U.S. Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS), Chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, delivered the following opening remarks at a hearing on Air Force projection forces aviation programs and capabilities related to the President's 2024 budget request.
Rep. Kelly's remarks as prepared for delivery:
Good Afternoon,
This subcommittee covers Seapower and Projection Forces……..today we will hear about the projection part of the portfolio.
Our witnesses this afternoon have been in front of this committee a few times and I'd like to thank you for meeting with me last week----thank you for your service and welcome to this subcommittee.
Projection Forces play an important part in the military's ability to be anywhere at anytime. Airlift, Bombers and Tankers are critical. Mr Alford and I had a great visit to Palmdale, CA last week and are very impressed with the progress of the B-21. As you know the challenge from China is growing and the Air Force must have the right aircraft, systems and capabilities to carry out any mission, anywhere and I think the B-21 will perform admirably.
I'd like to hear from our witnesses discussing the urgency to have enough air refueling capability for a possible China fight across a very large INDOPACOM AOR.
Finally, I'd like to hear from our witnesses today how our projection forces are being modernized to meet the future threats. Before we introduce the witnesses I'd like to turn it over to Mr Courtney for his opening remarks.
