▶ 0:17:28Chair Wicker: I asked the committee to consider a list of 3400 75 pending military nominations including this in the nomination kenneth s will bok U.S. air force marine corps to the grade of general and to be the chief of staff of the air force. All of these nominations have been for the committee for the required length of time.
▶ 0:17:55Chair Wicker: Is there a motion to report these pending military nominations to the senate favorably? All in favor say I. >> I.
▶ 0:18:05Chair Wicker: The motion carries. This executive session is now adjourned. But that doesn't mean people can leave. We now are in -- the hearing is now in session.
▶ 0:18:32Chair Wicker: We consider the nominations of marc berkowitz to be assistant secretary of defense for space policy. Dr. joseph jewell to be secretary of defense for science and technology, Mr. james caggy is assistant secretary of defense for mission capabilities. And Mr. brendan rogers to be assistant secretary of the navy for energy installations and environment.
▶ 0:19:03Chair Wicker: I welcome our witnesses today and thank them for being here. Public servants to step up and help deter our enemies. A threat environment more dangerous than anyone since world war ii. I say this in almost every hearing because it bears repeating in such challenging times I'm grateful these individual's answer the call. Space is an increasingly contested domain.
▶ 0:19:30Chair Wicker: Adversaries china and russia have been rapidly advancing capabilities to challenge U.S. dominance and disrupt our space-based assets. As these nations invest heavily in antisatellite weapons, the war -- the U.S. must move with urgency to stay ahead. Mr. marc berkowitz has been nominated to serve as assistant secretary of defense for space policy.
▶ 0:19:58Chair Wicker: If confirmed they would play up critical role in that policy which must ensure our space systems are not only modern and resilient but also fielded on timelines that match or outpace our adversaries. We simply cannot deter war with china. Our national security depends on our strategic advantage and requires forward looking leadership.
▶ 0:20:34Chair Wicker: Dr. jewell is nominated to be assistant secretary of defense for science and technology. The department faces bureaucratic bottlenecks while it works to transition technology into the field weapon systems. If confirmed Dr. jewell would help remove this inefficiency. Additionally must ensure our tech research is properly secured from theft by our adversaries.
▶ 0:21:02Chair Wicker: Research security is paramount whether it's being conducted at a federally funded research and development center or an affiliated university. That work on behalf of the department. Mr. khaki -- caggy is nominated for mission capabilities. If confirmed he would play a broad portfolio, his office would coordinate campaigns to help integrate innovative weapons into the joint force.
▶ 0:21:32Chair Wicker: Those efforts will help us feel new systems more quickly. His views on how the barbican more effectively bridge any interoperability challenges across diverse weapon systems. And finally department cannot have power if it does not have facilities to do so. Mr. rogers has been nominated to be assistant secretary of the navy for energy, installations and environment.
▶ 0:22:03Chair Wicker: If confirmed he would oversee facilities as the department implements reforms including the need to maintain a 4% plant replacement value. Let me say that. If confirmed he would oversee navy facilities as the department implements crucial reforms including the statutory need to maintain a 4% plant replacement value by 2030.
▶ 0:22:37Chair Wicker: I think my ranking member will emphasize that if it needs to be. We must invest in our facilities so service members and defense civilians are not working in decrepit conditions. There's a reason we put that in our senate pass legislation.
▶ 0:23:00Chair Wicker: The navy is at a pivotal point when it comes to privatized housing as well as unaccompanied barracks the department has begun allocating the proper resources to these initiatives but the assistant secretary position must hold contractors accountable for prioritizing. The officeholder must ensure safe unaccompanied housing. I look forward to hearing how Mr.
▶ 0:23:26Chair Wicker: Rogers intends to tackle these challenges and with that I turned to my friend and colleague ranking member read.
▶ 0:23:33Sen. Reed: Thank you Mr. chairman I want to offer -- welcome the witnesses to the hearing today and congratulate you and your nominations and welcome your family and friends were here today to support you and also welcome my colleagues. Mr.
▶ 0:23:51Sen. Reed: Berkowitz, you are nominated to be assistant secretary of defense of space policy, this is a demanding and strategically vital role responsible for overseeing space and defense policy. The space force and space command. Both space and missile defense sit at the forefront of our national security challenge. Especially as space becomes increasingly a contested domain.
▶ 0:24:17Sen. Reed: Russia and china continue to develop counterspace capabilities the threatened U.S. and allied military space systems. This is responsible for guiding policy to ensure freedom of action in space and guarantee that space-based assets effectively support the joint force.
▶ 0:24:39Sen. Reed: If confirmed he would also oversee a policy over the president's golden dome initiative, an ambitious effort to defend the homeland from advanced missile drone threats. I would like to hear your views on tutoring adversaries from space and coordination between the space force and national office and your assessment of what can realistically be achieved under golden dome in terms of scope cost and relationship. Dr.
▶ 0:25:06Sen. Reed: Jewell, you are nominated to be assistant secretary of defense science and technology. This is an important role at an intersection of research innovation and joint capabilities. If confirmed it would oversee the department's entire science and technology portfolio, and small university -- business innovation programs and emerging technologies such as advanced materials and hypersonic's.
▶ 0:25:37Sen. Reed: This position is also essential to sustaining scientific and engineering workforce. The people who turn research into war winning capabilities. I'm concerned this administration workforce reductions in federal budget cuts threaten to hollow out our labs, a federally funded research and development centers and university affiliated research undermining our technological edge. Dr.
▶ 0:26:04Sen. Reed: Jewell I would like to know how you would shake this position to protect the part of science and technology enterprise sustain the work and defend our research base at leading universities. Mr. caggy you're nominated to be the first assistant secretary of defense for mission capabilities, a new and controversial role to integrate concepts and systems to the demand of joint war fighting.
▶ 0:26:33Sen. Reed: This position reflects the urgent need to move faster and more coherently from concept to capability to stay ahead of threats. If confirmed, you would develop and support future war fighting concepts, capability -- close capability gaps, engineering authorities and drive engagement for the central force. Through mission engineering prototyping and experimentation your office can help shape the future of joint operations.
▶ 0:27:03Sen. Reed: I would like to know how you intend to define this to accelerate delivery and new technologies for the war fighter and expand engineered principles across. Mr. rogers you are nominated to be assistant secretary of the navy for energy, installations and environment. It is possible for the oversight of installations worldwide.
▶ 0:27:30Sen. Reed: It will be challenge to improve energy resilience, p faster mediation, climate adaptation and environmental stewardship. In particular we would need to ensure privatized housing and enlisted barracks continue to receive regular oversight for problems of military families and military personnel experience.
▶ 0:27:56Sen. Reed: As energy demand grows I would like to know how you plan to expand the navy's use of nondefense funded to improve energy resilience and reduce cost across the force. Thank you to our nominees, thank you Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:28:12Chair Wicker: Thank you senator reid. Senator mccormick is here to introduce Mr. rogers. I think what we will do is we will do is we will hear that introduction and then hear Mr. rogers opening statement. After that senator banks will introduce Dr. jewell and senator mccormick will be excused if he desires to. And then we will hear Dr. jewell , Mr. berkowitz and Mr. caggy.
▶ 0:28:46Chair Wicker: Senator mccormick we are delighted you joined us today and we are interested in hearing your introduction.
▶ 0:28:51Sen. Mccormick: Thank you, it's an honor to be here today. Let me introduce my friend brendan rogers, a former navy seal turned senior financial executive as a trumpet administration's nominee is assistant secretary of the navy for energy, installations and the environment. Over the course of three decade distinguished career he has demonstrated exceptional leadership, investment management and the investment world and as an officer in the united states navy.
▶ 0:29:23Sen. Mccormick: He currently serves the chief operating officer and partner at bdt partners, a premier merchant bank with 60 billion in assets under management. His leadership has been instrumental in integrating to firms into a unified enterprise driving and improving financial transparency.
▶ 0:29:46Sen. Mccormick: He is a visionary and data technology, organization and design and overseeing the first rollout of cutting-edge business processes all good preparation for this important job. Throughout his career, brendan led operations, approved -- improved accountability and cost efficiency.
▶ 0:30:08Sen. Mccormick: As relevant before his time in the private sector brendan served 10 distinguished years as a navy seal officer rising to the rank of lieutenant commander. His military record includes command awards in europe africa and the pacific leading high-impact special operations and international common -- commendations. Is a graduate of the U.S. naval academy.
▶ 0:30:29Sen. Mccormick: And a harvard business school, his career it a consistent pattern optimizing performance and successfully navigating complex organizations. His distinguished career makes it exceptionally qualified to represent the trump administration as the assistant secretary for energy, installations and the environment.
▶ 0:30:54Sen. Mccormick: For that reason I wholeheartedly support his nomination and I encourage my colleagues and friends on the committee to do the same. Thank you Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:31:03Chair Wicker: Thank you senator mccormick. You're welcome to stay for the entire hearing but you can depart at your own pleasure and reopen the government for us. Mr. rogers your opening statement. Thank you for being with us.
▶ 0:31:22Mr. Rogers: Chairman wicker, ranking member read and distinguish members of the committee, it's an honor to appear before you. I'm grateful to senator mccormick for his generous introduction and president trump from first trust and confidence. I would like to thank secretary hegseth, for focusing on the war fighting culture during this crucial time. Three things before you today for this nomination.
▶ 0:31:52Mr. Rogers: My friends and family my commitment to our sailors and marines and depreciation of the threats they face. My motivation begins with friends and family whose combined support is shaped me. Most support and lay my wife bridget, four children. They are with me today. I want our kids to inherit the same freedoms and opportunities that I got. Those freedoms are not guaranteed, they are secured by our strength and sacrifices.
▶ 0:32:20Mr. Rogers: I'm committed to supporting our navy and marine corps war fighters and their families in pursuit of missions made strong and free for all americans. I am inspired by our sailors and marines who face demands every day. My grandfather graduated from the naval academy and served as a career service. My father graduated from the naval academy 1957 and spent years as a marine helicopter pilot. I followed their path graduating from the naval academy and spending 10 years in warfare.
▶ 0:32:52Mr. Rogers: The assistant secretary oversees a portfolio critical for our war fighters live, train and operate. If confirmed I will tackle these responsibilities with urgency and resolve focus on delivering reliable infrastructure, safe housing, a resilient energy and water systems and continued access to training environments. Our mission rests a great deal of war fighters and their families.
▶ 0:33:17Mr. Rogers: Third I feel a strong sense of concern in these times. Interviews of a broader escalating espionage, attempts to restrict freedom of navigation and divergent views of global order. We are seeing intrusions on our own soil with increasing frequency, assisting cyber assault on infrastructure and frequent incursions.
▶ 0:33:43Mr. Rogers: These are not abstract incidents they are real and present threats. Our national leadership is responding and I feel obligated to join the effort. Throughout my career I've been privileged to work in and out of uniform. The seal teams operate across the globe in various challenging environments. Alongside joint service members in her international allies. These gave me deep respect for the operational excellence and the need to be ready for any challenge.
▶ 0:34:14Mr. Rogers: Mission readiness not only underpin strategic success it's a responsibility to war fighters and their families. In the private sector I cut through complexity to make investment and operational decisions while managing diverse groups. 10 years as an investor, to uncover financial truths in business revealing overly optimistic narratives. 10 more years serving as chief operating officer taught me to lead across disciplines with distinct cultures and priorities and align them around common goals.
▶ 0:34:44Mr. Rogers: In both roles I learned mission success depends on clear and consistent communication as well as robust accountability, experience-based principles that guide the leadership today. My finance career instilled in me a deep respect for fiduciary responsibility. A principle that guides the decision I made on behalf of our clients. I will bring the same commitment to managing the substantial assets and budgets of the navy energy insulation and environment portfolio.
▶ 0:35:15Mr. Rogers: It demands innovation fresh thinking and cost. I will emphasize readiness and communication and importantly accountability. Much has been accomplished but more is required to meet the challenges ahead. I will draw on my experience in uniform and business to work in close partnership with this committee, a congress within the department of war and across government, industry and our communities. Together we will strengthen the foundation but which are sailors and marines live, a and fight.
▶ 0:35:47Mr. Rogers: The navy and marine corps remains globally present core deployed force ready to project strength and secure national interest. Thank you and I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:35:55Chair Wicker: Thank you very much. Now senator banks are you prepared to introduce Dr. jewell?
▶ 0:36:06Sen. Banks: Thank you Mr. chairman for allowing me to introduce a fellow hoosier for today's hearing. I'm proud president trump is not -- nominated Dr. joseph jewell to be assistant secretary of war for science and technology. The threat of china overtaking us in military technology has never been greater. We need leaders like Dr. jewell to help get us back on track. Dr.
▶ 0:36:31Sen. Banks: Joseph jewell is a professor at purdue university and my home state of indiana focusing on hypersonic sprayed at purdue he leads the hypersonic mocks six quiet tunnel research group and the wind tunnel at the per dude applied research institute. Produced partnership with naval surface warfare center has made purdue a national leader in hypersonic research and development. Dr.
▶ 0:36:55Sen. Banks: Jewell has authored more than 150 published research papers in aerospace engineering at hypersonic's and his research has led to patents that advance or hypersonic capabilities. Dr. jewell received his phd from caltech and his master's from oxford. Where he was a rhodes scholar.
▶ 0:37:20Sen. Banks: He has served as a subject matter expert both classified and unclassified hypersonic programs. Working at the air force research laboratory and serves on the defense science study group. With Dr. jeweled joining what is already an outstanding research and visionary team led by undersecretary michael. I know americo will know the gravity of this moment. Dr. jewell could not be more qualified for this role and position.
▶ 0:37:48Sen. Banks: He will make an outstanding assistant secretary of war for science and technology. Mr. chairman I strongly recommend we continue our work on this committee that we were already accomplished this year by quickly sending Dr. jewell's nomination to the floor and we need him at the pentagon asap. Thank you I yield back.
▶ 0:38:07Chair Wicker: Now Dr. jewell we will be delighted to receive your opening statement.
▶ 0:38:13Dr. Jewell: Chairman wicker, ranking member reed and established numbers of the committee. It's a proud honor to appear before you today is the president's nominee for assistant secretary of war for science and technology. I'm deeply grateful to president trump and secretary hegseth for their competence and nominating me to this group and I thank the committee for the opportunity to speak with you today and earn your trust.
▶ 0:38:37Dr. Jewell: I also want to express my gratitude to my family who have made the trip out from indiana and michigan to be here, especially my wife katie and her three sons richard, theodore and elliott jewell. 10, 8 and five years old and god's sweetest blessings in our lives. My mother and sisters and my aunt and uncle.
▶ 0:38:58Dr. Jewell: I have in mind today also those in my family who served our country stretching back to the revolutionary war in which my eight and seven times great grandfathers, colonel daniel and lieutenant elijah plimpton muster as part of the mass tissues to liz shaw down to my four times great grandfather who during the civil war was captain of the michigan volunteer cavalry which the company recruited primarily from southwest michigan were 120 years later I was born and
▶ 0:39:28Dr. Jewell: Raised. The most significant formative influences my life came in that corner of michigan for my grandparents three of whom served during world war ii. Chief petty officer charles and first lieutenant richard kramer. And my grandmother who was in the U.S. public health services cadet nurse corps. While I have not had the privilege of serving in uniform as they did, their example of service to family and country resonate strongly with me.
▶ 0:39:57Dr. Jewell: Throughout my career in michigan oxford and caltech as a research scientist at the air force research laboratory and now is a professor at purdue university of the privilege to work at the intersection of advanced science and national defense. My research is focused on hypersonic dynamics but test data analysis in the development of hypersonic facilities. Areas that are strategically vital to our national security.
▶ 0:40:28Dr. Jewell: As a researcher and educator I sent numerous graduates in practical science engineering roles at national labs and have executed hypersonic test programs for the army, navy and air force. If confirmed I will bring to this role a deep commitment to ensuring the united states regains and maintains its technological superiority over adversaries.
▶ 0:40:50Dr. Jewell: We are in an era of renewed competition where nations including the people's republic of china are investing heavily in disruptive technologies to challenge our military advantage. The department of war must respond with urgency, clarity and resolve. President trump, secretary hegseth and undersecretary michael have made clear peace through strength is the cornerstone of american security. That strength must be underpinned by a robust and agile science and technology efforts.
▶ 0:41:16Dr. Jewell: If confirmed I will prioritize the acceleration of basic and applied research relevance in areas like hypersonic's directed energy and artificial intelligence. While ensuring our investments are aligned with war fighter needs and national strategic objectives. I believe innovation is not just about discovery it's about delivery. We must shorten the timeline from laboratory breakthroughs to battlefield capabilities.
▶ 0:41:42Dr. Jewell: That means effectively leveraging the best fostering public-private partnerships and empowering our defense laboratories to operate with greater flex ability and speed. It also means holding ourselves accountable for results and assuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. Furthermore as I see every day is an aerospace engineering professor in my classroom america's technological edge depends on our ability to cultivate and retain the world's best scientists and engineers and technologists.
▶ 0:42:10Dr. Jewell: If confirmed I will work to support stem education opportunities like the ones I received a lakeshore public schools in michigan. Empower early career researchers and create new pathways for talent to enter defense innovation ecosystem. We must inspire the next generation to serve not only in uniform but also the laboratories and industries that power our defense sector. Finally I want to emphasize the importance of collaboration. The challenges we face are too complex for any one institution to solve alone.
▶ 0:42:40Dr. Jewell: If confirmed I will work closely with our military services and allies and partners to ensure that her science and technology strategy is unified and mission-critical. In closing I am humbled by the opportunity to serve. I believe deeply in the mission of the department of war and the power of american innovation to preserve peace, protect freedom and secure our future.
▶ 0:43:04Dr. Jewell: If confirmed I look forward to working with this committee and with all stakeholders to ensure that my three young sons is the global leader in defense science and technology. Thank you for your time and consideration and I welcome your questions.
▶ 0:43:19Chair Wicker: Are those right behind you? Mighty fine looking young fellows. Did you say the massachusetts militia during the revolutionary war?
▶ 0:43:34Dr. Jewell: That's right.
▶ 0:43:37Chair Wicker: And not the continental army. That's him -- um -- quite a genealogy there. >> and his ancestors were on the union side in the civil war Mr. chairman.
▶ 0:43:56Chair Wicker: I'm certainly am delighted to be a part of that greatest union that the world has ever seen. Mr. berkowitz -- your testimony.
▶ 0:44:14Mr. Berkowitz: Chairman wicker, ranking member read, distinguished members of the committee it is an honor to appear before you as a president's nominee for the position of assistant secretary of war. I'm grateful to president trump for nominating me for this important position in addition I would like to thank this committee for its role in the legislation which elevated it to a senate confirmable position and for considering my nomination.
▶ 0:44:44Mr. Berkowitz: Please let me express my appreciation for my wife, my children melissa, margaret maria and michael and son-in-law scott as well as my parents, sisters, extended family and friends for their love and support. Michael recently passed away and was very proud about this opportunity for me to return to the federal government. Our family has a history of public service including my paternal grandfather serving under general pershing.
▶ 0:45:13Mr. Berkowitz: Both my grandfathers scene, but in the army during world war I, my uncle service in the army during the second world war and subsequently a los alamos and my father serve service in the navy. It has also been my good fortune to have been guided by wise mentors and thoughtful colleagues. I especially appreciate the inspiration and opportunities and counsel provided by Dr. collin gray, and Mr. pete aldrich.
▶ 0:45:40Mr. Berkowitz: I believe my prior experience in the public and private sectors have uniquely prepared me for the responsibilities of the office to which I have been nominated. And if confirmed, working with this committee to protect and advance U.S. interests. Over the course of my 45 year career I've served in directly relevant and increasingly responsible positions in the federal government.
▶ 0:46:05Mr. Berkowitz: In particularly a serve from the end of the cold war to the global war on terror as the executive in the office of the secretary of defense responsible for the analysis, formulation and coordination and oversight of the implementation of united states and department of defense space policies. After departing federal service I was an executive at a leading aerospace defense corporation where I was responsible for strategy, strategic planning and systems engineering architecture analysis.
▶ 0:46:36Mr. Berkowitz: I also served as a special government employee, senior advisor in the defense department and intelligence. America has leveraged its position as the preeminent spacefaring nation to advance our national interest, especially our prosperity and security. Indeed space capabilities enable our armed forces to deter aggression, project power and defend the homeland interests. Unimpeded access to space is a vital national interest.
▶ 0:47:09Mr. Berkowitz: The threat environment is extraordinarily complex and perilous. Arrivals most notably china have filled in an a variety of space counter space and missile capabilities to undermine our historic advantages in space. To contest or freedom of action, jeopardize military forces and operations and put the U.S. homeland at risk. In this regard I want to commend the president for providing the historic leadership to protect discrete new space force reestablishing U.S.
▶ 0:47:39Mr. Berkowitz: Space command and initiating the golden dome for america to establish a comprehensive homeland missile defense. During the confirmation hearings secretary hegseth and undersecretary colby outlined the president's national security goals and the department's key objectives. These include reestablishing the warrior ethos, rebuilding the military destroying -- and achieving peace through strength. I strongly support those goals.
▶ 0:48:08Mr. Berkowitz: In his first annual address to congress george washington said to be prepared for war is one of the most effectual means to preserve peace. The assistant secretary of war for space policies responsible for policy guidance and oversight of the apartments conduct in space and missile defense activities. If confirmed I look forward to working with this committee and doing everything in my power to ensure U.S.
▶ 0:48:31Mr. Berkowitz: Space and missile defense force are prepared to defend the homeland in prevailing conflict to deter aggression and preserve peace through strength. Mr. chairman and members of the committee thank you for your time and attention and I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:48:46Chair Wicker: Well said Mr. berkowitz. Mr. caggy your opening statement.
▶ 0:48:52Dr. Jewell: Chairman wicker --
▶ 0:48:55Mr. Caggy: Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I am honored to be the president's nominee for assistant secretary of war for mission capabilities. This is a humbling moment and I appreciate.
▶ 0:49:15Mr. Caggy: I want to thank my son alexander , I also want to recognize my many battle buddies and friends who honor me with their presence. Many whom I first met in combat or crisis response around the world. I spent my career at the intersection of technology and national defense. I served for over a decade as U.S. army infantry officer including combat deployments in afghanistan and the middle east.
▶ 0:49:44Mr. Caggy: Those experiences impressed upon me the experience -- importance of getting our war fighters every possible advantage. After military service I hold executive leadership roles in the technology sector delivering cloud computing advanced analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities to war fighters. Most recently served as a technical advisor in the office of the secretary of war. Where I focused on prototyping and capabilities of the joint force.
▶ 0:50:13Mr. Caggy: This blend of front-line military experience and technology leadership over two decades has me excited for the opportunity for the capability of the office. Were at a pivotal moment the U.S. faces the most complex and challenging security environment since world war ii. Advanced technologies are merging at breakneck pace and our competitors especially the people's republic of china are investing aggressively.
▶ 0:50:36Mr. Caggy: As a soldier in combat I know firsthand that having superior capabilities can be a matter of life or death for troops on the ground. As a technologist to see how cutting edge innovation such as artificial intelligence, hypersonic's and advanced space systems transform our military if we can get those innovations out of the lab, it's about insuring develop test and feed the tools for the war fighters
▶ 0:51:07Mr. Caggy: Faster and more effectively than our adversaries. If confirmed I would focus on three priorities, first accelerating prototyping capabilities for war fighters at speed. We must move the cycle from idea to impact. We will get technology into the field to make a difference for the men and women on the front lines.
▶ 0:51:33Mr. Caggy: I will push the department to move -- remove bureaucratic roadblocks and slowdown transitioning for technology of joint force so that war fighters receive state-of-the-art capabilities on timelines measured in months not years. We must improve our development pipelines and testing infrastructure to drive innovation. It's not enough to invent or procure a single new gadget.
▶ 0:51:59Mr. Caggy: We need to continually transition good ideas into field capabilities. I intend to work with services to increase the number of joint prototype and experiment tatian. So they identify and fix problems early in gait capabilities faster. A metric I care about is speed with credibility. How quickly we can prove the technology works and feel that at scale.
▶ 0:52:29Mr. Caggy: If confirmed I will insist we measure both timelines without compromising safety or effectiveness. Finally we must strengthen the war department's partnership with the defense tech sector. Startups have transformative ideas in our processes. We need to be a better partner, we must be clear fast and predictable so promising technology comes a funded pilot in months not years.
▶ 0:52:58Mr. Caggy: In closing I am motivated by the obligation after the men and women. We ask our war fighters to deter aggression if necessary, so we must ensure they have every advantage we can give them. This is with the mission capabilities office is all about. Making sure our troops are the best equipped fighting force on the planet. If confirmed or will work tirelessly to maintain america's technological edge.
▶ 0:53:29Mr. Caggy: I am humbled by the prospect of returning to service and will approach the job mission first, bureaucracy last mindset. Every single day. Ranking member reed, members of the committee, thank you again for considering my nomination and I look forward to your questions.
▶ 0:53:47Chair Wicker: Thank you all. It is now appropriate for me to ask a series of standard questions this committee poses to all civilian appointees. I'd ask you to answer all simultaneously with a yes or a no, that would be the simplest way to get through these questions. Have you adhered to applicable laws and regulations regarding conflict of interest. >> yes.
▶ 0:54:18Chair Wicker: Have you taken any actions or assumed duties that would appear or presume the outcome of the confirmation? >> no.
▶ 0:54:27Chair Wicker: Exercising our oversight responsibilities it's important for this committee and other committees of prop -- receive testimony records and other information to inform the executive branch on timely basis. If confirmed to appear and testify before this committee when requested. >> yes.
▶ 0:54:47Chair Wicker: Do you agree to provide records, documents and electronic communications in a timely manner when requested by this committee and subcommittees or other appropriate committees from congress and consult with the requester regarding the basis for any good-faith delays or denial in providing such records? >> yes.
▶ 0:55:08Chair Wicker: Will you ensure staff complies with deadlines established by the committee for the production of reports, records and other with timely responding to hearing questions for the record? >> yes.
▶ 0:55:24Chair Wicker: Will you cooperate in providing witnesses in response to congressional requests. >> yes.
▶ 0:55:31Chair Wicker: Will witnesses and prefers to be protected from reprisal for their testimony. >> yes.
▶ 0:55:47Chair Wicker: And a quick yes or no, do you commit to following congress's recommended spending recommendations in the defense reconciliation bill unequivocally? >> yes.
▶ 0:56:06Chair Wicker: Thank and we will move into a series of questions, five minutes per member. Mr. caggy, have you read the forge tate much is which is in the nda reported by the senate?
▶ 0:56:29Mr. Caggy: Senator yes I have.
▶ 0:56:32Chair Wicker: Then you -- and you understand it seeks to make it easier to do business with the government using crucial procedures to track new companies to the and fenced industrial base. I would encourage these new companies and also facilitate putting on a path to larger production?
▶ 0:56:54Mr. Caggy: The forge act is in my mind an important reformation for how we acquire new technology how we engage with commercial industry, how we encourage some of our more innovative to engage with the department.
▶ 0:57:17Mr. Caggy: Certainly in the last decade or two we that fits and starts with working with the most innovative companies to bring their technologies to the department. Ruggedized them, prepare them for war fighter activity in combat. So certainly I'm fully supportive of what's been outlined.
▶ 0:57:42Chair Wicker: I think we need to bring them in and we need to help them understand as they are more flexible to get bigger and more capable of the huge job. Mr. rogers let me ask you about something I mentioned in my opening statement.
▶ 0:58:00Chair Wicker: We placed in the 2025 ndaa a provision that would require the department to budget the commercial industry standard minimum 4% replacement by the year 2030. Will you ensure that this law is enforced and will you commit to this committee to report to congress if there are those in the department that are knowingly not following the law?
▶ 0:58:31Mr. Rogers: Absolutely will follow the law. The installations we have are the base which power project globally in the investment and that is critical so certainly support and appreciate the support congress has been giving us. If confirmed committing to continue to invest in our installations so that they are ready reliable and resilient.
▶ 0:58:54Chair Wicker: It's easy to take money at a tight time away from that. So we will just do it later, we want that to stop. Not only does the congress put the money there but we placed it in the statute, we want it done and we want to make sure that we've got your back.
▶ 0:59:24Chair Wicker: Dr. jewell, of department of defense laboratory infrastructure has been identified for over a decade as aging unsafe and inefficient. Gao says more than 6% of the laboratory facilities are over 40 years old. So if confirmed what specific steps would you take to address this chronic underinvestment in pure execution.
▶ 0:59:51Dr. Jewell: During my 5.5 years at the air -- the research laboratory it's fair to say we had exquisite in my case wind tunnel hypersonic wind tunnels surrounded by buildings that were often literally crumbling. So we have new technology and old buildings. In my laboratory at purdue university we have this issue sometimes with hvac causing issues with our electronics.
▶ 1:00:17Dr. Jewell: So you really need a safe and secure and environmentally controlled laboratory area in which to do fundamental research. So if confirmed I would make it a priority to get out into the field and visit the defense laboratories for which I would be responsible. And advocate for any necessary resources they might need to give these researchers and their facilities the infra structure they really deserve to sustain their work.
▶ 1:00:46Chair Wicker: Senator reid you are recognized.
▶ 1:00:49Sen. Reed: Thank you you Mr. chairman berkowitz you stated in published essays the undersecretary of the air force should also serve as the director of the national reconnaissance office. Can you explain your rationale on why you think the secretary should also be the director?
▶ 1:01:08Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you for the question ranking member reed. It's not exactly correct, I have written recently about intentionally thought-provoking pieces to consider options for improving the efficiency of the department of space activities.
▶ 1:01:30Mr. Berkowitz: I appreciate at the time we spent discussing this in your office and what I'd note is throughout much of the history of the national secure the space program either the secretary, undersecretary or assistant secretary for space in the department of the air force known as the director of the nro and for much of that time both the defense and national reconnaissance programs were running very efficiently so if
▶ 1:02:02Mr. Berkowitz: That is an option it's worth considering. I would support it if it was appropriate.
▶ 1:02:11Sen. Reed: Thank you. Dr. jewel you pointed out how we are in a technological race with china particularly. And I think we are sort of putting one hand on the time and another hand up by cutting dramatically research at universities. Cdc and nih, a biological warfare.
▶ 1:02:47Sen. Reed: So how can you help reverse this trend of budget-cutting on civilian as well as military research installations.
▶ 1:02:56Dr. Jewell: As an academic researcher myself and indeed one whose research portfolio depends mostly on department grants and contracts for those given by industrial research that's ultimately funded by the department of war it's an issue that is near and dear to my heart.
▶ 1:03:14Dr. Jewell: And within the purview of the position for which I am nominated I am to oversee the spent 6.1 to 6.3, the basic research and first applied research portfolios.
▶ 1:03:29Dr. Jewell: I think strong continued investment in those early stages of research and development is critical, that's the seed that feeds later innovations the can be applied to benefit so if confirmed I will certainly take a hard look at resourcing levels and will not hesitate to advocate for the resources needed both within the department and through external collaborators.
▶ 1:03:51Sen. Reed: Thank you very much. Mr. caggy you'll be the first in this position can you give us a sense of what you perceive is the current limitations in the department of defense for developing capabilities and operational assessments and the trade-off so that we can get war fighters the equipment they need?
▶ 1:04:16Mr. Caggy: We have incredible innovators inside the department today. And of course our industrial bases supports the department every day.
▶ 1:04:33Mr. Caggy: Testing and prototyping technologies, that being said we often hinder ourselves through our own bureaucracy with overly burdensome rules and regulations that prevent us from doing experiment three and prototype at a rapid clip.
▶ 1:04:52Mr. Caggy: It's incredibly important that capabilities office works in partners with the services with laboratories both in the services and darpa and works alongside to ensure that we can prototype task experiment, get valuable feedback to our industry partners such that we can develop these capabilities at a much faster rate.
▶ 1:05:22Mr. Caggy: And ensure we have successful transition to the services. >> Mr. rogers any doubt about your capability being a west point graduate. I just want to make that clear.
▶ 1:05:38Mr. Caggy: You've served you know the importance of housing in the quality of life for retention and one of the big focuses of your efforts I hope would be insuring high quality family housing. Your assurance would be appreciated.
▶ 1:06:01Mr. Rogers: It is absently critical and our responsibility to provide clean, comfortable and safe housing for families and for unaccompanied on the barracks. It's absently critical and is both a readiness and protection issue. It is at the core of our ability to fight. If confirmed you have my commitment to focus on this area given the impact it has.
▶ 1:06:28Sen. Reed: Thank you very much, thank you Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:06:31Chair Wicker: Thank you. Mr. rogers has a lot to live up to based on his recommendations. Senator fischer.
▶ 1:06:41Sen. Fischer: Thank you Mr. chairman in thank you chairman -- gentlemen and your families for the your willingness to step forward and help this country. Mr. berkowitz you stated the threat environment is extraordinarily complex and perilous. You've been working in and around space policy for most of your career.
▶ 1:07:04Sen. Fischer: In this setting can you share how space command has evolved in recent years and what do you see is the most significant challenges that you would address if you were confirmed?
▶ 1:07:15Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you for that opportunity to discuss one of the reasons why I agreed to come out of retirement to seek this position. Rifle -- a war fighting domain and have taken steps to weaponize it.
▶ 1:07:39Mr. Berkowitz: For example china has fielded and operates a variety of space, counter and missile capabilities that can contest our freedom of action, jeopardize our forces operations. The threat is dramatically different than it was in the cold war.
▶ 1:08:00Mr. Berkowitz: Consequently if confirmed my priorities would be to ensure that we have all of the capabilities required to sustain U.S. dominance in space activities and protect and advance our national objectives. The challenges I would expect to confront if confirmed are really twofold.
▶ 1:08:26Mr. Berkowitz: The first is addressing the national security policy issues required to enable us to deal effectively and urgently with the scope and complexity of space and missile threats, and the broader national issues to sustain the U.S. position as the world's leading space exploration use.
▶ 1:08:48Sen. Fischer: Much of the time when we talk about the space domain it can only be discussed in the classified setting and I think it's important for this committee and for the public as a whole to be able to hear some of the perspectives in an unclassified area so thank you for that. Dr.
▶ 1:09:12Sen. Fischer: Jewel, space technologies are one of the departments critical technology areas identified by the under secretary of defense for research and engineering. If confirmed, how do you see your role in ensuring the military has what it needs to face those threats?
▶ 1:09:29Dr. Jewell: Thank you senator. And I share your belief on the importance of the space-based play or firs sensing and other applications. International defense.
▶ 1:09:42Dr. Jewell: I think in particular with the genesis of the golden dome for america we will rely on some of those space space layers and ground-based layers to execute the sentencing we need prior to addressing in a kinetic fashion any threats that may face the homeland.
▶ 1:10:05Dr. Jewell: If confirmed I intend to support research into space technology I think one of the most critical areas of research would be that sensor play are and how we can build that in a way that is resilient such that even in a threat rich environment we can still rely upon our space-based technology to maintain custody of those threats.
▶ 1:10:27Sen. Fischer: Mr. berkowitz, and under but vital component of the golden dome will be improving our ability to detect and track potential threats as Dr. jewell said. Whatever combination of interceptors we employ or develop they will need to all rely on an upgraded censure -- sensor architecture.
▶ 1:10:52Sen. Fischer: How will you work with a space calm, a services to ensure that we are procuring and integrating the right mix of space-based sensors into this larger architecture.
▶ 1:11:08Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you for the question senator. If confirmed I would expect to work very closely and collaboratively with all the departments components involved in golden dome for america program.
▶ 1:11:24Mr. Berkowitz: Not only on sensors, which are a critical aspect of a potential space-based interceptors, but also on the battle management command-and-control and communications capabilities that are essential to network all of the systems that will comprise the homeland missile defense.
▶ 1:11:48Mr. Berkowitz: In that regard the fusion capabilities and the sense making capabilities will be essential for ensuring that we actually can engage and defeat any threats.
▶ 1:12:04Sen. Fischer: Thank you Mr. chairman.
▶ 1:12:05Chair Wicker: Senator shaheen.
▶ 1:12:09Sen. Shaheen: Good morning and congratulations and let me echo senator fischer and thank you all and all of your families for your willingness to continue to serve this country. Mr. rogers, the portsmouth naval shipyard is in the middle of critical upgrades as part of the shipyard optimization program. My state of new hampshire shares the shipyard with senator king.
▶ 1:12:39Sen. Shaheen: But the it is portsmouth, new hampshire. Obviously still an issue. Except that we are all very proud of the naval shipyard. This is a generational project modernized for growing demand for maintenance.
▶ 1:13:04Sen. Shaheen: By 2030 portsmouth expects to be able to do what the submarines under maintenance of the time. That requires not just that maintenance for the submarines but it requires installation resources to support the submarine crews along with their families. And Mr.
▶ 1:13:26Sen. Shaheen: Rogers you probably already know this and marketed recently that public shipyards are not classified as home courts when it comes to supports services for -- and while the other three public shipyards are co-located with installations that's not the case in portsmouth.
▶ 1:13:51Sen. Shaheen: As we look at the challenges right now at its current size, providing housing and support services can be challenging. We talk about doubling the number of ships being served that's can require additional support for those crews for their families and for particularly housing. Can you talk a little bit about how you envision insuring we address this.
▶ 1:14:22Mr. Rogers: The sial program is foundational to the defense of the country. It certainly if confirmed I would continue to support that. You mentionedthe responsibilitye is to our families, the crews, to provide that. If confirmed, I will certainly look into that. I don't know all the details specific to portsmouth in terms of requirements but we will certainly look into that.
▶ 1:14:53Mr. Rogers: Requirement is we support these families and if we are going to increase the number of submarines, which is important, we also need to support their families.
▶ 1:15:00Sen. Shaheen: I appreciate that. Will you come up and visit the naval shipyard? I know we would be happy to work with the shipyard commander to host you in that kind of a visit.
▶ 1:15:14Mr. Rogers: If confirmed, I would absolutely come and visit.
▶ 1:15:19Sen. Shaheen: We will take you up on that. Mr. caggy, you talk to your opening remarks about wanting to strengthen the ties between the department and tech companies. How do you propose to do that?
▶ 1:15:35Mr. Caggy: One of the things I observed over the last few years is that most -- the vast majority of american companies want to serve our nation. They want to develop -- deliver capabilities to our war fighters. Sometimes they don't always understand from a perspective what are key operational problems are.
▶ 1:16:04Mr. Caggy: Sometimes they go down one developing path, product capability that is exactly what we need and occasionally these products and capabilities are not exactly solving a problem we have before us.
▶ 1:16:22Mr. Caggy: If confirmed, my intent is to strengthen our relationships with not just tech companies that really american industry and company's overall to make sure they are aware of what are key operational problems are, with the joint force needs today, that we are providing them a picture of what we are currently dealing with out in the operating environment.
▶ 1:16:47Sen. Shaheen: One of the programs that has been very successful in promoting innovation has been the small business innovation research program, which encourages small businesses they work directly with -- Dr. jewell is nodding because I'm sure you have seen that.
▶ 1:17:07Sen. Shaheen: I hope you'll take a look at that and encourage reauthorization of the program because it is about to expire and we need to make sure it continues to provide the innovation that our companies -- our military needs.
▶ 1:17:18Chair Wicker: Senator shaheen, I am thinking about going head and visiting that shipyard. Which state would have the better hotel rooms? If I make that visit?
▶ 1:17:33Sen. Shaheen: Of course it would be new hampshire because it is -- it's address is portsmouth, new hampshire.
▶ 1:17:37Chair Wicker: Thank you. Senator rounds.
▶ 1:17:41Sen. Rounds: Let me thank you for your offer of continuing to serve our nation and your families as well as my colleagues have indicated that means not only are we asking for this but we also recognize that it places a challenge to our families as well. We thank you for making that offer. As our number of you have discussed with me when we met earlier, and I think I met with all of you except Mr.
▶ 1:18:07Sen. Rounds: Rogers and I look forward to having that opportunity in the future, but we discussed and I think you are aware of the fact I'm going to be asking specifically with regard to the management of the electromagnetic spectrum. There have been attempts in the past, and we suspect there will be in the future, to force the department to vacate or share in a suboptimal manner 3.1 to 3.45 ghz of the 7.4 day .4 ghz band
▶ 1:18:37Sen. Rounds: Of spectrum -- 7.4 to 8.4 ghz band of spectrum. It would have negative consequences to our war fighting abilities, including things like golden dome and protection for troops overseas. Mr. caggy come if confirmed, will you advocate for and defend the departments war fighting systems that operate on or use those bands of the spectrum, including the radars that will make president trump's golden dome possible?
▶ 1:19:06Mr. Caggy: I want to thank you for the time you and your staff provided me in your office. This is obviously an important topic. As someone who has built a number of space ground systems over the years, I know how important it is that we protect and understand our spectrum environments.
▶ 1:19:30Mr. Caggy: From a war fighter position, yes, senator come absolutely will ensure that we continuously do a review of all of our spectrum meetings and we do everything needed across both the department and the U.S. government to protect that spectrum for our usage.
▶ 1:19:52Sen. Rounds: Dr. jewell, will you could -- advocate to develop technology which would ultimately mitigate issues pertaining to spectrum usage?
▶ 1:20:04Dr. Jewell: As you know, the lower 3 ghz so-called s band radio wave range is absolutely critical. It is sort of the beachfront property of spectrum and the wavelength of the radar signals are long enough that it passes through most weather affects and yet short enough it can still be used to discriminate targets. This is a critical range.
▶ 1:20:29Dr. Jewell: Of course if confirmed, I would support ways to intelligently leverage and share that spectrum. Research for those waves, I should say. Again, the position for which I'm nominated, of course, is the fundamental research and first level applied research. While we pursue those efforts, I would want to be sure if confirmed that we don't impede legacy systems that depend upon access to the s band and x band.
▶ 1:21:01Sen. Rounds: Those are those that defend our homeland and they defend any place in which one of our destroyers is located. Fair enough? Mr. caggy --
▶ 1:21:11Dr. Jewell: Fair enough.
▶ 1:21:16Sen. Rounds: Replace those same assets in the spectrum areas?
▶ 1:21:21Dr. Jewell: It would take a huge investment, far beyond the purview of my office.
▶ 1:21:25Rounds: ? China would like to see those impacted by the celtic commercial operators.
▶ 1:21:34Fair Enough Dr. Jewell: Very true.
▶ 1:21:40Sen. Rounds: Will you require those to -- >> yes senator. I thank you for coming off the floor in the midst of about to speak with me. Access to spectrum is essential for the mission effectiveness of our armed forces. If confirmed, will be a staunch advocate for the spectrum requirements for space and missile defense capabilities.
▶ 1:22:05Sen. Rounds: Thank you. Mr. caggy, we discussed drone dominance in my office and I would like to expand on that. The ongoing drone revolution has dramatically reframed the cost curve -- tempo of warfare. What is the diverse definition of a drone dominance?
▶ 1:22:18Mr. Caggy: Senator, drone dominance is one way of explaining how we over match our adversaries through the offensive or defensive usage of various drones technologies.
▶ 1:22:43Mr. Caggy: Autonomous systems and all forms of robotics are critical for us to be prototyping an experiment in with at a more rapid clip over the next few years.
▶ 1:22:52Sen. Rounds: Thank you.
▶ 1:22:57Chair Wicker: Senator hirono.
▶ 1:23:01Sen. Hirono: Congratulations to each of you and thank you for you and your families for your commitment to service. I asked the following two initial questions. I will quickly go down the line starting with Mr. berkowitz. Since you became an adult, have you ever -- excuse me requested -- excuse me.
▶ 1:23:31Sen. Hirono: Since you became a legal adult come have you ever made unwanted requests for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment of a sexual nature? >> no. >> no. >> no. >> no.
▶ 1:23:50Sen. Hirono: Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement relating to this kind of conduct? >> no. >> no. >>. . No >>.
▶ 1:24:03No Sen. Hirono: Mr. rogers from the navies efforts to currently close the red hill storage facility must remain a top priority. The water contamination crisis in 2021 which impacted over 90,000 residents severely undermined public trust and how the navy handled the whole situation.
▶ 1:24:28No Sen. Hirono: We need to continue to pay attention to the closure, make sure it is safe and there are ongoing environmental concerns that we need to address as the facility is closed. I would like to have your personal commitment to see through to completion the transparent closure of red hill which involves not only providing adequate resources and manpower but also the close
▶ 1:24:59No Sen. Hirono: Collaboration with state government officials and the community to resolve trust and faith with the military. And while this was a navy situation, as farce the community is concerned, the military presence in hawaii is so important that anything that any one of the services does come a pretty much impacts how people feel about the entire military presence.
▶ 1:25:28No Sen. Hirono: I would like your commitment that the significant closure and after impacts of the closing of red hill will be a priority for you. Mr. rogers?
▶ 1:25:42Mr. Rogers: The closure of red hill is a priority and if confirmed, will certainly commit to continuing to see the good work that has been done. Despite what occurred, my understanding is the transparency in which you engage in the community in terms of the podcast, the website which has the testing -- all of these information is important.
▶ 1:26:04Mr. Rogers: Also having grown up in hawaii, I understand how it not only strategically important hawaii is but how important it is with the military and community relationship.
▶ 1:26:13Sen. Hirono: I also want to thank you for acknowledging critical importance of sayoc. As you know, we have one of the major one of the four shipyard facilities in hawaii and I invite you to renew your familiarity with hawaii by visiting our shipyard.
▶ 1:26:36Sen. Hirono: And as you probably know, the largest infrastructure project that the dod is engaged in is the drydock at the pearl harbor shipyard. There were significant delays happening there with the drydock building. So that is even more important for you to see for yourself the facility. Mr.
▶ 1:26:58Sen. Hirono: Rogers, the navy recently released a draft eis on the intention to retain over 8000 acres of state lands on kawai. This is often referred to as parking stands.
▶ 1:27:19Sen. Hirono: That lease situation is coming up for renewal and we want to make sure that the negotiations that occur as noted the importance of transparency because there are significant cultural interests that are attendant to the facility.
▶ 1:27:38Sen. Hirono: So how do you plan to ensure these negotiations regarding the renewal of the use of pmrf is conducted in a way that will make sure the community concerns are addressed?
▶ 1:27:53Mr. Rogers: The facilities are critical to the defense of the country. It is unique testing environment both as you well know in terms of the cultural sensitivities, I also understand there are cultural laertes within this area that are important to the community. Early in this process that I'm in, I did get a chance to meet with the hawaiian coronation cell and will continue if confirmed to do that again.
▶ 1:28:22Mr. Rogers: I understand the importance of some of the cultural laertes in hawaii. Understand the imports of keeping this testing range open. I understand it is important we extend the lease. We will certainly do that in a transparent way.
▶ 1:28:39Chair Wicker: Thank you senator hirono. Senator tuberville.
▶ 1:28:46Sen. Tuberville: Thank you for your service. Mr. rogers, r military construction process is a disaster. It is plagued by poor initial planning cost overruns, delays that do nothing but cost taxpayers money. I have seen it big time in my state of alabama. A quarter of the projects underway in 2023 were delayed for a year or more. Something is clearly broken.
▶ 1:29:18Sen. Tuberville: If confirmed, as regards to the navy, you had any answers to this disaster?
▶ 1:29:26Mr. Rogers: It is a political program and we are spending billions of dollars to support the -- it is a critical program and we are spinning blades of dollars to support it. Getting it right is important. I mentioned in my opening statement a concept of fiduciary responsibility. I think that applies here for the dollars that are spent. There is a collective interest in getting the most out of those dollars. If confirmed, I certainly will be looking into this. The specific areas of interest are a couple of things.
▶ 1:29:56Mr. Rogers: One, what is really driving the premium we are always paying in milk on relative to commercial opportunities? I understand some of the drivers of that like to understand that more and also welcome congress help in potentially changing some of the elements of the unified facilities criteria to maybe lower that cost. That is number one. Number two, scheduled. With schedule comes cost.
▶ 1:30:21Mr. Rogers: From the commercial side, if you're building in the commercial side, you care about schedule, cost, and your reputation. And you manage those very closely. Specifically around how you manage the risk of projects. If confirmed, I look forward to spending more time on these issues.
▶ 1:30:41Sen. Tuberville: We visited with the secretary and several other secretaries, and chief of staff's in the military and they all agree there is a huge problem. Hopefully, we can rectify that and help our troops and save some money. I know in our state of alabama, we need more privatization instead of milcon. It has worked well in terms of speed and cost. Mr. berkowitz, in 2020, the department released different space strategy, the first and last report of its kind.
▶ 1:31:13Sen. Tuberville: While other reports have come out of the dod and space related topics such as the 2024 report on commercial space strategy, it has been over five years since we have seen a departmentwide strategy report. Are you aware of the strategy released in 2020 and do you believe the strategy should be updated? Berkowitz: thank you for raising this topic, senator. I must say I appreciated at the time to meet with you and your staff in your office.
▶ 1:31:44Sen. Tuberville: Given the time that has passed, I think it is entirely appropriate to review and update the departments commercial strategy. In fact, I would note there are three commercial strategies, one for the defense department, one for the space force itself, and when also for U.S.-based command. If confirmed, I would want to review them and ensure they are appropriate to today security.
▶ 1:32:11Sen. Tuberville: Thank you. Mr. jewell, huntsville, alabama, major hub for innovations, hypersonic, space warfare. Quantum computing just to name a few. I don't need to tell you we are already years behind our adversaries and a lot of these critical technologies. What will you do to accelerate the testing and evaluation of the critical technologies, especially threats from adversaries like china continue to mature?
▶ 1:32:40Dr. Jewell: That is correct that our adversaries have invested heavily in this kind of technology. We have a number of programs in the united states such as mock tv which seek to increase the pace of flight test opportunities to close that gap. We need to be vigilant with that and if confirmed, I will seek to ensure those investments continue to be made.
▶ 1:33:03Sen. Tuberville: Mr. caggy, the most important part of the national defense is war fighter. I think most of us agree with that. Most of us joined this panel to ensure the men and women that put their lives on the line every day are provided with nothing short of the best to dominate the enemy. A junior enlisted service members will be the ones working every day hands-on with the capabilities that you give them. What emphasis will you put on the feedback from these young war fighters?
▶ 1:33:30Mr. Caggy: Senator, I completely agree with you. The feedback we get from our junior enlisted ncos is really the most important because they are the ones that have to take the capabilities that we give them into combat.
▶ 1:33:47Mr. Caggy: If confirmed, I am fully committed to ensuring all service members are represented in how we gain feedback on prototypes and experiments and that the concepts and capabilities we deliver them are ready to go full combat.
▶ 1:34:04Chair Wicker: Thank you. Senator kaine.
▶ 1:34:09Sen. Kaine: Congratulations to all of the witnesses. Mr. berkowitz, I want to ask a question about space launch resiliency. Cape canaveral is ideally suited to provide the vast majority of the U.S. launch capacity but it is important that we have resiliency in our launch infrastructure -- hurricane or some other disruptive event has the potential to derail space launch programs.
▶ 1:34:35Sen. Kaine: Obviously, I am biased toward the facility that is connected to our navy base on the eastern shore of virginia, but there are other sites as well. So if confirmed, how will you leverage the nation's space capacity outside of cape canaveral to diversify our infrastructure?
▶ 1:34:54Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you for raising that question. The united states is currently the world's leader in the international commercial launch services market. Frankly, I would commend the president for his recent executive orders to enhance our overall competitiveness and commercial launch services.
▶ 1:35:15Mr. Berkowitz: If confirmed, I would work to modernize our launch infrastructure, in particular to make sure we have the capacity as well as the resilience to meet the departments need as well as the needs of all of our space centers.
▶ 1:35:32Sen. Kaine: That is great. It is outside the realm of his committee but I would hope to see nasa director nominated. There has been some controversy over that position in recent months. And you are right, we are -- we have such a capacity in the country that even rocket and space-related companies from other nations are now using U.S. launch capacity because they are unable to hit orbis for example, from new zealand.
▶ 1:36:02Sen. Kaine: Mr. rogers, I would ask you a question, our position is very important to virginia given the number of installations we have in virginia. I appreciate colleagues who already talked about the site up and housing. I want to ask you about resiliency. A number of our bases in virginia have some significant challenges with respect to sea level rise. Those in the hampton roads area. Hampton roads region from the second most vulnerable to sea level rise after the new orleans area.
▶ 1:36:33Sen. Kaine: There are other kinds of challenges, extreme weather poses to installation, fires, dropped from etc.. How will you focus on these resiliency challenges should you be confirmed?
▶ 1:36:48Mr. Rogers: I appreciate the time you spent with me read our installations had to be ready, reliable, and that to be resilient. Resilient in the face of any number of threads could be mother nature, man-made, nefarious, by accident.
▶ 1:37:01Mr. Rogers: I think if confirmed the critical component is understanding what the installation plans are also speaking to our officers, senior enlisted to understand the risks and figuring out where those risks are impacting our readiness to execute the mission. The goal would be to work with the team to ensure what is causing these and what can we do in terms of courses of action against it. Again, the focus on readiness regardless of what causes the issue.
▶ 1:37:32Sen. Kaine: Let me ask about psyop. Jesse size is massive. Thus far, we have completed 45 facility projects totaling $1.2 billion. Delivered 277 items of industrial plant equipment valued at nearly $650 million. Another 38 projects worth $6.5 billion are currently under contract.
▶ 1:38:02Sen. Kaine: The scope of this investment is massive. How do you plan to work with congress and other stakeholders to make sure that you are advocating appropriately for the resource you need not only within the pentagon but within omb?
▶ 1:38:17Mr. Rogers: As we discussed the psyop program is now national. My understanding about the public sources and other discussions is not just the drydock, it is all the surrounding infrastructure which is really driving the cost. To be able to support our nuclear navy as a key leg of the triad is critical. Again, it is understanding the facts.
▶ 1:38:39Mr. Rogers: If confirmed, will certainly commit to communicating office with congress, this committee in terms of what are the facts, what is in front of us in terms of required investment and why are we making those investments.
▶ 1:38:51Chair Wicker: Thank you. Senator scott.
▶ 1:38:55Sen. Scott: Thank you. Congratulations to each of you. This is a great time to serve. We have our president and secretary that are doing a fantastic job and support our war fighters. They will refocus the department of war and fix a lot of problems that should have been fixed in the past. The president has a bold vision to protect our country from threats around the globe with the golden dome. Is this ground breaking thinking that will keep our country safe for generations to come?
▶ 1:39:24Sen. Scott: I trust each of you share that vision you will work hard to a compass president trumps peace through strength mission. Especially threats around the world continue to grow. Mr. berkowitz, as president trump's pick for the assistant secretary of defense for space policy, will be working with good lined oversee the golden dawn project. One would you rightly point out is critical to our national defense. I'm a business kind of looked at what the competition was doing and forgot how I could do a better.
▶ 1:39:53Sen. Scott: Competition is what makes industries, companies and industries do better and push each other to do better. It is acute innovation and a key to healthy market. I'm a big believer in our space and defense industries being open to competition so that the best product for the best price. Mr. berkowitz, as you know the golden dome is critical to our national security. Would you agree we should do what we can to ensure the best products and prices to complete this project are on time and on budget?
▶ 1:40:22Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you for the question. Yes, I absolutely agree with you that competition is essential in order to get the very best capabilities into the hands of our war fighters.
▶ 1:40:35Sen. Scott: Do you have examples of where you've seen competition has worked? Have you done a lot of sole-source contracts?
▶ 1:40:45Mr. Berkowitz: I have been involved in both competitive and sole-source awards. In my experience, there are times when both are appropriate. Competition absolutely drives the various competitors in the industry to sharpen -- phone the offers and make sure they are truly providing the best capabilities.
▶ 1:41:15Mr. Berkowitz: Sole-source awards are also effective when there is only one supplier who has the technology or know-how or can do it at the lowest cost.
▶ 1:41:27Sen. Scott: Should companies be allowed to compete for the golden dawn, parts of the project?
▶ 1:41:33Mr. Berkowitz: Absolutely. I think we should incentivize all companies, traditional companies, new entrants, startups to compete toward contracts as part of the golden dawn for america.
▶ 1:41:51Sen. Scott: You would not support sole-source for the golden dome?
▶ 1:41:54Mr. Berkowitz: I have been nominated for a policy position so consequently I would not be involved in making acquisition decisions with respect to contracts.
▶ 1:42:04Sen. Scott: Thank you.
▶ 1:42:05Chair Wicker: Thank you. Senator king.
▶ 1:42:12Sen. King: Thank you. I was listing tentatively as you asked the standard questions at the beginning of this hearing about the witness's to come and communicate with the committee and answer questions. I am concerned about the october 15 memo from the secretary which basically throttles communication between people working at the pentagon and congress, including this committee.
▶ 1:42:37Sen. King: I hope that is something we can discuss and consider because sitting here come these kinds of communications are important but also several of the witnesses have mentioned meetings and offices to discuss policy. That would be prohibited under that october 15 memo. I think we need to -- it is something we should discuss.
▶ 1:42:57Chair Wicker: Thank you and it has been suggested that memo was misconstrued. It may need to be clarified. Thank you for bringing that up.
▶ 1:43:19Sen. King: That is what I'm suggesting. There is confusion about what organization you're going to work for. It is the department of defense. There is no such thing as the department of war. I commend to you 10 usc 111 a 1949 which established the name of the departments from the department of defense. Just want to clarify that confusion. I want to be sure you know where you're are going to work. Mr. jewell, hypersonics.
▶ 1:43:52Sen. King: You are the right person for this position because hypersonics is a place where we have lost a lot of ground on our adversaries. I really appreciate your background. One area I hope you will think about is not only the development of hypersonics, but hypersonic defense because we have got these 12 billion-dollar aircraft carriers that could be extremely vulnerable so I hope that is part of the research and the work you will do on hypersonics, not only on the
▶ 1:44:23Sen. King: Offensive capability which we need for deterrence, but also defense. Is that something you consider part of your mission?
▶ 1:44:31Dr. Jewell: Senator, yes. Thank you for the opportunity to discuss in your office the finer points of the systems which are a critical part of both offensive and defensive hypersonics. The defense of problem in many ways is more challenging than the offense of problem. In order to hit a bullet with a bullet so to speak, one needs greater speed and maneuverability than the target system. And also better custody.
▶ 1:45:00Dr. Jewell: Those are deep challenges that deserve continued investments. If confirmed, I will certainly advocate for appropriate funding levels and appropriate areas of emphasis in the realms.
▶ 1:45:16Sen. King: I want to emphasize a point I think the raking member made, the administration at the beginning of this year took really significant steps to cut university research, $7 billion, 6000 agreements I think 4000 grants from a 6000 institutions. You have lived this system. I hope you can advocate within the administration for the importance of university research.
▶ 1:45:45Sen. King: You are a walking example of that importance. I hope you can be a counterweight to this impulse to cut university research funds.
▶ 1:45:56Dr. Jewell: I am proud of the work we have done at the university. Indeed that my colleagues do at other universities as well. We will seek to strengthen those ties if confirmed.
▶ 1:46:07Sen. King: Mr. berkowitz, there is discussion about the dual hat with nro and position at the department of defense. I think that is worthwhile discussion. At least to the point of making it a much more closer coordination. We can't afford to be developing parallel space capabilities where there is overlap in the cost involved is enormous, as you know. I hope you will consider that. I hope you will continue your provocative thinking on that.
▶ 1:46:37Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you. I frankly believe we should be open to all options to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of national security space capabilities.
▶ 1:46:49Sen. King: Very quickly, Mr. rogers, one of the issues on enforcement -- I'm sorry, one of the issues on housing is enforcement of private contracts will stop we went into privatization in a big way some years ago. We have not been good at enforcing those contracts to the detriment of our military families. I hope that is something you can pay attention to is the implementation of the requirements in those contracts for safe and adequate housing for our families.
▶ 1:47:18Mr. Rogers: The keys to getting anything done in that business arrangement is the contracts, ensuring they are stating exactly --.
▶ 1:47:29Sen. King: And forcing them is what I'm concerned about.
▶ 1:47:31Mr. Rogers: Be transparent to medication with the counterparty and exactly what is expected and enforcing them if it is not.
▶ 1:47:42Sen. King: Mr. caggy, I commend your speed. It is a tall order. Please pursue that with all due speed.
▶ 1:47:57Chair Wicker: Senator budd. Sen.
▶ 1:48:00Budd: Thank you all for being here today and for your willingness to serve. Dr. jewell, have worked with senator peters and several other members to secure more funding for the U.S.-israel collaboration on counter drone and counter tunneling technologies. If confirmed, how would you expand this emerging technology collaboration and which other critical technologies do you see as potential future areas to work together on? >> thank you.
▶ 1:48:33Budd: The distributed capability of tunneling or drones come the threat we face is really something that is of a relatively new nature I think. Something that can be wielded against the united states both by peer and near peer adversaries and potentially by insurgencies and other small or even individual threats. One of the ways if confirmed that I would seek to enhance our capability, and I think some of the most interesting ideas on these kind of new threats come from small businesses.
▶ 1:49:06Budd: Their programs I think I'm a critical in terms of getting more new ideas in the pipeline to address those kinds of threats.
▶ 1:49:14Sen. Budd: Mr. berkowitz, if confirmed, will be responsible for international engagement on space policy and strategy. How do you plan to work together with asian allies and partners like japan, south korea, taiwan to ensure they are building robust space capabilities and we are integrating with their systems? Burke was thank you for raising
▶ 1:49:37This -- Mr. Berkowitz: Thank you for raising this topic. Allies and international partners with shared values and interests are a U.S. competitive advantage. If confirmed, I would seek to work closely with all stakeholders to explore options for how our allies and partners could contribute to the defense burden, contribute to deterrence and collective security, and in the process align our policies
▶ 1:50:09This -- Mr. Berkowitz: And efforts as well as increase our interoperability.
▶ 1:50:13Sen. Budd: Thank you. Also, Mr. berkowitz, in light of china's rapid expansion of its nuclear arsenal, what is your assessment of the department's nuclear modernization plan, specifically around missile-defense? What is a fall short?
▶ 1:50:28Mr. Berkowitz: Senator, I am not in the seat so I don't have access to all of the pertinent information. What I can say is nuclear modernization is a top priority of the department as it must be to ensure a credible and effective deterrent.
▶ 1:50:50Mr. Berkowitz: If confirmed, I would absolutely work with my counterparts in the department and the executive branch and congress to ensure that we have the space capabilities and missile-defense capabilities required to ensure that we can effectively conduct nuclear deterrence and response operations as well as an effective comprehensive home that missile-defense.
▶ 1:51:18Sen. Budd: Staying on missile defense, what is your assessment of missile-defense of guam and how would you enhance protection of the island?
▶ 1:51:25Mr. Berkowitz: That is an excellent question. I am not -- I have not really been briefed on the guam defense architecture. I understand it is a top priority in the indo pacific region and a very important program. If confirmed, I would work with all stakeholders to ensure any issues related to the protection and defense of U.S.
▶ 1:51:53Mr. Berkowitz: Forces and citizens of guam are addressed to ensure that we have an effective defense.
▶ 1:52:00Sen. Budd: Mr. rogers come how is the navy invested in energy resilience there?
▶ 1:52:09Mr. Rogers: Senator, my understanding is strategic points of guam is focusing not only on the troops that we moved there but the infrastructure required on the island. As I sit here today, I don't have all of the details of exactly what is they are but if confirmed, will certainly be working with the team in terms of what is required in guam to support the troops and families that would potentially move there.
▶ 1:52:32Sen. Budd: With what you know now, what is your assessment of smr or small module reactors to serve as reliable and resilient energy sources for military installations and do you see that coming anytime soon to somewhere like camp lejeune in north carolina? Mr. rogers: smrs are great potential and if confirmed would certainly be pushing hard to work with the teams to understand where we are.
▶ 1:52:59Sen. Budd: I understand multiple services are looking at this but when we think about our installations, mention guam and camp lejeune, we need energy independence and we needed in contested or challenging environments. Smrs could potentially be that so I look forward to learning where we are at and hopefully we can push on the timeline.
▶ 1:53:19Chair Wicker: Mr. rogers, it will not be the next five or six years, is it? They take longer than that.
▶ 1:53:30Mr. Rogers: My understanding is that there are timelines out there read the question is, is there anything we can do to move that? There is the identification of pilot locations. There is the understanding of regulatory environment. We welcome congress is help in navigating that. It is sitting down with the technical teams and what can we do and what is the right reactor size that can support our installations.
▶ 1:53:52Chair Wicker: It certainly sounds tempting and helpful. I don't think there is one operating on the face of the earth right now.
▶ 1:54:04Mr. Rogers: I believe that to be true. There is multiple efforts under way and if confirmed, look forward to seeing where we are and what does the time when next like.
▶ 1:54:14Chair Wicker: I hope our dreams can be realized. Senator blumenthal.
▶ 1:54:19Sen. Blumenthal: Thank you. Thank you all for your service. If you have been nominated for some of the most important jobs in the department of defense. I wish you well and thank you for your willingness to give up your selves and your family -- give of yourself and your family. Mr. rogers, in 2023, I wrote a bill called the xavier sander act.
▶ 1:54:49Sen. Blumenthal: It was named after a young sailor who tragically died by suicide. He is from connecticut. While living aboard uss george washington during extended maintenance. Xavier and to many others endured substandard conditions while their ships were in maintenance.
▶ 1:55:13Sen. Blumenthal: They had no air conditioning, inadequate meals, disrupted sleep, little access to basic amenities or mental health support. This law expanded the navy's authority to provide basic allowance for housing to sailors in similar situations you're probably familiar with the general predicament or plate of sailors in that kind of situation when their vessels are in dry dock or major overhaul.
▶ 1:55:47Sen. Blumenthal: The bill provided that they could move off ship into commercial housing while their vessels were in that condition. I would like your commitment that you will give priority to this kind of implementation of the xavier sander's, perhaps meet with xavier's dad john who has maintained an active interest in this issue.
▶ 1:56:20Sen. Blumenthal: And would like to know if confirmed how you will ensure full and effective implementation of the act?
▶ 1:56:30Mr. Rogers: It is a key responsibility. I'm familiar with the act. And the story behind it. Certainly, I welcome the chance to meet with xavier's father. Or in portly, I saw a recent letter from the cno on this issue in terms of given the authorities that congress given that the commanding officers can decide when they can use bh for our sailors that are important.
▶ 1:56:57Mr. Rogers: The key is working not only with the military but also the communities in terms of identifying plain, comfortable, and safe living conditions for our sailors and marines. It is a readiness and retention issue.
▶ 1:57:09Sen. Blumenthal: Maybe I can reach out to you once your confirmation process is complete about meeting up with the family.
▶ 1:57:19Mr. Rogers: I welcome the opportunity.
▶ 1:57:23Sen. Blumenthal: I know given asked about specific installations. I want to ask about pfas and the potential for contamination from military installations or bases from pfas, which often is involved in the fire retardants or other kinds of operations on our bases. Are you familiar with the efforts to contain and stop pfas contamination that emanates from bases?
▶ 1:57:53Mr. Rogers: I am aware of pfas discussion. I'm also aware of the potential tie and linkage to afff. The firefighting foam. I am aware of the issue.
▶ 1:58:07Sen. Blumenthal: Argue thinking about -- are you thinking about efforts to stop the contamination that often flows from insulation?
▶ 1:58:21Mr. Rogers: My understanding is the pfas test force focuses on replacing anything in terms of afff, if that has pfas. In terms of existing exposure, if confirmed, would be committed to continuing that effort where the navy is responsible or the military is responsible on those navy and marine corps installations. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the team.
▶ 1:58:46Mr. Rogers: The most important thing here is free clean drinking water for both our military come their families, and the surrounding communities is critical. Understanding what exposure we have across installations will be step number one.
▶ 1:59:02Senator Blumenthal: I am sure you are familiar with the pac act that provides care and benefits for troops who are the victims of either toxic chemicals or other substances not only in combat broad but also on bases installations all across the country when they are exposed to those kinds of toxic elements.
▶ 1:59:28Senator Blumenthal: The act provides some benefits for them without their having to prove that it was directly linked. I would welcome your cooperation with the v.a. In trying to mitigate the toxic substances that may cause these kinds of diseases before they occur. I think it is very important. It is cost-effective.
▶ 1:59:57Senator Blumenthal: I would welcome your focus on that aspect as one who championed the pac act for our veterans.
▶ 2:00:06Chair Wicker: Senator kelly.
▶ 2:00:10Sen. Kelly: Thank you. Congratulations on your nominations. Mr. rogers, I want to start with you read I think I might be able to fit into our three questions. I want to talk about the lowell observatory in flagstaff, arizona. There is a navy precision optical called npoi. Have you heard about this?
▶ 2:00:32Mr. Rogers: Senator, I have not.
▶ 2:00:37Sen. Kelly: This was originally built through a partnership or to the naval research laboratory, the U.S. naval observatory, and the lowell observatory. It was a partnership for more than 30 years. That collaboration between the three organizations supported navy missions and also did some valuable civilian astronomical research create some astronomy.
▶ 2:01:02Sen. Kelly: Recently, the navy moved to take exclusive control of this precision optical interferometer can effectively ending lowell's ability to conduct any of their civilian research there. They have lost access to decades of investment and opportunity. The situation has led to some significant administrative and legal costs for the observatory.
▶ 2:01:30Sen. Kelly: So if confirmed, I know you don't have a lot of information here, I just want to see if you are willing to work with me so that transition at the optical interferometer site protects the navy's operational needs but also preserves some of the trust and fairness and accountability with their long-standing research partners like the lowell observatory.
▶ 2:02:01Mr. Rogers: You certainly have my member to work and understand this issue and work with you on that.
▶ 2:02:10Sen. Kelly: Dr. jewell come the dod has identified 14 defense critical technology areas. One of those is called trusted artificial intelligence and autonomy. Do you believe that our ability to integrate autonomous artificial intelligence into electronic warfare will be a critical capability in future conflicts?
▶ 2:02:33Dr. Jewell: Senator, yes, I believe it will. I think the key thing with ai specifically is that the investments that an american industry to include silicon valley have made an ai dwarf what could be invested by the department or even by the entire federal government. The key is how to leverage the great strides that have been made in ai but to leverage them in a way that is both safe and responsible for military use.
▶ 2:03:02Sen. Kelly: I agree with you. And the amount of money being invested by the private sector of course dwarfs what dod is going to spend in this specific technology. And I agree this is going to be of critical importance. Machine learning algorithms that enable things like adaptive jamming, spectrum sensing, automated signal classification -- this is going to give us potentially a decisive edge on the battlefield.
▶ 2:03:30Sen. Kelly: But in order to field these capabilities responsibly, we need to be able to test them rigorously. In a realistic operational environment. We have that realistic environment at fort yuka at proving ground. But we need to be able to protect our ability to conduct this full-spectrum testing. I am very concerned that the proposed cuts to the electronic proving ground could undermine all of that.
▶ 2:04:01Sen. Kelly: Epg provides a very unique environment for ew testing. The geography, air space. It allows the military to conduct aggressive offensive jamming tasks without interference at very high power. You can't do that in other places. It has 320 days of great weather every year when there are aircraft involved.
▶ 2:04:27Sen. Kelly: No other army tested evaluation command can replicate that -- the situation they have. So losing that capability by getting rid of the workforce will set us back in testing and evaluation and ultimately in our operational readiness.
▶ 2:04:45Sen. Kelly: If confirmed, will you commit to working with me to prevent unnecessary because to the electronic proving ground and preserve our nation's ability to test and field the next generation electronic worker systems?
▶ 2:04:59Dr. Jewell: Within the department, there are of course a number of unique crown jewel test capabilities of which you named one we had if confirmed, I will work to maintain our access and ability to test critical technologies of which as you rightly mentioned electronic warfare is one that is most difficult to test in a realistic way.
▶ 2:05:20Sen. Kelly: Thank you for the additional 14 seconds.
▶ 2:05:24Chair Wicker: Thank you very much and you used them well. This does conclude today's hearing. I want to thank our witnesses. I look forward to speaking to some of the family members in a moment. For the information of committee members, questions for the record will be due to the committee within two business days at the conclusion of the hearing which is now read we are adjourned.