Today, Rep. Rob Wittman (R-VA), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces, made the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, on the Subcommittee's joint hearing titled "Air Force Projection Forces Aviation Programs and Capabilities for the 2019 Budget Request." For testimony and to watch the hearing click here.
"Today the subcommittee convenes to receive testimony on the fiscal year 2019 Air Force budget request regarding bomber, tanker, and airlift acquisition programs.
The distinguished panel of Air Force leaders testifying before us are:
• The Honorable Mr. William Roper, Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition;
• Lieutenant General Jerry D. Harris, USAF Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Plans and Programs; and
• Lieutenant General Mark C. Nowland, USAF Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements
Gentlemen, thank you for being with us today.
The fiscal year 2019 budget request for projection forces continues to modernize and recapitalize critical Air Force weapon systems. I am pleased to see increasing investment in the B-21 Raider bomber and the high-visibility VC-25B Presidential Aircraft Recapitalization effort. Also, this budget proposes funding to continue modernizing the legacy Guard and Reserve C-130H tactical airlift fleet.
Throughout the past year in testimony to Congress, Air Force senior leadership indicated that '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 threats posed by China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea, that we must provide the Air Force the resources it needs to fully support critical recapitalization programs.
With regard to bombers, the Air Force outlined its plans for its bomber fleet in the FY19 budget submission. Under this plan, the B-52, oldest bomber in the fleet, will remain on duty for the next few decades while the newest B-2 and B-1 bombers will be retired. I am interested to hear from our witnesses today about factors used to make these determinations.
As for the B-21 bomber, I fully support this critical program and am pleased to see that we are moving forward. The B-21 will be needed for projecting power over long distances and into denied environments in the future of warfare. Timely delivery of B-21 is necessary to ensure our national security. While I believe that Northrup Grumman is doing a good job at managing the risk across the entire portfolio, I look forward to assessing in better detail the B-21 program to ensure sufficient progress on design and construction.
With regard to tankers, I am concerned that continued forecast delays for KC-46A deliveries, coupled with the Air Force's plan to begin retiring 47 KC-10A aircraft across the FYDP beginning in FY19, may add unacceptable risk to Combatant Commanders' ability to execute war plans. In General McDew's testimony to my subcommittee last week, he indicated 'we already know the convergence of an aging air refueling fleet with protracted KC-46 production puts the Joint Force's ability to effectively execute war plans at risk.' He went on to say that 'it is clear, the tanker fleet's end strength will require careful synchronization between KC-10 and KC-135 retirements and KC-46 production and delivery to sustain current force projection capabilities.'
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this program and how the Air Force intends to manage the transition of KC-10A and KC-135 aircraft with the KC-46A. Furthermore, I also look forward to hearing why Air Force believes robust investment into KC-46A is warranted considering continued delays in this program.
I am encouraged with the Air Force's sustained effort to ensure that its mobility aircraft will comply with the FAA mandated NEXT GEN air traffic management standards by January 1, 2020 – with the exception of a few aircraft that will be undergoing depot modification. But I am becoming increasingly concerned about other military equities that may be impacted as we move to support the FAA mandate. While I support the migration of our tankers and airlift assets to NEXT GEN, I do worry about the lack of security protections associated with the bomber and fighter force structures. We need to carefully monitor this transition.
While I believe that the Air Force's fiscal year 2019 budget request continues to make up lost ground, I remain concerned about the Air Force's ability to fulfill Commandant Commander requirements given the shortfalls in strategic airlift, aerial refueling, and the increased risk posed by the complexities of managing the tanker and bomber transitions.
In the words of the immortal air power theorist General Giulio Douhet, 'In order to assure an adequate national defense, it is necessary — and sufficient — to be in a position in case of war to conquer the command of the air.' Like Douhet, it is my firm conviction that we need a strong Air Force equipped with the most capable aircraft that enable our highly skilled and motivated Airman to defend our great nation.
Once again I want to thank our witnesses for participating in our hearing this afternoon and I look forward to discussing these important topics."
