I'm very pleased to hear you're doing this.

I believe that public-private partnerships provide great synergy between the government and industry and represent a great capability to provide extended depot maintenance for our military hardware.

I want to make sure that you are satisfied that this weight issue on the Joint Strike Fighter is not something that is going to delay that.

I am concerned as I know you are about retention and morale among our troops, particularly those who continue to be deployed overseas for long periods of time.

I applaud your recent decision to float up the Army end strength over the next several years

DOD has contracted with the Russians to use AN-124 aircraft for strategic airlift.

It's unclear if they actually will, however the fact they say they are going to is troubling.

strategic airlift has been absolutely central to our success in Afghanistan and Iraq over the past 3 years.

This is a fundamental issue that we have to resolve, and I know under your leadership, Mr. Chairman, we will.

I note with very much approval that you have 24 F-22s funded in this authorization proposal.

As we go through this budget process, we want to make sure that we pass a budget that is reflective of the great work that they are doing.