Jack Reed

I believe Senator McCain has asked the right question and I think the Navy should respond.

The launching system is relocatable, so you could move these. You wouldn't have to buy another set.

So that both in terms of acquisition of the target and launching to intercept, Alaska is well positioned vis-a-vis Iran and North Korea?

Does that enhance our ability to acquire the target and engage it?

New START has been discussed and one of the conditions is that we would not, except for grandfathered silos, convert silos to be BMD capable.

Merida shouldn't just be a 1- or 2-year event, but it's a relationship over time.

I think this is a hemispheric problem--both General Fraser and I have talked about this--and something we need to continue to work.

There's more of a sense of expeditionary, and this is part of what General Mattis tried to work so hard.

Our success in drawing down our forces and stabilizing Iraq rests on their performance.

Is there a danger of some of the border States of Mexico becoming ungoverned spaces that would invite not just narco-gangs, but more sophisticated international terrorists to set up shop?

I want to thank you, General Ward. I also want to thank you for your service, because it's a long time since we taught together at West Point and I'm awfully proud of what you've accomplished for the military and for the Army.

On the other side--we're supplying both sides, essentially, in this battle.

There's been a lot of discussion about the DADT policy.

I just want to recognize and commend you Mr. Secretary for your leadership.

Have you heard anything from commanders in the field in Afghanistan or Iraq about the readiness of British forces or Canadian forces?

I want to follow up the point that Senator Collins made.

Where are all these coming from?

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

Uniformity of regulation is something that our members hold as a very important value.

I would think--and I am not an expert, but that seldom stops us from asking questions.

In that 2006 review of GAO, you made recommendations but you did not recommend a Federal Government takeover, as proposed in this legislation.

There are a lot of certified agencies operating systems that are not that good.

I would presume that in the new Federal role that is proposed, either the Federal agency or the delegated authority to the State with Federal support would, as a minimum, certify these systems as being functional.

There has been a number of incidents since 2006 that I think have heightened awareness toward strategy that have even occurred in the last 10 or 12 months.

I appreciate that. It helps clarify your intentions.