I think that is absolutely critical. Hopefully, we will have your support as it makes its way through the Senate.

The fiscal year 2019 budget request for projection forces continues to modernize and recapitalize critical Air Force weapons systems.

if there are things that we can do in this year's NDAA as far as authorization, as far as direction that you feel that you need with this, please let us know.

I think there is--well, I think it is both a tactical and strategic question the Air Force has to deal with.

I think it is critical. As you look at the needs identified in our OPLANs, ... the key is lift.

Getting this right is the key.

In order to assure an adequate national defense, it is necessary and sufficient to be in a position in case of war to conquer the command of air.

I hope that you all reflect upon that.

Listen, LPTA may be great for buying jet fuel and toilet paper, but for advanced systems in service, it is probably not the best way to go about it.

these programs, which are complex programs--KC-46A, B-21, F-35--these have to be delivered on budget and on time.

I believe there are a number of overlapping issues between our two subcommittees, and I look forward to working with the gentleman from South Carolina to move these issues through the NDAA process.

This is not a moniker that I relish, but it is a good example of the plight of our sealift forces.

It is pretty obvious that we have overly optimized our forces for peace.

I think the Department of Defense needs to reassess its commitment to a core military competency: logistics.

The war has been variously termed a war of production and a war of machines. Whatever else it is, so far as the United States is concerned, it is a war of logistics.

It is obvious to me that we need to turn our attention to airlift and sealift elements of our military strategy and take immediate steps to improve our logistics capabilities.

I think there is unanimity across folks here to make sure we get those things built.

I am concerned that it does not properly advocate for the Navy the Nation needs.

I would argue, if history is any lesson to us, that the support element of the Navy is as critical as the warship component.

What we do to train Navy corpsmen and Army medics, so on the battlefield they get the best, survivability rates have gone sky high.

Gentlemen, damn the torpedoes; full speed ahead.

Having the conduit, so once we get them out of that battle space and make sure we support them on that hospital ship I argue is equally as important.

Give us your perspective on what is happening there.

This is a very real threat that we have to pay attention to.

I think our teams are very strong. And I think this is a very key way for us to maintain our influence and pursue our interests in the CENTCOM maritime environment.