Of ther the nomination ambassador to be the secretary of the navy. And Charles Brown to be chief of staff of the air force. And dr. Anderson to be deputy undersecretary of defense. We thank you all for being here. Appreciate the contributions you have made. All three of you have impressive careers and we appreciate the fact that you are coming back again. Things arese necessary. I have to ask you the required questions. I would like an audible yes or no on each question. Have you adhered to the laws and wrecked lesions governing thelations governing nation . Yes. Will you comply with requests for communication . Yes. Will you cooperate in providing witnesses in response to congressional requests . Yes. Will those witnesses be protected from reprisal for their testimony . Yes. Do you agree if confirmed to give honest testimony to this committee . Yes. Do you agree to provide documents including email in a timely manner when requested, or consult with the Committee Regarding any basis for delay . Yes. Any duties assumed or undertaken any actions which would appear to presume the outcome of confirmation of the process . No, sir. Well, i have to tell you that right now you are taking these positions in i believe the most threatening times of our lives. Committee has done our best to ensure that dod has the authorities and resources it needs to implement a defense strategy. The committee has been working on thee than a year Privatized Housing crisis that has directly affected morale. I originally thought that came to surface at a particular air force base in oklahoma. I was assuming this was a problem just in one air force base. Later, i found out no, it is all of oklahoma. All of our bases. We have done a good job. We really have, in pursuing that. I know all three of you will be somewhat related to the problems out there. I am sure you will go out of your way to try to keep the progress we have made so far successful. As Senior Leaders of the department of defense and in the positions for which you have been nominated, you will have great power in taking care of our people. One thing i would like to say and you will get this from other o, we are World Leaders in the National Defense strategy. Before i turn it over to mr. Reed, this is unusual in one way. We all have families i know we would like to be here. They cannot be here. I understand they will be stillng, but you can introduce them. Thank you very much, mr. Chairman. Theuld also like to welcome members and thank them for their service. I also want to thank the families who i know are watching today. Hereow you would not be without your families. Ambassador, you have been the since 2017 and have served more than 27 years in the navy and navy reserve. You had a success Business Career in health care and communications. Count, you are currently a triple hat as commander of the Pacific Air Forces and as the executive director of air combat operations staff. With 130ommand pilot combat hours. And you have served as assistant secretary of defense since august of 2018. You have realized many accomplishments in education, academic and administration in both the government and private sectors. Again, thank you. Is an to note this unusual nomination because we are considering a military nominee with two civilian nominees. Normally, we would not do this, but these are unusual circumstances. I appreciate everyone accommodating this unique hearing. Let me also take a moment to pay tribute to our Service Members their families. Ofare saddened by the loss life due to covid19 throughout our military. This should be a wakeup call to the navys actions regarding covid19. First, you must address the effects of the ongoing pandemic on the navy. I want to hear about your vision for the future and what lessons you have learned from your predecessors mishandling of the roosevelt demonstrates how quickly deployments can be. Tressed i am interested in hearing what this tells us about the navy and marine corps. A looks like it would support fleet of 300 ships, but that would be in most minds, inadequate. Sorry about that. Lets start with Opening Statements. You are recognized for Opening Statement. Thank you, i was getting into big of a hurry. Justinou, mr. Chairman, was members of the committee. Today is a big day for me. Perhaps the most important of my professional life. But there have been three other big days in my life. That i would like to share with you this morning to help you learn and inform you of who i am. July 8, 1980. A typical hot day aboard the u. S. Naval academy in annapolis, i stood with over 1000 of my classmates to take the sacred oath of office that began, like many of you, a career of service to our nation. For over 40 years, first in the uniform of the navy, which took me around the world and into combat, later as a councilman in a small town in pennsylvania, as a Senate Staffer to arlen specter, and most recently, as u. S. Ambassador, i dedicated my life to the motto of our navy, honor, courage, commitment. Those are not merely words to me or a slogan, those are the guide stars by which i have lived my life. June 6, 1994. 14 years later, the 50th anniversary of the landings at the day, i stood on the beach at normandy with my aging father. He had been a Young Private in the first wave. The third Landing Craft touched the sand that morning in 1944. My father, like most of his generation, did not talk much about that day, but as we stood there, he recounted how he had come ashore off the boat that don, watching his friends drop to his left and right. I asked him, among all the chaos and death that morning, how he was able to go on. He replied, it was my duty. He would be himself severely wounded, shot in the head in his service to our nation. Served tobnegation is reinforce, in my heart, my head, and my soul, honor, courage, and commitment. On the 75th anniversary of the same landing at dday, i again was able to stand on that sacred beach at normandy, but this time without my father, who passed away in 2006. Instead, this time, serving as ,he link to my 12 year old son who never met his grandfather, only a few of those who were there that morning with my dad were left. But harrison and i endeavored to shake each of their hands, recalling their sacrifices, so we could live in freedom. The same who, like my dad, went before me, guided by honor, courage, and commitment, three simple but important words that have always guided my actions. I am humbled to up your before you today to be considered as the 77th secretary of the United States navy. Honor of the sacred those who have gone before me, whether petty officer dori miller at earl harbor or corporate jason dunham in iraq, i think the president for his trust and confidence in me. As a child of the midwest, i was taught to be frank. Diplomatic, of course, as it is required of an ambassador, but direct. It is that its me to say that the department of the navy is in rough waters. Due to many factors, but primarily the the failure of leadership. Inther the ship collisions 2017 judicial missteps, or the crisis recently aboard uss roosevelt, they are indicative of a breakdown in the trust of those leading the service. I have witnessed this type of crisis before in 1989. I was aboard the Aircraft Carrier uss america sailing alongside the battleship iowa when an explosion killed 47 sailors. That was followed by the scandal at tail hook. These were dark days for the navy. However, they taught me two things. The department is resilient, and it all starts with culture. Repeatedly in my career, successful organizations have a strong culture which starts with leadership. As i witness following the aforementioned events on the early 1990s, a proud heritage of service and pride, which the department emphasized for inspiration and affirmation and, if confirmed, will again. While i recognize the challenges for all they are, i am ready. I have learned across a myriad of roles, through military service, a congressional staffer, and now as a diplomat, i have been preparing my entire life for this moment, always guided by honor, courage, and commitment. I have many people to thank, like my mentors. I would not be here if not for my mother, who is 87 and watching me this morning, who taught me that to work hard, you can accomplish anything in america. Finally, the continued love and support of my beautiful wife melissa and my wonderful children, grace and harrison, who have sacrificed so much for me to serve, but also they sacrifice for our nation. Blessed me god blessed me by bringing them into my life. Thank you chairman, ranking member, members of the committee. I look forward to answering your questions. Thank you, thats a beautiful statement. General brown, you are recognized. I am grateful and humbled by the opportunity to be with you and my nominees this morning. I expressed my appreciation for this committee for their support and advocacy for the air force, its airmen, and families. I would like to take a few moments to acknowledge my family who could not be with us today, but are watching online. First, my wife of nearly 31 , who has been committed to the families of airmen, focus on quality education for military children. Our two sons, our older little lives in tampa, and ross, who lives in tennessee. Sean and ross have an instrumental to my best to my success and there is no way i would be here without their love and support. I would like to acknowledge my number one fan, my mother. The most influential officer in my career, my father, a vietnam veteran who retired after 30 years of service as a colonel. I appreciate them, the influence of my older brother, had on me and my family before his passing. I would like to thank President Trump, secretary esper for their confidence and support and nominating me to be the next air force chief of staff. Dunkel feet and off as they conclude 37 years of service to our nation. It has been an honor to serve with the gold fiends and we wish them the best as they start their next chapter. Members of this committee, in 2018, National Defense strategy provided the department of defense with clear, actionable, and attainable goals to deter and win. For the past 11 years, ive served in leadership positions. China, russia, north korea, iran, they are all outlined in the National Defense strategy. If confirmed, im committed to the air force achieving irreversible momentum to an limitation of the National Defense strategy and integrated force. At the top of that list is to work with secretary berry to take the appropriate steps to ensure the success of the United States spaceports. Currently, im committed to realizing the concept and development. If confirmed, i look forward to working with the chairman, vice chairman, and 22 increase our operability. Joint chiefs to increase our operability. Compete, deter, and when, people need to generate combat power. If confirmed, im an advocate for collaboration between acquisition professionals and Industry Partners to unleash innovation so the war fighter has access to the most capable and stateoftheart assets sooner than later. I suspect it will be tough decisions regarding legacy programs and modernization. Consider riske to assessments, balancing air forces combat requirements while investing in capabilities to prepare us for future challenges. I will remain committed to the wellbeing of our airmen families. It is imperative to provide and the quality of life, and environment where all can reach their full potential. Nominatedonor to be as the next air force chief of staff. If confirmed, i look forward to working with this committee and the congress to organize, train, and equip our air force to ensure the security of our national interest. Thank you for this opportunity and i look forward to your questions. Thank you, general brown. We will now hear from dr. James anderson. You are recognized. Of therman, members committee, it is an honor to be here today. Im thankful for your confidence for the confidence President Trump and secretary esper nominated me. I would not be here today without the support of family, friends, and mentor to helped me throughout my career. In me the instilled value of hard work, honesty, and respect for others. My sister and her family continue to provide much love and support. My children inspire me every day, watching them grow and mature is the best part of being a parent. Wife, who isnk my watching these proceedings from a quiet hamlet we call home in northern virginia. The sacrifices pentagon positions demand, that include before dawn departed after dusk returns. Her love and support make every thing worthwhile. My professional experience helped prepare me for this opportunity since my confirmation as assistant in augustof defense, 2018, i have worked to implement our National Defense strategy. Deputyirmed, as undersecretary of defense, i will continue these efforts in a google. In a new role. I worked mostly in middle east issues in International Security affairs. My professional experience has taught me the value of asking hard questions and the importance of seeking practical solutions. I taught National Security topics and several civilian and military educational institutions to include the George C Marshall center for Security Studies in germany. Working at this reinforce the importance of working with allies. Early in my career, i served three years in active duty as a marine Corps Officer in the late 1980s, and express that imprint it me the importance of teamwork. The opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals and the defense of our great country inspired me then just as it does now. The current covid19 crisis has brought on many new challenges for the department. The quality team at the pentagon working with its partners across the interagency has risen to the occasion and continues to provide the secretary of defense with quality advice and support. Im privileged to be part of this team. It apartment up defense issued its National Defense strategy in january 2018 and it remains. The document outlines iras to ensure our competitive advantage amid the demands of longterm strategic competition. If confirmed, i will do my best to help implement the strategy and a Cost Effective and timely manner. The men and women in uniform emma as well as their civilian thunder parts, deserve no less from their Senior Leaders. I look forward to your questions. Thank you very much. We will start off where we ended momentarily. Thator reid and i feel since we are going to be confining questions to five minutes, we will have a second round of questioning, if it is all right with our witnesses. To start off with you, ambassador braithwaite, it has been controversial, and briefly, when you think about the fact that the budget that has been support a 300 ship navy, most people would say it needs to be bigger than that. Size do you, what think we ought to have . Mr. Braithwaite it needs to be minimally 355 ships, hopefully beyond that. Is a brief answer, i appreciate that. Why i agree with you. You brought this up and i appreciate the fact that you are talking about this is the plan that we have been following since it came out, three years ago. The general was committed to that, i would like to have you make further comment, even though you have made one about this, and your commitment to following in this as your pattern. Im very committed to the National Defense strategy in my current position. I have spent a lot of focus because four of the five challenges are in our region. Sen. Inhofe appreciated very much. Anderson, i have talked to you about this before. This is something ive been concerned about and we went through all those years without forgottenit is a continent, and now those things that we were guessing are happening or have happened. Looking now at what china and russia is doing in that content. China, thats the first time they have started a major insulation someplace other than their own city limits. We know what is happening there. I would like to have you say in this remaining time that i have come outdoor thoughts about the role of africa and what your intentions are, your opinions concerning that continent. Dr. Anderson thank you, senator. Afrikaans was established a few. Ears ago, over a decade ago it plays an Important Role in our National Defense strategy. Course,mplicated, off andhe intrusion of the prc to an extent the Russian Federation on the continent. Take moves by the chinese a variety of forms to include establishing a military base, its First Overseas Military base, ingenuity. We are watching that carefully as well as a lot of their efforts elsewhere on the continent. Predatory all the economic things they are doing, workers therert and exploit local economies and make economies dependent upon them, economically and financially. What ourtching closely competitors are doing on the continent. Russia is involved in the libyan conflict and it is unfortunate situation there. In terms of the department of defense, looking closely at all it combatant commands to ensure we have the right mix of forces, right posture throughout the continent. Under secretary espers leadership, we are doing that. There haveort been press reports that we are cutting and running, we are abandoning africa, and those are false. We are looking hard at rightsizing and making those decisions. One decision secretary esper has made is to allocate the Security Assistance enforcement gate, which we think is a good example of getting the right forces into theater. Sen. Inhofe you are right they came in and there has to be an examination, constant examination on the placeme