|
|
 |
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
Rep. Miller's remarks at Air Force Enlisted Village on June 13,2008 Shalimar, FL
|
| June 17th, 2008 |
| |
Thank you to the members of the Eglin Professional Consortium of International Test and Evaluation Association (ITEA), National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), Air Force Association (AFA), and Association of Old Crows (AOC) for inviting me to speak today. I would also like to thank all the members of the Eglin AFB and surrounding communities here today. Thank you for your enduring work supporting our warfighters and our nation.
Today, I’d like to speak to you about recent events that are not only shaping our district and its future, but will shape our nation’s future, as well. Specifically, I’d like to address the recent resignation of the Air Force’s top two senior leaders and where I see the Air Force going from here. In addition, I’d like to talk about the current 2009 National Defense Authorization Act and in what direction I see our 110th Congress going with that. Finally, I’d like to wrap up with some issues affecting our district locally…specifically, the Air Force’s proposed realignment of Developmental Test and Evaluation programs within AFMC and the integration and beddown of the JSF into the Eglin AFB mission set.
As you know, last week’s simultaneous resignation of both the Secretary of the Air Force and Chief of Staff of the Air Force was unprecedented in the history of the Service. At no time since its inception has the Air Force been without a senior civilian or uniformed member at the stick. There are many rumors and innuendos in the press and everyone has an opinion. However, with stark and revealing observations from the recently completed report on DoD nuclear weapons stewardship by Navy Admiral Kirkland Donald, Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion, Defense Secretary Robert Gates saw systemic problems in the way the Air Force was handling a critical mission area for many years. He became convinced that Air Force senior officials should be held accountable.
After senior meetings were held to discuss the report’s observations, both Secretary Wynne and General Moseley assumed the high ground and accepted full responsibility for the Service’s recent shortcomings. I have personally known both men for many years and am aware of their character. As they would expect of any of their Airmen, I am pleased with the honor and integrity they both displayed while facing this situation.
The Air Force’s recent track record with the handling of our country’s nuclear weapons hasn’t been as perfect, as the nation expects. As you’re aware, in August 2007, a B-52 flew through the heartland of America with unaccounted nuclear weapons aboard for over 30 hours. Not only were the munitions maintainers who released the nuclear warheads for loading unaware, but the aircrew flying the ferry sortie were completely unaware they were carrying nuclear warheads, as well. The very rigid system of checks and balances in this case, broke down and was attributed for the most part on lack of focus of the nuclear mission. Almost 10 months after the incident and after multiple Air Force internal audits, staff assistance visits and evaluations, the Bomb Wing primarily involved with this is still grappling with nuclear security and trainings issues, as evidenced recently in a failed Nuclear Surety Inspection. Inspectors again attribute lack of focus as a driving factor in the failure.
In March of this year, it was discovered that classified nuclear warhead fuses had been mistakenly shipped to Taiwan in 2006. Although this action was reportedly a Defense Logistics Agency oversight, the Air Force assumes overall responsibility for these parts. This accountability misstep prompted Secretary Gates to order a complete military-wide inventory of nuclear weapons and components. This incident was the genesis for the DoD-wide review of nuclear surety and security by Admiral Donald. This classified report was made available to the members of Congress this week and I personally read Admiral Donald’s findings and recommendations. After reading the report, I can honestly agree Secretary Gates made the decision that needed to be made and both the Secretary and the Chief understood responsibility and accountability, as it applied to them, as well.
Amidst the turmoil and recent setbacks, I am certain the flight path ahead for the Air Force is straight and level. With its proud heritage and deep reserve of outstanding leaders, I have no doubt the Air Force will once again impress this nation with its excellence. Secretary Gates’ nominations of Michael Donley as the Secretary of the Air Force and General Norton Schwartz, who is no stranger to District 1, as the Chief of Staff will clearly keep the Air Force on the path to winning our current war, properly caring for our wounded Airmen, and restoring excellence in our nuclear stewardship. These are the current imperatives our Air Force needs to focus on and I believe it will deliver, on time, on target, as always.
Turning to the 2009 National Defense Authorization Act, the House Armed Services Committee, of which I am a member, recently approved the $514 billion measure. While I am not in agreement with everything in the bill, I believe that it is a good bill that will greatly help our military in the Global War on Terrorism. The bill rejects proposed increases in TRICARE fees. It calls for a 3.9 percent increase in active duty base pay, expands the Army and Marine Corps, and provides the necessary funding for military equipment that are brave men and women need to defend out nation. I will continue to be a strong advocate of increased defense spending and believe that our defense budget should be at a minimum, 4 percent of GDP.
Looking at some local initiatives affecting our District, I am pleased to inform you that I, along with Senators Nelson and Martinez, have strongly encouraged Air Force leadership to stop any plans to realign Developmental Test and Evaluation within AFMC at this time or in the near future. In the spring of this year, I was briefed about Air Force Materiel Command’s plans to attempt realignment of Test and Evaluation, but indicated at that time I did not see a compelling case for change and asked for further rigor in final design details and benefits analysis data. To this date, my colleagues and I are not convinced that realigning DT&E; is the right thing to do amidst the challenges we are facing bringing the 7th Special Forces Group and the Joint Strike Fighter to Eglin. I believe it is imperative that the Air Armament Center Commander has direct command and control over all Eglin Range complex assets and operations throughout the multi-year process for beddown of both missions. Removing the 46th Test Wing from the Air Armament Center chain of command at this critical time in history and muddying the water even further is not the right answer. Air Force senior leadership, both at AFMC and Headquarters Air Force, agrees now is not the right time and has stopped pursuing actions to move the Test Wing by 1 Oct 2008.
Turning attention to the issues facing our local community with the integration of the Joint Strike Fighter into Eglin, I believe there is much work left to do in that area as well. Recently, Eglin leadership briefed community leaders on the Future Air Force Noise Intensity Zones and, certainly for our communities in close proximity to the base, there is valid concern. I believe there are equitable, affordable, and feasible alternatives available for the benefit of both the military and the local communities. My staff is working closely with Eglin and Air Staff leadership to ensure all alternatives will be considered as we move forward.
In addition to noise concerns, we must address the increasingly crowded airspace over the Gulf Region. The future holds significant growth potential for the Northwest Florida region, in both military and civil aviation and our district needs to be deeply engaged in shaping the decisions that will be made. My staff is engaged with members of the Eglin and Air Staff airspace planning community and believe the Gulf Region Airspace Strategic Initiative (GRASI) is the right first step in creating that Gulf Region strategic vision. I look forward to seeing the initial study completed and believe it will lay the groundwork for the new vision and model for range and airspace control for the future.
Finally, let me address an important issue that is unrelated to the military but is an important concern for all of us. That is, the rising cost of gasoline and the pain at the pump. I filled up my diesel pickup a couple of weeks ago and was shocked when I pulled out my wallet to pay for gas. I know people are hurting because of the higher prices, especially those of you who are on fixed incomes. The demand from China and India, along with commodities speculation in the stock market has caused the price of oil to go through the roof. We must open up our domestic energy sources to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil and help lower prices at the gas pump.
As you know, the Congress is controlled by Democrats and they have been opposed to drilling for oil in the Gulf and in Alaska. I and many of my Republican colleagues support drilling for oil here in America. It makes no sense for the U.S. to be forced to depend on Middle East oil when we are sitting on huge oil reserves in our own country. Cuba and China are conducting oil exploration right off of the Florida coast while we depend on oil from the Middle East. This is wrong! We must drill for oil here in the U.S. while exploring alternative energy sources for the future.
Furthermore, Congress needs to open up leases for oil and gas exploration in areas of the Gulf of Mexico that do not encroach on the military mission. Eglin AFB and Tyndall AFB use a great portion of the eastern Gulf from Mary Esther to Key West. However, if we can work with the Department of Defense to identify areas that can be drilled and explored without impacting the mission, I would support opening up portions of the Gulf of Mexico’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) that are currently closed to drilling. America cannot place all of the blame on OPEC for high gas prices if we continue to uphold the restrictions placed on U.S. oil drilling. Opening up the OCS would save Americans an estimated $0.90 - $2.50 per gallon at the pump. I will continue to be an advocate for increasing our oil supply with domestic drilling to ease our pain at the pump.
So, as you can see, it is a very busy, yet exciting time for our District and our nation. I will continue to do my part to engage on the issues we face and will continue to be your voice on the Hill in Washington. I am very proud of all the work you do to keep our nation’s Airmen the most technologically advanced and superior Air Force the world has ever known. Thank you for your continued service to District 1 and to our nation and thank you again for the opportunity to speak with you today. I’ll now open it up for any questions you may have.
|
| |
|
|
There are no Floor Speechess to be displayed for this month.
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
