Today, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, made the following remarks on the hearing titled "Effects of Reduced Infrastructure and Base Operating Support Investments on Readiness." For the testimony please click here.
"Good morning. Thank you all for being here today for our Readiness hearing on the 'Effects of Reduced Infrastructure and Base Operating Support Investments on Navy Readiness.' This is the second of three hearings on the topic. In December the Army and Marine Corps testified to increased readiness risks due to reduced installation investments. I look forward to hearing the views of the Navy today and the Air Force next week. I would like to welcome our Navy panel of experts. This morning we have with us:
• VADM Dixon Smith Commander Navy Installations Command
• RDML Mary Jackson Commander Navy Region Southeast
• CAPT Louis Schager Commanding Officer Naval Air Station Oceana
Over the last several years, the subcommittee has largely focused on operational readiness recovery since the draw down of forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. At the same time, the Department of Defense assumed risk in infrastructure investments and reduced mission support services by redirecting funds from installation programs to other operational and training budget priorities. Uncertain funding levels stemming from repeated continuing resolutions and sequestration exacerbated these risks. The purpose of this hearing is to clarify the Navy’s choices for infrastructure and installation services, to address funding priorities and mitigation strategies, and to gather more detail on the current and future impacts of these decisions on operations and training from the commander’s perspective.
As the witnesses testify, I would ask you to address existing risks in the infrastructure and installation support program and impacts to readiness; how will the recent 2-year budget reshape those risks and impacts; and what will be the level of risk and impacts over the next 10 years if budget levels remain constant or return to sequestration levels?"
