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Today, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, made the following opening statement on the hearing, "Air Force Projection Forces Aviation Programs and Capabilities for the 2017 Budget Request." To view testimony for this hearing click here.

"Today the subcommittee convenes to receive testimony on the fiscal year 2017 Air Force budget request regarding bomber, tanker, and airlift acquisition programs.

The distinguished panel of Air Force leaders testifying before us are:

• Lieutenant General Mike Holmes, Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Requirements; and

• Lieutenant General Arnold W. Bunch, Jr., USAF Military Deputy, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition

Gentlemen, thank you for being with us today.

The fiscal year 2017 budget request for Air Force projection forces is a good step forward to support our national defense. I am pleased to see continued investment in recapitalizing the ageing bomber and air-refueling fleets with the critically-needed Long Range Strike Bomber, recently designated the B-21, and the KC-46A tanker. The budget also takes some steps to modernize the legacy C-130H tactical airlift fleet.

That said, I continue to be concerned about the ability of our military to properly provide for our nation’s defense at the proposed fiscal year 2017 budget levels. As I and many of the members of this subcommittee indicated in a letter to the Chairman of the Budget Committee, this year’s budget request reduced investment in critical force structure and modernization programs by approximately $18 billion.

Specifically, I am concerned about the implications of delaying the incremental replacement of the C-130H fleet and the proposed reduction of 27 C-130s. The Air Force has previously assessed that there is moderate risk with a reduced C-130 force structure and another reduction further places our national security at even greater risk. It seems to me that the budget request will result in a tactical airlift fleet that is smaller and older—a dangerous combination.

The Air Force budget rollout indicated 'the Air Force is one of the busiest, smallest, oldest and least ready fleets in our history.' It is my firm conviction, in light of the higher-end threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, that the Air Force have the resources it needs to fully support—and if possible accelerate—critical recapitalization programs; to include purchasing additional aircraft with each dollar saved, if the warfighting requirements demand it.

With regard to bombers, last week the Air Force designated the Long Range Strike Bomber as the B-21 Bomber. I fully support this critical program; and am pleased to see that we are once again moving forward on this new platform, which will be needed for projecting power over long distances and into denied environments.

With regard to tankers, I am pleased to see that the KC-46A program appears to be on track after overcoming some initial setbacks and is continuing to execute a highly compressed test and certification schedule that has little room for error. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this program and whether or not the first 18 aircraft will be delivered in time to meet the August 2017 contract deadline.

Lastly, I am concerned that this budget fails to provide the resources needed to procure the avionics upgrades needed to ensure that the entire fleet of tankers, airlifters, and bombers are able to operate safely in compliance with the FAA mandated NEXT GEN air traffic management standards by January 1, 2020. The civilian aviation sector is rapidly moving toward compliance, and I am concerned that our military aircraft could be shut out of the air space they need for transit and training.

In sum, while I am pleased that the Air Force’s FY2017 budget request makes up some lost ground over last year, I am concerned that the proposed budget forces the Air Force and its sister services to make false choices between capability, capacity, and safety, when the undeniable reality is that our military needs all the above.

I firmly believe that what this subcommittee and the rest of Congress does about national defense and military readiness will be a defining issue. I firmly believe that we need a strong Air Force equipped with the most capable aircraft that enable our men and women to carry out their missions effectively and safely. To do this…we need leadership in national security. We need an unambiguous declaration that our national security is our preeminent responsibility."