I am concerned that the Department of Defense does not accurately account for homeland defense requirements.

We are concerned about what is the future of funding for homeland defense, homeland security.

I also remain seriously concerned about aviation assets to our National Guard.

We must always have a ready, a reliable and an accessible Reserve Component.

I fear we take significant risk in the readiness of our National Guard and Reserve.

How will we meet this equipment requirement in a difficult budget environment?

In your remarks, you mentioned the dangers of drawing back our range of influence and power around the world.

What will DOD do to improve support and services to survivors of suicide (for the Total Force) among unit members and next of kin?

I stressed that assuming risk is expected in any budget, especially in our operation and maintenance budgets.

So, in other words, no definite decisions have been made, and as you said it is a work in progress.

It is paramount to our national security to continue to have unimpeded access to the Pacific theater and to have better intelligence in this AOR.