Committee meets today to consider general Charles Brown to be chief of staff of the air force, the undersecretary of defense. Thank you for being here. All of you have brilliant careers. Some of these things are necessary. I have to ask you the required question. I want to have inaudible yes or no. You have conflicts of interest, will you ensure your staff establishes requested communications including questions for the record in hearings . Yes, sir. Yes. Will you cooperate in providing witnesses and briefs in response to congressional requests . Yes, sir. Will those witnesses have to do with testimony and debriefings . Do you agree in the affirmative you testify for this committee . Yes, sir. Do you provide documents for forms of communication in a timely manner when requested by duly constituted committee with the committee in the basis of the delay or denial in providing the occupants . Yes, sir. Have you assumed any duties or undertaken any actions which appear to be presumed outcome for confirmation of the process . Know, sir. You are taking these positions in i believe the most threatening times of our lives and so far the committee has done our best to ensure that dod has the authorities and the resources it needs to implement a National Defense strategy and the committee has been working for more than a year on Privatized Housing crisis that directly impacted it is interesting on that issue. In oklahoma, i was assuming in one air force base and later, all of oklahoma it is something that we have done a good job in pursuing that and all three of you would be somewhat related to the problems out there to try to keep the progress that you made successful. Senior leaders of the department of defense in positions for which we have been nominated and you continue to play hero in winning Great Power Competition and taking care of our people. One thing i would like to say, we are real believers in the National Defense strategy. It has been good and before i turn it over, this is unusual in one way. You have families and we would like to be here. I understand they will be watching so you can introduce them. I would like to welcome members and thank them for their service and they are asking us to serve the nation and i also want to thank your family so i know that they also serve and you would agree you would not be here without your family. You were and ambassador to the kingdom of norway since february of 2018, use or 27 years in the navy and naval reserve, you also had a successful business in the communications industry. You are currently commander of Pacific Air Forces as a Component Commander of Us Indo Pacific command and as executive director of specific combat operations, you were command pilot with 29,000 flying hours including 130 combat hours and use survived in senior positions including assistant secretary of defense for strategy plans and capabilities, you begin your career is marine corps Intelligence Officer and realized many accomplishments in education in the government and private sector. The military nominee was two civilian nominees, we would not do this, i appreciate everyone accommodating this unique hearing. And contractors in this, we are saddened by the loss of life of covid19 infections, the uss Theodore Roosevelt is a reminder of what servicemembers endured daily weather deployed in combat zones for the navys actions with respect to covid19. Of confirmed as secretary of the navy you will face a number of critical issues, you must address the effects of the ongoing pandemic on the department of the navy. I want to hear about what lessons were learned from your predecessors mishandling of the uss roosevelt situation. The us is roosevelt and uss kidd demonstrate how quickly deployments can be stressed. Im interested in what this tells us about how the navy and marine corps get the strains of deployment and high temple operations. The next secretarys efforts will be crucial. We must also confront other challenges inside of the navy fleet. Congress is waiting on the latest assessment from the chief of Naval Operations which was supposed to be shared with the Committee Last year. I look forward to your thoughts on these issues. You are nominated to be deputy under secretary of defense for policy having previously been confirmed as assistant secretary of defense for strategy plans and capabilities. During your tender you performed more duties that leadership positions that became vacant. You have valuable experience, the policy office is and will continue to be hamstrung by the numerous seniorlevel vacancies in the office. The deputy under secretary of defense plays a key role in the National Defense strategy for the operational planning and capabilities with that strategy. The department contends russia and chinas global ambition, strategic on multiple challenges, contending with rogue powers like iran and north korea. In syria, developing policies for expanded areas of competition including space, cyber and regular warfare. And the department to engage in longterm planning for crisis response. I welcome your thoughts on these issues. General brown, you are nominated to be chief of staff of the air force having served as commander of pacific air force, youre familiar with challenges facing beer for us today and how the air force should be implementing National Defense strategy. He will also face challenges to improve readiness while modernizing and expanding force structure. To achieve the stated goal of 386 squadrons, increasing modernization efforts over a number of years and simultaneously recapitalize most of the landbased missile fleet. These are daunting challenges. In the nearterm you will be test with recruiting and retaining a quality force. That is no small task of the air force and other services condemned with a Novel Coronavirus pandemic operational readiness. You need to ensure the air force has necessary structure of crises, and in the committees Second Committee hearing, thank you again for your leadership. The gentleman will begin with Opening Statements we keep your statements brief under 5 minutes and you will have plenty of time to respond. Very short questions for each of you in five minutes, ambassador kenneth braithwaite, we talk about the size of the navy. What do we need when we look at the navys fiscal year 2021 budget, it would support a fleet of 300 ships, real briefly. I will start with Opening Statements, your Opening Statement. Thank you mister chairman and Ranking Member read and establish members of the committee. A very big day for me, the most important of my professional life, there hasnt 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 8th, 1980, a typical hot, humid day in the Us Naval Academy in kannapolis, i stood with over 1000 of my classmates, take the sacred oath of office that began like many of you, for over 40 years, first in the uniform of the United States navy, which took me around the world and into combat and later as a councilman and smalltown, as a senate staffer, the late Arlen Specter and recently the us ambassador, i dedicated myself to the modern motto of the navy, honor, courage, commitment. Those are not merely words to me or a slogan. Those are the guide stars of which i have lived my life. June 61994, 14 years later, Fiftieth Anniversary of the landing at dday, i stood on the windswept beach at normandy with my aging father. He had been a young 18yearold private in the first wave. In 1944, my father like most of his generation didnt talk much about that day but as we stood there he recounted how he had come in a sure watching his friends drop left and right. All the chaos and death, how he is able to go on. He replied it was my duty. Weeks later, he would be severely wounded, shot in the head in the service to the nation. His self abdication only serve to reinforce in my heart, my head and my soul honor, courage and commitment. Last summer, on the anniversary of the same landing at dday i stood on the sacred beach at normandy. Without my father passed away in 2006. Instead, this time serving as the link my 12 iraq son harrison who had never met his grandfather, only a few of those who were there with my dad were left. Harrison and i endeavored to shake each of their hands recalling their sacrifices so we could live in freedom, the same like my dad went before me, guided by honor, courage, and commitment, three simple but powerfully important words that always guided my actions. I am humbled to appear before you today to be considered as the 70 seventh secretary of the United States navy, to uphold the sacred honor of those who have gone before me, whether petty officer dori miller at pearl harbor or Corporal Jason doneham in iraq, i think him for his trust and confidence in me. I was taught to be frank, diplomatic of course as required of an admiral and ambassador. It saddens me to say the department of the navy is in rough water, due to many factors but primarily the failure of leadership. Whether glenn marine defense, the collisions in 2017, judicial missteps so the crisis recently they are indicative of a breakdown in the trust of those leading the service. Sadly i have witnessed this type of crisis. I was aboard the Aircraft Carrier uss america sailing alongside the battleship iowa when an explosion killed 46 sailors followed by the scandal, some very dark days in the navy, they taught me two things, one, the department is resilient and 2, it all starts with culture. I have learned this repeatedly in my career, successful organizations have a strong culture which always starts with leadership. As i witnessed following the aforementioned events of the early 1990s, a proud heritage of sarahs 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 learned across myriad roles, military service as an executive in the private sector, congressional staffer and 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 much like admiral tom lynch and Steve Chadwick but i wouldnt be here if not for my mother sylvia who is 87 and watching me this morning he taught me that to work hard you can accomplish anything in america. Finally and most especially continued love and support of my dear wife melissa and my children grace and harrison who sacrificed so much for me to serve and also sacrificed for our nation, god blessed me by bringing them into our lives. Thank you, members of the committee, i look forward to answering your questions. A beautiful statement, general brown, you are recognized. Distinguished members of this committee. Im grateful and humbled by the opportunity to be with you and my fellow nominees this morning, i express my appreciation for the relentless support and advocacy for the airmen and families. I would like to acknowledge my family who could not be with us today but are watching online. My wife of 31 years who has not only been committed to our family but families of airmen specifically focused on quality education. Our son ross in washington dc, both outstanding in their own life. Ross has been instrument to my success and there is no way i would be here without their sacrifice, love, and support. My mother, kay and the most influential officer in my commission, my father, charles, a veteran who retired from the United States army, and my sister, stephanie and the influence of my younger brother kevin. I would like to thank donald trump for confidence and supported nominating me to be the air force chief of staff, they conclude 37 years of service to the nation, it has been an honor, we wish them the best as they start their next chapter. The dependent of the fence has clear actionable and attainable goals to repeat, deter and win. Over 7 different leadership positions focused on the challenges, china, russia, north korea, iran and violent extremists outlined in National Defense strategy. The implementation of the National Defense strategy and integrated and more lethal joint force. At the top of the list is to work with secretary bird to take appropriate steps to ensure the success of the United States space force. Concurrently, if confirmed by look forward to working with the chairman, vice chairman in joint chiefs to advance our interoperability. To support joint command and control enabling the joint force, allies and partners to connect, communicate and integrate our collective efforts across small domains. To compete, deter, and when we need to generate, and power. If confirmed i am an advocate for collaboration between operators, acquisition professionals and Industry Partners to unleash innovation, access the most capable and stateoftheart assets sooner rather than later, they will be decisions about legacy programs. If confirmed by will continue to consider risk assessments, balancing air force support the current requirements while the best requirements for future competition, conflict and challenges. I am and will remain committed to the wellbeing of airmen and families. It is imperative to provide airmen and families the quality of service, quality of life in the environment where we can reach our full potential. It is an honor to nominate the air force chief of staff. If confirmed i look forward to working with this committee and congress organize, train, and equip for the security of national interests. Thank you, general brown, you are recognized. It is an honor to be here today. Im confident for the confidence donald trump placed in me as nominee for the secretary of defense for public policy. I would not be here today without the support of family, friends and mentors who helped me throughout my career. My parents, Michael Anderson instilled in me the value of hard work, and respect for others. My sister winnifred and her wonderful family continue to provide much loved support. My children, james and olivia inspire me every day, the best part of being a parent and i wish to thank my wife Emily Anderson who is watching these proceedings from a quiet little hamlet in northern virginia. She knows what pentagon positions demand, her love and support make everything worthwhile. My professional experiences prepare me for this opportunity for plans and capabilities in august of 2018 and work to implement the national strategy. Having served in the office of secretary of defense in 20012009, mostly middle east issues in International Security affairs. My professional experience taught me to ask hard questions and the. Of seeking practical solutions. I have taught National Security topics in several educational institutions including George Marshall center for security studies. Overseas working at this jewel of an institution, and i served in active duty in the late 1980s, an experience that them printed on me the importance of teamwork and history, the opportunity to work alongside dedicated professionals. The current covid19 crisis s 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 and it remains our north star. The document clearly outlines priorities to ensure our nations competitive advantage. If confirmed i will do my level best to implement the strategy for costeffective in a timely manner. The men and women in uniform as well as their counterparts who serve in the department deserve no less from their Senior Leaders. I look forward to your question. Thank you very much. Now well start off where we ended momentarily. Senator reed and i feel that since were going to be confining questions to five minutes, will have a second round of questioning if thats all right with the witnesses. So start up again with you, ambassador braithwaite. Its been very controversial, and just very briefly when you think about the fact that the budget thats been submitted to support at 300 ship navy, and most people agree it needs to be bigger than that, about 355, very briefly what site you think a navy we ought to have . And it needs to be minimally5 ships. Oakley would build the on that. Thats a good brief answer, i appreciate that. General brown, i would ask why, because i agree with you. General brown, you brought this up i really appreciate the fact you were talking about the nds. This is the plan that weve been following now since it came out three years ago. General goldfein was committed to that. Id like to ask you make a firm further, even though you made one about this in your commitment to following this as your pattern. Im actually very committed to the National Defense strategy in my current position. Ive spent a lot of focus because four of the five challenges in the National Defense strategy are in our region. Appreciate it very much. Dr. Anderson, i talked to you about this before, this is something ive been concerned about. In fact, we went through all those years without having an afrikaans, the forgotten continent, and that we see those things were guessing would be happening there are happening or have alreadyen happened. I