▶ 0:02:25To order. We're here to discuss the department of air force budget request for fiscal year 1919 2027. We have three witnesses before us. Secretary of the air force, doctor troy minnick. Um, general kenneth welsbach, chief of the air force, and general chance saltzman, chief of the space operations, one of the first. Recognize the air force efforts during the operations of venezuela, now iran. We have incredible airmen that serve.
▶ 0:02:50I certainly offer my condolences for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who wounded the harrowing rescue of 44. Our airmen are the very best in the world. I also want to acknowledge the aircraft we've lost and munitions we've expended in iran, which is not insignificant. We may see a request for a supplemental at some point.
▶ 0:03:12Uh, but we have not seen it yet, and it's unclear how we plan to replenish our stocks and address losses we've taken in our air force inventory. The request before the committee does include additional aircraft, including 24 f-15 x 15 kc 4623t7s, and a healthy request for, uh, f 47 in the next generation bomber. 38f35s are requested, of which 14 of those are requested in the mandatory side.
▶ 0:03:40That brings me to a concern I want to put on the record. In addition to the billions requested for the f-35 enterprise, several of these programs I consider highest priority are being funded through the mandatory request. 17.5 billion for golden dome, 7.7 billion for air moving target indicator, 4.6 billion for munitions procurement, and 3.9 billion for space data network.
▶ 0:04:06Mandatory funding bypasses the annual appropriations process, which is how congress exercises its oversight responsibility. If these programs are as critical as the budget request suggests, and I believe they are, then they deserve all the full scrutiny and sustained attention that we on appropriations process provides. I would urge the department to work with us to bring these programs into the discretionary budget where they belong.
▶ 0:04:30With that said, I would note that the us space force has made remarkable progress in the short time maturing into a true war fighting service. Accelerating the delivery of critical capability and prioritizing the resilience across its architecture. I commend the men and women of the space force for that work, but we cannot afford to be satisfied. The domain is evolving faster than ever, and the challenges ahead are serious. China and russia are not standing still.
▶ 0:04:59China has dramatically expanded its, uh, on orbit presence, and both nations continue to test and develop dedicated space combat capability. This is not a future threat. It is a present one. And the posture must reflect that reality. The space force f fy 27 budget request is 71 billion, up roughly 40 billion in fy 26 is a recognition of that threat. I support investing capabilities that we need.
▶ 0:05:28A budget of this scale will test our acquisition workforce, and we must ensure that growth and spending is matched by growth in our capacity to execute. We will work closely with you throughout the budget process to find ways we can accelerate the fielding of the platforms needed by our warfighters today. With that, I'll yield to the ranking member, Mr. mccollum, for any opening remarks you would like to make. >> thank you, Mr. chair. And good morning, gentlemen. A special good morning to you, general saltsman.
▶ 0:05:58This is your last appearance before the committee, and you're the truly, you're my first space force person. And so that I worked with for so many years. So thank you very much for taking me with on, on the journey to stand up this incredible group of men and women who work under your command. Um, we're going to be scrutinizing what is a historically large budget request.
▶ 0:06:22For years, we've been hearing that the department needs to be focused with its defense dollars on the challenge of the indo-pacific. But we've been anything but focused on china. We've seen major operations this year in our southern hemisphere. And of course, this budget drops as the president has taken our nation to war. And iran, which has not yet been authorized by congress.
▶ 0:06:45The closure of the strait of mammoth um has made energy prices go up globally, and it's increased the cost of living everything from what my farmers are paying for fertilizer to the fuel that they're putting in their tractors as they go out to the field, let alone what everyday americans are doing, gassing up. The president says we can't afford to help american families with daycare or funding of medicaid or medicare because we're fighting wars.
▶ 0:07:12While I strongly disagree with the president on this analysis, um, there are many competing priorities. Your department is just one of them. We have to work to justify every dollar that you have requested. Mr. secretary, I believe that you've worked very, very hard from our conversations to prioritize the requests. But you have to admit, the numbers that the american people are hearing about are eye popping air force and space force.
▶ 0:07:36The request would increase by $92 billion, and that increase alone, to put it in perspective, is the entire budget of commerce, justice and science appropriations bills. General saltzman $71 billion for space force would be three times the size of the nasa budget. So we have a lot of questions for you.
▶ 0:08:02Um, I just want to and because of the amount of time that we have, especially for you, um, general saltzman, you talked about your need for scientists and engineers and for me, that's why we can't cut stem and as we call it, minnesota, because we include the arts steam. That's our higher education funding for your workforce.
▶ 0:08:23So I'm curious to learn more about your plans to grow the space force and stand up the new program officers, mister chair, and the interest of making sure that everybody gets a chance to do anything. I am going to yield back. >> I thank the gentlelady. And with that, uh, we'll start with the your opening remarks. I just want to make a comment. Well, we expect to have a vote series called about 945. So we'll get through what we can recess and come back right after that.
▶ 0:08:52So with that doctor, you're recognized for your opening statement. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Appreciate it. Uh, ranking member mccollum, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for the opportunity to come and walk through, uh, at least at some level, the fy 27 department of the air force budget request. Appreciate the opportunity. Appreciate the time. I'm proud to represent the 680,000 airmen and civilians of the department of the air force, as well as their families and loved ones. After the events of the last year and hammer. Absolute resolve.
▶ 0:09:22Epic fury. I don't think anyone doubts that the air force and space force are the most capable in the world. Uh, but today we're in the middle of a generational shift in how we employ air and space power, advances in microelectronics, adaptive manufacturing, facturing, autonomy, ai, and more give us a unique opportunity to drive down costs and drive up effectiveness across the board. However, our adversaries recognize that opportunity every bit as much as we do.
▶ 0:09:51Those adversaries, particularly china, are modernizing at a very rapid pace. To stay ahead, we must innovate faster in everything that we do. That means staying ready, not just to fight tonight, but next month, next year, and next decade. Unfortunately, for the past 25 years, the budget has actually been the smallest relative to gdp in its history. At the same time, the nation has asked more of it to meet these mission needs.
▶ 0:10:16The dap was forced to both continually cut foundational readiness and shortchange much needed modernization. The fiscal year 2027 president's budget breaks that pattern with a $338.8 billion request for the dap, a 34% increase from last year. I'll start with our investments to win the fight tonight. Foundational readiness boosting readiness requires increased and stable investments, particularly given the age of many of our platforms.
▶ 0:10:42Fy 27 budget increases our foundational readiness investments by 34%, providing the jump needed to truly recover. We're also looking at ways to operate more efficiently by accelerating decision making, reducing industry barriers to entry, and leveraging innovative contract structures. The lean budget over the years has also resulted in a $50 billion facility maintenance backlog.
▶ 0:11:07This has been further compounded by the way we have traditionally done milcon, which results in cost more than double that in the commercial world. To reverse this, the fy 27 budget request roughly doubles investments in both milcon and facilities sustainment, restoration and modernization, which we will couple with the new authorities, such as progressive design build that we've gotten from congress. Second, production, particularly of munitions. We retain enough munitions worldwide to meet mission needs.
▶ 0:11:38We strongly need factory lines to sustain that and bolster our stockpiles. Therefore, this budget takes full advantage of multiyear procurement for our most critical munitions, totaling 39,000 weapons of all types by fy 33. We are also developing munitions designed from the start to be lower cost and faster to build. With advances in technologies, we will nearly be. They will nearly be as capable of our high end munitions, but at a fraction of the cost.
▶ 0:12:06Third, modernization. The d'af is currently engaged in the broadest program of modernization in its history. While not every program has gone perfect, we have already seen a lot of success with the new proliferated space architectures. The collaborative combat aircraft f 47, b-21 and our command control and battle management systems. The fy 27 request accelerates those successes and applies lessons learned from them across the board.
▶ 0:12:33To that end, we are transforming our acquisition system, focusing on empowering our new portfolio acquisition executives and their teams with the authority's resources and talent they need to accelerate capability delivery. We have delegated nearly every authority we are legally allowed down to the pace. We are realigning portfolios to match mission outcomes. We are simplifying decision making wherever we can. This is a big change and it will impact both readiness and modernization.
▶ 0:13:05Finally, our most decisive advantage remains our people, the airmen in the guardians who make everything possible. This budget invests in them. That includes a 5 to 7% pay raise for military, larger bonus pools to incentivize high performing civilians, increased military end strength, and a 300% increase in dormitory investments. In conclusion, this budget represents a clear eyed assessment of the threats we face and the disciplined strategy to meet them.
▶ 0:13:33While fy 27 does represent a major increase in our budget, we are ready to execute that budget. Much of the new funding will accelerate mature programs with established contract vehicles, and regardless of the final total, we will remain accountable and transparent to the american taxpayer. Thank you, and I look forward to your questions. >> thank you, general wilsbach. You're recognized. >> all right. Thank you.
▶ 0:13:58Good morning, chairman calvert, ranking member mccollum and distinguished members of the committee. I'm proud to represent 665,000 total force airmen serving our nation. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. Your continued support for airmen and their families is greatly appreciated. The united states air force exists to provide the nation with decisive options at both speed and scale. Every day.
▶ 0:14:24Our airmen deliver that capability by controlling the air, holding targets at risk, moving forces all across the globe, and underpinning the underpinning the joint force. With these combined efforts, as illustrated in recent operations such as operation midnight hammer, absolute resolve and epic fury, they do it professionally and without pause.
▶ 0:14:49We operate in an environment where distance no longer guarantees sanctuary networks are contested and adversaries are fielding capabilities specifically designed to deny us the advantages we've relied on before. That real reality drives our focus, and that is readiness, modernization and taking care of airmen and families.
▶ 0:15:12Readiness is the ability to generate combat power, quickly, operate in contested environments, and sustain operations over time. Today, our airmen are meeting the mission but are doing so while managing significant strain. We are flying aircraft that in many cases are older than the airmen who maintain them.
▶ 0:15:33We are operating at high tempo across multiple theaters and doing so while preparing to be ready for any future conflict. Our fiscal year 2027 budget request prioritizes restoring depth to our force by increasing funding for flying hours, munitions maintenance, and advanced training that reflects the realities of today and tomorrow's fight weapon system.
▶ 0:16:00Sustainment funding increases to over $22 billion in flying hours, nearly 10 billion. We are focused on readiness that continues to remain credible and can deliver effects. Modernization is not only about replacing old platforms with new ones, but evolving how we fight speed, survivability and decision advantage will define future conflict. It requires a force that is more connected and adaptable.
▶ 0:16:28To this end, we are increasing our research and development funding by 27% to over $57 billion. The fiscal year 2027 budget request will accelerate our modernization programs. We are advancing the f 47 and collaborative combat aircraft to increase combat mass and complicate adversary targeting. We are upgrading our current fighter fleet to ensure it remains viable, while also investing in long range strike advanced munitions and resilient command and control.
▶ 0:16:58Additionally, our nuclear enterprise remains foundational. Investments will now sustain the modernization of the triad through the sentinel, b-21 raider and upgrades to the b-52 and e-4b. These capabilities ensure our deterrence remains credible and ready. Third priority is taking care of our airmen and their families. We ask a lot of our people frequent moves and operational stress take a toll.
▶ 0:17:23Our air force continues to invest in improving options for health care, child care and spouse employment. Therefore, our budget request strengthens quality of life. We are executing the largest investment in our permanent party dormitories in over a decade, which is $1.3 billion.
▶ 0:17:44We are looking for solutions to meet the housing needs of our family, and funding new construction projects to address child care capacity shortfalls, adding 1718 child care spaces air force wide, the air force exists to be the best possible fighting force for our nation. We are building a force that can operate under pressure and deliver effects anywhere in the world. That requires sustained investment, disciplined choices, and an unwavering focus on our people.
▶ 0:18:13With your support, we will ensure they have the tools, training and the backing they need. Thank you. I look forward to your questions. >> thank you. General. General salzman. >> thank you. Chairman calvert, ranking member mccollum, distinguished members of the committee, thank you for your support for the space force and our nation's guardians, and for this opportunity to testify on the space force's posture for fiscal year 27.
▶ 0:18:34As the past year has demonstrated, space is more vital to our more vital than ever to our economic prosperity, our national security, and the effectiveness of the joint force. However, our adversaries are constantly working to take away our military and economic advantages in the space domain to defend our nation's interests in space, the space force must do more than grow. We must evolve to meet the challenges of this new era.
▶ 0:18:57To that end, the fy 27 budget's landmark investment of 71.1 billion for the space force represents a generational opportunity to position the force to meet the rapidly expanding threats and demands of the nation. I know some of the budget percentage increases being considered sound big, but let me put those numbers in context.
▶ 0:19:19There are at least 25 individual military installations inside the united states that each have more personnel than the entire space force, and the top ten of those installations are all at least twice the size of our service and the space force budget, in comparison to the other services, will still be less than 5% of our nation's total military spending. An extraordinary value in a return investment for our nation.
▶ 0:19:43That investment is a critical down payment to meet the accelerating demands on the service. In 2025, the space force saw a drastic increase in mission requirements across space access, global mission operations, and space control. This trend shows no signs of slowing to position the service for this mission growth and inform our future needs. The space force has been working hard to define what we believe our future operating environment will look like over the next 15 years.
▶ 0:20:11And then based on that, we designed our objective force structure, which will provide a vector for our services investments to meet the nation's expanding needs and defeat future threats. That analysis makes it clear the space force we have today is not the space force we will need in the future. Increases in the services, budget and in strength are a national security imperative. That is why the fy 27 budget boosts our top line by 130%, and our end strength by 27%.
▶ 0:20:38The proposed budget, paired with this increase in end strength, will allow the space force to recruit and train the guardians. We need build vital space capabilities for the joint force and the nation, and provide the support and infrastructure that that mission growth requires. Today, we are deliberately building a cadre of space minded warfighters equipped with the skills required in an increasingly contested and evolving domain. We are preparing our guardian officers to seamlessly integrate with the joint force.
▶ 0:21:06We are bolstering the development of our enlisted force to ensure they become technical space experts, and we are developing our civilian guardians so that they can best provide their unique expertise, ensure continuity of operations and bring a depth of support across the mission sets. In order to execute all of our expanding missions, it's imperative that we responsibly and effectively convert this increased appropriation into combat capability and warfighting advantage.
▶ 0:21:34Unlike the other services, the majority of our budget, nearly two thirds, is dedicated to developing and fielding new systems instead of personnel or operations and maintenance. This is why the space force is so focused on taking advantage of this once in a generation opportunity to enhance our acquisition processes, all with the goal of accelerating the fielding of vital combat space systems at the speed and scale required for each mission.
▶ 0:21:58To that end, newly empowered portfolio acquisition executives are positioned to make better and faster program trades, expediting our ability to deliver combat credible systems on operationally relevant timelines. We're simplifying our approach to requirements, bolstering bolstering our relationship with industry and allies, and ensuring our vital guardian workforce is expertly trained in the complex task of acquisitions.
▶ 0:22:25Unlike other services that are modernizing and existing systems, the space force cannot modernize what it does not have. We are creating some of these innovative capabilities for new missions from the ground up, particularly in space control, and we are investing in all categories of counter space systems necessary to deter and defeat aggression in space. Additionally, we are aggressively pursuing more resilient space architectures that can withstand attacks and continue to operate through extended conflict.
▶ 0:22:52This includes expanding our resilient missile warning and tracking initiative that provides life saving alerts to troops worldwide and enhancing satellite communications to connect joint force joint force units and commanders around the globe during battle and growing our space based sensing and targeting architecture to hold adversary forces at risk through space based amti and gmt anywhere in the world. But the added manpower, missions and capabilities require commensurate increases in the structures that support them.
▶ 0:23:21So the fy 2011 budget request also includes the required milcon to ensure our guardians are fully supported. The space force has laid the organizational foundation, defined the compounding threat and delivered the blueprint required to counter it. Now we must build those structures and systems to ensure domain superiority for years to come. Although our growth request looks large in a vacuum, the request is actually quite small relative to the overall budget for the department of war. And I think the payoff is significant.
▶ 0:23:48With the continued advocacy from congress, our guardians stand ready to deter aggression, protect space enabled way of life, and, if called upon, fight and win. As I conclude my final presentation to this committee as a cso, let me say thank you for enabling our successes and for the opportunity to highlight the exceptional work that our guardians are doing every day to secure our nation's interests in, from and to space. I look forward to your questions. >> thank you.
▶ 0:24:15Thank you, general, and thank you for your service and your last presence in front of the committee. Uh, I'm going to start off question. We have time for, I think, a few questions before we break to go vote. Uh, fy 40, uh, excuse me, fy 2011 budget request includes 27.5 billion for the department of air force.
▶ 0:24:36Uh, 321.7 billion requests in reconciliation includes 17.5 billion for the golden dome, 7.1 billion for space based amti, 2.3 billion for 14 f-35s, 4.6 billion for air force munitions and 5.6 billion for facilities, sustainment, restoration facilities that you're talking about that are in dire need.
▶ 0:25:00Uh, secretary, these are obviously high priority items that are included in the department's mandatory request. Uh, what risk is there to long term health stability? These programs by this funding strategy, in case we don't get a reconciliation bill. >> well, Mr. chairman, as we discussed, the resources, regardless of mandatory or discretionary, we.
▶ 0:25:23They're all a priority to execute the the mission in the future, both from a readiness and modernization that we just talked about. Uh, so any reduction on either side of the house would have, um, either side mandatory discretionary will have significant consequences. We didn't put one priority here and one priority there. It's all a priority for for what we need to execute the, the mission going forward. >> uh, general, uh, wilsbach you concerned about the amount of funding for munitions included in reconciliation?
▶ 0:25:55>> I was the secretary said, um, we need munitions. Uh, so we, you know, we put that in as a requirement. And if it comes in, um, via the, via the reconciliation or the base budget, um, we will expand those, uh, those resources to restock our munitions and get them to where they need to be. Uh, the fact is, is that we've used, we've used some munitions in epic fury and those need to be restocked.
▶ 0:26:25And we can also get at this with a supplemental as well. >> yeah, this is more of a comment than it is a question, but I, uh, I would put your priority needs either in the base budget or in the supplemental, uh, and, uh, because, uh, we want to make sure, especially on the munitions side of it, we had a, we had a munition issue before the conflict even started.
▶ 0:26:48And, uh, now, uh, the number of munitions we expended in iran, we're, we're going to need to get that done. So, uh, maybe, uh, you may share that with the secretary and see what occurs. Um, miss mccollum. >> thank you, Mr. chair. Well, um, we're talking about a $92 billion increase between air force and space force, but we also need some help.
▶ 0:27:17Um, you have mentioned, uh, in previous testimony and other conversations about the need to remove older buildings and facilities that eat into your operations, legacy systems that are too old to operate and maintain that all cost us more, that we need the authorizers to do that. So I think that that needs to be a message that's delivered loud and clear to them.
▶ 0:27:40When we talk about modernization and readiness, they can become broad catch words across a swath of programs. Golden dome, just to mention one, there's a nuclear modernization through sentinel, which has been out of control. It's 81% over what we were originally told it was going to cost years ago.
▶ 0:27:59We've got strategic bomber programs, tanker modernization, fighter jets like the f-35, and we even have executive airlift programs that we've been asked to plan from, from the air force to recapitalize those heavy used planes. So, um, we have no idea, um, what is going to be happening in future base budgets to the chairman's point.
▶ 0:28:24That's why having things built into the base or in a supplemental where we can track and know what's how the money is going to happen versus a reconciliation is so very important. And we talked about that yesterday. So, Mr. secretary, back to what the chairman was asking. We do have to prioritize. I have to prioritize in my personal life. I have to prioritize. When I put forward a budget, ideas with my constituents. So, Mr.
▶ 0:28:50Secretary, what are your top three priority programs in this budget that would face significant setbacks of funding was lower than requested. Same thing for you, gentleman salzman, what are your three must have priority programs to get after this year? >> uh, so thank you. Thank you, ranking member. I appreciate the question.
▶ 0:29:14And, and, and we have prioritized, uh, within our budget mission, uh, what we think is the most important, I think from a high level perspective, you know, the, the nuclear transmission is always going to be one of our primary missions. So that is both the b-21 sentinel, some of the weapon systems that go along with those programs and the infrastructure to feed those programs are, are critically important.
▶ 0:29:37Again, nuclear deterrence is a no fail mission, and we have to make sure we do that right, as well as the nc three that sits in the space side. So that mission sits in both both parts of the department of the air force, uh, from a and then and then the new weapon systems.
▶ 0:29:5047 as we feel the upgraded version of f-35, all those programs are critically important to, to maintain, uh, match with the chinese and other high end adversaries going forward, as well as, as well as a lot of the ammunitions and what I say, munitions, not only the current munitions, but the lower cost munitions going forward are really a priority. I'm a little bit past three already. >> you've gone past three. And I and I want to give space force a chance to give me.
▶ 0:30:18>> and he's probably going to have the same ones I will on the space side of the house. So I'll stop there. >> at least fingers are crossed that he will. Right. Okay. >> this is the the boss is your boss. Yeah, I know, no, I. >> ma'am, it's a perfectly valid point. And increases is dramatic. And so focusing on the things that we have increased with this budget request, I would put them into those three categories. The space control capabilities that we're going to need to protect our assets and deny an adversary the use of space enabled targeting against us.
▶ 0:30:47Second is the launch infrastructure to make sure we have the capacity and the ops tempo to continue to launch and put those capabilities on orbit. And then finally, there are the support structures that are necessary to enable the growth. And that's where you get the test and the the training ranges and the training capacity to do that work. >> thank you. Mr. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:31:15Gentlemen, uh, last year I brought up concerns about our strategic airlift capacity, uh, expressing concern around those aging c-5s and 17 s, um. No production line to fall back on. Uh, you said then that the department was assessing next generation airlift acquisition strategy. Mr.
▶ 0:31:44Secretary, what has the air force accomplished in the realm of air mobility this past year? Have you developed a plan to preserve and modernize that fleet? Sir. >> let me make a couple of opening comments and I'll I'll if that's okay, I'll turn it over to general wilsbach to add add a little bit. Uh, yes, sir.
▶ 0:32:13We've we've we've finished some analysis on what that next generation system is going to look like. So, so, so that that is progressing well. And we, we've kind of laid that out. Uh, we are extending the c-5s. I believe we're now looking at out through 2040 on the c-5s. At that point, we intend to start replenishing those aircraft first. And then following that, we will go into replenishment of the c-17s, which are in very good condition right now, general.
▶ 0:32:41>> uh, the mobility, the our mobility machine has been operating marvelously through the last few operations, but in particular, uh, through epic fury. Um, the way, the way that we will be able to continue this into the future is to fund the $22 billion in weapons systems sustainment.
▶ 0:33:01So as we have increased the number of flying hours to support not just air force troops that are deployed, but also the joint force, we've been flying additional hours. The 27 budget calls for about $22 billion in weapons systems sustainment. So as we finish out epic fury and we bring those aircraft back, uh, we'll refurbish them and, and allow them to extend their lifetime.
▶ 0:33:32>> does this year's budget meaningfully move the needle on maintaining global mobility and lift capacity, or are we simply managing the decline of a critical capability? >> I don't think we're in decline. Uh, we certainly have, uh, we have, uh, modernization plans that we're looking at and evaluating.
▶ 0:34:01Uh, trans transcom owes us a study that that should come out here later this year, uh, that will help inform the future of what the air force will field. But this budget with the 22 billion, uh, for weapon systems sustainment, and then just over 4 billion for the working capital fund, um, allows us to maintain and then buy the parts that would sustain that force.
▶ 0:34:31And so I wouldn't categorize our mobility force as declining, but rather sustaining. >> chairman. >> thank you. Just real quick, what is the operate on c-5 now? What's the operational rate. How much on the c-5.
▶ 0:34:55>> the c-5 are running the the aircraft availability is 37%, which is why which is why we're asking for the 22 billion because that that that dollar figure will allow us to buy the parts and maintain those aircraft and bring bring the availability up. >> thank you. >> john. Uh, just say. >> to you, Mr.
▶ 0:35:21Chairman, in many of the cases, what we've seen is it's not necessarily the age of the aircraft. The age of the aircraft does play into it, but a big part of it is just not having enough parts on the shelf to and the maintainers to, to, to just keep those aircraft flying. And there's a big investment to do that. >> thank you. Uh, Mr. cuellar. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. Ranking member, I want to thank all three of you all. Thank you for your service and the men and women that work for y'all. Thank you so much.
▶ 0:35:49I think this committee has been very, very supportive. Um, uh, and so many things. And I've read your air force posture statement, um, whether it's quality of life, uh, for the service members or their families, uh, whether it's dormitories, uh, child development centers, uh, munitions, everything. I think this committee has been very supportive. Uh, one of the areas I focus on is human performance optimization.
▶ 0:36:13Uh, we started putting money in that we're hoping to increase the funding again, but I think the developing that elite person, uh, is very, very important. So we look forward to working with you now. I'm, uh, represent san antonio military town. I think, uh, y'all were there just recently, uh, want to bring up an issue that, um, former chairman mac thornberry from texas and myself, we amended, uh, at my request, amended the, uh, ndaai think it was in 2019.
▶ 0:36:42Uh, then after that, uh, there was a memorandum of understanding, uh, in august of 2019 between the air force and the san antonio water, uh, system. And it had to do with the resolution of this, uh, 54 inch pipeline under lackland air force base.
▶ 0:37:04Uh, and, and basically under your agreement, you all the air force forced san antonio water system to put the water line outside instead of going through the base. Because as you know, there are some problems underneath. Your folks said they didn't want to disturb was, uh, underneath, which is a little disturbing to our, to our community because we really don't know what's underneath.
▶ 0:37:28But nevertheless, they went around the base, uh, and under the agreement, uh, the air force, uh, had accepted to, uh, to accept this pipeline. Uh, now, three years later, uh, you all have been, uh, delaying, uh, for several reasons.
▶ 0:37:47Uh, and despite a law ndaa besides an agreement that you all signed, uh, you all are still, uh, three years behind, uh, to do this. And as you know, san antonio has been very, very, very supportive of the military there, especially the air force. Uh, so, Mr.
▶ 0:38:11Secretary, and to the chief of staff, uh, why is the air force more than three years behind on resolving an impasse with the san antonio water system over this legacy? Uh, 54 sewer line beneath lackland air force base. Uh, it was done back in 2019. Law got changed. You all signed a memorandum. And here we are three years later, uh, and we're still waiting.
▶ 0:38:37So again, y'all got to be good partners with our local community in san antonio. So hopefully you can give us an answer in a specific date when we can work this out. >> so thanks, congressman. Uh, yes, we, we all need to be good partners. And, and my understanding is they are working closely with the san antonio water service.
▶ 0:38:58Uh, what I would say to maybe have a real short answer to the question, as I'm, I'm told, we believe by june of this year, uh, we will have, uh, kind of mediated and come to an agreement on the number of issues that are still outstanding. Uh, if we don't get there by june, I'll, I'll come down and let you know why. >> okay. >> thank you so much. Look forward to sitting down with y'all. >> thank you. I'm going to try to cut the votes down to, you know, the questions down to 2 to 3 minutes.
▶ 0:39:27Yeah, I try to do that to, uh, 2 to 3 minutes for we can get as many because I think we're going to be on the floor till about 1130. It looks like the way this is going. So with that, uh, Mr. carter judge. >> thank you. Mr. um.
▶ 0:39:45>> secretary, air force recently selected three companies under the a npi program to deploy, uh, microreactors targeting, uh, a 2028 timeline conus deployment acceleration, accelerating the original 2030 timeline.
▶ 0:40:09Given the air force growing power demands and the operational advantages these systems provide in a contested, contested logistics environment in particular and in indopacom, what is the primary limiting factor to deploying these this capability in operational settings over the next few
▶ 0:40:41Years? >> so thank you, congressman. Uh, I'm a big supporter. Um, I, I, we are pushing hard to, to fill these not only, um, oklahoma's, but as a matter of fact, there are, I think the first feeling is going to be up in alaska. Verconis. Uh. Microreactor. Um, with respect to the overseas, uh, the, the, the, the long pole, there is going to be not just the finish, the technical aspect because there is some technical work that has to be done.
▶ 0:41:08It's actually easier to build these stationary versus being able to deploy them into theater. Um, so there's some technical aspects of that, that, that we are working through as well as the army is working through, uh, and we're working with the army on those deployable, uh, those deployable microreactors, uh, probably the biggest long pole, aside from the technical is just going to be in the negotiation with our overseas allies and partners on getting the flexibility to actually place those reactors in theater.
▶ 0:41:38I think that's good. That's, I'm afraid that's going to be probably the the driver. It looks like the technology is moving pretty well. It's going to be it's going to be that that environmental and negotiations with some of the partners overseas. >> what's that going to do to your time schedule? So to hold them to. >> so I think our time. >> schedule for the conus based systems is, is, is, is probably much higher, uh, higher, higher, more accurate, uh, lower risk, uh, schedule than some of the overseas ones.
▶ 0:42:08But I can get back to you on that, congressman, if I think that's going to affect it. >> well, I think first of all, I like the technology very much. I think it's a. You will be introducing something that the the whole country may be introducing one of these days. And so I'm hoping we can get that success out there as an example of what nuclear energy today is all about.
▶ 0:42:33The fear factor out, as far as I'm concerned. Uh, one more question on what, uh. >> we only have, we're going to, I think when we adjourn, we're going to have to probably not be able to come back. So. >> well on the mac command the transport. I happen to go on a trip with bergstrom years ago on that command.
▶ 0:43:00And I learned that our allies don't have any way to transport people by air at that time, at least do. Are we still basically, if the nato decides to fight? That's a real question. But if they do, we're going to have to move them as well as us. Are we capable of doing that still?
▶ 0:43:28>> well, many of our allies have invested in in mobility aircraft, um, especially our nato partners. So they have invested not only in c-17s, but they also have the a 400, uh, which is an airbus platform. So, um, and then all, all over the world, our allies are, are, are doing it, but we still have the preponderance of the mobility assets, uh, for the entire world. I mean, we just have a very large capability.
▶ 0:43:57And so they'll still be cases where our, our allies will be asking for help, but we also ask them for help occasionally as well. And so the partnerships are important. >> thank you john. >> police are trying to get in the game. >> Mr. morelli. >> thank you. >> Mr. chairman. >> thank you. >> Mr. chairman and ranking member for holding this. And thank you so much to our witnesses for your service. General saltsman, appreciate your long service and grateful for, uh, for all that you do for our country.
▶ 0:44:22And I think our concerns about the war and budget should in no way, I think, diminish our great respect and admiration for the men and women who wear the uniform of the united states. So thank you for that. I want to come back to something I think the chairman was talking about, uh, Mr.
▶ 0:44:37Secretary, and that is, you know, the overall budget request for the department of air force 16 billion for air force 12 billion space forces budget structured as mandatory funding rather than discretionary, which raises concerns about transparency, congressional oversight, the long term fiscal sustainability of this and the work of this committee and the oversight that we bring to this job. And I wonder what the department's plan is if the congress fails to pass the requested mandatory funding this year.
▶ 0:45:08>> so so again, congressman, thanks for that. Thanks for the question. And the first part of a transparency. We are always willing and happy to come down and walk through the details on our budget requests, regardless of it sits in reconciliation or in the base budget, uh, on the what happens, you know, again, this is a priority. The entire request reconciliation and the base budget is a priority for the department. And we need all to execute the program.
▶ 0:45:35Uh, and we will continue to work with you as that, as that rolls out. >> well. >> should we expect this request to be a one year anomaly, or is the department planning to continue to shift defense funding into mandatory accounts going forward, which would give this committee far less oversight over spending, defense spending? >> so so again, we are always happy to come down and walk through with you how we're spending the resources fully transparent, whether it's reconciliation or in the base.
▶ 0:46:05Uh, with respect to the out years, we will the department will continue to work with the department of war. >> and there have been no conversations about future years and what the design will be in terms of whether or not this is an appropriations responsibility or ultimately authorizers who are not appropriators but are effectively being turned into appropriators as we go through this process, do you do you know if there's any conversations about doing this in the out years? >> I can't speak to the level of conversation or the strategy going forward. >> congressman. >> let me just say this, and then I'll yield back the respectful.
▶ 0:46:35I want other people to be able to speak. I think this is a dangerous precedent. Uh, I, I think article one responsibilities and the role that is vested in this committee to do oversight. I'm a new member, but I think this is really important not only for congressional, uh, integrity and congressional responsibilities and prerogatives for the american people. So I would pass that message along to those who are helping make those decisions. And with that, Mr. chairman, I. >> appreciate appreciate the gentleman's comments, Mr. ellzey. Thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:47:05Thank you all for being here. Be real quick. Um, we're, you know, making choices is hard. Uh, we are now extending the a-10 until 2030, which I think they've been trying to kill that since 1984, uh, when I was in high school. And, uh, you know, as, as we're looking at choices that y'all have to make on this very large budget, you still have to make some, um, domain awareness with, uh, with the mti and we lost an e-3 in this conflict. Um, I'm concerned that the e-7 is not addressed in the budget request.
▶ 0:47:38Uh, so, and the e-2 really doesn't cut it. It's like comparing a king air to a 777, uh, with respect to capabilities. So what? Help me understand the air force requirement for airborne early warning. And that'll be my only question, Mr. chair. >> uh, let me make a couple comments and I'll, I'll ask general to, to join in. Uh, the a7 is, is the replacement for the, the e-3 in. You're right. It's much more capable system. The e2 e2 is a great platform, but it's not in the same class.
▶ 0:48:09Um, the, the, we have two of the rapid prototype jets on contract and funded. We have contracts in place for five more, uh, amd platforms. And the department, um, has, is committing to, to work with you to figure out how to fund the 27, uh, budget for adjusted 27 budget submission to, to fund the e-7 and then work the. 28 going forward. >> so domain awareness is a broader category than just airborne early warning.
▶ 0:48:37And there there's ability to do domain awareness from space in the air and from the ground. You also have to do command and control, which you can do command and control through all of those domains. And so the budget is lined up to address all of those domains to, to enable us to do domain awareness and command and control. >> thank you, Mr. chairman. I yield back. Thank you, Mr. aguilar. >> thank you, Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:49:04Uh, general of the aircraft lost in the iran incursion. Air force has lost the majority. How do you see this impacting future aircraft recapitalization? And have you made projections about what could be lost in the incursion and how you'll address that moving forward? >> so we hope to be able to address this in a supplemental for the aircraft that we've lost.
▶ 0:49:28And, uh, the procurement going forward is meant to increase the number of tails we have, especially in the fighter force, but it also include bombers and tankers as well. Uh, and so, uh, both supplemental and, um, and the budget, the 27th budget is supposed to address those losses. >> Mr.
▶ 0:49:53Secretary, given the dwindling supply of the f-15cs and the delays in the, uh, how do you see the recapitalization of the f-15 squadrons? >> its priority? >> uh, it's a great platform. Carry a lot of weapons. Uh, I was, uh, we're in the process of working closely with boeing. The contractor actually spent last thursday all day out with him, going through the details on the program, on how we're going to ramp up production, uh, past where they are today.
▶ 0:50:18I think, uh, the contractors putting a good plan together with our team, um, they're supposed to come back with that plan in about 30 days. Uh, and I'm confident that we will ramp production, uh, exactly what month next year that's going to happen. I think it's, we're still working through that, but we will be able to ramp production on the f-15 critical platform. >> thank you. Thank you, Mr. chairman. I yield back. >> thank the gentleman. I think, Mr. fleischmann, if you ask a quick question, then we're going to, uh, adjourn.
▶ 0:50:49>> thank you, Mr. chairman. I'll be brief, gentlemen. Thank you. Can you help us understand the current near-term outlook of our tanker fleet and the capacity for us to sustain a war in the indo pacific? What should we do to mitigate this growing gap in capacity? Thank you. >> yes, congressman, I'll do this very quickly. Uh, our tanker fleet has been performing marvelously through epic fury. Um, as you know, we have a floor for 466 tankers. Um, we have a number that we're supposed to meet this year of 478, which we will do.
▶ 0:51:17Uh, and we are working our way with this budget and, and perhaps future budgets to get to 500 to. In addition, we have in this budget 105 million dedicated to connecting the tanker force so that they have a similar data link network that we have in our fighters. So we're on an upslope for the tanker force. >> thank you. And I apologize for the accelerated hearing today, but, uh, we have votes.
▶ 0:51:47Uh, I think we're going to be on the floor for at least an hour. So I'll make a decision that we'll adjourn, and we'll submit questions for the record to to all three of you. And we appreciate your service and we appreciate your attendance. Committee is adjourned.