S.Hrg.119-75 Part 3

1[Senate Hearing 119-75, Part 3]2[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]34                                                  S. Hrg. 119-75, Pt. 356                  DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION7            REQUEST FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 20268                 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM910=======================================================================1112                                HEARING1314                               before the1516                      COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES17                          UNITED STATES SENATE1819                    ONE HUNDRED NINETEENTH CONGRESS2021                             FIRST SESSION2223                                   ON2425                                S. 22962627TO AUTHORIZE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026 FOR MILITARY28ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, FOR MILITARY CONSTRUCTION,29AND FOR DEFENSE ACTIVITIES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, TO PRESCRIBE30MILITARY PERSONNEL STRENGTHS FOR SUCH FISCAL YEAR, AND FOR31OTHER PURPOSES3233                               __________3435                                 PART 33637                    READINESS AND MANAGEMENT SUPPORT3839                               __________4041                             MARCH 5, 20254243                               __________4445         Printed for the use of the Committee on Armed Services4647                 [GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]4849                 Available via: http://www.govinfo.gov5051                               ______5253                 U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE545560-343 PDF                WASHINGTON : 20255657                      COMMITTEE ON ARMED SERVICES5859                ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi, Chairman6061DEB FISCHER, Nebraska		     JACK REED, Rhode Island62TOM COTTON, Arkansas		     JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire63MIKE ROUNDS, South Dakota	     KIRSTEN E. GILLIBRAND, New York64JONI K. ERNST, Iowa		     RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut65DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska		     MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii66KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota	     TIM KAINE, Virginia67RICK SCOTT, Florida		     ANGUS S. KING, Jr., Maine68TOMMY TUBERVILLE, Alabama	     ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts69MARKWAYNE MULLIN, Oklahoma	     GARY C. PETERS, Michigan70TED BUDD, North Carolina	     TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois71ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri		     JACKY ROSEN, Nevada72JIM BANKS, Indiana		     MARK KELLY, Arizona73TIM SHEEHY, Montana                  ELISSA SLOTKIN, Michigan7475                John P. Keast, Staff Director76       Elizabeth L. King, Minority Staff Director7778                               ______7980            Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support8182                 DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska, Chairman8384DEB FISCHER, Nebraska		     MAZIE K. HIRONO, Hawaii85KEVIN CRAMER, North Dakota	     JEANNE SHAHEEN, New Hampshire86RICK SCOTT, Florida		     TIM KAINE, Virginia87ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri		     ELIZABETH WARREN, Massachusetts88TIM SHEEHY, Montana                  TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois8990                                  (ii)9192                             C O N T E N T S9394                               ----------9596                             march 5, 20259798                                                                   Page99100United States Transportation Command.............................     1101102                           Member Statements103104Statement of Senator Dan Sullivan................................     1105106Statement of Senator Mazie K. Hirono.............................     3107108                           Witness Statements109110Reed, General Randall, USAF, Commander, United States                 4111  Transportation Command.112113Questions for the Record.........................................    42114115                                 (iii)116117                  DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION118            REQUEST FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2026119                 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM120121                              ----------122123                        WEDNESDAY, MARCH 5, 2025124125                          United States Senate,126                  Subcommittee on Readiness127                            and Management Support,128                               Committee on Armed Services,129                                                    Washington, DC.130131                  UNITED STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND132133    The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 2:31 p.m. in room134SD-106, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Senator Roger Wicker135(Chairman of the Committee) presiding.136    Committee Members present: Senators Sullivan, Wicker,137Fischer, Scott, Hirono, Reed, Shaheen, Kaine, and Warren.138139           OPENING STATEMENT OF SENATOR DAN SULLIVAN140141    Senator Sullivan. This hearing will come to order. The142Readiness Subcommittee today meets to receive testimony on the143posture of the United States Transportation Command144(USTRANSCOM). I want to thank our witness this afternoon,145General Reed, for being here today. Sir, it was good meeting146with you earlier in the week.147    I want to say upfront, TRANSCOM is a very, very important148combatant command. It's not the one that you always hear about,149but it's really critical to our military, our readiness, and150our ability to win wars, and our ability to project power, and151sustain our forces.152    As a Senator from Alaska, I'm keenly aware of the unique153challenges and strategic opportunities our State presents in154the broader national security landscape, but we are also155operating in an area where logistics and sustainment are no156longer a given in any potential conflict.157    What used to be an asterisk, or an incorrect assumption, or158what they call in the military ``fairy dusting'' away a159problem, on the Department of Defenses (DODs) part with regard160to sustained and contested logistics, has allowed our161adversaries, such as China and Russia, to actively develop162capabilities aimed at disrupting our mobility and sustainment163operations across multiple domains.164    Currently, the theaters from the Indo-Pacific region, to165the Arctic, to the European Theater, and in the Middle East,166all present significant, unique challenges in military167contested logistics. Our military must ensure that pre-position168stockpiles, robust transportation networks, and harden169infrastructure are available to sustain forces in high-end170conflicts.171    I'm particularly interested in how TRANSCOM is addressing172contested logistics through enhanced resiliency in sealift,173airlift, and overland transportation. I would also like to hear174your thoughts, General, on how we can better leverage175infrastructure, our ports, and airfields to strengthen our176power projection capabilities in both the Arctic and the Indo-177Pacific regions.178    As the Air Force looks to the KC-46 and other next-179generation programs for its air refueling needs, we cannot180forget about the programs that are actually doing today's181missions. The KC-135 has been a cornerstone of the U.S. Air182Force's air mobility in refueling capabilities since the 1950s.183That's not an incorrect statement; since the 1950s. But it184needs advances in technology to evolve with military needs.185    While this is not a budget hearing today, I hope, General186Reed, to hear about how TRANSCOM has informed the Air Force's187tanker strategy moving forward, especially in light of the long188delays in KC-46 deliveries, and recent reports about cracks in189certain components of the aircraft.190    Air refueling tankers play a vital role in extending the191range and endurance of fighter aircraft bombers, surveillance192planes, enabling them to perform long-range missions without193relying on forward operating basis. They're crucial to194America's Fight Tonight mandate, and as we talked about195earlier, General, this morning, they're actually very crucial196in my home State of Alaska where Russian and Chinese incursions197over the last year have spiked.198    The men and women who fly these intercept missions from199Alaska do nearly 2,000-mile round trips to intercept Russian200and Chinese strategic bombers, and they, of course, rely201heavily on TRANSCOM tankers to get them to the intercept and to202get them home safely.203    We also want to hear about the challenges with regard to204shipbuilding and military sealift command, which is another205element of what TRANSCOM does and does so well. Modernization206of our sealift capacity must be a top priority if we are to207maintain our ability to surge forces anywhere in the world in a208crisis.209    The recently initiated tanker security program is a natural210progression, but broader efforts are needed to ensure that we211do not face a mobility crisis in the coming decade. I'm212particularly interested in hearing about the status of sealift213recapitalization efforts, including any challenges TRANSCOM is214encountering so that when the fiscal year 2026 budget is215released, we can followup to see if funding support is needed216to accelerate modernization efforts.217    The well-being of our troops and their families is,218obviously, a top priority of this Committee. We must ensure219that the different changes that we've seen in the Global220Household Goods Contract (GHC) challenges are made in a way221that provides seamless transitions during Permanent Change of222Station moves. General Reed, I look forward to getting an223update on this program in light of the challenges.224    Finally, I want to thank the men and women of USTRANSCOM225for the critical work they do every day to sustain our military226forces and project power globally. Again, this is an incredible227combatant command that not enough Americans know about,228understand, and appreciate, and this hearing is, in part, to229help change that.230    With that, I want to recognize Ranking Member, Senator231Hirono for her opening remarks.232233              STATEMENT OF SENATOR MAZIE K. HIRONO234235    Senator Hirono. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman. General236Reed, it's good to see you. Thank you very much for your237service.238    Senator Sullivan, it's good to continue our work on this239Subcommittee, this time, you as chair and me as ranking. So, we240will continue our efforts together.241    General Reed, thank you for your service to our Nation, and242I thank the servicemembers under your command around the globe243conducting missions even as we speak. TRANSCOM plays a critical244role in the movement of people, supplies, and equipment245anywhere in the world. Your command remains the backbone of our246military to ensure the joint force remains agile and247responsive.248    However, as the landscape for logistics continues to249evolve, we must adapt to the new reality and full spectrum of250emerging threats ranging from cyberattacks to kinetic strikes251on ports and airfields. We need to recognize that contested252logistics will be a battlefield in itself.253    Fortunately, the Air Force is currently taking steps to254modernize its aerial refueling fleet, shifting toward a new255tanker design that can operate in contested environments. The256Blended Wing Body (BWB), aircraft is a promising solution257offering 90 percent more range, upwards of 50 percent more fuel258efficiency, 80 percent more fuel offboard capability for sortie259generations, takes up to 40 percent less space on airfields,260flies 2,000 feet higher, and requires less landing and a261takeoff distance. All I can say is, wow, and very impressive.262We have to make it happen.263    Beyond these critical benefits, the blended wing body264design would save at least $900 million per year on fuel. $900265million. In the short-term, 3D-printed microveins on transport266aircraft reduced drag, pay for itself in just 7 months, and267yield a few percentages on fuel as well.268    While that may not sound like much at first glance, the DOD269spends over $10 billion each year on operational energy costs.270To be clear, investing in operational energy programs is not271just about cost savings. It directly enhances our lethality,272readiness, and ability to sustain operations in the Indo-273Pacific and beyond.274    Unfortunately, the TRANSCOM assets have been recently used275in a very inefficient manner and at great cost to the276Department of Defense, all for, in my view, political show. The277use of C-17s and C-130's to transport some 5,000 migrants at278three times the cost of Department of Homeland Security (DHS)-279chartered flights, and the DOD electing to do so on a non-280reimbursable basis is not only inefficient, but also detracts281from our core military mission.282    Just last year, the Department of Homeland Security removed283over 685,000 individuals without DOD assistance. The largest284amount of people since 2011, obviously, during the Biden years285that the DHS managed to do this. Yet, the DOD has opted to fly286at least three times through India, each trip costing taxpayers287over $2.5 million, and at least one of which tasked a refueling288tanker to fly from New Jersey to Honolulu only to return the289next day.290    Beyond the questionable legal basis under which this is291occurring, I want to know who is making the decision to fly in292such an inefficient and costly manner. There was a time when my293Republican counterparts would object to DOD writing a blank294check to do the job of another government agency. TRANSCOM must295remain focused on strategic mobility and not burdened with296missions that are outside its intended purpose.297    TRANSCOM would be far better off returning to its rightful298focus on contested logistics because energy security remains a299critical challenge. Our forces in the Indo-Pacific rely on300vulnerable fuel shipments. In the event of conflict, these fuel301supply lines would be prime targets for our adversaries. A more302resilient energy strategy. incorporating distributed energy303assets and more efficient technologies is essential for304maintaining operational effectiveness.305    TRANSCOM is a key pillar of our national security, but we306must ensure that it remains focused on its core mission,307whether by modernizing our tanker fleet or strengthening308contested logistic capabilities. We must make the right309investments and policy decisions. So, General Reed, again, I310thank you for your leadership. I look forward to your testimony311    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Hirono. I see that we312have the Ranking Member of the entire Committee, the former313Chairman of the Armed Services Committee here with us, my good314friend, Senator Jack Reed. Senator Reed, would you wish to say315a few opening comments?316    Senator Reed. Mr. Chairman, thank you for your hospitality,317but I would just wait for my questions.318    Senator Sullivan. Great.319    Senator Reed. Thank you very much.320    Senator Sullivan. Okay. Thank you. General Reed, the floor321is yours, and a longer written statement we can make sure it322gets submitted for the record.323324  STATEMENT OF GENERAL RANDALL REED, USAF, COMMANDER, UNITED325                 STATES TRANSPORTATION COMMAND326327    General Reed. Chairman Sullivan, Ranking Member Hirono,328distinguished members of the subcommittee, good afternoon. I am329honored to join you today with my lovely bride, Len, and Senior330Enlisted Leader, Chief Master Sergeant Brian Kruzelnick, to331represent the men and women of the United States Transportation332Command.333    A warfighting command, we project, maneuver, and sustain334the joint force anytime, anywhere in support of our national335objectives. Our warfighting elements consist of three service336component commands, military surface deployment, and337distribution command, military sealift command, air mobility338command, and our direct subordinate, the joint enabling339capabilities command. Beyond our core military units,340USTRANSCOM maintain strong partnerships with the commercial341transportation industry, our fourth component, to fully execute342our unified command plan tasks.343    Today's security environment presents numerous complex344challenges to force projection and logistics as adversaries345actively seek to disrupt, degrade, and deny our transportation346networks, especially within the homeland. With 85 percent of347U.S. combat power residing within the continental United348States, resilient transportation networks fortified against349malicious cyberattacks, now prioritize the crucial fort-to-port350transportation segment.351    Even after overcoming initial deployment disruptions, we352must continuously enhance our materiel capabilities to maintain353a decisive advantage. Decisive advantage demands a modernized354and connected sealift, airlift and air refueling fleet. By3552032, 54 percent of our government-owned sealift ships will356reach the end of their service life. To support our maritime357industrial base and protect a healthy pool of qualified crews358to crew the vessels, we need fully-funded maritime security359program, tanker security program, the Jones Act, and adherence360to cargo preference laws.361    The start of a recapitalization plan is due for our airlift362fleet. Because of the long lead time for platform development,363we welcome the service-led recapitalization plans of the air364refueling fleet, which must continue uninterrupted into the365future. Even after the Air Force accepts the final contracted366KC-46, the average age of the remaining KC-135 fleet will be 67367years old.368    Finally, we remain committed to the ongoing transformation369of the Global Household goods program. Moving is an integral370part of our life, and while most of us relocate every two to 3371years, and learn better ways of doing it every time we move, it372is always challenging. The department began transitioning to373the Global Household Goods Contract (GHC), in April 2024, with374the goal of providing an improved moving experience for375servicemembers and their families. This transformation is a376monumental task and reaches into every aspect of a377servicemember's relocation.378    Because GHC is reshaping how we move servicemembers, their379families, and their memories, we remain in close collaboration380with the services to identify and then take action to resolve381issues. Because we are centered on servicemembers and families,382just this past week, we made an adjustment to the transfer rate383to the prime contractor, and while it has not been an easy384path, there have been issues. There should be no doubt we will385see this through.386    These challenges may sound daunting, however, USTRANSCOM387has the global transportation awareness and authorities to388address them, and I will be clear, that I have no doubt that389our professionals will overcome any disruption. We are390emboldened by our guiding principles to be ready, united, and391decisive.392    USTRANSCOM was created as a purpose-built force to provide393the essential surface, ocean, and airlift capacity to project394and sustain American military power anywhere in the world at395any time. Thank you for your continued and unwavering support396for our mission and our people.397    I welcome your questions, and together, we deliver.398    [The prepared statement of General Randall Reed follows:]399400[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]401402    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, General, and thank you, again,403to you, and the men and women at USTRANSCOM for the exceptional404work that they do. I'm going to yield my first round of405questioning to my colleague, Senator Fischer, and then we'll go406in the regular order here. Senator Hirono will be next.407    Senator Fischer. Thank you, Senator Sullivan, and thank you408for your courtesy in letting me go ahead. Welcome, General409Reed.410    During your confirmation hearing, you described how you411intended to sharpen TRANSCOM's contribution to the lethal joint412force. This includes a ready tanker fleet that is able to413support both contingencies around the world, and U.S. Strategic414Command (STRATCOM), and also U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM)415missions that we have here in the Homeland.416    As the B-21 bomber enter service, which will modernize417increase and increase our bomber fleet, we must also ensure418that we have an adequate tanker fleet to support this platform419and the important missions it will perform. I understand that420the Air Force will make the ultimate decision on its tanker421acquisition strategy, but I'd like to better understand how422TRANSCOM is working with the Air Force to communicate its423requirements.424    Are you expressing your needs to the Air Force on what you425need to support a nuclear bomber force so that it remains426effective and a credible deterrent globally?427    General Reed. Yes, Senator. Just within the last month, my428staff and I took a trip to USTRANSCOM, and we sat down with the429commander there and his staff to hold warfighter talks.430    During that time, we described what it is that he's called431to do so that we can more efficiently and effectively432understand how we need to be there with him. During that same433time, we got a really deep understanding in terms of how they434plan to employ their new aircraft, and that will drive a435slightly different way in which we are to support them, which436actually means that it's going to be a little bit higher437requirement specifically in the field transfer.438    As a result, he and I are both working together to go to439the service to explain to them what's required and what's440expected in order for us to work together to get that done.441    Senator Fischer. If there's anything we can do on this442committee to help you with that endeavor, please let me know.443    General Reed. Yes, Senator. Thank you.444    Senator Fischer. Thank you. General Reed, it is clear that445in a great power conflict, the U.S. would be unlikely to446achieve the level of air or sea superiority that it achieved in447recent wars. This means that ships and aircraft that will be448part of any sealift or airlift effort must be prepared to449operate in a contested environment with the assumption that450they will be targeted in various ways to prevent material from451reaching its destination.452    I appreciated our discussion on this topic during your453confirmation hearing, and in our meeting we had in the454Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility (SCIF) last week.455Since you've taken command, what steps have you taken to better456prepare TRANSCOM to perform strategic lift in a contested457environment?458    General Reed. Senator, one of the things that I've done is459I've made travels around the world to talk to my peers. I've460looked at the world as they see it. I've looked at the threats461as they see it. I've also made sure that our staffs are working462closer together in the planning aspect, which is actually463carrying over into how we exercise together.464    So, with that being said, we have a much better465understanding of what the adversaries are likely to do, how466they would fight, what they're most likely to do. With that467being said, we adapt that to the plans, evaluate how that would468change the force, look to see what kind of options we have469left, and then what we can decide to do from that point on. So,470it's a very robust way ahead, ma'am.471    Senator Fischer. As you know, our sealift assets are472important to ensuring that our forces and material arrive on473time, in enough time to rapidly execute their mission.474Unfortunately, over the years, an integral part of our sealift475fleet, the Ready Reserve Force has suffered from a reduction in476capacity and readiness as a result of the aging vessels and the477underinvestment.478    Given this situation, can you provide an update on the479recapitalization of the Ready Reserve fleet, and how you are480working with The Maritime Administration (MARAD) to increase481capability and capacity in that regard?482    General Reed. Together, we're working to get ships in any483way that we absolutely can. The address last night by the484Commander in Chief, stated that sealift is absolutely something485that we need to do. He intends to make sure that we can return486to the seas, so we need to both build here and we actually need487to buy used.488    Senator Fischer. Could you repeat your last sentence,489please?490    General Reed. Yes, ma'am. We need to build new and we need491to buy used.492    Senator Fischer. Thank you, sir.493    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Fischer. Senator494Hirono.495    Senator Hirono. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.496    General Reed, a next-generation tanker, and I mentioned497this in my opening statement, in the form of a Blended Wing498Body aircraft would save between 30 to 50 percent in fuel,499which would be invaluable to operations in the Indo-Pacific in500terms of extended range sortie generation and reducing501contested logistics vulnerabilities.502    As a pilot who has flow of more than 3,500 hours in various503types of transport aircraft, how important is it for the Air504Force to continue investing in the Blended Wing Body and other505operational energy programs, and do you think they have506benefits that increase lethality and readiness?507    General Reed. Senator, we are actively advocating for any508and all technology that can make sure that we can use the least509amount of fuel possible, that our aircraft can go as long as510possible and they can stay aloft as long as they as they can.511    As we have been looking at what's possible in order to512operate, some of the criteria that we also look at, as you513mentioned in your statement, is how long or how short of a514runway can we operate on and balance that with how much fuel we515can carry. Then how far we can go. When it comes to force516projection and sustainment of the force, the more fuel517efficient an aircraft is, then the more effective we'll be and518also the more options we will have.519    Senator Hirono. So, all of you are open to other520developments that would save you fuel, et cetera, but would the521Blended Wing Body development be one of those important522modernizations that you would you hope will come about?523    General Reed. Ma'am, it's a very promising technology, and524if it's something we can get and something we can use. I will525absolutely take it. The other thing that we consider is that at526some point, the commercial world will most likely catch up with527this. When they're able to produce it, we will already have528done the work to make sure that we can use it as well.529    Senator Hirono. I mentioned in my opening that just the530consternation with the use of your assets to transport,531frankly, just the very few migrants at a cost in the instance532that I mentioned of $2.5 million to move only about 100533migrants to India. Contrast with the prior administration, it534was 685,000 people were removed through Homeland Security's own535programs.536    So, I wanted to know, because this is very out of537proportion in my view, to what should be undertaking by538TRANSCOM. So, who makes the decision to fly in this inefficient539manner using your assets?540    General Reed. The Department of Homeland Security is the541lead agency for this in that the Department of Defense is542supporting them. The lead combatant command within our543department is NORTHCOM, and we work with them to receive the544task to actually fly sorties.545    Senator Hirono. So, you are saying that you did not make546this decision to use your assets to fly 100 people to India?547    General Reed. No, ma'am, I did not.548    Senator Hirono. Are you going to be tasked to do more of549this kind of transport?550    General Reed. Ma'am, if I get the task, I'll absolutely fly551it.552    Senator Hirono. But do you have some sort of an553understanding already of what the expectations are and these554are all non-reimbursable to you events?555    General Reed. Ma'am, in a few conversations that I've had,556I am to expect maybe more flights. I will tell you that within557the last 48 hours, we have not flown any.558    Senator Hirono. I think that it is really important for me,559at least as the ranking person on this committee, that we560express our concern to you that this would not be the kind of561use of your assets that we should contemplate. Since you are562not the person to make that decision, that there are no563guarantees that that this use of your assets will not continue.564    So, if you are given this decision to transport more565people, I would like this committee to be informed of that. As566of now, that's what you're telling me, you have no idea whether567you'll be tasked to conduct this kind of mission in a way that568I think it's not part of your mission. So, will you let this569committee know if you begin to use your assets for these kinds570of transport?571    General Reed. Yes, I will.572    Senator Hirono. Thank you. So, you did mention that you573have an aging fleet and there is the possibility of you574purchasing used ships from other countries, and I think we put575a limit on what you can do there. For the long-term, obviously,576I think we need to create a capability for shipbuilding because577you have an aging fleet. But for the short-term, what would be578helpful to you?579    General Reed. In the short-term, we would need maximum580flexibility to buy used foreign ships on the commercial market,581obtain those ships, refurb them here in the States, and then582put those ships to sea.583    Senator Hirono. Well, Mr. Chairman, if you don't mind, we584put a limit on the number of these kinds of ships. So, I'm585asking whether in the short-term, how many more ships would you586like to be authorized to buy from foreign sources?587    General Reed. Yes, I would--I am asking for the limit to be588raised beyond 10 to allow us to actually shop the market.589Currently, there are 10 ships available for us to pursue.590    Senator Hirono. Are you asking for authorization to buy 10591more?592    General Reed. I'm asking authorization to buy 10 more.593    Senator Hirono. Well, good luck with that. No, that was--594forget I said that. I mean, we want you to be able to do your595job. Just one more thing. You mentioned the Jones Act. Are596people who, sometimes, do not understand the importance of the597Jones Act. Can you very briefly tell us why the Jones Act is598important to TRANSCOM and to national security?599    General Reed. The Jones Act allows us to actually have600shipping resources here and a fleet, and so, because of that601Act, we actually have a way to make sure that we can build602ships here in the United States, that we can sail those ships603to maintain commerce, that we can actually produce the crews604that actually sail those ships so that we have a core of folks605that can actually operate. At the same time, if the Nation606needs folks to go to sea, we can call on that force to actually607sail, and there are citizens, and then we will be more secure608in that way.609    Senator Hirono. Yes. One aspect of the Jones Act that's610very important is that you can work with the commercial611shippers, private sector ships. Isn't that correct?612    General Reed. That that's correct, ma'am.613    Senator Hirono. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman for your614indulgence.615    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Hirono.616    General, I'm going to ask my round of questions now. Let me617just followup on a couple of questions. Senator Hirono asked.618For the going above the 10-ship cap. Does that require--is619there a waiver authority that we can grant, that can be granted620by someone in DOD, or does that require a change in621legislation?622    General Reed. Chairman, that's a change in the National623Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and so, if we can get that624changed, ideally what we would need to recap the fleet are four625ships a year. If they're available on the market, we would626pursue that. At a minimum, we would need two a year.627    Senator Sullivan. Let me ask, 2 years ago, your predecessor628told us that by 2023, 37 of the 50 Government-owned surge629sealift ships will approach the end of their service life.630Military Sealift Command (MSC) and the Navy announced in631November that it would sideline 17 ships from the MSC to ease632the stress of civilian mariners. These ships, obviously, play a633very important role like oilers, hospital ships, cable layers.634    Can you walk us through the current TRANSCOM plan, General,635for increasing and manning maintenance programs for the MSC636vessels so they are not left sidelined in the long term?637    General Reed. Chairman, on the Navy side, the MSC commander638with his Navy hat made that decision mainly for the welfare of639the crews, and so, the problem is that640    Senator Sullivan. He knows there are civilian mariner641crews?642    General Reed. That's correct, and so, the challenge there643is that with the number of ships and the shortfall of the644crews, it was very hard to manage the crews in a way that was645sustainable. So, he did that separate from that for under the646Department of Transportation and the Maritime Administration.647    What we're seeking to do there is for the civilian crews648that we have there, these are merchant mariners in the649commercial fleet that when called, come to sail with us and650support our needs, what we would like to do for them is to651build new ships, if we can, and to buy younger used ships so652that they have much better equipment. In that same way, when653they have the better equipment, then they're more likely to654stay with us, and that is our way to make sure that we can655sustain that force.656    Senator Sullivan. Okay. Thank you. We've recently seen a657number of incidents in the Taiwan Strait and the Baltic Sea658whereby undersea cables were damaged or destroyed by ships with659connections to Russia and China. Can you talk specifically660about the current condition of our cable layers, and whether or661not you think we are ready to respond to the types of attacks662we may see in any kind of conflict? Or heck, the Russians and663Chinese are doing it in nonconflict situations that relate to664our undersea cables. By the way, I know you know this, General,665nearly 95 percent of the world's internet traffic goes through666these cables.667    General Reed. Chairman, those are specialty ships that we668have. We don't have very many of them. They are old. The ships669that crew them those ships are very capable. Those are also670ships that we actually need to make sure that they're younger,671that they're faster, and that they're more reliable as well.672    Senator Sullivan. Do we have any ships online that you see673coming into the fleet that are those kinds of ships you just674described?675    General Reed. Chairman, I do not.676    Senator Sullivan. Let me ask about another challenge that677you highlighted, and Senator Fischer already mentioned. Can you678walk me through the kind of broader readiness concerns that you679have with the KC-135 and KC-46 tankers? I know this is a top680priority, so how you integrate them, how you use one set, which681is, as you mentioned, up to 70 years old, and then the incoming682one that's been plagued with problems. I think Boeing really683needs to get its act together on this. What's your sense of how684we're integrating that in your strategic plan?685    General Reed. Chairman, the KC-135 is a fantastic airplane.686I was qualified in it once, and it's gotten me around the world687and back. It needs to consistently be looked at to improve, to688update. Over the years, we've increased the electronics in it.689Years back, we improved the propulsion systems. But as we go690forward, what's the most important for that is that it gets691connected to the joint force. Connectivity is king for that692aircraft as it goes forward. If it's not connected, it's not as693survivable as it should be.694    The KC-46 is a great airplane as well. I've had the fortune695to fly it. There are some things that the manufacturer needs to696fix, but when that airplane works, it works in fine fashion. It697is an airplane that, I think, that they are going to fix. We698need to stick with it and we need to keep going.699    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, General. Senator Reed.700    Senator Reed. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Chairman, and701welcome, General Reed. I must say that's quite an impressive702name you have, but I'm very impressed.703    Senator Sullivan. No relation, I assume?704    Senator Reed. We are related in an emotional way.705    [Laughter.]706    Senator Reed. We're both committed. He's much more707committed than I.708    General Reed, TRANSCOM relies heavily on commercial709aircraft in peace time, and also depends on commercial aircraft710who participate in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet craft for711wartime needs. Craft participants are always concerned about712how much cargo capacity TRANSCOM will purchase from them.713First, are you taking action to rely more heavily on craft714fleet in peace time?715    General Reed. Senator, we do have access to those aircraft,716which most important to note is that craft, if we were to717activate it, would be in case of wartime or a severe crisis. In718return of those aircraft being in the craft program, we do use719them and they are able to operate with us.720    But what's most important is, when we have the need for721something beyond what we have in the gray hole, they make722themselves available in this way. We can keep them ready and723trained to operate with us. In this way also, for the organic724craft that we have, we can use them for higher priority725sorties.726    Senator Reed. Now, there's been some discussion about the727transportation of detainees and others. Have you considered728using craft participants rather than military aircraft to move729these people?730    General Reed. Senator, right now, we have authorization to731fly these sorties in support of the Department of Homeland732Security on a non-reimbursable structure. So, as such, I'm not733able to use craft.734    Senator Reed. So, DOD is paying for this movement of735detainees?736    General Reed. That's correct, Senator.737    Senator Reed. As I mentioned in our meeting, I heard that738the Air Force personnel on these aircraft were not wearing name739tags or unit symbol. Is that accurate, and what can be done740about that?741    General Reed. That is accurate, Senator. If you don't mind,742I'd like to discuss that in a separate session.743    Senator Reed. That's quite all right, sir. I appreciate744that. Thank you.745    We've talked a lot about contested logistics here. What746requirements are you trying to levy on the system to get the747services to pay greater attention on operating the logistics748system and contested areas, the requirements you're asking for.749Can you briefly describe those?750    General Reed. One of the clearest ways that we're doing751that is in our new role for global bulk fuel management and752delivery. As we do fuel assessments, we are doing fuel753assessments with our fellow combatant commands. We did an754initial one with INDOPACOM. We learned some lessons in that755one. We next took the assessment to U.S. Central Command756(CENTCOM).757    As part of that, when we look at where the fuel should be,758how it should be set up, what the infrastructure is, and how to759meet the needs, we also run a contested logistics scenario on760it. Then once we do that, that allows us insight into what's761required from the theater as well.762    Senator Reed. General, we all recognize the importance of763cyber. In fact, it's more important, it seems, every moment.764The issue of cyber seems to be particularly challenging when it765comes to our civilian aircraft, the craft aircraft. Could you766tell us what you're trying to do to enhance their cybersecurity767and their ability to communicate with Air Force aircraft?768    General Reed. The cyber domain is very problematic,769especially for USTRANSCOM. Because as stated before, most of770our capability actually resides in the commercial realm. So,771their networks are not within ours and they're not as protected772as ours. Fortunately, we have a lot of help with law773enforcement, also cyber command, and also with the U.S. Coast774Guard, to make sure that we can share information, we can775collaborate both for aircraft and for sealift.776    Senator Reed. Thank you very much. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.777    Senaror Sullivan: Thank you, Senator Reed. Senator Scott.778    Senator Scott. Thank you. Thank you, Chairman. General779Reed, thanks for your service. I appreciate the opportunity to780sit down with you. Thank you for your service, your family's781service, everything. Everything you do. Go Navy.782    It's my understanding that the Department of Defense is now783moving servicemembers and their families under new Global784Household Goods contract. With peak moving season just around785the corner, can you share some of the feedback you've received786on implementing the contract? Can you explain the Army's787decision to pause moves under this program that do not have788enough lead time?789    General Reed. Senator, first and foremost, the reason for790the contract is to correct past performance that wasn't as791strong as it should be to get after years of frustration from792those of us who move. Also, years of frustration from793yourselves to help us to try to fix it.794    In this transition, what we are actually doing is we are795having a transformation within a market that still exists. With796this transformation, we actually have a structure, both IT and797with rule structure, that actually allows us to see more what's798happening in the market, to monitor trends that are positive,799monitor trends that are not so much so, and actually have the800tools to actually do something about it.801    We are about 2 years into what is actually a 10-year802contract, if you will, base contract of 6 years with four 1-803year options. So, we're fairly new at this. There are some804performance issues. We are able to see those, and we're805actually able to do something about that.806    With regards to the comment about what the Army has done,807the Army has not paused their participation in the contract.808What we're doing instead is we, in conjunction with the809services, are monitoring the rate of the transfer to the810contract because this is not about the vendor, it's not about811the program, it's about those who move. So, as we support those812who move, we will match them up for success as we help the813transformation mature.814    Senator Scott. So, you've got enough capacity to do the815moves? Because I guess the summer's your biggest moves, is that816right, just based on school years?817    General Reed. Summer is the peak season, and usually during818that time, both combined Continental United States (CONUS) and819Outside the Continental United States (OCONUS), it's about820300,000 moves, although we are not putting OCONUS moves out821just yet. But with that, we have moves that are still in the822contract piece and there are still moves that are in the823current system as well.824    Senator Scott. What's happening with the international825move. Is that being impacted at all?826    General Reed. Not at all. That's designed to come at a much827later date once we solve this piece here.828    Senator Scott. Okay. Our Ready Reserve Force program plays829a critical role in making--you know, our ability to deliver830equipment and critical supplies. With about 20 of those, we got83120 of the ships that are over 50 years old. Do you have any832concerns about the military's ability to keep up?833    General Reed. I do. These ships are really, really old. The834reliability of them sometimes are in question because of that.835I take my hat off to the crews that are actually on them to836keep them warm. But to give an idea of the State of the ships,837some of these ships are still run by steam. The last time that838I was on a steam ship, I was a high schooler in Navy Junior839Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC). So, the sailors that we840actually put on these ships and the crews that we put on these841ships, they deserve something younger.842    Senator Scott. So, do you think if we had a conflict in the843Asia Pacific, do you think you could perform?844    General Reed. We could perform. We would have some845challenges with that. We would struggle, but we would not846perform to the level that I would like to.847    Senator Scott. Okay. Thank you, General. Thank you,848Chairman.849    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Scott. Senator850Shaheen.851    Senator Shaheen. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. I'm happy852to defer to our chairman of----853    Thank you, General Reed, for being here and for taking time854to meet with me before this hearing. As we discussed in that855office meeting, New Hampshire's home to the 157th Air Refueling856Wing. It's the only KC-46 wing in the country to reach an857initial operating capacity. Had to get that in.858    But you referenced this in your previous statements that859TRANSCOM has assessed that the aerial refueling fleet of KC-860135s and KC-46s would be subject to considerable stress during861wartime. As you're looking at what this new Administration is862talking about with respect to funding cuts in the defense863budget, is the KC-46 program exempt from those funding cuts?864    General Reed. Senator, in this case, I would have to defer865to the Air Force for that. But I have spoken to the service,866and I've let them know that I am concerned in terms of the867choices that they have to make. We absolutely have to have868those aircraft fully supported and funded. Whatever I can do to869help the service, I'll certainly do that.870    Senator Shaheen. Well, thank you. I agree with that. As we871discussed, again, in that meeting, the ongoing logistic872composite model, which I know the chairman of the subcommittee873understands well because it's been an issue in Alaska. But874they're doing the study right now, Pease is, and it's the875result of the Air National Guard's Releveling initiative, which876under the current projections, would reduce the 157th's ability877to support TRANSCOM by 22 percent. Would that have an impact on878your needs should you need to use that 157th for a refueling879mission?880    General Reed. Senator, in this case, I'd have to defer to881the service in terms of what they see as the outcomes for that.882However, that being said, being familiar with that model, I883know that they're going to take a very good look at not only884the aircraft itself which will change how folks work on it, but885they'll also look at how we use that aircraft in the unit that886it's associated with.887    So, the fact that it's in a Reserve component is another888aspect of actually looking at how folks will work the tasks.889That should get looked at when they worked that study, and I'll890wait to see how that study concludes.891    Senator Shaheen. Well, thank you. I appreciate that, and I892know that you're looking for opportunities to come up to Pease893to see firsthand how the 157th is operating and how they're894working with the KC-46. So, I look forward to welcoming you895there sometime in the near future.896    General Reed. If I may add. Yes, your unit was the first897one, KC-46 that we employed. They went to CENTCOM, and they did898a fantastic job. So, thank you so much for that.899    Senator Shaheen. Thank you. We will definitely make sure900that the 157th knows that you said that. I appreciate that. We901also discussed your desire to increase TRANSCOM's sealift902capacity. It's something that you've already referenced here,903and to increase the 10-ship limit on the buy used.904    Again, I know that you are not the person who's going to905decide about the 8 percent cuts that are being projected at the906Department of Defense, but if you had to cut 8 percent out of907your sealift capacity, what would that mean for your ability to908address the mission that you're charged with909    General Reed. In our pursuit to buy used on the market,910that would limit the flexibility that we would have to actually911shop the market and find the ships that we need and get them at912a suitable price.913    Senator Shaheen. So, as you're thinking about--you have the914capacity to do 10 ships this year, is that correct, under the915NDAA and hopefully we can get another 10 ships. So, what are916you hoping to get within the next--this year in terms of that917additional sealift capacity918    General Reed. This year, the most immediate need would be919to make sure that we can have on the order of about $210920million. That would allow us to secure two ships on the market,921make sure that we could get them into a shipyard, and then922reflag them within about 9 to 14 months.923    Senator Shaheen. How concerned are you about having the924civilian workforce that it's going to operate those ships?925    General Reed. Right now, we have the workforce. My main926concern is making sure that I have a young, reliable ship to927keep the workforce.928    Senator Shaheen. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.929    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Shaheen. It's good to930know the 157th is up and running with the--I didn't know the931KC-46 had a full squadron. So, that's great.932    Senator Shaheen. Oh, we'd love to have you come and visit.933    Senator Sullivan. I would love to see it. That's great934news. We want them all over the country. We are honored to have935our Chairman of the full Committee, Senator Wicker. Mr.936Chairman, the floor is yours.937    Chairman Wicker. Yes. We don't need to be cutting the KC-46938program. Now, let's see. I don't know if contested logistics939has been asked in this regard, but there's been conversation940about coalescing around a single manager for contested941logistics.942    So, let's talk about that. Is it time to look for a single943manager for contested logistics, and might TRANSCOM be where944that role might be assigned. If the balloon goes up? Do you945think the department currently has a joint contested logistics946strategy in place that would be successful?947    General Reed. When faced with a conflict, we figure it out,948Senator. So, whether or not we could get the job done or not,949we'll get the job done. But to your question, in terms of950having a structure and someone who can lead that way prior to a951conflict, I am aware of the deep discussions. We've had some of952those, and it is time to look at some aspect of that.953    Chairman Wicker. Can you give us your best advice here?954    General Reed. Senator, my best advice is to allow me to955look at that, and structure that, figure out how best TRANSCOM956can contribute to that with the current authorities that we957already have. It's aligned in a good way, and I think there's a958way forward.959    Chairman Wicker. Okay. More later on that. The Red Hill960facility has been closed. It amplifies the logistical961challenges in the Indo-Pacific. I think you'll agree. What962about levering existing U.S.-flagged platform supply vessels to963enhance military sustainment capabilities in the region?964    My understanding is that there are at least 13 at sea965resupply ships afloat and ashore near this environment. What do966you think about that?967    General Reed. If I understand your question, you're asking968how do we work fuel in the theater, whether it's ashore or969afloat. That is one of the things that we look at in TRANSCOM.970    When it comes to the ships to actually do that, we are971looking to the employment strategy of the theater commander in972terms of how he would want to move the fuel around, to look at973where that fuel needs to be. When it comes to some of the974vessels that we would use for that, I understand that that975there is a class of ship that has been mentioned to me that's976built here in the states. That shallow draft vessel has some977potential, perhaps, in the dry cargo arena, but not necessarily978for fuels because the tanks that it has is only a single layer.979    Chairman Wicker. Okay. So, right now, where would you say980the plans are? Is it just some--I think you said you're looking981at it. You don't specifically have plans yet to leverage those982platforms?983    General Reed. We do not, Chairman, have plans to leverage984those particular ships.985    Chairman Wicker. Okay, and then, one other thing; on986unfunded requirements. You said during your confirmation you'd987be a fierce advocate to get all the equipment that our folks988needed. Do we still have your commitment that you are going to989give us a complete list of what you need in terms of these990unfunded requirements?991    General Reed. Chairman, I am a fierce advocate to give the992force whatever they need using any lever that I have right now993for an unfunded requirement. Since I have not seen the budget994I'm not there yet.995    Chairman Wicker. Oh, okay. Yes. But my exhortation to you996is that you not hold back on what you need. Tell us. I mean,997you're new, and you haven't had a chance to assess all this.998But do I have your commitment that you will give us as complete999a list as possible of those requirements?1000    General Reed. Absolutely, Chairman.1001    Chairman Wicker. All right. Thank you, and thank you, Mr.1002Chairman.1003    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Senator Warren.1004    Senator Warren. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for1005holding this hearing.1006    So, TRANSCOM is responsible for making sure that our1007military and our allies get everything they need to win on the1008battlefield, whether it is a new engine for a fighter jet in1009the Middle East or a missile battery in the Philippines. That1010means that TRANSCOM knows better than anyone why it is a very1011big problem if the military doesn't have the right to repair1012its own equipment.1013    General Reed, one of TRANSCOM's major workhorses is the C-10145M Super Galaxy, a strategic transport aircraft that carries1015cargo and DOD personnel all around the world. But in 2022, it1016was able to fly its mission only 52 percent of the time. That1017means that nearly half the times that commanders needed it, it1018wasn't there.1019    Congress saw this, said that is not acceptable, and gave1020the Air Force $10 billion to fix that problem. General Reed,1021about how often was the C-5 mission-ready the next year after1022you got the money?1023    General Reed. What I can tell you is that in 2023, the1024mission capable rate of the C-5 was about 46 percent.1025    Senator Warren. About 46 percent. So, it went from 521026percent to 46 percent. So, we could reasonably ask what1027happened? Well, the Air Force said the supply chain for1028replacement parts had dried up. When companies can't or won't1029meet DOD's needs, one option is for the military to actually1030make the parts themselves so you can get things up and running.1031It's often cheaper and faster anyway, but you can't do that if1032big defense contractors slip restrictions into their contracts1033that deny the military the technical data that they need to be1034able to make these repairs.1035    So General Reed, it's your responsibility to make sure the1036warfighter gets everything that they need. How important is it1037to national security for C-5s to be ready to respond to1038commander's requests to carry cargo and personnel?1039    General Reed. The C-5 is a key aircraft for us, and some of1040the things that we may be asked to do in the future, it would1041actually produce about 20 percent of the lift for us, so.1042    Senator Warren. So, you need this thing?1043    General Reed. Yes, we do.1044    Senator Warren. Ready to go. So TRANSCOM's job is getting1045harder here because our enemies are making it more difficult to1046send ships and planes to our troops. As Senator Wicker was1047talking about a minute ago, this is contested logistics.1048    TRANSCOM models show that ``The Fight to Get into The1049Fight'' means that getting critical materials to our troops is1050only going to get harder over time. That means the last thing1051our troops should be doing is waiting around for contractors1052who charge more for slower repairs. So, General Reed, do you1053agree that giving the military more flexibility to repair parts1054in the field will increase our military readiness?1055    General Reed. I do, Senator.1056    Senator Warren. Good. Thank you, General Reed. Senator1057Grassley and I got a provision into last year's NDAA for the1058military to start a pilot program to reverse-engineer parts for1059sole source programs. It's a good start, but it is a backstop1060because reverse engineering can actually take years to get1061done. But if DOD negotiates with contractors for the right to1062repair from the start, that means our men and women in uniform1063get their equipment faster and at a lower cost to the1064taxpayers.1065    That is exactly what my Servicemember Right to Repair Act1066does. It has bipartisan support here in the Senate and on the1067committee. What's happening right now is fundamentally wrong,1068and we can put a stop to it. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.1069    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Warren. Senator Kaine.1070    Senator Kaine. Thank you, Mr. Chair. General Reed, good to1071see you.1072    I want to ask about a couple of topics. My colleagues have1073covered some of the others that I hope to ask about adequately.1074One is about the connection. If we want to have adequate1075sealift for military purposes, the connection between that and1076our food aid programs. So, you know, we're all grappling with1077cuts, pauses. The Supreme Court rendered a ruling today that1078may reopen the door on humanitarian assistance through the1079United States Agency for International Development (USAID).1080    Food aid, about 40 percent of our humanitarian aid programs1081are food aid, and it's the delivery of U.S. grown food to other1082nations. Just using Africa, the African continent as an1083example, the U.S. flagships that deliver the aid sort of count1084on that as what they call one leg of a three-legged stool. They1085transfer food aid, they transfer DOD cargo, and they transfer1086Foreign Military Sales (FMS) or other executive agency cargo.1087By transferring all of those and earning revenue for doing it,1088it maintains a business model where they can keep these ships1089available for sealift capacity.1090    If food aid were to disappear and one leg of that three-1091legged stool were to go away, what would the effect be on the1092availability of U.S.-flagged vessels to be around when we need1093it for sealift chores?1094    General Reed. U.S.-flagged vessels with U.S. crews are1095critical. We need to make sure that they can go to sea and stay1096afloat. By us following cargo preference laws, we can actually1097provide the material for them to actually sail. What that does1098is it makes them ready. I need them ready. I need them to have1099a job and know that they have something that they can do, and1100so, when they actually get called to be there for the Nation,1101they're actually there. If for some reason they were not there,1102then we don't have U.S. citizens supporting us at sea.1103    Senator Kaine. This is really important. My colleagues did1104a good job of asking, for example, about the need to purchase1105more, you know, high quality used vessels so we'd have more1106sealift capacity, but with the existing capacity we have, if we1107were to fundamentally change the sort of business model that1108keeps those ships ready and on the water by cutting out one1109part of their revenue, that food aid, for example, then we1110would reduce even further the capacity that we need so that it1111might not be available at the time that we need it. Would you1112agree with that?1113    General Reed. I agree.1114    Senator Kaine. Thank you for that. My colleagues asked some1115questions and you talked in your opening testimony about the1116DOD contract for the Global Housing Goods Contract, 40,000 DOD1117personnel in Virginia--I'm sorry, 120,000 Active Duty in1118Virginia, and assuming you move about every 3 years, that's111940,000 moves out and 40,000 moves in.1120    You talked a little bit about how the transition is going,1121but there was a specific question I wanted to ask. There's1122something called the continuing to use the tender of Service1123legacy program during the ongoing GHC ramp up program. So, the1124kind of the old way of doing it now, the rates associated with1125the legacy program are often 20 to 30 percent higher than those1126outlined in the GHC contract. So understandably, some suppliers1127might be hesitant to transition to the GHC program if they're1128able to secure more favorable rates by remaining under the1129legacy system. So this creates an odd situation where two1130programs are unintentionally positioned against one another,1131and TRANSCOM can incur significantly higher costs under the1132legacy program.1133    So how are you managing this legacy to GHC program so that1134there's not this perverse incentive to remain in the legacy1135program because the rates are higher?1136    General Reed. So, the rates are set by what we call a1137government-constructed cost, and we are only able to adjust1138those rates once a year, which actually happens in May. So once1139again, we're in a situation where to allow the process to go,1140we have to wait until May when we have the next opportunity to1141adjust the rates, which we will do. Those rates will be more in1142line with the constructed costs. So therefore, it will be a1143less of an incentive to stay outside than to join the GHC.1144    Senator Kaine. Great. I'll follow back up after May to see1145how much we've narrowed that gap and whether that's doing what1146it needs to do. I will express my support for a position, I1147think my colleagues have already gotten that, that if you need1148authorization within the NDAA to expand the fleet by purchasing1149more high-quality used vessels, I really would like to make1150sure you have that authority and I'll join with my colleagues1151to see if we can be helpful in that regard. I'll yield back,1152Mr. Chair. Thank you.1153    Senator Sullivan. Thank you, Senator Kaine.1154    General, we're going to do a quick second round of1155questions, and then, we'll move this to a classified setting1156for a couple additional questions. I want to go over this map1157and handout that you and I discussed in our meeting today.1158    [The information referred to follows:]11591160[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]11611162    You know, there's a lot of discussion on what's happening1163on the southern border, not so much about what's happening on1164the northern border. As you and I talked about, we've had a1165really high level of Russian and Chinese incursions both into1166our Air Defense Identification Zone (ADIZ) and into our1167Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) on the water, and very1168disturbingly and unprecedented, a number of these are joint1169Chinese/Russian operations, including strategic ``Bear'' bomber1170and Chinese strategic bomber incursions into our ADIZ this past1171summer with armed MiG fighters.1172    As you know, the operations to go intercept these1173incursions take a lot of work. Our young men and women in the1174military do a fantastic job up in Alaska, but they also need a1175lot of tanker support for these kinds of missions. Similarly,1176with they need fuel support for our Navy when we're doing1177operations in the Northern Pacific and the Arctic, which we've1178been doing a lot over the last three summers. Additionally,1179there's a lot of attention paid to the Central and South1180Pacific logistics lanes for any kind of conflict in Taiwan.1181    But I think it's important to also look at the Northern1182Pacific logistic lanes as it relates to any kind of conflict1183like that. During World War II, General Simon Bolivar Buckner1184called the Aleutian Island chain, which obviously goes out1185there, ``a spear pointing right at the heart of Imperial1186Japan.'' By that he meant it was a very strategic location, not1187only attacking Japan, but forgetting logistics into the fight1188as our forces throughout the Pacific move closer to Japan.1189    Right now, if you look at one of the ports there, the Port1190of Adak, which is on this map, the closest the U.S. Navy base1191that is a gateway to the Arctic, but is also on the flank of1192China. It has three piers, two nearly 8,000-foot runways, and1193one of the largest bulk fuel storage facilities in the world. A1194lot of people don't know that. So the distance, too, in terms1195of where Adak sits, it's about 2,900 nautical miles from1196Okinawa. While our good friends in Hawaii are about 4,0001197nautical miles from Okinawa, making Adak the closest U.S. port1198outside of Guam to Okinawa to Taiwan.1199    So, President Trump has talked about ensuring Alaska gets1200more defense investment as we fully rebuild our military,1201especially as Russia and China are making menacing moves in the1202Pacific. Admiral Paparo and General Guillot have testified that1203Adak would provide them with very significant logistical and1204basing needs, and that we should reopen it.1205    In terms of logistics, including with the shutting down a1206Red Hill, what's your thought on this base in terms of for1207logistics capability, fighter, and aviation, and navy shipping1208support? There's also was a submarine base there. I'd like your1209view on that, General?1210    General Reed. North American Aerospace Defense Command1211(NORAD) and NORTHCOM when it comes to the great State of Alaska1212and the forces that they have there do a fantastic job of1213letting us know when they need our help. So, whenever they ask,1214we're always there. We've never failed them.1215    As they continue to look at how far, forward they can go1216for the extension, if they're going to be present, so will we.1217Coming from the other direction, Admiral Paparo, I have given1218him my word that I will always be there with him wherever he1219needs us to be. If there's an opportunity to establish more of1220a footprint in the region, we will be there as well.1221    Senator Sullivan. Let me ask just real quickly. You were up1222in Alaska recently. I appreciated the visit in January. Can you1223give me a sense of kind of lessons learned? I know you're at1224the Port of Anchorage, which is a really important DOD1225strategic port, again, relating to these kinds of logistical1226issues. We think it's important to have additional1227infrastructure capability in my State. But any main takeaways1228from the visit you had in January, General, and I really1229appreciate you coming up to our great State.1230    General Reed. Chairman, it was a great visit. Went there,1231intentionally, in the winter time. Good to see the conditions1232there. Unfortunately, it was colder in Illinois than it was in1233Alaska, and I got in trouble with----1234    Senator Sullivan. Yes, we've had a little bit of a warm1235winter, particularly with the Iditarod last week.1236    General Reed. But being in Alaska again and having a really1237good feeling standing there, almost standing on top of the1238world, looking at what's around us and how close it is, it is1239incredibly strategic. The reach that you can have from that1240location is incredible, and it's a big advantage to the United1241States.1242    Looking at the Port of Alaska and that port cluster, I was1243very impressed with what I saw there. The port is well situated1244where it is, despite the fact that there was ice on the sea1245they were still able to operate, the ability of the port1246authority to adapt to the conditions. The snow and the ice1247didn't stop them. There was a tremendous amount that we learned1248there in terms of how to just adapt. Period.1249    The other thing was I was very impressed with the1250conditions in terms of the tides and the tide swings, which I1251understand can be as high as 12 to 17 feet swing.1252    General Reed. But the port authorities there and the folks1253who work the port, they know how to time it and they know how1254to marshal things. They know how to line it up, and when it1255comes time to load and unload, some of the best I've ever seen.1256So, I was incredibly impressed by that.1257    With the U.S. forces that are there, they have a very good1258handle on their strategic role not only in terms of what they1259can project, but the forces that they may host to operate there1260or the forces that will actually flow through. So, when we1261combine all of that together I'm really impressed with the1262platform we have in that State.1263    Senator Sullivan. Great. Thank you very much. I just1264actually had a meeting with our mayor of Anchorage, and we had1265a lot of discussion on the port, and we'll keep you appraised1266on the, you know refurbishing of that port. It's really1267important for our military. It's also really important for the1268people of Alaska, as that's where the vast majority of our1269supplies, and food, and everything, and fuel come through the1270Port of Anchorage. We want to keep that viable, strong, and1271we're continuing to work on that with you, and NORAD, and1272others. So, thank you very much on that, General. Senator1273Hirono.1274    Senator Hirono. This was an interesting conversation1275because the fuel that was sort of Red Hill was massive, mainly1276to be used by the Air Force. I think that there are concerns1277relating to the how fuel ought to be distributed more than1278located in Red Hill.1279    I have a question. July 2021, the Government Accountability1280Office (GAO) found that U.S. Immigration and Customs1281Enforcement (ICE) does not know the extent to which its1282officers are taking enforcement actions against individuals who1283could be U.S. citizens. Between fiscal year 2015 to 2020, 6741284U.S. citizens were arrested, 121 were detained, and 70 were1285moved outside the U.S. by mistake.1286    The GAO recommended that ICE should systematically collect1287and maintain electronic data on its encounters with individuals1288for whom there is probative evidence of U.S. citizenship, but1289ICE has yet to do so. This lack of accountability is troubling.1290    General Reed, ICE gives TRANSCOM a copy of every flight1291manifest prior to transporting migrants. But I understand that1292you take no steps to verify the identity of the people you are1293transporting on your aircraft. Is that so?1294    General Reed. We do get a list of everyone that we fly.1295However, ICE maintains control of everyone that's on the1296aircraft. So, from that standpoint, they have the1297responsibility for the verification.1298    Senator Hirono. So, since there have been mistakes made by1299ICE in terms of them erroneously transporting people who are1300citizens that shouldn't be transported. So that's an issue. Do1301you know what the legal basis is for transferring non-citizens1302arrested inside the U.S. via military aircraft to a location1303outside the U.S. for deportation for detention?1304    General Reed. I do not know that completely.1305    Senator Hirono. To date have any U.S. citizens or1306individuals not charged with any crimes been mistakenly flown1307to Guantanamo Bay on TRANSCOM assets?1308    General Reed. I'm not aware of any.1309    Senator Hirono. What steps have you taken to ensure the1310answer you just gave me is accurate?1311    General Reed. For the air crew, we make sure that they1312follow established procedures to get a list of the folks and1313also to make sure that ICE is complying with the things that1314they tell us that they need to do to maintain control.1315    Senator Hirono. We know that Guantanamo Bay is subject to1316various weather events. What is the evacuation plan for all of1317the migrants being sent to Guantanamo Bay in the event of a1318hurricane or other disaster in Cuba. This is especially1319important in light of the fact that the President has said he's1320planning to send some 30,000 migrants to Guantanamo Bay. So, do1321you know what kind of evacuation plans?1322    General Reed. I would have to defer that one to U.S.1323Southern Command (SOUTHCOM).1324    Senator Hirono. Okay. Another concern. Thank you very much,1325Mr. Chairman.1326    Senator Sullivan. Well, General, thank you very much for1327your testimony. What we plan on doing, we have a vote around 4.1328We will close the hearing here, and I want to thank you. If1329there's additional question for the record from members, we1330will send those to you in the next couple days, and we ask that1331you try to respond to those within 2 weeks.1332    We will reconvene in SVC-217 for a classified scene setter.1333We'll try and do that in the next 10 to 15 minutes. We'll break1334now. I'm going to go vote, and then we will come down and be1335ready to have a classified update as well in the classified1336SCIF in the Senate.1337    So, with that, thank you, again, very informative hearing.1338This hearing is now adjourned.1339    [Whereupon, at 3:49 p.m., the Subcommittee adjourned.]13401341    [Questions for the record with answers supplied follow:]13421343                Questions Submitted by Senator Ted Budd1344                    global household goods contract1345    1. Senator Budd. General Reed, regarding reported issues with the1346GHC, is it your sense that these issues are simply due to the1347transition from one contract to another or are there systemic1348challenges with household goods shipping that must be addressed?1349    General Reed. GHC transformation does not simply shift from one1350contract to another; it transforms individual tender-based contracts1351with over 800 vendors into a single contract with improved1352accountability requirements. This single contract is a network1353integrator who oversees the entire DOD moving enterprise. The tender-1354based program lacks accountability and operates in a fractured manner.1355Contractors bid on each of the approximately 300,000 annual moves in1356isolation, replicating the process 300,000 times. This system prevents1357network optimization for servicing moves and makes it nearly impossible1358to identify trends (positive or negative) or proactively mitigate1359issues.1360    The GHC contract addresses the systemic issues and incorporates key1361performance metrics and a more rigorous contract performance oversight1362process, adding accountability previously absent from the program.1363    The Defense Personal Property Program historically faced capacity1364deficiencies. The GHC allows the prime contractor to build capacity in1365addition to working with the vendors that previously operated under the1366legacy program.1367    As this transition continues, providers in the legacy program may1368hold out for higher rates under the legacy Tender of Service program.1369We are implementing strategies to align 2025 Tender of Service rates1370with the market and maximize DOD's buying potential. The GHC prime1371contractor is working to attract the necessary capacity and provide1372vendors with competitive compensation to deliver the standardized,1373quality customer experiences our servicemembers, and their families,1374deserve.13751376    2. Senator Budd. General Reed, how long do you expect the1377transition to full implementation of the GHC under the HomeSafe1378Alliance will take?1379    General Reed. USTRANSCOM uses a conditions-based approach focused1380primarily on the performance of the GHC prime contractor. USTRANSCOM1381and the Military Services will continuously assess the GHC prime1382contractor's performance and make collective decisions to move forward1383at the conclusion of peak season in September 2025.1384    USTRANSCOM currently projects completion of the domestic transition1385in Fall 2025 and plans to transition international shipments no earlier1386than September 2025. HomeSafe's performance during the peak summer1387moving season will significantly influence transition timelines.1388Pending demonstrable improvements in contractor performance, DOD site1389readiness, and systems integration, USTRANSCOM will continue shifting1390volume until it completes the GHC transition.13911392    3. Senator Budd. General Reed, if there are already so many issues1393affecting the moving cycle now, how will TRANSCOM ensure household1394goods moves will be effectively executed during the peak moving season1395in the late spring, early summer?1396    General Reed. For the 2025 peak moving season, USTRANSCOM will1397operate both GHC and the legacy Tender of Service program to meet1398Military Service demands. Both programs face capacity constraints and1399exhibit less than satisfactory customer satisfaction scores. However,1400USTRANSCOM now has visibility into the portion transitioned to GHC and1401possesses contractual levers to address performance with the prime1402contractor. While it has not been an easy path and there have been1403issues, there should be no doubt--we will see this through for our1404fellow servicemembers and military families who deserve an improved1405moving experience, and we are going to deliver an improved moving1406experience.1407                military port infrastructure challenges1408    4. Senator Budd. General Reed, Military Ocean Terminal Sunny Point1409in North Carolina plays a critical role in shipping ammunition to the1410warfighter. I've been concerned about the aging infrastructure on the1411terminal. Can you provide an update on infrastructure challenges there1412and what resources, if any are needed to ensure Sunny Point is able to1413successfully complete its mission for decades to come?1414    General Reed. USTRANSCOM agrees on the criticality of Military1415Ocean Terminal Sunny Point (MOTSU), as well as the Department of1416Defense's other ammunition terminal, Military Ocean Terminal Concord1417(MOTCO) in California. We keep a very close eye on the condition of1418infrastructure at these unique seaports. Congress' ongoing interest and1419support, most recently at MOTCO, has been invaluable to preserving the1420ability of these terminals to conduct ammunition resupply operations.1421    MOTSU's waterfront infrastructure dates from the 1950s and is1422beyond its original design life. DOD has programmed a project to1423construct a new wharf at MOTSU for fiscal year 2031. I have1424communicated the importance of this project to the Office of the1425Secretary of Defense as well as to the Army, which has MILCON1426responsibilities for these terminals.1427    There is ongoing work to improve or replace aging infrastructure at1428MOTSU. My primary concern, however, is not the infrastructure, but1429rather a shortfall in rail operating crews to operate MOTSU's assigned1430locomotives. We are working with the Army to identify and implement a1431solution.14321433    5. Senator Budd. General Reed, how resilient are our ports of1434embarkation like Sunny Point in the event of conflict and should our1435adversaries decide to conduct cyberattacks or sabotage nearby1436infrastructure?1437    General Reed. USTRANSCOM takes all of our ports of embarkation very1438seriously and regularly assesses the ability of our ammunition1439terminals, including MOTSU, to meet ammunition resupply requirements.1440These assessments test the resilience of the ammunition sustainment1441network by simulating various delays and measuring its ability to1442overcome challenges and meet requirements.1443    With respect to unit cargo operations, USTRANSCOM periodically1444completes holistic assessments of the Strategic Seaport Program to1445ensure there is enough excess capacity on each coast to mitigate the1446impacts of kinetic or non-kinetic disruptions. We are currently1447confident there is sufficient seaport capacity available to meet unit1448cargo deployment requirements.14491450    6. Senator Budd. General Reed, how can Congress help improve1451resiliency of these critical nodes?1452    General Reed. Congress can help preserve global ammunition delivery1453capabilities by authorizing and appropriating as requested the MILCON1454funding for major infrastructure projects, like the new wharf at MOTSU.1455    Both the Military Ocean Terminals and the Strategic Seaports depend1456on a resilient commercial rail network to deliver containerized1457ammunition and heavy DOD equipment. Congress can help by continuing1458funding and support of our partners in the Department of Homeland1459Security's Transportation Security Administration and their work to1460regulate and inspect cybersecurity hygiene for the commercial rail1461carriers serving ports important to us.1462                               __________14631464             Questions Submitted by Senator Mazie K. Hirono1465                       southwest border security1466    7. Senator Hirono. General Reed, the Trump administration, through1467the Department of Homeland Security (DHA), has directed your C-17s and1468C-130's to conduct deportation flights. Would you agree that providing1469non-reimbursed support to move migrants for DHS at a significant cost1470to the Department of Defense (DOD) is wasteful when Immigration and1471Customs Enforcement (ICE) already has the funding, the charter1472contracts, and the capacity to move more migrants for far less money1473and at no cost to DOD?1474    General Reed. At this time, DHS requests only non-reimbursable1475support, which by statute only military airlift can provide. However,1476it is USTRANSCOM's understanding that DHS' intent is to use its own1477contracting office for any commercial airlift requirements.1478Additionally, DOD obtains an operation and training benefit for its1479pilots and support staff flying Mil-Air for this DHS support.14801481    8. Senator Hirono. General Reed, to what extent, if any, do you1482evaluate cost-effectiveness before allowing ICE to use your aircraft?1483    General Reed. We conduct a mission cost estimate so the Command is1484fiscally informed, but perform all missions tasked to us by the SecDef.14851486    9. Senator Hirono. General Reed, if this non-reimbursable request1487from DHS continues to deport another requested 4,000 migrants, how will1488this impact your core mission this spring when you must also transport1489the surge of force rotations around the globe?1490    General Reed. There is no impact to our core mission.1491                            kwajalein atoll1492    10. Senator Hirono. General Reed, Kwajalein Atoll and other1493strategically important locations throughout the Indo-Pacific rely on1494shipments of diesel fuel and other non-renewable sources of energy to1495power their missions. In your professional military opinion, in the1496event of a conflict, how likely is it that China or another adversary1497would target a vulnerable fuel supply like diesel shipments to1498Kwajalein?1499    General Reed. Historical precedent and strategic considerations1500suggest adversaries will target logistical vulnerabilities, including1501movement and storage of bulk fuel. The People's Republic of China, with1502its advanced ballistic and hypersonic missile capabilities, can target1503locations like Kwajalein Atoll. USINDOPACOM mitigates this threat by1504dispersing assets and investing in redundant supply points. As the1505Single Manager for bulk fuel, I analyze and mitigate identified1506vulnerabilities, particularly within the bulk fuel network, in close1507coordination with USINDOPACOM and other combatant commands. USTRANSCOM1508supports this resiliency with a mix of organic and commercial maritime1509tankers, providing fuel delivery flexibility and dispersing targets1510throughout the USINDOPACOM Area of Responsibility.15111512    11. Senator Hirono. General Reed, if so, would it be in DOD's1513interest to pursue a more resilient energy strategy so the joint force1514is better postured throughout the Indo-Pacific?1515    General Reed. The DOD benefits from pursuing more resilient energy1516strategies. DOD policy supports mission readiness through assured and1517resilient operational energy availability. Achieving resilience by1518diversifying energy sources, expanding and positioning capacity,1519minimizing military-specific applications, and strengthening supply1520chains incurs costs and potential sustainability challenges requiring1521consideration. Operationally, the DOD will remain reliant on petroleum1522for the foreseeable future, a responsibility I bear as DOD's Single1523Manager for bulk fuel. Regarding energy diversification strategies for1524installations and operating locations, I defer to the Service Chiefs1525and their title 10 authorities.1526                           civilian mariners1527    12. Senator Hirono. General Reed, the Military Sealift Command has1528implemented a plan to remove crews from 17 Navy support ships due to a1529lack of qualified civilian mariners in a ``force generation reset.'' Do1530you agree this ``force generation reset'' was necessary, and how can we1531reverse these concerning manning issues?1532    General Reed. The Military Sealift Command's (MSC) placement of1533these ships in extended maintenance and redistributing its finite pool1534of Civil Service Mariners to mission-critical ships is less a choice1535and more an operational imperative to ensure its continued ability to1536sustain worldwide Navy operations amid a nationwide shortage of1537skilled, licensed mariners, and an atrophied maritime industry. I am1538supportive of MSC's initiatives to build trust and address the quality1539of service and compensation concerns of its workforce to make it the1540industry employer of choice. It is encouraging to see Congress consider1541legislation like the SHIPS for America Act aimed at the revitalization1542of our Nation's shipbuilding and Merchant Marine workforce. The Bill's1543passage into law would benefit both USTRANSCOM and MSC.15441545    13. Senator Hirono. General Reed, what operational impact does1546sidelining these 17 ships have on your ability to resupply the joint1547force around the world, including the Indo-Pacific?1548    General Reed. Actions supporting the MSC workforce initiative1549predominately impact the combat logistics support of Navy and Marine1550Corps operations. These actions do not directly affect USTRANSCOM since1551global deployment capabilities rely on the use of ships with contract1552mariner crews vice government civil service mariners. However, it is1553important again to note that there is a national shortfall of merchant1554mariners that is affecting the readiness of all ships supporting1555national defense requirements.15561557                    global household goods contract1558    14. Senator Hirono. General Reed, I remain concerned about how the1559roll-out for the Global Household Good Contract (GHC) is proceeding.1560Recently, the Army, and possibly also the Air Force, have issued1561directives pulling back all moves that have been awarded through the1562GHC vehicle that do not have 21 days lead time. I would like to get a1563commitment from you to personally keep the relevant Armed Services1564Committee staff apprised, (Creighton Greene and John Quirk, minority1565staffers), as well as my National Security Advisor, (Adam Yost), of any1566additional issues associated with GHC and provide regular updates1567throughout 2025 as the roll-out continues. This is an extremely1568important issue as peak Permanent Change of Station (PCS) move season1569is approaching.1570    General Reed. The change from the Tender of Service to the GHC1571necessitates a deliberate process. USTRANSCOM will continue to inform1572the congressional defense committee staff, to include your committee1573staff, on the issues with the transition to GHC. Our servicemembers and1574their families have faced challenges with GHC. However, a single1575company does not define GHC. Our servicemembers' and their families'1576experiences will ultimately define GHC. We owe them our best, and I am1577determined to ensure they receive the quality experience they deserve.15781579                               __________15801581            Questions Submitted by Senator Elizabeth Warren1582                             guantanamo bay1583    15. Senator Warren. General Reed, what has been the number of1584shipments and the content of cargo transported to U.S. Naval Station1585Guantanamo Bay since January 20, 2025?1586    General Reed. USTRANSCOM conducted 31 military and contract airlift1587missions to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay between January 20, 2025,1588and March 25, 2025. These missions transported 715 passengers and15891016.9 short tons of cargo. The cargo consisted of sustainment supplies1590and equipment in support of Operation Southern Guard. This included1591both supplies for the base's general operations and equipment1592specifically designated for Operation Southern Guard.15931594    16. Senator Warren. General Reed, what is the total number of1595flight hours U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) has flown1596transporting migrants on deportation flights since January 20, 2025,1597and what has been the average cost per flight hour?1598    General Reed. As of 08 April, USTRANSCOM has flown a total of 461599flights on military aircraft in support of migrant deportation flights.1600The flights total 802.5 hours at an average cost of $26,277 per flight1601hour.16021603    17. Senator Warren. General Reed, has TRANSCOM used contractors to1604transport personnel or cargo related to migrants held at U.S. Naval1605Station Guantanamo Bay since January 20, 2025?1606    General Reed. USTRANSCOM used contract airlift for a portion of the160731 missions mentioned previously to transport personnel and equipment1608in support of Operation Southern Guard. None of these contract flights1609transported migrants to or from Guantanamo Bay. Military aircraft1610handled all migrant transport.16111612    18. Senator Warren. General Reed, please provide a list of all1613contracts paid, agreed to, or modified since January 20, 2025,1614including the cost, for transporting personnel or cargo related to1615migrants held at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay?1616    General Reed. USTRANSCOM has a single-award contract that provides1617liner services of containerized and breakbulk cargo (food, household1618goods, privately owned vehicles, etc.) between Jacksonville, FL and US1619Naval Station Guantanamo Bay (NSGB), Cuba in support of DOD personnel1620stationed at NSGB. The contract supports the Navy, awarded in July 20241621for a base year plus four option years at ?$83M. There have been no1622modifications to the contract or costs identified or associated to1623transporting cargo related to the migrants held at NSGB.1624    Since January 20, 2025, USTRANSCOM has contracted 10 flights,1625operated by the carriers identified below, to support migrant1626operations. None of the contracted flights moved any migrants to U.S.1627Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.16281629------------------------------------------------------------------------1630   Contract Number            Carrier            Type          Cost1631------------------------------------------------------------------------1632HTC711-25-D-CC04      ATLAS AIR INC            Cargo       $  194,104.001633------------------------------------------------------------------------1634HTC711-25-D-CC05      DELTA AIRLINES INC       Passenge    $  200,000.001635                                                r1636------------------------------------------------------------------------1637HTC711-25-D-CC15      OMNI AIR INTERNATIONAL   Passenge    $  490,463.041638                                                r1639------------------------------------------------------------------------1640HTC711-25-D-CC17      UNITED AIRLINES INC      Passenge    $  660,814.301641                                                r1642------------------------------------------------------------------------1643HTC711-25-D-CC29      SUN COUNTRY, INC         Passenge    $  126,077.501644                                                r1645========================================================================1646                                                           $1,671,458.841647------------------------------------------------------------------------16481649    19. Senator Warren. General Reed, please describe any steps1650TRANSCOM is currently taking to prepare to increase its capacity to1651transport people or goods to U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay.1652    General Reed. In anticipation of U.S. presence and increased1653capacity at U.S. Naval Station Guantanamo Bay and support to Operation1654Southern Guard, USTRANSCOM has temporarily increased the number of1655weekly rotator flights to three, consisting of two passenger and one1656cargo (previously one of each). In addition, USTRANSCOM deployed a1657Contingency Response Element to enhance throughput and provided1658USSOUTHCOM with Joint Enabling Combatant Command planning,1659communications and public affairs support.1660                               __________16611662               Questions Submitted by Senator Mark Kelly1663                      commercial maritime capacity1664    20. Senator Kelly. General Reed, the job of TRANSCOM is to be able1665to move personnel, equipment, and cargo for the U.S. military around1666the world--correct? Can you do that job without shipping goods by sea?1667    General Reed. No. Sealift is critical to execution of the current1668Operation Plan (OPLAN) and sealift moves roughly 90 percent of unit1669equipment and sustainment cargo in times of war. The ability to deploy1670and sustain a sizable land force is fundamental to current and future1671defense strategies and drives the need for a responsive sealift fleet.1672As an example, moving two Armored Brigade Combat Teams would require1673612 C-17A airlift sorties, which would make any OPLAN difficult if not1674impossible. Airlift alone cannot move a force big enough to matter or1675fast enough to be useful.16761677    21. Senator Kelly. General, Reed, does the Government--through1678Military Sealift Command (MSC)--have sufficient capacity to move all of1679the equipment and cargo you are responsible for moving?1680    General Reed. While the Nation possesses a significant fleet of1681government-owned and leased vessels, they fall well short of the1682required capacity of approximately 19 million square feet. The Nation's1683Strategic Sealift requirement is satisfied through a combination of the1684Maritime Administration's (MARAD) Ready Reserve Force (RRF) and U.S.1685commercial shipping companies' participation in the Maritime Security1686Program (MSP)/Voluntary Intermodal Sealift Agreement (VISA) programs.1687The age of the ships in the RRF is creating readiness problems. We must1688continue to recapitalize the organic capacity within the RRF to1689maintain strategic deterrence through Force Projection.16901691    22. Senator Kelly. General Reed, you rely on the commercial1692maritime industry--that is U.S.-flag vessels crewed by American1693mariners--to move goods by sea, correct?1694    General Reed. Yes.16951696    23. Senator Kelly. General Reed, those vessels are basically a part1697of the Maritime Security Program (MSP) and Tanker Security Program1698(TSP), right?1699    General Reed. The MSP and Tanker Security Program (TSP)1700participants provide USTRANSCOM significant capacity operating in1701international trade. USTRANSCOM also relies on participants enrolled in1702the VISA and the Voluntary Tanker Agreement (VTA) programs, with some1703vessels operating internationally and others operating in the U.S.1704domestic Jones Act coastwise trade.17051706    24. Senator Kelly. General, Reed, how many vessels do we have in1707both of those programs combined and is that enough vessels to meet1708TRANSCOM's immediate requirements, as well as any requirements you may1709have to move equipment and cargo overseas in a time of conflict?1710    General Reed. The U.S. currently has 95 ocean-going dry cargo ships1711in the VISA program, of which 60 of those vessels are also enrolled in1712MSP. Thirteen tankers in the VTA program of which 10 of those tankers1713are in TSP. While these four major programs (VISA, MSP, VTA and TSP)1714provide a vital capability, USTRANSCOM relies on a mix of assets--1715including our organic fleet, commercial U.S.-flag, and commercial1716foreign-flag vessels--to meet the full spectrum of our requirements in1717a major conflict. USTRANSCOM is constantly evaluating the adequacy of1718our sealift capacity and work closely with the Navy, the Maritime1719Administration, and the maritime industry to address shortfalls.17201721    25. Senator Kelly. General Reed, even if we did have enough1722vessels, are there enough credentialed merchant mariners--both licensed1723and unlicensed mariners--to crew the number of ships we need during a1724time of conflict?1725    General Reed. In accordance with Presidential Directives and1726National Policy, USTRANSCOM relies on the Department of1727Transportation's Maritime Administration (MARAD) to determine whether1728adequate manpower is available to activate and operate the ships of the1729Ready Reserve Force as well as the commercial fleet during a crisis.1730Past assessments indicated sufficient mariners to initially activate1731and operate both organic and commercial sealift assets, but1732insufficient mariners for sustained operations on both the organic and1733commercial fleets requiring crew rotations. USTRANSCOM participated in1734MARAD's 2024 Maritime Workforce Working Group, mandated by Congress and1735formed to reassess mariner sufficiency and operational risk, and DOD1736looks forward to the recommendations and way forward.17371738    26. Senator Kelly. General Reed, the reason for that is a self-1739fulfilling prophecy, right? Because we don't have enough ships, we1740don't have enough jobs for mariners, which means people find other jobs1741doing something else and then their license expires, right?1742    General Reed. There are many factors that affect the number of1743mariners. For example, maritime operators adjust the size of their1744fleets based on cargo and must have sufficient cargo opportunities to1745keep the ships and mariners employed. Without cargo, the maritime1746operators struggle to sustain their fleets and remain economically1747viable. The success of the DOD sealift mission is inextricably linked1748to the health of the U.S. commercial maritime industry.17491750    27. Senator Kelly. General Reed, what's the average age of one of1751those ships--either the Government-owned cargo ships through MSC or the1752commercial MSP and TSP ships?1753    General Reed. In the commercial fleet, MSP and TSP ships are1754limited in age by statute. Ships must be replaced in MSP at a maximum1755age of 25 years and replaced in TSP at a maximum age of 20 years. Due1756to this self-recapitalization, the average ages are 14.5 years for MSP1757ships and 9.5 years for TSP tankers. For the government-owned ships1758through the MARAD Ready Reserve Force (RRF), the average age is 431759years, with 14 ships more than 50 years old.17601761    28. Senator Kelly. General Reed, are all of those ships built in1762shipyards in the United States? Are most of them?1763    General Reed. Currently no U.S.-built ships are in MSP or TSP.1764Within MARAD's RRF, of 52 total ships, there are 16 U.S.-built ships.17651766    29. Senator Kelly. General Reed, in planning for a wartime1767contingency--is it TRANSCOM's responsibility to plan to ensure we have1768enough cargo vessels to support our economy during war time? But you1769would agree during a wartime contingency, the United States will need1770to keep our economy functioning? So, in reality, we probably need more1771ships than even TRANSCOM projects, correct? For economic sustainment,1772replenishment of lost vessels, and more?1773    General Reed. The responsibility for ensuring sufficient military1774and civil maritime resources to meet defense deployment and essential1775economic requirements, as defined in National Security Directive on1776Sealift (NSD 28), extends beyond USTRANSCOM to a national level. The1777NSD 28 emphasizes the need for the United States to be prepared for1778unilateral responses to security threats outside of alliance1779commitments, requiring sufficient U.S.-owned sealift resources. While1780USTRANSCOM's primary focus is projecting and sustaining military power,1781we consider the broader impact on the Nation's economic well-being by1782working with the Maritime Administration and the commercial shipping1783industry to understand their needs and vulnerabilities in wartime1784scenarios, recognizing potential temporary disruptions to commercial1785trade when prioritizing national strategic objectives.17861787    30. Senator Kelly. General Reed, if Congress set a goal of bringing1788250 ships under the U.S.-flag and operating in international commerce,1789do you believe that is an appropriate target that fully meets1790TRANSCOM's requirements and could sustain our economy?1791    General Reed. While a significant increase in the size of the U.S.-1792flag fleet is an encouraging goal, the exact number needed, such as a1793proposed 250, depends on vessel specifics like size, deck strengths,1794draft, carrying capacity, and port accessibility. Although 250 ships1795would undoubtedly improve our current posture, it's crucial to consider1796the mix of ship types and capabilities required, the need for a larger1797pool of skilled mariners, and the long-term commitment from both1798government and private sectors to build, sustain, and utilize such a1799fleet, including having sufficient cargo. USTRANSCOM will be an active1800partner in this endeavor to restore the United States as a maritime1801powerhouse.18021803    31. Senator Kelly. General Reed, if we sought to remove regulatory1804barriers and create incentives to bring more vessels into the fleet, we1805would want them to be operating, correct? Because then they'd have a1806full crew who was training on the vessel and keeping their credentials1807current?1808    General Reed. USTRANSCOM depends on both the commercial fleet and1809the government-owned organic fleet for our operations. Regarding the1810commercial fleet, removing barriers and creating incentives are1811beneficial to grow the fleet, and operating ships serve as optimal1812training platforms. For the organic fleet, we need MARAD's RRF to be in1813the Continental United States (not operating in trade) and readily1814available for rapid force deployment surge outbound.18151816    32. Senator Kelly. General Reed, thank you for reviewing the SHIPS1817for America Act that I introduced last year. As we prepare to1818reintroduce the bill, will you make sure that your team gives us any1819and all technical assistance we need to make sure our bill serves1820TRANSCOM's needs?1821    General Reed. Thank you for the multiple opportunities to review1822the draft SHIPS for America Act and provide USTRANSCOM's inputs to your1823staff. USTRANSCOM supports legislation intended to strengthen our1824Nation's maritime posture and will provide technical assistance1825whenever your staff requests the assistance.18261827                 air mobility command/migrant detainees1828    33. Senator Kelly. General Reed, last month, the committee had the1829opportunity to speak to your colleagues at U.S. Northern Command and1830U.S. Southern Command about the DHS support mission the military has1831been tasked with. What are the impacts of utilizing TRANSCOM assets1832like C-17s to transport migrants?1833    General Reed. Using strategic airlift assets to transport migrants1834is not an efficient use of these military aircraft. By committing1835strategic airlift assets to transport migrants, they are unavailable1836for the joint force to conduct other real-world operations and1837training.18381839    34. Senator Kelly. General Reed, how are these missions impacting1840your budget and operational readiness?1841    General Reed. USTRANSCOM does not expect these actions to result in1842any net financial impact. The Transportation Working Capital Fund1843(TWCF), a revolving fund, provides upfront funding for mission-critical1844expenses and the subsequently reimbursement of the expenses to the TWCF1845maintain a zero-sum budgetary effect. As of 04 April, USTRANSCOM1846incurred $38.1 million in expenses and reimbursed $28.2 million from1847the Air Force.18481849    35. Senator Kelly. General Reed, are these costs affecting1850TRANSCOM's ability to meet other mission requirements, and how are they1851being accounted for within your budget?1852    General Reed. The border mission costs are not impacting USTRANSCOM1853ability to meet other mission requirements. The Transportation Working1854Capital Fund's current balance can maintain working capital fund1855operations at present levels. As of 04 April, USTRANSCOM incurred $38.11856million in expenses and reimbursed $28.2 million from the Air Force.18571858    36. Senator Kelly. General Reed, while TRANSCOM is transporting DHS1859detainees, what does the chain of custody look like? Who is responsible1860for the detainees from start to finish and has that been officially1861recorded anywhere?1862    General Reed. DOD is in support of DHS for these operations. DHS1863agents maintain custody of detainees on USTRANSCOM removal flights,1864with one exception on a recent Guantanamo Bay to El Salvador flight1865where JTF-SG (USSOUTHCOM) security forces were responsible. Consistent1866with the Immigration and Nationality Act, DHS, as the lead Federal1867agency, retains legal, physical, and administrative control of illegal1868aliens and fulfills those responsibilities through the direction of DHS1869personnel, as reflected in the relevant classified DOD execute orders.18701871                              [all]