I think that tight coupling is where when the dollars get big there needs to be a service partner identified in advance before the money gets too big.

I appreciate your response to that. But I also recognize that as I talk to these AGR folks back home, they have got decisions to make.

I need to know and I'd like your commitment, Admiral, that the Navy as the contract agent for this effort is proactively supporting the Coast Guard and their acquisition of additional icebreakers.

I think that tight coupling is where when the dollars get big there needs to be a service partner identified in advance before the money gets too big.

I think would be a strategic critical error.

So, let me ask a question about the expansion of research and the modernization funding in OSD.

the concern here of course is that you are going to have an impact on the mission on our preparedness.

if we don't take care of our people, if we don't give them predictability, those decades of experience that they have, that will take decades to replace, they are going to vote with their feet, and they are going to do something else.

Thank you for being here, thank you for your leadership.

I look at the Marines' role in Arctic Ops as absolutely necessary.

I would commit to you that we will look at that, but I would like to look at it in the context of some of the other programs that we are doing as well.

Last year you testified that the Air National Guard makes up 30 percent of our Nation's Space Force capacity.

We are trying and we are making some headway, but again, it is these little things.

if we fail to invest adequately in our soldiers, that is where we fail, that is where we have the vulnerabilities.

In the fiscal year 2025 budget, Air Force is acquiring less fighters than originally projected six less F-35s, six less F-15EXs than originally planned.

In the fiscal year 2025 budget, Air Force is acquiring less fighters than originally projected six less F-35s, six less F-15EXs than originally planned.

We are appreciative and grateful. We recognize, so many of us recognize just the role of our Reserve Forces.

Thank you all for being here and your focus on what we need to be doing better when it comes to accelerating in the acquisition space.

I think many of us in this committee, in this Congress are very concerned about where we are with our naval fleet.

I think that tight coupling is where when the dollars get big there needs to be a service partner identified in advance before the money gets too big.

I think many of us in this committee, in this Congress are very concerned about where we are with our naval fleet.

the concern here of course is that you are going to have an impact on the mission on our preparedness, it seems to me you are potentially taking on a lot of risk there.

I think would be a strategic critical error.

So, you think it's a good idea, but we're not quite there yet in terms of making sure that we are implementing to scale?

We need to keep leaning in and it's going to take all of us.