I think you have hit on a lot of key parameters here in terms of cost drivers, and they will be considered.

This decision must be guided by objective metrics that will standup to the inevitable scrutiny.

we remain committed to the construction of a replacement facility for Marine Corps Air Station Futenma as the only viable way forward.

I am concerned that a significant majority of our non-deployed Marine Corps forces are in a degraded state of readiness.

Specific risks include response time, capacity to meet contingency plans, and capability to pace emerging threats.

I am a strong advocate for us doing that.

General Austin, will those resources come from the base budget in future years or from supplementals?

If we wait until December, what are the disadvantages and consequences of doing that as opposed to resolving this issue much sooner?

You have also said that you have been lying awake at night worrying about the logistical challenges associated with the future Marine Corps posture in Asia.

In 2011, the CNO testified that the Navy requires a minimum of 313 ships to meet operational requirements globally.

The F-22 fleet's operational availability remains disappointingly low, at 60 percent.

last year, the Navy announced plans to place 6 of 16 ships from the 3-squadron MPFs for the Marine Corps into reduced operating status beginning in fiscal year 2013.

the minimum number of operationally available ships necessary to meet the assault echelon requirement is 30.

the budget request for fiscal year 2013 represents the first year of $487 billion in defense budget cuts over the next 9 years.

The Annual Report to Congress on the Long-Range Plan for Construction of Naval Vessels for Fiscal Year 2013 projects the battleforce inventory to reach 300 ships in fiscal year 2019.

the optimal force structure for amphibious lift requirements is 38 amphibious ships to support the operations of 2 MEBs.

To avoid this same fate, the Services have taken steps with the drawdown proposed in this budget to actually reduce units along with end strength to ensure the remaining units can be manned at full strength.

General Breedlove, what would be the impact on the KC-46A fielding timeline?