U.S. Representative Mike Waltz (R-FL), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, delivered the following opening statement at a hearing on mobility aircraft connectivity capabilities, which are crucial for closing logistics chains in the joint fight.
Rep. Waltz’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
Thank you to our witnesses for being here today and best wishes to General Minihan on your upcoming retirement. We are here today to discuss a topic of paramount importance to our national security: the relevance and survivability of mobility aircraft in a contested environment.
Mobility aircraft are the lifeline of our military operations, providing essential support for troop movements, logistics, and humanitarian missions. Their ability to operate effectively in contested environments is critical to maintaining our global reach and readiness. However, as we face increasingly capable adversaries, the threats to our mobility forces have multiplied. These threats range from advanced anti-aircraft systems to cyberattacks designed to disrupt our C2 capabilities.
One of the primary challenges we face is ensuring secure and resilient connectivity for our mobility forces. In today’s contested environments, maintaining reliable communication is not just a convenience—it’s a necessity. Our forces must navigate through increasingly complex and hostile territories, where reliable communication networks are not just advantageous, but essential. Whether delivering vital supplies, coordinating tactical movements, or providing life-saving medical support – uninterrupted connectivity is the lifeline that ensures our military's effectiveness and our service members’ safety. Our adversaries are well aware of this and have developed sophisticated methods to jam, spoof, and degrade our communications. To counter these threats, we must invest in advanced line-of-sight and beyond-line-of-sight communication systems. These technologies will enable our mobility aircraft to stay connected with command centers and other assets, ensuring seamless coordination even in the most hostile environments.
As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Readiness, I must emphasize that training and readiness are also paramount. Our Airmen must be proficient in operating under contested conditions, including degraded communications and electronic warfare environments. Realistic training exercises, such as Exercise Mobility Guardian, are essential for honing these skills. These exercises simulate contested environments, allowing our forces to practice their responses to real-world threats and ensure they are prepared for any scenario.
Moreover, partnerships and alliances play a crucial role in enhancing our mobility aircraft’s relevance and survivability. Working closely with our allies and partners allows us to share intelligence, coordinate operations, and provide mutual support in contested environments. Interoperability with allied forces ensures that we can operate seamlessly as a coalition, leveraging each other’s strengths and capabilities.
In conclusion, our mobility forces are a cornerstone of our national defense, and their ability to operate effectively in contested environments is essential for our ability to project power. I look forward to hearing insights from our witnesses as we work towards ensuring our military remains agile, adaptive, and equipped to face the challenges of tomorrow. Thank you and I yield back.
