I want to join Senator Inhofe in welcoming General McDew to the Committee this morning to testify on the plans and programs of the United States Transportation Command, or TRANSCOM, as we continue our review of the fiscal year 2019 annual authorization request. 

We are grateful to you for your service to the nation and for the truly professional service of the men and women under your command.  I also want to thank to the families for their sacrifices and support which ensures the success of our military personnel.

The men and women of TRANSCOM perform duties that sustain the whole Department of Defense effort in protecting our nation’s security.  With the competitive edge in its ability to deploy and sustain America’s armed forces, TRANSCOM provides DOD with unique capabilities that we have come to expect and, perhaps too frequently, take for granted.  TRANSCOM forces are busy supporting all of the combatant commanders every day, and without these TRANSCOM forces, the United States would be at a significant disadvantage almost everywhere in the world. 

TRANSCOM faces a number of daunting tasks, including a unique set of cyber threats, because you must work extensively with private-sector entities in the transportation and shipping industries to support DOD deployment operations.  Three years ago, the Committee issued a report on certain aspects of TRANSCOM’s cyber security situation.  General McDew, I would like to get an update from you on progress in the cyber security efforts you have made since last year.   

The Ready Reserve Force (RRF), a group of cargo ships held in readiness by the Maritime Administration, is aging and will need to be modernized over the next decade.  Last year, the Committee authorized the Department to start a program to recapitalize the Ready Reserve Force by authorizing DOD to purchase up to two foreign-built vessels, while the Navy moves forward on a plan to design a family of auxiliary vessels for a number of uses, including recapitalizing the Ready Reserve Force.  This authorization to purchase two vessels was intended to cover recapitalization requirements for the first several years of the Future Years Defense Program.  However, this year, the Administration is asking to increase that authorization to include purchasing up to 24 foreign-built vessels.  General McDew, I am interested in your perspective on this request, whether such a large increase is needed, and if there are any alternative options.

In addition to the Ready Reserve Force, the Defense Department also needs to ensure that the Civil Reserve Air Fleet, or CRAF program, which provides as much as 40 percent of wartime airlift needs, remains viable after operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, and will be able to provide needed surge capacity in the future. General, I am interested in your views on the state of this fleet and if anything needs to be done to ensure their readiness.  

Our global transportation capability, owned or managed by TRANSCOM, has been one of our asymmetric advantages for many years now.  However, we cannot assume that potential adversaries will allow us free rein in this area in the future.  General McDew, I understand that you have been conducting analyses to assess requirements for an environment where our mobility forces would be challenged.  I also understand that the Department will share those results later this year.  Perhaps you could give us an update on when we are likely to see the results of your analyses.  

Thank you again for your decades of services and I look forward to your testimony.