Opening Statement (As Prepared)

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Thank you, Chairman Kelly.

I’d also like to thank our witnesses – Ms. Costello and Lieutenant General Tabor – for being here and for their testimony. It is unfortunate that this important hearing is happening without the actual Fiscal Year 2026 President’s budget request. Although the HASC’s reconciliation bill included funds for Projection Forces programs, the bill was not specifically tied to the FY 2026 budget but technically through FY 2034.

I would note that both Chairmen of the House and Senate Armed Services Committees are on the record deeply criticizing the “skinny budget” gimmick that is rolling reconciliation into the total defense request and OMB’s characterization as a one-trillion-dollar budget. As both Chairman Wicker and Chairman Rogers note: the actual FY26 baseline budget request is a cut when accounting for inflation. Just this morning, Chairman Rogers highlighted to Politico that pinning hopes for a defense boost via reconciliation is a risky bet. Various aviation programs that we will discuss in this hearing received large boosts from reconciliation.

I would hope that, when the FY26 budget comes out, Projection Forces programs are properly funded and not contingent on reconciliation’s vague spending mandates. However, given the expected budget cut with inflation, I doubt this will be the case. This budgetary gimmick by the Administration and OMB puts the progress and viability of these programs at risk, especially for sustainment and modernization efforts.

Just last week, the KC-46A was tested and certified for air-to-air refueling of the RAAF’s E-7A Wedgetail and streamlines certification of the U.S. and British variants as they are fielded in coming years. This is another example of the AUKUS security agreement playing out to improve interoperability with our allies and provides immediate benefit to the INDOPACOM AOR. Despite the early hiccups in the program and even recent deficiencies like structural cracks, I believe the KC-46 is progressing to meet a critical warfighting need.

Following the tragic crash of a CV-22 off the coast of Japan two years ago, I remain concerned by the ongoing efforts to restore the V-22 to full flight operations given the safety risks posed. Further, it was announced last week that the Ospreys will not return to full flight operations until early 2026. I hope to hear more today on plans to safely return this aircraft to full operational capability and ensure service members are not put in harm’s way.

The subcommittee remains focused on boosting B-21 production and improving schedule, as well as maintaining B-52 modernization in the interim. I am concerned that the extent of modernization activities associated with the B-52 could result in a delay in the capability being fielded in time to be effective. Most if not all the efforts are behind schedule. We must do better.

We must also balance the retirement of proven existing platforms with realistic timelines for when their replacements will be fielded and delivered. I look forward to hearing how the Air Force plans to continue providing the warfighters who demand current capability while looking to recapitalize them with newer platforms.

Thank you all for being here today, and I look forward to your opening testimony.

With that I yield back.