Kelly Ayotte

The President's budget actually proposes in fiscal year 2015 a 0.9 percent reduction in defense, yet a 3.4 percent increase in non-defense spending.

I think, as we look at the threats and the foremost responsibility to defend the Nation as the ultimate priority, that ensures that we can do and preserve everything else, including our freedom.

The re-attack times are much faster for the A-10 because of the low and slow ability.

When we talk about priorities and we hear Air Force officials, and I have heard similar concerns from those on the ground, that lives will be at stake, why are we not preserving that priority over other priorities?

I agree with what Senator Chambliss said, that the A-10 is not a single-purpose airplane.

The biggest values and priorities that I know we all share is to make sure that our men and women in uniform have the best support and protection that they need.

General Odierno came before this committee and described the A-10 as the best CAS platform we have today.

I remain deeply concerned that those commitments are not there at the level of resources that they should be.

If, in fact, we are facing an Iranian ICBM threat, in addition to further sensing and discrimination capabilities, this would be important, given the population centers we have--New York, Washington--to have that additional, as General…

We also faced, as we've talked about in this hearing, a threat from the North Korean ICBM capability as well, correct?

One of the threats that obviously--Senator Graham asked you about the threat of perhaps the Iranians with their nuclear program, if it is permitted to continue--is to provide that technology to terrorist organizations.

DNI Clapper's public assessment last year of 2015 still stands at this point, from your understanding.

I think that story could be told many times, particularly by those who serve on the ground.

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) found in 2012 that BRAC 2005 implementation costs grew to about $35 billion.

I think that is the challenge that we face here.

The administration is proposing a significant cut to MILCON and facilities, sustainment, restoration, and modernization funding.

This year really is no exception.

I understand regardless of what happens with sequestration, the Army will be required to further reduce end strength.

Yes, Air Force preferred munitions inventories are short of inventory objectives.

Yes, the Air Force procured fewer practice munitions than we plan to expend to keep combat crews certified in fiscal years 2014 and 2015.

What is the condition of Army prepositioned stocks (APS)?

If the deactivation of MPS-1 has led to slower response times to contingencies in North Africa, how much slower?

General Paxton, do you believe these prepositioned stocks adequately mitigate the risk associated with deactivating MPS-1?

General Paxton, is the equipment fully modernized?

General Paxton, are the prepositioned stocks in Norway fully stocked with the equipment needed to support or respond to contingencies?