Tom Cotton

What are the Air Force's plans for the five operational C-130H aircraft that were upgraded in the previous AMP program but are currently stored at Little Rock Air Force Base in a non-flying status?

I understand--correct me if I am wrong--that the helicopter will be used both for the ICBM security mission and then for what you might call Washington-centric missions, continuity of government, VIP transport, and so forth.

Your testimony and all other written testimony will be written into the record.

Thank you very much for your service. We appreciate everything you do for our country.

As I understand, the budget tables include no funding for fiscal year 2017. Is that right?

I certainly understand the need for secrecy among many of the programs of our military, as well as our intelligence communities, and highly value those.

What would necessitate a sole source contract for a helicopter?

Could also be understood by subcommittee chairmen.

Now we will go into a second round of questions.

Each budget has under-resourced the military.

I know the omnibus last year included $70 million for it. What I am curious about is whether that $70 million is in your opinion adequate for the entire fiscal year 2017.

Let us return to today's aircraft, specifically fourth generation fighter aircraft.

The President's defense budget request for this fiscal year is disappointing.

What bearing does that particular characteristic have on the decision that should ultimately hinge on best value to the taxpayer?

The focus on these three priorities could put at risk modernization in future years.

We can expect 18 aircraft on August 2017?

The current budget request has rhetorically acknowledged an increase of worldwide threats.

Those characteristics would seem to point at least as strongly in favor of a fixed price contract as they would cost-plus.

We cannot afford to assume that the enemy will resemble threats of recent wars.

Russia's cooperation with Iran appears to be expanding beyond near-term coordination or operations in Syria.

None of Russia's military actions have helped stabilize Syria or end the suffering of the Syrian people.

It is apparent through Russia's actions that their primary objective in Syria is to bolster the Assad regime.

Thank you, gentlemen, for your testimony here today, and also for your long service to our country.

Will the rotating unit deploy with their organic equipment and rolling stock or fall in on theater equipment?

Will an armored brigade combat team sufficiently improve NATO's ability to respond?