One of the cut programs is the CONECT program. It provides much-needed digital communication and mission retasking capability for our warfighters.

With the nuclear and conventional importance of the B-52, how do we maintain a much-needed capability without a radar replacement program?

The civilian workforce reductions reflected in the past two budgets demonstrate the Department's commitment to challenge workload requirements and more appropriately size its workforce to meet our most pressing and critical priorities.

What if the work is found to be inherently governmental or otherwise should be performed by civilians, instead of contractors?

Why would Congress consider any potential changes to recruiting and retention incentives such as military retirement and health care or reductions to essential training accounts when Defense can't identify the cost of what you pay for in…

How does the Department of Air Force's budget request for FY13 reconcile with legislative language set forth in Division A, Section 8012 of Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2012?

The Department's budget request overview included discussion of improved buying power and how acquisitions are managed.

Would Section 302 of H.R. 3893 allow contractors to litigate agencies' determinations that certain functions should be insourced for performance reasons?

You mentioned civilian reductions of 7,000 across DOD yet the Air Force reports that they have nearly 16,000 civilians they are reducing.

Given the civilian personnel constraints first reflected in last year's budget and continued in the FY13 submission, can you certify in full accordance with 10 USC sections 129 and section 129a?

H.R. 3893 would prevent insourcing from occurring until, among other things, has published for comment its insourcing policy.

You prepared a statement that read 'The Air Force will meet its OSD-directed civilian end strength target for FY12.'

In reviewing the President's proposed FY13 budget it appears many critical B-52 programs were cut.

What assurances can you give me that as civilian reductions or hiring freezes are occurring across Air Force installations work is not shifting illegally to contract performance?

Did the Department of Air Force seek relief from DOD-mandated civilian personnel levels in order to insource contracted work more cost-effectively performed by civilians?

Can you please share the results of that review and what the end-result has been in terms of realignment of work?

How do you reconcile these figures? Do you believe that reductions in the civilian workforce should mirror and be proportionate to those in the uniformed workforce?

Another program proposed to be completely terminated is the replacement of the B-52 radar.

President Obama has made reducing reliance on contractors and rebalancing the workforce a major management initiative of his Administration.

What processes are in place to ensure the workload associated with reductions being made in the civilian workforce is in fact ceasing, as opposed to being absorbed by other labor sources such as contractors or military personnel?

The C-27J is critical in supporting ground forces to meet the last tactical mile requirements.

Please provide a detailed list of all exceptions the Department of Navy has had approved to date.

Now, I understand the U.S. is renegotiating the agreement with Japan and not all the figures are worked out. I seriously am concerned that the majority of these marines relocating to Guam may now be rotational.

President Obama has made reducing reliance on contractors and rebalancing the workforce a major management initiative of his Administration.

This committee was recently made aware of a decision to convert functions at Naval Shipyard Portsmouth to contract performance.