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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) discussed the American military presence in Europe in light of Vladimir Putin’s war in Ukraine and the realignment of troops to the Pacific at a Senate Armed Services Committee Hearing on U.S. Europe Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) posture.
Senator Cramer outlined heightened EUCOM security concerns given Putin’s unprovoked and unwarranted invasion of Ukraine. He noted the number of U.S. troops permanently stationed there is near historic lows given recent drawdowns in EUCOM and stressed the importance of Agile Combat Employment in adequately responding to threats across the globe with General Tod Wolters, EUCOM Commander and NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
“Over the last several years as we’ve been drawing down EUCOM and CENTCOM to prepare more forces for other places, specifically the Pacific. How do we reconcile the need for more forces everywhere?" asked Senator Cramer. “How does Agile Combat Employment play into all of that? We in North Dakota are very cognizant of B52’s and the role they’ve played.”
“Agile Combat Employment is very helpful whether or not you’re addressing permanent or rotational forces. To be able to take a unique capability and quickly insert it into a region and then when no longer does it deliver the effect that helps enhance peace in that region, pull it out and get it back home where it needs to be to refit and be ready to respond globally. It’s incredibly important. As we’ve seen what has unfolded in Ukraine, with respect to Russia, it allowed us the opportunity to take a look at a whole-of-government, multi-domain force and examine what shifts we could possibly make in the future,” responded General Wolters. “The answer is still I believe: it depends. There’s always goodness and badness in both cases. But I think we need to be smart about it and refit just a little bit and examine what’s unfolded here to make a prudent decision going forward.”
Turning to TRANSCOM Commander General Jacqueline Van Ovost, they further discussed the whole-of-government approach in her role at TRANSCOM, which provides support to the 10 other U.S. combatant commands, the military services, defense agencies and other government organizations. As Ranking Member of the Seapower Subcommittee, Senator Cramer highlighted the Navy’s obligations under the National Defense Authorization Act in regards to shipbuilding.
“Could you just elaborate a little bit on ‘satisfy restrictions’ in current law? Should we be changing restrictions? Are you implying that or are you just saying there’s a lot of bureaucracy we have to work through? Help me help you,” said Senator Cramer.
“The authorization is to purchase up to nine used sealift ships, four ships without a requirement for new build, but in order to purchase the fifth ship, the Navy has to submit a plan for 10 new ships being built so we can continue to purchase used number five through the number nine. In 2021, we have now purchased two ships, and we’ve been given the appropriation to purchase five more used ships, but we’ll only right now be able to purchase two more until either the law is changed or the Navy submits a plan that’s satisfactory to the committees,” said General Van Ovost.
Senator Cramer concluded by asking for an update on the changing cooperation in the Pacific as it relates to ports and navigability.
“You’ve referenced the term ‘thickening partners’ a couple of times. Have you seen in recent months or recent years, a changing or a growing cooperation with our partners, in the Pacific specifically, to allow for example, better access to ports and navigability that maybe wasn’t there in the not so distant past?” asked Senator Cramer.
“We are seeing improvement. As we look to both our military and our commercial networks, as we are increasing our activities and exercises, and interoperability with our allies and partners in the Pacific, we are seeing an increase,” responded General Van Ovost.
