WASHINGTON - Rep. Randy J. Forbes (R-VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces made the following opening statement for today's hearing entitled "Naval Cooperative Strategy."
Rep. Randy J. Forbes (R-VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Seapower & Projection Forces made the following opening statement for today's hearing entitled "Naval Cooperative Strategy."
"Today the subcommittee convenes with colleagues from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. I want to welcome all of our members and colleagues, as well as the distinguished panel of Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard leaders for today's hearing.
We have testifying before us on naval cooperative strategy:
• Vice Admiral Charles Michel, U.S. Coast Guard, Deputy Commandant for Operations;
• Major General Andrew O'Donnell, U.S. Marine Corps, Assistant Deputy Commandant, Combat Development & Integration; Deputy Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command; and
• Rear Admiral Kevin Donegan, U.S. Navy, Acting Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Operations, Plans, and Strategy (N3/N5).
Thank you all for testifying today and we look forward to your thoughts and insights.
The report, 'A Cooperative Strategy for 21st Century Seapower' that the Sea Services released last week outlines a U.S. maritime strategy that addresses regional threats and capabilities as well as threats to the global commons. This joint strategy demonstrates cooperation and a promising future of joint operations. It affirms U.S. resolve to project power and deter aggression, while identifying long-term planning initiatives.
The eight short years since the last maritime strategy underscore the need to build a flexible, agile maritime force that is ready to respond to threats. Whereas in 2007 the U.S. could 'preserve the peace,' it must now be ready to respond as a result of changes in the global security environment. Sovereign states, such as China and Russia, have expanded their regional forces and seized land of neighboring countries. Extremist and terrorist organizations are destabilizing the Middle East and parts of Africa, and under-governed shore areas foster illicit activities that fuel these organizations. Maintaining a forward U.S. presence and building our relationships with allies and partner nations is vital for global security and prosperity.
While the report identifies critical growth opportunities, the strategy neglects the roles and missions of different services, and I encourage the Sea Services to evaluate those between the Navy, Coast Guard, and Marines in order to inform implementation of this strategy. Furthermore, I would like to see additional analysis on forward deployments and surge requirements and the implications on the industrial base to support the strategy. Overall maritime strategy also needs to provide the framework for distributed sea control and power projection in the littorals. This strategy lays a good foundation, but it will require attention and congressional support to be effective. I look forward to the release of the classified annex later this year, and I hope that it will address some of these areas.
In the face of sequestration, I am concerned about implementing this strategy at a cohesive level. It is Congress' job to ensure that the Coast Guard, Navy, and Marine Corps are fully funded to be able to meet these strategic aims. Today, I would like to hear from the witnesses specifically about how this strategy will connect service budget requests to strategic plans and operations."
