.959 --> 01:09:19.660
different . Um , requirements over time

01:09:19.660 --> 01:09:21.771
that are just a function of weather ,

01:09:21.850 --> 01:09:23.961
uh , keeping , uh , airmen out of the

01:09:23.961 --> 01:09:26.017
weather from a security standpoint ,

01:09:26.017 --> 01:09:27.794
but then there's , uh , there's

01:09:27.794 --> 01:09:29.794
configuration of a specific , and I

01:09:29.794 --> 01:09:31.461
know we're in an unclassified

01:09:31.461 --> 01:09:33.461
environment , but configuration and

01:09:33.461 --> 01:09:35.517
security that have to be addressed ,

01:09:35.517 --> 01:09:35.129
which Global Strike has looked at all

01:09:35.129 --> 01:09:37.351
those requirements , um , and I know it

01:09:37.351 --> 01:09:39.689
has competed extremely well in the

01:09:39.689 --> 01:09:41.800
prioritization for the FSRM dollars ,

01:09:41.800 --> 01:09:44.022
so , um , they definitely have a strong

01:09:44.022 --> 01:09:46.245
voice they , you know . They definitely

01:09:46.245 --> 01:09:47.967
have a strong voice within our

01:09:47.967 --> 01:09:50.078
prioritization within the airport and

01:09:50.078 --> 01:09:51.856
your intention is to have those

01:09:51.856 --> 01:09:53.967
upgrades in place by the time LRSO is

01:09:53.967 --> 01:09:56.189
ready to go because right now we're not

01:09:56.189 --> 01:09:58.356
on track for that , but your intention

01:09:58.356 --> 01:10:00.133
is to be on track for that . My

01:10:00.133 --> 01:10:02.245
intention for the configuration piece

01:10:02.245 --> 01:10:04.467
absolutely and I need to go back , loop

01:10:04.467 --> 01:10:06.689
back on the the roads , the roofs , the

01:10:06.689 --> 01:10:08.689
non-configuration piece . I need to

01:10:08.689 --> 01:10:10.967
take that one for the record , Senator ,

01:10:10.967 --> 01:10:13.189
and come back to you or your staff with

01:10:13.189 --> 01:10:12.859
uh to get that part of the answer .

01:10:13.229 --> 01:10:15.396
Thanks General , uh , General Wilson ,

01:10:15.529 --> 01:10:17.790
um , for , uh , our number one project

01:10:17.790 --> 01:10:20.012
for our guard is the 8 17th Engineering

01:10:20.012 --> 01:10:22.234
Company in Jamestown . They're actually

01:10:22.234 --> 01:10:24.457
using the Civic Center . This is , uh ,

01:10:24.457 --> 01:10:26.290
a large sapper group engineering

01:10:26.290 --> 01:10:28.401
company that's been deployed multiple

01:10:28.401 --> 01:10:30.623
times around the globe , always does an

01:10:30.623 --> 01:10:32.457
incredible job . They need a new

01:10:32.457 --> 01:10:34.679
facility . There's 2.5 million in the ,

01:10:34.679 --> 01:10:36.846
uh , 25 continuing resolution , but it

01:10:36.846 --> 01:10:39.068
was not in the 26 budget request . This

01:10:39.068 --> 01:10:40.957
is a priority . What can you do ?

01:10:42.870 --> 01:10:45.069
Senator , we will make sure that we

01:10:45.069 --> 01:10:47.350
circle back with the with the guard

01:10:47.350 --> 01:10:49.350
from the facilities investment plan

01:10:49.350 --> 01:10:51.990
consolidated list that was approved by

01:10:51.990 --> 01:10:54.270
them , um , of course that

01:10:54.270 --> 01:10:56.589
prioritization , uh , we're committed

01:10:56.589 --> 01:10:59.060
to supporting based on the , uh ,

01:10:59.109 --> 01:11:01.220
resource and that becomes available .

01:11:01.759 --> 01:11:03.981
OK , and this next one I know is really

01:11:03.981 --> 01:11:05.815
important to the chairman of the

01:11:05.815 --> 01:11:08.037
committee here because he likes to come

01:11:08.037 --> 01:11:10.037
up to , uh , North Dakota and go to

01:11:10.037 --> 01:11:11.703
Devil's Lake where we have an

01:11:11.703 --> 01:11:14.140
incredible , um , uh , Army National

01:11:14.140 --> 01:11:16.890
Guard base Camp Grafton , and , uh ,

01:11:16.899 --> 01:11:18.819
not only does it provide a lot of

01:11:18.819 --> 01:11:21.169
training , particularly for NCOs , uh ,

01:11:21.180 --> 01:11:24.009
but also it houses the , uh , BIA law

01:11:24.009 --> 01:11:26.176
enforcement training center , which is

01:11:26.176 --> 01:11:28.398
the only one we have other than down in

01:11:28.398 --> 01:11:30.799
Artesia , New Mexico . Uh , there is a

01:11:30.799 --> 01:11:33.040
facility there for lodging , and I know

01:11:33.040 --> 01:11:34.929
you would want our chairman to be

01:11:34.929 --> 01:11:37.207
comfortable when he comes up there and ,

01:11:37.207 --> 01:11:39.680
uh , that has been a 100% designed

01:11:39.680 --> 01:11:41.680
completed $8 million spent on the

01:11:41.680 --> 01:11:44.250
project cost . But he might be coming

01:11:44.250 --> 01:11:46.361
pretty soon , so we need to make sure

01:11:46.361 --> 01:11:48.083
we keep that moving and out of

01:11:48.083 --> 01:11:50.083
deference to our chairman , can you

01:11:50.083 --> 01:11:52.379
help me keep that moving ? Yes Senator ,

01:11:52.529 --> 01:11:56.350
we don't , we don't show it . And the

01:11:56.350 --> 01:11:58.461
corps of engineers does a pretty good

01:11:58.461 --> 01:12:00.406
job in the oversight they do again

01:12:00.406 --> 01:12:02.461
really appreciate all of you and the

01:12:02.461 --> 01:12:04.461
work you do . Thank you so much and

01:12:04.461 --> 01:12:06.517
again thanks Mr . Chairman . We look

01:12:06.517 --> 01:12:09.689
forward to staying there . Senrasa Uh ,

01:12:09.750 --> 01:12:12.750
thank you , Mr . Chairman . Admiral

01:12:12.750 --> 01:12:14.806
Jablon , uh , as you know , Albany ,

01:12:14.830 --> 01:12:16.979
Georgia hosts Marine Corps Logistics

01:12:16.979 --> 01:12:20.859
Base Albany . Which is essential to

01:12:20.859 --> 01:12:23.259
Marine Corps readiness and sustaining

01:12:23.259 --> 01:12:26.100
expeditionary combat power for the

01:12:26.100 --> 01:12:28.569
Marines . I'd like to hear from both

01:12:28.569 --> 01:12:30.402
Admiral , uh , Jablon and , uh ,

01:12:30.402 --> 01:12:32.680
General Slink on this , please . In in

01:12:32.680 --> 01:12:35.189
FY 23 , I worked alongside the , uh ,

01:12:35.200 --> 01:12:37.422
Marine Corps logistics based leadership

01:12:37.422 --> 01:12:39.589
in the Albany community to help secure

01:12:39.589 --> 01:12:41.700
planning and design funding for a new

01:12:41.700 --> 01:12:44.209
consolidated communications facility at

01:12:44.209 --> 01:12:46.790
the logistics base . To more

01:12:46.790 --> 01:12:48.870
efficiently support the vital Marine

01:12:48.870 --> 01:12:50.814
Corps logistics mission there , my

01:12:50.814 --> 01:12:52.930
question for you is . Uh , will you

01:12:52.930 --> 01:12:55.540
work with me to ensure that we move

01:12:55.850 --> 01:12:58.009
swiftly to construction for this

01:12:58.009 --> 01:13:00.231
project ? Again , we've , we've already

01:13:00.231 --> 01:13:02.342
funded planning and design . It's the

01:13:02.342 --> 01:13:04.398
top priority for the facility in the

01:13:04.398 --> 01:13:06.453
community . Senator , you absolutely

01:13:06.453 --> 01:13:09.520
have our commitment , um . Marine Corps

01:13:09.520 --> 01:13:11.520
logistics base Albany , that is our

01:13:11.520 --> 01:13:13.631
sole Marine Corps sole depot . It's ,

01:13:13.631 --> 01:13:16.009
it is when you look at at first among

01:13:16.009 --> 01:13:18.379
first in terms of logistics support and

01:13:18.379 --> 01:13:20.323
entities within the Marine Corps ,

01:13:20.323 --> 01:13:23.140
Albany is it and um any way that we can

01:13:23.140 --> 01:13:25.196
ensure that we deliver capability to

01:13:25.196 --> 01:13:26.850
our war fighters quickly and

01:13:26.850 --> 01:13:30.020
effectively we'll take that . Anything

01:13:30.020 --> 01:13:32.609
to add Admiral ? No , Senator , that ,

01:13:32.689 --> 01:13:34.800
uh , depo is under Lieutenant General

01:13:34.800 --> 01:13:37.259
Seleka's , uh , authorities . Thank you .

01:13:37.910 --> 01:13:41.890
Uh General Wilson As you're aware ,

01:13:41.970 --> 01:13:44.081
the Chattahoochee Valley in Georgia ,

01:13:44.089 --> 01:13:47.330
proud home of , uh , Fort Benning , the

01:13:47.330 --> 01:13:49.729
maneuver Center of Excellence , as well

01:13:49.729 --> 01:13:52.089
as elements of the seventy-fifth Ranger

01:13:52.089 --> 01:13:55.069
Regiment . And I'm particularly

01:13:55.069 --> 01:13:56.902
concerned , as I mentioned in my

01:13:56.902 --> 01:13:59.125
opening statement about quality of life

01:13:59.669 --> 01:14:02.069
for service members at Benning and

01:14:02.069 --> 01:14:04.919
across the country . Um In

01:14:04.919 --> 01:14:08.640
FY24 I helped to secure the funding

01:14:08.640 --> 01:14:11.680
to plan a new elementary school at Fort

01:14:11.680 --> 01:14:13.736
Benning to replace Dexter Elementary

01:14:13.736 --> 01:14:15.902
School on Post . Dexter was built in .

01:14:16.430 --> 01:14:20.209
1968 . Uh , it is an aged

01:14:20.209 --> 01:14:22.270
facility that the children of our

01:14:22.270 --> 01:14:24.640
service members deserve the very best .

01:14:24.919 --> 01:14:27.299
Again , we have already funded , uh ,

01:14:27.370 --> 01:14:29.426
planning and design . Do I have your

01:14:29.426 --> 01:14:31.537
commitment , General Wilson , to work

01:14:31.537 --> 01:14:33.648
with me in the subcommittee , uh , to

01:14:33.648 --> 01:14:35.648
try to expedite the construction of

01:14:35.648 --> 01:14:37.759
that new school for military families

01:14:37.759 --> 01:14:39.870
at Fort Benning . Yes , Senator , you

01:14:39.870 --> 01:14:42.890
do have my commitment . Thank you , uh ,

01:14:43.149 --> 01:14:45.740
General . I also want to raise with you

01:14:46.140 --> 01:14:48.819
the , uh . US Army Criminal

01:14:48.819 --> 01:14:51.310
Investigation lab in Forest Park ,

01:14:51.410 --> 01:14:53.990
Georgia , uh , on the , uh , Fort

01:14:53.990 --> 01:14:57.720
Gillam enclave . Which is DOD's only

01:14:57.720 --> 01:14:59.887
full service criminal forensic lab and

01:14:59.887 --> 01:15:01.998
I , I've had the pleasure of visiting

01:15:01.998 --> 01:15:04.279
the facility it's remarkable , uh .

01:15:05.250 --> 01:15:08.970
What they do , um , both for um .

01:15:10.919 --> 01:15:12.975
Traditional criminal forensics , but

01:15:12.975 --> 01:15:15.799
also uh for material that's secured and

01:15:15.799 --> 01:15:17.966
exploited from battlefields around the

01:15:17.966 --> 01:15:21.479
world . Last year working alongside

01:15:21.479 --> 01:15:23.709
Senator Reverend Warnock , uh , we

01:15:24.279 --> 01:15:26.001
successfully helped extend the

01:15:26.001 --> 01:15:28.560
authorization needed to complete the

01:15:28.560 --> 01:15:30.720
construction of a new forensic lab at

01:15:30.720 --> 01:15:32.839
the Gillem Enclave . Can I have your

01:15:32.839 --> 01:15:34.950
commitment , General Wilson , to work

01:15:34.950 --> 01:15:37.061
with me in the subcommittee to ensure

01:15:37.061 --> 01:15:38.895
that , uh , this project has the

01:15:38.895 --> 01:15:41.117
resources necessary to see it through .

01:15:41.117 --> 01:15:43.609
Yes , Senator . Thank you . uh , Mr .

01:15:43.620 --> 01:15:45.120
Marks , I wanna touch on .

01:15:47.359 --> 01:15:49.581
The plans for reconciliation and try to

01:15:49.581 --> 01:15:52.930
get some clarity . From the department .

01:15:55.410 --> 01:15:58.410
There's $900 million of military

01:15:58.410 --> 01:16:01.490
construction funding requested . In the

01:16:01.490 --> 01:16:05.040
reconciliation measure , what specific

01:16:05.040 --> 01:16:08.209
projects is that funding for ? Senator ,

01:16:08.310 --> 01:16:10.532
I appreciate that question and so as we

01:16:10.532 --> 01:16:12.699
view this as one bill we're looking at

01:16:12.699 --> 01:16:14.754
defensive systems , munitions , uh ,

01:16:14.754 --> 01:16:17.160
munitions procurement , readiness , uh ,

01:16:17.169 --> 01:16:19.225
and quality of life programs are all

01:16:19.225 --> 01:16:22.140
included in that package . That that is

01:16:22.140 --> 01:16:25.479
many things , uh , and . Important

01:16:25.479 --> 01:16:27.720
things , my question is what specific

01:16:27.720 --> 01:16:31.350
projects will be funded . By the

01:16:31.350 --> 01:16:33.629
$900 million allocation requested for

01:16:33.629 --> 01:16:36.299
the reconciliation measure as opposed

01:16:36.299 --> 01:16:38.859
to the remainder of Milon funding which

01:16:39.470 --> 01:16:41.790
the administration wants uh to move

01:16:41.790 --> 01:16:43.679
through the normal appropriations

01:16:43.679 --> 01:16:45.901
process , what is that $900 million for

01:16:46.040 --> 01:16:48.318
specifically at the project level , um ,

01:16:48.410 --> 01:16:50.466
Senator , let me come back to you at

01:16:50.466 --> 01:16:52.521
the project level so that I can show

01:16:52.521 --> 01:16:54.577
you those things again new to that ,

01:16:54.577 --> 01:16:54.259
and I don't have that granularity right

01:16:54.259 --> 01:16:56.470
now . OK , will you please commit to

01:16:56.470 --> 01:16:58.640
providing the subcommittee with a

01:16:58.640 --> 01:17:02.200
project by project list . Of which

01:17:02.200 --> 01:17:04.311
projects are intended to be funded by

01:17:04.311 --> 01:17:07.279
the $900 million reconciliation portion

01:17:07.640 --> 01:17:09.862
versus the remainder of the traditional

01:17:09.862 --> 01:17:11.918
appropriations , Senator , I'll work

01:17:11.918 --> 01:17:14.029
with you to try to get the best I can

01:17:14.029 --> 01:17:16.196
answer to that question . Yes , well ,

01:17:16.196 --> 01:17:16.120
I , I , I appreciate that that

01:17:16.120 --> 01:17:18.231
commitment and can , can you think of

01:17:18.231 --> 01:17:20.970
any reason why . Where as this

01:17:20.970 --> 01:17:23.026
typically proceeds fiscal year after

01:17:23.026 --> 01:17:24.914
fiscal year , the subcommittee is

01:17:24.914 --> 01:17:27.026
provided with a list of projects that

01:17:27.026 --> 01:17:29.081
constitute the totality of the Milon

01:17:29.081 --> 01:17:31.081
budget request , why there would be

01:17:31.081 --> 01:17:33.248
this nearly a billion dollars floating

01:17:33.248 --> 01:17:35.359
out here that wouldn't have a project

01:17:35.359 --> 01:17:37.637
by project justification , Senator , I ,

01:17:37.637 --> 01:17:39.859
I . I believe it would be there again ,

01:17:39.859 --> 01:17:42.081
what we're looking at is the submission

01:17:42.081 --> 01:17:44.137
of the 26 budget as a standalone and

01:17:44.137 --> 01:17:46.303
then the fight up will come in 27 , so

01:17:46.303 --> 01:17:48.414
I'll have greater granularity looking

01:17:48.414 --> 01:17:50.526
into the future , but let me get back

01:17:50.526 --> 01:17:50.515
to you on that , Senator , and I'll do

01:17:50.515 --> 01:17:52.737
my utmost to answer that for you . OK ,

01:17:52.737 --> 01:17:54.682
so just to be clear , Mr . Marks ,

01:17:54.682 --> 01:17:56.626
you're going to follow up with the

01:17:56.626 --> 01:17:58.737
subcommittee . And , and you're gonna

01:17:58.737 --> 01:18:00.793
get us a list of those projects that

01:18:00.793 --> 01:18:02.959
are intended to be funded via the $900

01:18:02.959 --> 01:18:05.071
million reconciliation portion of the

01:18:05.071 --> 01:18:07.293
overall MLO budget . We will attempt to

01:18:07.293 --> 01:18:09.515
do that , yes , Senator , we'll attempt

01:18:09.515 --> 01:18:11.515
to do that . OK , um , I appreciate

01:18:11.515 --> 01:18:13.899
that and uh . Mr . Chairman , that

01:18:13.899 --> 01:18:17.720
concludes my questions . Thank you ,

01:18:17.770 --> 01:18:20.169
and I want to thank our witnesses for

01:18:20.169 --> 01:18:22.280
being with us today and thank you for

01:18:22.280 --> 01:18:24.502
your service and I know we look forward

01:18:24.502 --> 01:18:26.680
to working closely together to improve

01:18:26.680 --> 01:18:28.791
the quality of life for men and women

01:18:28.791 --> 01:18:31.700
that are in uniform and their families

01:18:31.700 --> 01:18:33.422
and then also to give them the

01:18:33.422 --> 01:18:35.589
resources to keep them themselves safe

01:18:35.589 --> 01:18:38.709
as they keep us safe . For our retiree

01:18:38.709 --> 01:18:40.629
General Miller , uh again ,

01:18:40.750 --> 01:18:43.140
congratulations and thank you for a , a ,

01:18:43.189 --> 01:18:46.149
uh , for your dedicated service for so

01:18:46.149 --> 01:18:48.709
many years . Uh , we do appreciate that

01:18:48.709 --> 01:18:50.876
and as I said earlier , I know this is

01:18:50.876 --> 01:18:52.765
a family affair . We , we greatly

01:18:52.765 --> 01:18:54.709
appreciate them for members of the

01:18:54.709 --> 01:18:56.765
subcommittee , any questions for the

01:18:56.765 --> 01:18:58.376
record should be turned into

01:18:58.376 --> 01:19:00.431
subcommittee staff no later than the

01:19:00.431 --> 01:19:02.431
close of business on Tuesday , June

01:19:02.431 --> 01:19:04.390
24th . The hearing is adjourned .