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STATEMENT BY
VICE CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
GENERAL PETER PACE

BEFORE THE
HOUSE ARMED SERVICE COMMITTEE
UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

HEARING ON WORLDWIDE U.S. MILITARY COMMITMENTS

JUNE 18, 2003   
 

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee:  Thank you for the opportunity to meet with you today to discuss worldwide U.S. military commitments.  I'd like to first take this opportunity to thank you on behalf of the men and women of our armed forces.  Your efforts are essential to our success, and we greatly appreciate your continued support. 

As our military forces work to stabilize Iraq and help the people reconstruct their government and their economy, we continue to assess the impact of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and other operations on our ability to maintain a global defense posture capable of addressing challenges we may face in the future.  Your military stands ready to sustain stability operations in Iraq, as well as to meet other contingencies that may arise.

CAPABILITY TO CONDUCT MULTIPLE OPERATIONS

While we have significant forces deployed to Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and other operations worldwide, sufficient combat power remains available to swiftly defeat any. adversary.  Our current defense strategy lies well within available capabilities.  Our combatant commanders in Pacific Command and European Command, responsible for areas in which future operations may occur, retain the capabilities to meet their assigned missions.  Continued military and diplomatic engagement with our allies in areas of concern will help to ensure unimpeded access to air and sea ports of debarkation and provide additional combat power and support for our forces when needed 

TROOP LEVEL IN IRAQ

Meeting the needs of the current situation drives the mix and number of our military forces required for service in Iraq.  We have approximately 150,000 U.S. military personnel in Iraq and an additional 120,000 in Central Command's area of responsibility.  These forces operate throughout the region in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM and Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.  We will continue to assess the situation and adjust the future force structure mix as required.

IMPACT ON GUARD AND RESERVES

Guard and Reserve forces play a vital role in our Total Force equation.  We reached our peak of 223,000 for mobilized reserves during the height of hostilities in Iraq.  As of 11 June, we have approximately 210,000 reserves on active duty.  Our goal is to demobilize as quickly as possible.  We will maintain our Reserve and Guard members on active duty only as long as absolutely necessary.  Studies are ongoing to determine new "steady state requirements" for which we intend to utilize the Reserve components.  This will allow us to balance critical capabilities between the Active and Reserve components and improve the mobilization process.

 END-STRENGTH

Operation IRAQI FREEDOM has driven immediate, near-term end-strength requirements.  Although current operations require mobilization of a portion of the Reserve and National Guard Components, we do not anticipate any long-term requirement to increase end-strength. 

READINESS

Readiness of units and forces committed to on-going global operations remains high.  Service reconstitution plans are well underway for the redeployment of assets from Operation IRAQI FREEDOM, and Service reports indicate only a marginal change in overall readiness levels.  We can continue to sustain these high levels of readiness for the foreseeable future.  However, at some point the forces and key enablers that have been committed for the longest period of time will require some time to reconstitute.  Forces redeploying to their home stations will reestablish training and exercise schedules, while conducting much needed maintenance.  This recovery period will require innovative and flexible solutions.  Longer-term readiness challenges will rely heavily on the continued support of Congress to adequately fund replenishment of critical resources.

GLOBAL FOOTPRINT

The Geo-Strategic environment around the globe continues to change quickly; our capability and capacity to influence and support these changes must keep pace to remain effective.  Our concept is framed to position U.S. forces optimally to influence the threats we now face and create presence and capacity through a network of joint forward operating bases and locations.

BRAC

Resources are finite, and every attempt must be made to eliminate excess infrastructure to allow for increased defense capability.  While well thought out base reductions will maximize both our warfighting capability and efficiency, it is important that BRAC decisions be based on the overall global footprint, not simply on current base usage.    Recent operations in Iraq and elsewhere require us to look at how best to support our total force requirements.  This includes forces that are stationed overseas, and forces that are projected overseas from home bases to link-up with prepositioned equipment. The military's contribution to the BRAC discussion must include a thorough understanding of this overall footprint, to include the impact that moving forces from overseas locations will have on our bases and training requirements here at home.

SUMMARY

Your military has performed well in recent months, and stands ready to continue to support missions in Iraq, in Afghanistan, and wherever called upon to serve. The Global War on Terrorism, as the President has indicated, will be long and difficult.  We have a responsibility to defend this nation against terrorists and those who would harbor or support them, and we will do just that.  Thank you.