WASHINGTON, DC - Today, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's hearing titled “Mobility and Transportation Command Posture.” For testimony and to watch the hearing click here.
Today, Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's hearing titled "Mobility and Transportation Command Posture."
"Good morning. The subcommittees will come to order. I welcome each of you to this joint hearing of the Readiness Subcommittee and the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee on the posture of the US Transportation Command.
Today the subcommittee will hear from the Commander of Transportation Command and the Administrator of the Maritime Administration on how well the Department of Defense is postured to meet the heavy and sustained logistical demands of a major conflict.
While TRANSCOM has operational control of some Air Force and Navy owned aircraft and ships for this mission, a major contingency will require the substantial assistance of the US commercial air and shipping fleet. Further, TRANSCOM must rely on the military departments to budget for critical organic assets such as ships, planes, and ports, and the commercial air and shipping industry to willingly participate in defense logistical programs.
TRANSCOM can influence, but cannot direct, Army, Navy, and Air Force budget decisions, nor commercial industry business decisions.
We understand that there are some deficiencies in this complex system that must be addressed. Among these are the Air Force's aging tanker fleet and some near obsolete vessels that are part of our surge sealift fleet. We welcome the witnesses' perspective on these issues and any recommendations they may have."
