Press Releases

Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness, delivered the following opening statement at a Subcommittees on Readiness and Seapower and Projection Forces Joint Hearing on the Posture and Readiness of the Mobility Enterprise.

Together our mobility enterprise is responsible for the sealift, airlift and ground logistics and distribution for our armed services. I wish we could have had this important discussion after receiving the budget, and we eagerly await its delivery. I am sure we will have some more questions after its arrival.

Our mobility enterprise must be ready to support the combatant commands in the face of evolving global threats. Yet I am concerned we are under prepared to support tomorrow's fight.

Deterring our near-peer competitors subjects our military to the tyranny of distance, underscoring the importance of logistics and strategic lift. I hope today that our witnesses can preview the upcoming update to the mobility capabilities requirement study, which we expect to be delivered next month.

Given the current state of our sealift capability, it would appear that we are in trouble. Almost all of our forward combat unit equipment moves by sea. But our ships are old and some near obsolete. The Army has stated planned fleet reductions could result in "unacceptable risk in force projection capability beginning in 2024." I know that TRANSCOM can influence but not direct service budget decisions, but I look forward to hearing concrete solutions and long-term plans – not simply relying on service life extensions – to rebuild the fleet.

Aging airlift and air refueling assets present another challenge, specifically as we work through recapitalizing the air refueling tanker fleet. General Lyons, when we spoke last week, you mentioned continued issues with the KC-46. I look forward to hearing about plans to operate the KC-46 in a limited fashion and ongoing retirement plans for our KC-10 and KC-135 aircraft.

Our threats are evolving, and the mobility enterprise must keep pace. It is critical that we are meeting the obligation to sustain repair and recapitalize our mobility support assets. Our ability to project and sustain our force is at stake.

I want to thank the witnesses for their time today. I look forward to having an open and candid discussion, and I yield back.