This is a fundamental issue that we have to resolve, and I know under your leadership, Mr. Chairman, we will.

I note with very much approval that you have 24 F-22s funded in this authorization proposal.

As we go through this budget process, we want to make sure that we pass a budget that is reflective of the great work that they are doing.

I believe this issue is absolutely central to the future of our Armed Forces.

I want to make sure that you are satisfied that this weight issue on the Joint Strike Fighter is not something that is going to delay that.

I am concerned as I know you are about retention and morale among our troops, particularly those who continue to be deployed overseas for long periods of time.

I applaud your recent decision to float up the Army end strength over the next several years

DOD has contracted with the Russians to use AN-124 aircraft for strategic airlift.

It's unclear if they actually will, however the fact they say they are going to is troubling.

strategic airlift has been absolutely central to our success in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past 3 years.

Secretary Rumsfeld, our Guard and Reserve members have done a great job over the last several years and have played a major role in military operations overseas and at home.

We simply don't have enough airlift.

I'm very pleased to hear you're doing this.

I believe that public-private partnerships provide great synergy between the government and industry and represent a great capability to provide extended depot maintenance for our military hardware.

Well, that is encouraging.

the quality of the force out there today is second to none. It is well-prepared, well-trained, and the men and women that are being called on to defend freedom are in my opinion the best-trained, best-service organization that the world has ever seen.

Let me just make a general comment about all the nominees that we have today.

I would like to honor an exceptional citizen from Macon, Georgia's 8th Congressional District, Larry Justice of Macon, Georgia, on his retirement from the Bibb County Board of Commissioners.