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House Armed Services Committee
Chairman Skelton's opening statement--March 15, 2007

"Welcome General Craddock and General Smith. It's great to see both of you here today. At the outset, I want to thank you for your leadership and thank the troops that you lead. General Craddock, this is your first time before our Committee as Commander of the U.S. European Command and NATO Supreme Allied Commander. I want to congratulate you on your new position and wish you all the best.

"You have a difficult job ahead of you. Today the European Command faces a number of critical security challenges. And pressing our NATO allies to significantly increase their contributions to security and stability in Afghanistan is top on the list.

"We are just a short time away from an anticipated spring offensive, and recent reports predict Afghanistan's opium harvest this year will be at an all time high. Yet General Eikenberry, former U.S. commander in Afghanistan, recently testified before our committee that NATO's actual contributions of troops and equipment for Afghanistan leave the approved NATO requirement under-fulfilled, and that they have filled only 85 to 90 percent of the requirement.

"I remain convinced that the effort in Afghanistan is still winnable. But our partners must seriously step up their efforts by contributing more troops and aid. They must also free their forces from restrictive "national caveats" that limit their involvement in operations. Afghanistan is not only a central front in the war on terrorism, but the outcome there could well determine the future of the NATO alliance. The alliance will rise or fall, in large part, based on its commitment and effectiveness in Afghanistan. So I hope you will tell us what you are doing to get more from NATO in Afghanistan. I know you will also update us on the security challenges throughout your area of responsibility in Europe. The committee also will be interested in knowing about your initiatives in Africa and how they will be transitioned to the new Africa Command.

"Let me now give a special welcome to General Smith. General, it has been quite a while since Joint Forces Command has appeared before this committee in a posture hearing. We're glad to have the Command back because of the importance we place on your command, and on your efforts.

"Joint Forces Command provides trained and ready forces to our warfighters, and it develops the joint warfighting concepts that will posture our forces for the 21st century. We look forward to hearing about these concepts and the progress of your work. It is vital for the Congress to understand them in order to help us consider future challenges.

"We are also interested in your work in joint training. And as you sit next to General Craddock today, we'd like to hear about your role in Allied Command Transformation.

"That's a big task, but I have no doubt you're both up to it. At this time, I turn to my good friend and colleague from San Diego, Duncan Hunter, for any statement he may wish to make."