00:00I recognize the gentleman from North Carolina, Mr. Davis.
00:03Thank you so much, Mr. Chair, and thank you, Mr. Secretary, for being here today, and to General King.
00:11The radar just lit up, and at that point, we were in an hour-long fight, just trying to kill whatever we could.
00:21But these were words of a pilot at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, speaking of a deployment that occurred on April the 13th, 2024, in the Middle East,
00:35where pilots shot down rockets, drones, heading to Israel from Iran.
00:43Another pilot said, it was a deployment like we have never seen before.
00:50Mr. Secretary, I'm incredibly proud of the airmen at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
00:58And I was glad to join the ACC commander at a decoration ceremony, recognizing 31 of the airmen and what they accomplished,
01:09and they accomplished the mission on April the 13th.
01:12As you have highlighted, the war ethos, lethality, and readiness, I cannot think of a better example than what we saw on April the 13th.
01:26There was not a lot of time.
01:27There was a lot of scrambling.
01:29They packed up, took those F-15s to the Middle East, and they got the job done.
01:34Seymour Johnson plays a key role in our national defense.
01:41It also is a location of the air task force.
01:46We have one of our air task force, which aims to generate more efficient, integrated, and deployable units.
01:53Mr. Secretary of the Air Force has conveyed a commitment of plans to bring back F-15Es with the 229 engines from Lake and Heath.
02:05Meanwhile, we're working right here, trying to prioritize operational and maintenance needs at the installation.
02:13We also have to come back and address the training needs.
02:19In your opening statement, you mentioned NGAD, the F-47.
02:25Could you please just briefly expand further in terms of your vision of NGAD and looking long-term at the potential of Seymour Johnson Air Force Base
02:37and others to deliver and ensure the nation's continued air superiority in face of growing global threats?
02:46I'll take it briefly and then hand it to the chairman.
02:48I have met some of those men and women from April 13th, impressive Americans,
02:52some of the refuelers I've had a chance to talk to from that evening.
02:55We are investing in NGAD in a historic way in the F-47.
02:58A lot of its capabilities obviously classified, but with a six-generation fighter of that type,
03:03it shows to our adversaries that we are prepared to project power in the future.
03:08And where those go and where they're stationed is an open question, but we're happy to take a look,
03:13and I'll hand it to the chairman.
03:13And thanks for speaking with our airmen, Mr. Secretary.
03:16Hey, sir.
03:17First, thanks for your service in the Air Force and in the Joint Force as well.
03:23You know, just piling on here, that particular day for the Air Force,
03:27not just was those Strike Eagle crews, but also the maintainers on the ground who were loading missiles up
03:34while there was engagements going on right over their heads.
03:38So extraordinary acts of bravery under fire out of your home district there.
03:44Thank you so much.
03:45General King, thank you, too, for your service in the opening statement you shared
03:49that you were honored to serve alongside some of the most incredible warriors and civilians and their families.
03:56And he didn't stop there, and I appreciate it.
03:58He said, I always especially remember our fallen and their families who demonstrate true sacrifice,
04:05courage, and commitment to our families.
04:06Corporal Ryan Russell was a medic.
04:09The 2nd Battalion, Fort Bragg, was killed March 5, 2007, in Iraq.
04:15I talked to his mother.
04:16He was 20 years old, putting a face on this, 20 years old, killed with others about the same age.
04:21And she said the only thing she missed the most was his smile.
04:26But my question is, we have, for instance, we can't bring back those loved ones,
04:33but we have the honor of member Flagg, Representative Kiggins, myself.
04:38If you could take a look at H.R. 1363, I would ask you to do so.
04:43And Mr. Secretary, I would simply ask, what else are we doing to honor our fallen?
04:47We'll take a look at 1363.
04:52I will tell you, we initiated the first ever Advisory Board for Gold Star Families at the Defense Department
04:57to follow through on their families as well and finding every way possible to recognize us.
05:02And I, too, heard your Memorial Day comments.
05:04Thank you, and I yield back.
Comments