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 "U.S. Transportation Command and Maritime Administration: State of the Mobility Enterprise."
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for calling this important hearing. Today the subcommittee will hear from the Commander of Transportation Command and the Administrator of the Maritime Administration on how well the Department of Defense is postured to meet the heavy and sustained logistical demands of a major conflict.
"While TRANSCOM has operational control of some Air Force and Navy owned aircraft and ships for this mission, a major contingency will require the substantial assistance of the US commercial air and shipping fleet, as well as the domestic rail industry. Further, TRANSCOM must rely on the military departments to budget for critical organic assets such as ships, planes, reinforced rail cars, and ports, and the commercial air, rail, and shipping industry to willingly participate in defense logistical programs.
"TRANSCOM can influence, but cannot direct, Army, Navy, and Air Force budget decisions, nor commercial industry business decisions.
"We understand that there are some deficiencies in this complex system that must be addressed. Among these are the Air Force's aging tanker fleet and some near obsolete vessels that are part of our surge sealift fleet. We welcome the witnesses' perspective on these issues and any recommendations they may have.
"Finally, we understand that TRANSCOM intends to change the management structure of the Personal Property Shipment Program, which arranges for the movement of military family household goods from base to base. While this program sorely needs improvement, any changes contemplated must well thought out measures that provide far better service to military families and not change for change sake,
"Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to our witnesses' testimony. "
