Press Releases

U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness, delivered the following opening statement at a hearing on the nexus between operational energy and logistics, and whether the proper coordination and collaboration exists for optimal success in a contested environment.

Rep. Lamborn's remarks as prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you to the witnesses for being here today.

The future fight will present logistics challenges not experienced in the recent past. Adversaries like Russia and China are seeking to deny access in all domains and ensure our supply lines are contested.

It is under this all-domain threat that we must be able to rapidly assemble and deploy forces worldwide and importantly, support those forces over large distances for lengthy periods of time. That is a tall order.

Simply put, we must be planning and solving for the operational energy challenges presented by the future fight.

This will require a strategy that considers both supply and demand. A balanced approach will better position our forces for the future.

So, we have asked the Department here today to tell us what is being done to assure energy needs and better plan for scenarios where supply lines are disrupted.

We must get this right. When the ability to provide and deliver energy is placed at risk, so too is the Department's ability to deploy and sustain forces around the globe.

I know that the Department and the services take this challenge seriously and have been working to find solutions.

I look forward to hearing about new systems and concepts, and what investments are being planned and made for innovation tailored to an enhanced ability to operate in contested environments. And importantly, how are we ensuring those new concepts are being considered and integrated at program levels.

I am a strong supporter of innovative solutions like Project Pele. Safe and reliable mobile or micro-reactors present a promising solution to providing abundant energy to our warfighters in remote and austere environments. It is imperative we move quickly to develop new capabilities able to maintain our lines of communication and supply.

I know that much of this conversation can get classified quickly, but I am also interested in what we are learning from the planning and execution of wargames. It is my hope that those efforts are improving Department decision-making in concept and capability development and program investments.

And, while supply challenges can dominate near-term focus, I am also interested in demand side efforts and opportunities.

Efforts to increase the range and capability of the legacy tactical ground vehicle fleet, transform the operational energy performance of manned and unmanned systems, among many others, are vital to long-term solutions.

Again, I appreciate the witness here today, and look forward to their comments.

Thank you Mr. Chairman, I yield back.