If you don't do that, you're going to have a brain drain, aren't you?

The Air Force is requesting $156.3 billion, an increase of about $4.6 billion over amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2018.

Thank you, Senator Durbin.

Restoring readiness to support a total force of 500,000 Airmen and over 5,000 aircraft must remain a top priority for this committee.

How important is this program to us in the future?

Does the 2019 request provide adequate inventory levels of your most important munitions?

Senator, you tell us that one of our biggest threats, greatest enemies, is Russia. Turns out, we read recently, that Russia spends about $80 billion a year on its military budget--$80 billion. Senator, aren't you increasing the Department…

With this budget request, the Army will continue to build readiness and counter threats posed by near-peer competitors while modernizing in order to face future threats.

We should never be behind the market, should we?

You can't let the market run ahead of you, technologically.

We acknowledge the challenging assignment you face to source an increasing demand for forces today while also modernizing to compete with more technically capable adversaries.

The Army is seeking $182.1 billion in its current request, which is an increase of about $5 billion over amounts appropriated for fiscal year 2018.