Joe Wilson

I am very concerned that if they had to deploy tomorrow, they would be sent into a fight unprepared and ill equipped.

Marine Corps aviators and maintainers... have had to cannibalize parts from museum aircraft to get their current fleet in the air.

I have faith in you, and we are counting on you to protect American families.

With the attacks in Brussels, it is another reminder we are in a global war on terrorism, and it is continuing.

We understand that the Marine Corps has implemented a successful 'Comply-to-Connect' program that has helped it increase its compliance during network inspection reviews.

What is the Defense Department strategy for increasing use of mobility tools, as well as increasing mobile security?

Thank you for your expertise in acronyms.

Thank you, Congresswoman Stefanik.

In this time of fiscal constraint, I also believe it is equally important to enforce management rigor to make sure that we are squeezing the most out of every defense dollar where it makes sense.

I believe that information technology and cyber will both serve as key enablers and, at the same time, present key challenges for the Department.

I call this hearing of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee to order.

It is encouraging to see Secretary Carter and the public-private cooperation

Ladies and gentlemen, I call this hearing of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee to order.

There are several projects that you will see in the 2017 budget that are targeted specifically to Fort Jackson because I am not satisfied with the quality of the barracks that are there, and we are going to upgrade some of those.

And I agree with General Neller, the greatest quality of life that we can take care of a soldier is to bring him back with his dog tags in one piece, whole mind, whole body, and that requires good training, equipment, leadership, et cetera.

It is just an outrage to me to see our military personnel humiliated by what I consider to be an outlaw regime.

I am deeply concerned about this violation and would like to know what subsequent actions have been taken to rectify this brazen defiance of international law by Iran.

In his January 2016 report, the Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction observed that, 'the Taliban now controls more territory than at any time since 2001.'

President Obama's plan to draw down to 5,500 troops by the end of 2016 from the 9,800 service members in Afghanistan now, would leave the United States with 'a very limited ability' to conduct its counterterrorism operations.

A few weeks ago General Campbell testified before this committee that that Afghan leaders are 'skeptical we will continue to be there' beyond the end of 2016.

I appreciate you citing concerns about maintaining our technological edge and evolution of unconventional warfare.

And thank you very much, Congresswoman Stefanik. And Secretary Whelan, best wishes on your new duties.

Thank you, Mr. Langevin.

Our special operations forces [SOF] remain essential and sometimes sole line of effort across the globe.

I am pleased to welcome everyone here today to discuss our special operations forces in an evolving threat environment.