General Amos, Marine Corps unit readiness has normally been rated in terms of the ability of units to perform full-spectrum combat operations in a high intensity conflict.

the increase in ground forces in Afghanistan announced last month by President Obama falls heavily on the Marine Corps.

do you foresee any risk or the possibility of an inability of the Army to provide adequate body armor to deploying forces?

much attention has been given to the current readiness of our combat units.

General Chiarelli, can you describe what steps the Army is taking to address this shortfall through the Captain's Incentive Program, as well as any other relevant efforts?

What is being done to ensure that Guam has adequate resources to make the necessary infrastructure improvements to its port and roads to support the buildup of marines and other U.S. forces?

What is the status of crucial decisions, such as the environmental assessment needed to build an airfield for the marines to replace the existing runway at MCAS Futenma on Okinawa, and funding by Japan to support this move?

Secretary Gates strongly endorsed increasing the Army and Marine Corps end strength during his discussion of priorities for the fiscal year 2010 budget.

The risk is significant. We have not had sufficient time, equipment, and continuity of personnel to fully train to some of our critical Marine Corps core competencies.

Do you have the right types of equipment and in sufficient quantities to fully equip our forces for success in Afghanistan?

General Chiarelli, are you concerned that a one-size-fits-all approach to equipping our soldiers doesn't take into account the drastically different environments our soldiers face in a country like Afghanistan?

It's just stunning, breathtaking beyond most anything anybody could imagine.

We can't just waste that money. It has to be productively utilized.

I remember declaring in amazement that that had to be the largest cost overrun in the history of the Republic.

I join you in welcoming our witness, Dr. Ines R. Triay.

I would like to follow up on these agreements.

But, now, of course, if I had signed an agreement, I might find it politically difficult to agree to any modification that reduced spending, reduced employment in my area, and would even minutely reduce the pristine nature of the cleanup.

But, you would admit that, just a few years ago, the high-side estimate for the cleanup was $180 billion, I believe, and now the high-side estimate is $260 billion.