Opening Statements

Today, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's joint hearing with the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces titled "Naval Surface Forces Readiness: Are Navy Reforms Adequate?"

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for calling this important hearing. I would also like to recognize the spouses of our witnesses: Christine Grady and Laura Aquilino. We on this subcommittee know the vitally important role our precious military families play in the readiness and resilience of our troops, and we appreciate your presence and support here today. Welcome to this hearing.

"We all recognized too late that naval surface forces, especially forwarded deployed ships, were being run too hard. Ship's maintenance suffered, as did crew training and proficiency. Tragically, it took the deaths of 17 Sailors to bring the problem to light and force all of us, the Navy and Congress alike, to pay attention. True to form, the Navy and the Congress, particularly this subcommittee, took decisive action in last year's National Defense Authorization Act. Now, nearly two years since the fatal collisions and over a year since our last public hearing on this topic, it's time to review the state of naval surface forces.

"I'm concerned with three things:

"Have the corrections employed made a difference?

"What further actions are needed?

"Do any of the changes implemented need to be reversed?

"I note that our witnesses today are responsible for both the operational control and readiness of the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. Vesting a single official with the pressures of both responsibilities was part of the problem in 2017, though such vesting was at a lower level of command. I'm interested in understanding how these commanders weigh these disparate responsibilities, and whether institutional protections are in place to prevent over use of the fleet in the future. While I'm confident in the abilities of our witnesses, I want to ensure that their successors are equally equipped to withstand the imperatives of operational pressures when they're unsure their ships and crews are ready.

"I deeply respect the military expertise that must come bear when determining whether a ship's crew is trained and ready to operate the complex team operations of a modern warship, whether that ship is mechanically ready, and whether that ship and crew can perform the mission expected. We are eager to understand how we assure safe deployments into the future.

"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to our witnesses' testimony."