House Armed Services Committee
Subcommittee Chairman Ortiz' opening statement--March 07, 2007
"Chairman Abercrombie has been delayed in getting back from Hawaii, so he has asked that I sit in to get the hearing started.
'Today, we will receive testimony from Government Accountability Office and Congressional Research Service witnesses, plus Air Force and Army war-fighting experts about airlift and air refueling aircraft programs. Today's hearing will focus on parts of the Department of Defense's recent mobility study and its conclusions which shaped the Air Force and Army force structure requirements for air refueling and airlift aircraft.
"Over the past ten years, the United States has reduced its Cold War infrastructure, and closed two-thirds of its forward bases, yet we have increased our operational tempo of deployments. Our aircraft platforms continue to age without replacement due to procurement shortfalls that began in the last century.
"We now see the results of these challenges as we look at our aging airlift and tanker fleets of aircraft. These aircraft, including even our newest strategic airlifter, the C-17, are getting used up far faster than we planned.
"In January 2006, the Department of Defense released the Mobility Capabilities Study, or MCS, and they are currently conducting other airlift and tanker studies. There are many programs and associated issues that we would like to discuss today regarding the C-17, C-5, and C-130 airlifters; the KC-X and KC-135 tankers; and the Joint Cargo Aircraft.
"To help us understand the results of the MCS, give insight into program issues and the way forward for recapitalization, we have two panels of witnesses today.
"Before we begin with witness opening statements, let me call on my friend, the gentleman from New Jersey and Ranking Member of the subcommittee, Mr. Saxton, for any remarks he would care to make."
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