Was the assumption that when you saw the veterans' coordinator, you had a broader sense of what they were offering, but learned it was really about financial aid.

Can you, for the audience that's here and because I didn't ask you this yesterday, just describe a little bit about how that works.

Thank you for the work I know you did along with C.W. on the ATG, making sure those individuals received the benefit that they justly deserve.

I would suggest, as a former mayor who dealt with many designs of buildings, that the users need to be part of the equation.

If I turned on your page and went to the front page of it, is there a list of these companies and individuals that own or are a part of these companies that is in a way that I can easily access it?

If you're going to do business, because I'll tell you one thing that changes businesses habits is when they're suddenly publicly noticed.

How are we going to accomplish the mission that the F-15s have been so successful at...

Afghanistan cannot financially support its security forces.

the administration made significant changes to the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) element of Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD).

The Coast Guard's really been hollering out there at all of us.

General Petraeus, some experts have suggested increasing the size of the Afghan National Army (ANA) to as large as 250,000 and the Afghan National Police (ANP) to 150,000, respectively.

I just want to echo that, please, whatever he could do to keep that moving along, because the mobilization of the equipment and the people are working.

Do you have within the budget that the President has presented the resources to meet that goal?

Then by the end of August, you think we'll be down to?

I appreciate the missile ground defense system and the work you've been doing in Alaska.

There is a lot of discussion ongoing about utilization of air space and making sure we have enough air space and uninterrupted air space.

Okay, that's good. That's what we need to know.

Then give me the Iraq status again. We had how many troops there about a year ago?

What deficiencies and readiness are achieved by continuing completion of Missile Field 2 in a 14-silo starting capacity?

Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.

I can think of no other Alaskan or American who is better qualified or more capable of handling this task.

What steps are you taking to enable Iraq to defend itself from external threats?

Are you dealing with that and understanding--and I know it's a very small--but, I know we're starting to hear some concerns that it may interfere with the mission and airspace.

The Iraqi Security Forces (ISF) are not yet fully capable of protecting themselves from external threats.

Thank you again, Chairman Bingaman and Ranking Member Murkowski and my colleagues on the committee.