I have a few seconds remaining, so I have more of a comment than a question.
This is not simply a Navy issue, because this is the central part of our nuclear triad.
In fact, in your statement you allude to the possibility that this will slip.
Without that lift, you would be challenged to simply conduct opposed amphibious assault.
I would rank them very highly. They are a modern, capable force.
The lift is the enabler that makes that happen.
Do you have informal contact with Chinese counterparts and a perspective on what their attitude is towards the regime in Pyongyang today?
They might represent the most sophisticated technological platforms that the Chinese have in terms of their seaborne platforms?
This is a tragic situation at Fort Hood.
pressure is felt even more keenly in some of these civilian agencies that sometimes do not have the same emotional appeal to Congress
it is a resource issue, and it might even be getting the direction from DOD to do that