The Senate Armed Services Committee considers the nominations of Air Force Lt. Gen. Glen D. Vanherck to be commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, for Army Lt. Gen. James H. Dickinson to be the commander of U.S. Space Command, and for both officers to be promoted to general, July 28, 2020.
Transcript
Consider the nominations of General when Van Herck to be Commander United States Northern Command and Lieutenant General James Dickerson to be commander of United States Space Command were experiencing unique challenges and threats in our country. Both been nominated for the position. We’re all I’m not going to go ahead and read to make on them, because I think we’re often there with them. There’s no opposition that I know of. I speak for the committee when I say that we appreciate your willingness to serve our country and these important rose and appear before us today. So, gentlemen, I ask that you provide inaudible yes or no response. These air, the required questions. Yeah, I see your boat down there. So let us hear your responses. All right. Have you adhered to the applicable laws and regulations governing conflict of interest? Yes. Yes. Will you ensure that your staff complies with the deadlines established for requesting communications, including questions? For the record in hearings? Yes. Will you cooperate in providing witnesses and briefers in response to the congressional request? Yes. Well, those witnesses be protected from Reprisal for the testimony. Your breathing? Yes. Do you agree? Have confirmed to appear and testify upon request of this committee. Yes, you agree for I just heard one. Yes, yes. Good D agree and provide documents including copies of electronic forms of communication in a timely matter when requested by a duly constituted committee or to consult with the Committee regarding the basis of any good faith, delay or denial in providing such documents. Yes. Have you assumed any duties or undertakings? Any actions which would appear to resume the outcome of confirmation process? No, no, I don’t have to tell either of you about the many challenges nation faces both of the positions for which we are considering. Your nominations are at the forefront of those challenges from responding to a global pandemic to ensuring our domestic our dominance in space. It’s important that we have the right leadership for these items. At the forefront of these responsibilities is ensuring that we continue the to implement the foot and fulfilling the national defense strategy. That czar, our document we refer to you quite often that’s our Bible are are, uh, direction. So it’s important that we keep leadership, that we can take the rows on rows to help us win great power competition and in take care of our people. So we look forward to hearing for your views on these and other important issues. Now, Senator Reid is going to vote, so we’ll pick up there when he gets back. And, uh and uh, then, yeah, I want to come it also, we have some of the senators that are attending remotely, which complicates things. I want to let everyone know how things are going to run, since it isn’t possible to know exactly when our colleagues will, who will be joining us via computer arrival will not be able to be following our standard early bird timing rule. Instead, we will handle the order of questions by seniority ordinating sided. Decide until until we have gone through everyone. Once we reach the end, If there’s anyone we miss, we’ll go back and pick that up. We will do the standard five minutes rounds like we always do a NASA colleagues and on the computers to please keep an eye on the clock, which you should see on your screens. Finally, to allow everyone to be heard, whether in the room or on the computer, asking all colleagues to please be sure to mutual microphone When not speaking, gentlemen, we will begin with your opening statement. Since we are meeting in unusual times, please feel free to acknowledge any family members that might be in attendance remotely. Aziz, you address your statements. So let’s start with General. Uh uh. Then her IQ will begin with you and then which carry out from there. Thank you. You’re recognized. Thank you, Chairman Inhofe, Ranking member Reed. I understand he’s gone. Thank him upfront as well distinguished committee members. It is an incredible privilege to appear before you today is the president’s nominee to be commander United States Northern Command and Commander North American Aerospace Defense Command. I’d like to thank the President, the Secretary of Defense, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, for their confidence and for nominating me to lead these two unique but complementary commands. I would also like to thank Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau, Canadian Minister of Defense Se Jin and the Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance, who also concurred with my nomination. It’s deeply humbling in an honor to be sitting here next to the U S. Space Command nominee Lieutenant General Jim Dickinson as well. To begin, I’d like to introduce my wife, Maryland, sitting behind me to the committee. We ask of a lot, a lot of our military families, and I can tell you without hesitation that I would not be here without the love and support of my wife and my family. Maryland. I have been married for more than 32 years. She and is she is an amazing woman, an inspiration to many, including myself and the best teammate that I could have. We have had the privilege of raising a beautiful daughter, Molly, and welcoming our son in law, Taylor, who serves in the United States Navy into our family. Unfortunately, they’re unable to be here with us today. They have their hands full with the toddler Theo and also a second grandchild on the way do in January. I’ve been fortunate to have my incredible family by my side throughout my military journey. Today, we face ever growing threats to the homeland, threats from actors across all domains, threats that are very riel and threats that are here today. I am committed to the national defense strategy and its number one priority of defending the homeland. No mission is more sacred. We must remain prepared to threats to meet the threats head on and defend our homeland from an increasingly assertive set of peer competitors, rogue nations and non state actors who are committed to creating a new world order and influencing our freedoms and our way of life. For more than 62 years, nor Ed has served as the foundation for the defense of North America. This incredible bond, coupled with military capabilities, ensures the form edible deterrent to potential adversaries. And it’s clear symbol of the unbreakable bond between the United States and Canada. I fully understand the importance of this mission, the value of the binational partnership and the incredible responsibility that comes with wearing the head of the commander of NORAD. If confirmed, it would might be my distinct honor to lead the men and women of NORAD in this no fail mission. And the work closely with General Jonathan Vance as NORAD looks to modernize its capabilities while we continue to build on what is already an incredibly strong partnership. If confirmed, I look forward to working closely with our Mexican partners, including Secretary of National Defense General Sandoval and Secretary of the Navy Admiral who Heda, also Commodore King, new Commander of Royal Bahama Defense Force focused focusing on our common goals of security, peace and prosperity. If confirmed, I commit to this committee that I will provide my best military advice and candid views on the issues and challenges we face. And I will ensure that nor calm remains postured to defend the homeland and ready to provide timely support to civil authorities in order to eliminate suffering and ensure the safety of the American people. Chairman Inhofe Ranking member Read members of the committee Thank you again for the opportunity to appear before you today. I look forward to your questions. Thank you. General Van Herck. General Dickinson, German and off. Is it okay if we take our mask off when speaking? Yes, it is. Thank you. Chairman and off ranking member read and members of the committee. Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today. I am humbled and honored to be nominated as the commander of U S Space Command. I am thankful to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff the Secretary of Defense, into the President. United States for their trust and support. I’m honored today for the opportunity to testify alongside Lieutenant General Van Herck on a personal note. I am proud to have my family here with me today. I am a blessed man to have such a great and supporting family. First and foremost is my wife in my high school sweetheart, Angie Dickinson. We have known each other for more than 42 years and have been married for almost 34 years. Angie has dedicated her life to carrying for our four Children, while at the same time caring for the countless Army families. We have had the honor to serve alongside throughout my career. Seated next to Angie are four Children Deborah Hank, Bolivian Joe, our son in law, Matt and our daughter in law, Sarah, our oldest Deborah is an elementary school teacher, mother of three of our five grandchildren and herself an Army spouse. Her husband, Major Matt Weisner, is a U S Army infantry men and a combat veteran. Our oldest granddaughter, Reagan, recently turned nine, just made her fifth move fifth move in nine years of her life with her parents, and she is considered a true army brat Our son Hank is a newly promoted area construction superintendent. His wife, Sarah, is a neonatal intensive care nurse and the mother of two of our five grandchildren. Our daughter, Olivia, is a journalist and most recently a senior executive news producer. And finally, Joe is a recent graduate of the University of Alabama Roll Tide and is on the cusp of joining our great Army to pursue his dream of flying helicopters. Angie and I could not be more proud of our family as they represent the resiliency, toughness and service that make military kids so successful while they’re considered dependence because of me. The reality is I am dependent on them. And I would certainly not be here today if it was not for their support, sacrifice and their service to our great nation. Thank you for allowing me to introduce them today. As the current deputy commander of U S Space Command. I know well the tremendous responsibilities levied upon this command, and it’s incredible joint warfighters as I reflect on the responsibilities of the new position for which I’ve been nominated. Frankly, I’m amazed at where we are today. Just over a year ago, during General Raymond’s nomination hearing, he testified of the great alignment in our nation with acknowledging space as a war fighting domain, just like land, air, sea and cyber. Based on that alignment, we as a nation took bold steps towards protecting and defending our critical space capabilities by establishing U. S Space Command and subsequently standing up the U. S. Space force to better organize, train and equip our space warfighters as highlighted the news defense space strategy. We’re now facing the most significant transformation in the history of U. S. National security space programs. The scope, scale and complexity of the threats to our space capabilities are real and concerning we no longer have the luxury of operating in a peaceful and benign environment, and we no longer have the luxury of assuming our access to and ability to leverage the space domain is a given. All those faces, indeed a war fighting domain are actual goal is to deter a conflict from extending into space. The best way I know how to prevent that from happening is be prepared to fight and win If deterrence were to fail. Today we are the best in the world in space and If confirmed, my job will be to make sure our advantage continues to grow well into the future. The source of our strength that will make this possible is and always will be, our service members and civilians there without a doubt, the best in the world at what they do. I’m truly humbled and honored to be considered to lead these great patriots. I take this obligation or responsibility very seriously. And I assure you that if confirmed, I will continue to uphold their sacred trust. The up most of my ability. I look forward to your questions. Thank you. Oh, thank you very much. General General Chairman in North has gone to the floor to vote. I’m gonna present my statement. And then, uh, if the center of Holly still the ranking Republican and he’s available, I’ll ask him to ask his questions. And then we’ll come back and all take backs both sides. But again, let me also thank you for having the flexibility to cooperate with us, not only in the midst of votes, but in midst of a pandemic. So I appreciate at flexible spirit and can do attitude. Let me begin by thanking the families on nominees. General Van Herck, you are joined today by your wife, Maryland. And you are the proud parents of Mali. Was married to Lieutenant Taylor Scott, a Navy pilot. General Dickinson, we welcome your family here today. Your wife, Angie, or their Debra and her husband, Nature. Matt Weisner and Army officer. Your son Hank and his wife, Sarah. Your daughter Olivia. And your son Show Thank you for all your service and the sacrifices as members of military families. It’s very important to all of us, gentlemen her, if confirmed, your mission will be to protect the homeland, to deter and defeat attacks on the United States and to support civil authorities in mitigating the effects of attacks and natural disasters. He will also serve as a commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command, NORAD, which brings unique responsibilities and partnering opportunities with Canada to deter and defend against threats to our nation. As commander of North Com, you will be responsible for the operation of our homeland ballistic missile defense system. And I look forward to hearing your views on the department’s plan to improve the ground based missile defense system with an interim under layer approach while we work towards developing and deploying the next generation. In aceptar, I would also like your assessment of where we stand with tracking and discrimination sensors both ground and space based, as well as the importance of developing defenses against complicated hypersonic threats. As you know, North Com is leading the Defense Department’s contributions to the federal response to the Corona virus pandemic. More than 3 1000 military personnel are operating support of Cove in 19 operations in communities across the nation, while at the same time more than 25,000 members of military have been diagnosed with this virus since mid March. If confirmed, you will take command. As this crisis continues and as other needs from agencies may arise, particularly as we’re now in the hurricanes, you will need to balance requests for support from civil authorities with the readiness and availability of our forces. Lastly, I remain concerned with the military utility of the ongoing deployment of active duty forces to our southern border and the impacts of diverting defense funds to build a wall when we should be focusing on the challenges to our national security posed by near pier adversaries like Russia and China. As directed by the National Defense Strategy, we have needlessly committing billions of D o D dollars in support of wall that has no connection to a military threat and does not support military effectiveness. And now our military personnel continue to remain on the border while DHS is choosing deploy its personnel, some of whom dressed in unmarked camouflage, toe our own cities. I also continue to be concerned about the potential use of military forces in areas of civil unrest in this country. As North Com Commander, you would not direct this, but you would be responsible for the forces that are deployed. So I would expect you to keep utmost in your mind the proper role and focus of active duty forces in response to such events in our country. General Dickerson, you are well qualified to serve as the commander of U S Space Command. Having recently served as the commander of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command, the U. S. Space Command was inactivated in 2002 and its responsibilities and forces were merged into U S Strategic Command. Then, after nearly 17 years, U. S Space Command was reestablished last orders. Since its original creation in 1985 there have been nine commanders of U. S. Space Command, all from the Air Force. It will be the first commanding officer from the service other than the Air Force, although there are some of us who referred to it as the Army Air Corps. But we’re very old, uh, the little Children. I think this is important to point out because our combatant commands are joined commands. It is vital that the commands incorporate this perspective of all the services. The Army’s space operations officers, known as the FAA forties, are highly prized and respected across the space community. They embed themselves within the Army’s brown comment forces and are found often at the tip of the spear, using the power of space and information to enable a more effective war fighting force. I hope that your boots on the ground perspective and experience will be imparted to this command. I’m interested in hearing your views on several topics. First, I would like to know how you will shape a joint warfighting operations plan which is at the core of all combatant command. Second, during conflict in space will you have direct tasking authority over the space assets? The intelligence community control? This issue is critical because there must be no ambiguity in the chain of command. Third, what steps will you take to ensure our middle warning mission is up to date to assess an attack on our homeland, especially a new could attack? As commander of space com, you will own a vitally important system of sensors that both North com and Stratcom rely upon to inform the president of whether our homeland is under attack. This mission is more vital today than it was 60 years ago with the proliferation of long range missiles, some of which do not follow a ballistic trajectory by countries such as North Korea, China, Iran and, of course, Russia. Space Command is a sense of command and the missile warning mission. Maybe it’s most important ones again. I think both of you for your continued service and look forward to your testimony and thank you all. Both. Now, at this point in terms of getting instructions, reason with it. Uh, I have been instructed that we’re going to send a Fisher, the ranking Republican who’s on Web, Senator Fisher please. Thank you. Senator Reid, can you hear me? OK, uh, loud and clear. Okay. Great. Thank you so much. And thank you for holding this hearing today on these very, very important confirmations. I want to begin by asking Job Inherit, your predecessor general of Shaughnessy advocated for separating the scheduled for the next generation interceptor. In testimony before this committee in February, he stated quote we cannot wait 10 years to get the next year and the interceptor fielded. You’re trying to bring that left quote first. I’d ask you agree with that view? You think the capability needs to be deployed before 2030? Senator, I do agree that we need to feel the next generation capability quicker and as soon as possible. And how concerned are you that with the contract still not being awarded, our ability to accomplish this schedule is diminishing. Senator, I remain concerned, Justus. General O’Shaughnessy did last week. I discussed this with John Hill from the Missile Defense Agency. Uh, he’s looking forward next month to receiving the request for proposals that come back. I understand that North comes Number one requirement was timing and sequencing of the next generation interceptor eso. I’m optimistic. Based on my discussions with John Hill that will potentially see the next generation interceptor move further left and not have the significant gap that you’re referring to. I know that that there are proposals to develop in the interim capability that would be deployed prior to the N g. I being fielded. A separate plans supplement our GMD system with an under layer center read reference that But these options also face their own schedule and budgetary challenges. What is your assessment of the trade off of these options and the need for some additional capability and prior to N g uys appointment? Senator, my assessment is we do need to look at the current system service Life extension again. In my conversations with John Hill last week from Missile Defense Agency, he gave me some great news that the Service Life Extension, which Congress funded thank you for that is not only going to be an extension to the program but is gonna bring additional capabilities and also, uh, redundancy to the system. So I’m encouraged by that it would prevent any gap with regards to the under layer that you’re talking about. I also talked to John about that, and there’s a test upcoming The winner times that’ll take a look at some additional capabilities a Navy capability and potentially an Army capability, specifically the SM three in the fad that would give us an additional under layer capability. That system is TBD. We need to see that test first. I’m encouraged and will continue to work with the committee, the Missile Defense Agency and the department to minimize any gap, Right? I think we all need to remember that some of those systems that you mentioned or regional and when we look at the threats that we’re facing within the next 10 years, I think we need to be better there. General, I also understand that, But you could say here is limited in the unclassified environment we’re in. But can you briefly describe your level of concern about cruise missile threats to the homeland and our ability to defend against Senator thank you? Yes, it is concerning. It would be a top priority if confirmed for me. I understand right now that there’s an ongoing analysis of alternatives to take a look at that cruise missile threat. From a NORAD perspective, I look forward to working closely with our Canadian partners looking to see that analysis of alternatives to get after the cruise missile threat. If confirmed, domain awareness will be a top priority. But we have to be able to detect those threats. And so if you can’t detect them, you certainly can’t defeat him, and you can’t determine. So I would place that at the top of the priority list, man. Okay. Thank you, sir. In General Dickinson, can you talk about this steps Space Command? It’s taking too integrate with other geographic combatant commands and the importance with which you view this effort. Given the lessons learnt from the previous it aeration of space Command that was de established in 20 Senator, I look at that integration between U S Space Command and the other 10 combatant commands as one of our most critical areas that we need to focus on our ability to integrate space capabilities throughout the world Throughout the geographic command, combatant commands is essential to our globally integrated effort, warfighting capability. And we’re taking steps right now to make sure that we have that capability we have designed in the new US space Com headquarters thes integrated planning elements that were already embedding within they combatant commands. Most notably, our 1st 1 we had was a us stratcom, and we’re following up with in dope a calm eucom centcom and then the other combatant commanders. But our ability to integrate into those combatant man staffs is critical to make sure that we’re providing those space capabilities that are needed by the joint warfighter. Right? And have you have you only stood up a portion of those teams at this point? We Yes, Senator, we’ve stood up a portion of those while those teams have several people, as you can imagine on him, we do have two or three people in each of those locations. So we are growing that capability as we speak. And then we have the ability to reach back. So those that those individuals are able to reach back into space com headquarters and be able to get the support that they may require. Thank you so much. Thank you. Send to read. Thank you very much, Senator Fisher. And it’s now it’s my turn for questioning. And so, uh, let me begin with General Verne hurt from your experience on the joint staff. Can you describe what are the key factors you’re going to be looking at? As you try to anticipate the response to the Cove in 19 at North Com will be making just not just now. We’re going forward. And then you could add into that hurricanes you get at into a hole host of disruptive situations. And if you give us kind of a sense of whom were perspective, that would help be helpful. Thank you, Senator, with regards to anticipation on a routine basis. From my position is the director of the Joint Staff. We monitor the trends and the requirements across the state of the States, and we see that today you’re certainly seen trends. Texas, Florida, Mississippi, California, Arizona, etcetera. To anticipate the potential need for resource is from D. O. D. With regards to going forward and looking in a hurricane season manner. I encouraged it to tell you that we anticipated that from the Joint staff and provided a plan ord to United States Northern Command to take a look at how they would do defense support of civil authorities in this environment. And they came back with the planning estimate commanders estimate that gives how they would do commanding control of a hurricane in a cove it environment. And so we have a level to a base plan that was provided to North com that is on the shelf and ready to go in the case of a hurricane or another defense support to civil authorities. If confirmed, I look forward to get into North com and hopefully not putting that into place, but continuing to anticipate the future. Thank you. I mean, shift Teoh, your colleague General Dickinson and then back to you if time allows, generally occurs in one of the perennial issues is authority over the intelligence community and space assets. Uh, could you give us, ah, on idea whether you will have tasking authority over these assets the particular time of conflict and crisis? So, Senator, I would start off by categorizing our relationship, for example, with the National Reconnaissance Office that I’ve been able to observe since I took this job is the deputy commander is space common? I would characterize that senator as a best it’s ever been in terms of our ability to work with the sorrow way have them embedded in our operations. centers out in Colorado Springs. We we operate with them every day. We train with them, we exercise with them and we’re building our operational plans together to ensure that we’re able Teoh do the missions that we need to Together, we’ve had some recent activity that’s brought us even closer in terms of being able to work together in terms specifically with regards to your question about tasking authority. We do have a Siris of exercises that we’re working through right now that will help us get after what I just described in terms of being able Teoh work with them Teoh to provide that warfighting focus that they need to operate. Thank you, General again returning back to General Burn. Uh, what’s your assessment of the next generator? Generation Interceptor? Uh, are we assuming too much risk in the situation? We are right now with the the interceptor, Senator. My understanding is that the United States Northern Command General Shaughnessy worked closely with the Missile Defense Agency and the department in the development of the requirements for the next generation interceptor. Those requirements are my understanding is more than capable of accomplishing the mission that we need in the future. If confirmed, I’ll continue to work that closely with the intelligence community with the department. Ensure there’s no capability lapse for the next generation interceptors. Thank you. One of the issues is not just the platform we have, but the threat we face. And I think we’re all much, much more sensitive now. They’re hypersonic vehicles, Teoh non ballistic missiles that could be freaking into our area of operation. That must certainly heighten the kind of, uh, consequences and potential dangers. Is that accurate? Senator? I share your concern as well, and I would say that is accurate, specific toe hyper sonics. But they create unique challenges going forward again. Talking with John Hill. I’m very delighted to see they’re working on hyper Sonics going forward. It creates unique challenges for the the threat warning and attack assessment capability, sir. Well, I was going to ask the question to General Diggers and why it’s so important for him being an Army officer to have this job. But since that’s obvious, I will refrain from asking the question, and I will recognize centered around the ranking member once again shows his wisdom. Thank you. General Dickinson and General Van Herck. First of all, thank you and your families for decades of service to our nation. Last week, when we spoke in separate conversations, both of you mentioned the topics of space. Com Cyber com Integration and space com North com INTEGRATION What if you could take this opportunity to briefly discuss why these relationships are so important? And I I just if you could in whichever order you would like, I think it’s important toe talk about the interactions between those three. Senator, thank you. You’re absolutely correct. Those relationships are vitally important from a North com perspective reliant for indications of attack assessment with space. Com Aziz Well, as supporting from a cyber perspective, defensive capabilities. I talked to your own aka Sony as well, so really look forward to partnering with both journal Knock Sony and, if confirmed, General Dickinson to continue on a path to ensure success. I understand that the relationships between not only cyber come in the space common north com, but all the combatant commands are vitally important today with the global threat that we have each and every day. Look forward to that. If confirms. Thank you, Senator and cyber Mom. Space com relationship very, very important, critical to what we do each and every day. We both have a supporting and supported role in each other’s operations. Were getting after that, if you will, in terms of integration, through putting one of our integrated planning elements from your space come into U. S Cyber com and then actually the reverse so U S cyber com putting it integrated planning element within us space. Com This will help us in our in our efforts to make sure that as we stand up U S Space Command that we are taking the supper, implementing the cyber protection cyber capabilities that we need to right from the very beginning. So if you will a clean sheet of paper as we put us space com together and we’re going to be able to do that starting out of the ground floor by this relationship, it’s critical and as a general, Van Herp said, critical to all the other combatant commands as well, but in particular for space common cyber come where you have two domains where you don’t necessarily are able to see what’s physically what’s going on in each of those domains. So our ability to work together is incredible. I agree. And I I just think it used to be. We talked about air, land and sea, and now we clearly have to talk about space and cyberspace and without all five of them protected and coordinated together were in trouble. And so I appreciate the fact that you, both of you recognize it and want to continue to improve it. General Dickinson When we talked last week, we discussed the article that recently was written by retired Admiral Dennis Blair and former Deputy Secretary of Defense Robert Work concerning the problem of overclassification of space information. They had argued rather persuasively that overclassification results in the duplication of space systems, the lack of integration of space capabilities and training and ignorance of specific space threats among our operational forces. Can you discuss your thoughts on this issue with this committee? And I recognize that we’re not in a closed door session, but just in terms of the importance of reviewing the classifications with regard to space senator, right? That is a very important process that we need to do routinely. And so in my previous job is a commander of U. S Army space of Missile Defense Command. I saw firsthand how that overclassification, if you will, was actually making it more difficult for us to actually provide support to the warfighter. And so we have to look at that. And I read the same article. Senator and I would tell you that we have come a long ways in a short period of time in terms of that particular effort, we have looked at that in the d o d. In my last job, very extensively. We’ve already seen in the US Army how that declassification, if you will, of some of the some of the assets that we have has added to not only more soldiers being it’ll be trained and qualified on that capability, but providing that capability to the warfighter on the ground. Thank you. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Senator Manchin, please. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Thank you all for your service. Thank you for being here. Jenna Van Herck. We spoke about ensuring Northern Command’s training operations or efficient as possible. Important part of that process will include smaller scale training exercises which allow for centralized planning, decentralize execution. We talked about this yesterday, so if you could share with us. Why? I know that we are agreement on the issue. Could you share your opinions and how best to maximize the efficiency of training operations in these unique on challenging times? Thank you, Senator. I enjoyed the discussion. Yes, training opportunities are crucial. Not only the tier one large exercises, but exercises at all levels. Uh, today we have to be as efficient and effective as possible with each and every dollar training dollar that are given. And so we should look continuously at training opportunities that maximize the dollars that that Congress gives the taxpayers expect. I look forward. Toa, if confirmed, working with you to take a look it of potential opportunities for efficiency and effectiveness in training national guards. Not the national guard of our fathers, is it? I’m sorry, sir. I National Guard is not the National Guard that our fathers or grandfathers knew. Absolutely. I concur with you 100%. Today’s National Guard is in with us each and every day. And there has to be training opportunities for the National Guard. Thank you, sir. And John Dickinson. In the past few months, we’ve seen concerning signs of offensive capabilities intentions in space from our adversaries. This includes Russia’s testing Anisette light weapons last week, Iran launching a military satellite into orbit in April and China launching three imaging satellites over the course of three days last month. While these three examples vary in severity, there is no question that there signs of our adversary successful improving and investing in their space program. So what do your strategies for ensuring that space command responds to adversaries challenging US dominance in space while also avoiding perpetuating any further weaponizing of weaponization of space? Senator, I think two parts to that that I would answer first is that we have Teoh hold our competitors accountable for their actions in space. And that has actually been one of the major functions or achievements in my words. In my opinion, the first year, like 11 months of US space com being whose existence is we have the professionals now that are looking at that each and every day, using our space domain ist domain awareness capabilities toe understand what our competitors are doing in space? Do you have you have good community? I’m sorry, sir. Good communications between our adversaries who are basically really going into space and going at it with the gusto that you have good communications that let them know what’s the protocol or what we will accept what we won’t accept. Oh, are we the gatekeeper? So, Senator, where that that is actually an area that we’re working on very hard right now is establishing what we would call norms of behavior in the space domain. And so we have seen this in other domains, for example than that maritime domain where it took us some time to establish what the norms of behavior are. What are the acceptable practices in that domain? So we’re working that, and by holding our competitors accountable, we’re starting to begin to establish what we would consider the norms of behaviour or in space. That’s to establish any type of authority, has to be efficient superiority, don’t you think? Our sulfurous and our superiority in spaces Anyway, we’re going to get any of their attentions probably to work with us or to allow us to set those norms. Senator, I think from our deterrence position, you know, we deter by a position of strength. And as I said in my opening statement, we are the best in space. Thank you, sir. Gentlemen, Van Kirk. One final and I had the pleasure speaking with you yesterday, and we touched upon the importance. Uh, that’s the wrong one. In the past few months, we’ve seen concerning signs of offensive capabilities and intentions. Uh, I get that. I get this right. Oh, here it is. We’re seeing steadily increasing aggression from Russia and a growing interest from China in the region of the Arctic. I think we spoke briefly about that yesterday. Could you give an outline of some of your top priorities to counter the conventional and unconventional threats that were likely to face from both countries in that region? Sure, Senator. Thank you. The, uh, the changes in the environment of loud, more access to the Arctic with the vast amount of resource is certainly there will be competition for those Resource is whether they be, uh, oil or minerals. Both Russia and China are very interested in the Arctic. With regards to what the North com perspective would be, if confirmed is persistence. We need persistence and domain awareness in the Arctic to ensure that we’re aware and able to detect, monitor, and if needed deter. Can you speak about the partnership that we see going on between China and Russia? Partnerships in the Arctic and our allies is concerned as we are about deterring that Senator, I’m not aware of specific partnership with China and Russia in the Arctic. I assure you that our allies and partners are concerned about China’s activities and Russia’s activities in the Arctic. I look forward to talking to you more about that. We just did a trip in the already when we was very interesting and hearing from the Arctic nations, uh, up their their concerns. And what activities? Air seeing now. Yes, sir. Thank you, sir. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Thank you. Uh, with the going back and forth and voting with the two votes, I did my opening statements, but I didn’t. I had two questions. I was going to ask the beginning. Now, if they’ve already been asked while I was out voting, you can you can just skip that over And what that would be. First of all, General Van Herck, the, uh, from the opening statement you mentioned your support for the national defense strategy. That’s this document here that we all are adhering to and the defense of our homeland being number one priority, also mentioned that threats to the homeland are here now. So can you expand a bit on the strategic environment that you would expect your face when you’re confirmed is north con Where have you already respond? And to that question, Senator, I have not. All right, you’re If confirmed, I would expect a very dynamic environment over 32 years of service. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a strategic and dynamic of a national security challenge that we have today. Over the last three decades, our competitors and potential adversaries have watched the United States and our way of deterring our way of competing and are underway in conflict. They have taken the opportunity to adapt of that environment by watching us specifically China and Russia. Across all domains, Russia develops strategic capabilities such as their submarines, which now are a significant challenge for tracking and put posed the potential for cruise missiles that can strike the homeland. China will do the same in the not too distant future as they continue to develop their capabilities and become mawr expeditionary. Russia will continue with their cruise missile development, which is a significant challenge that we talked about earlier as well DPRK with the nuclear capability and the potential distracted homeland. Iran, although not having a nuclear capability at this time, continues down a path developing space capability which could translate into an I C B M capability. And, of course, their state state sponsors of terrorism on their proxies will continue attacks on the Western nations as well. A couple that with the CEO and also transnational criminal organizations. I expect a full challenge if confirmed as the North Camp commander, sir very good. And Joe Dickinson, the National Defense Strategy. Great Power competition, in your view, does the 2018 nds accurately assess the current strategic environment as it pertains to the domain of space? Senator? I think it it does. And when I look across the spectrum of competitors that we’re looking at today in particular two of them China and Russia are very active. But we’ve seen that over the last few years, particularly with China in 2007. But their anti director sent an and I satellite capability tests that they have demonstrated their proliferation of jammers and directed energy. Similarly, Russia has been in the news the last couple of weeks, actually, last few months in terms of what they’re doing on orbit in terms of a dancing, their capabilities, North Korea, and in particular again, not not advancing quickly in this space domain, but is definitely using that in terms of developing missile technology and likewise with Iran, their ability to put satellites into orbit, albeit not as capable, still is still able to demonstrate that missile technology to do that. So So, Senator, Chairman, I would just tell you that they are active and I agree with the the the NDS. Yes, thank you very much, Senator. She being thank you, Mr Chairman General. Then her cause, you know, this administration has attempted to divert billions and funding for Department of Defense counter drug activities, including monies that have been dedicated to the Joint Task Force North counternarcotics mixed mission for the construction of a border wall commander of Shaughnessy. When he was before this committee stated that he recommended to the secretary that counter drug mission funding not be diverted to border wall construction, would you agree that this funding should remain dedicated to the North. Com Counter Narcotics Mission. Senator. Thank you. Uh, I would have to go to the border and assess, if confirmed, to make a rational judgment. At this time in general, I would support and say that counternarcotics funding is crucial to the mission. But again, I have not been to the border to make that assessment. Well, can you comment on any ways that you think that North Com counter Narcotics mission can be improved or modernized or be more effective than it currently is to disrupt drug trafficking by national transnational criminal organizations? Senator, my understanding is the North Commission is in support of the Department of Homeland Security. Homeland security has capability gaps right now that North Commission is in support through operational support, infrastructure support, aviation support and detection and monitoring. If confirmed, I commit to go to the border quickly and make an assessment of that mission and provide candid Nona’s feedback when appropriate. Thank you. I appreciate that. Um, as you know, when this has been referred to obviously north com includes the Arctic and can you speak to your plans to continue the research that’s been undertaken in engineering new technologies for cold weather adaptability. You may know that the cold regions Lab, the Army’s Cold Regions Lab, is in Hanover, New Hampshire, and it provides a lot of research and, um, is capabilities that the Army continues. And as we’re looking at a situation where we really haven’t had a major Northern conflict since the Korean War, how important it is to have that kind of research and adaptability that can be used by our services, Senator, that is incredibly important. As I mentioned earlier, you know, persistence is what’s crucial in the Arctic and have persistent. You have to be equipped and trained and capable and have the equipment to do that. I have confirmed I commit to you that I’ll continue to look in that. That’s really a service perspective on the development. I worked closely with any of the service chiefs to ensure that the equipment for any forces Allocator signed in North com have what they need to compete and deter in the Arctic. Well, thank you. We hope that you will also come and visit the Cold Regions Lab in Hanover and see exactly what their capabilities are. I think you’ll find the research they do there is gonna be of great importance, Senator, if confirmed, I look forward to that. Thank you. General Dickinson, can you talk about how you envision the National Guard and Reserve? As you think about, um, how we use their skill sets in both space command and maintaining our superiority in the space domain. Senator, I think their reserve component in particular for space is incredibly important. My experience in my last job is the U. S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command Commander was I was very impressed with the reserve component contributions to the Army space mission, those same professionals or supporting U. S Space Command now And they are They’re so important our mission that we can’t do that every day unless we have them. And I see that only getting stronger on more of a part of our command is as we continue to mature. I do know there is some work going on in the department now to look at what the future might be for that. But what I can speak about today is the fact that we have National Guardsmen and reservists both from the Air Force and from the army right now performing space missions and supporting U. S. Space Command. Thank you. I hope. I hope that will continue, and you will continue to evaluate how they can contribute to the mission. Um, as I’m sure you’re aware, the number of our commercial and military silent satellites are proliferating, and the tracking of those objects has become increasingly important. Right now, the Air Force is playing this role at the federal level. But as I’m sure you’re aware, there’s discussion about moving some of these responsibilities to the Department of Commerce. As the ranking member of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations subcommittee, I, along with Chairman Moran, have requested additional information about what moving this operation from D. O. D. To the Department of Commerce would entail how many personnel what other changes would be required. We haven’t yet received an answer to our request. Even though it’s been a number of months. Can you talk about what concerns you might have about moving those capabilities from D. O. D. To the Department of Commerce, if any? Or do you think this is a great idea? A senator. So my opinion is that I think it is a good idea. I think it’s Ah uh, the future and where we need to move. That is, as you mentioned, the space domain is becoming much more cluttered, populated, if you will, with the proliferation of of satellites, technology and for end brief, for that matter. And so I think, as we move forward to in order to make sure that we do it, the most efficient and safe in the most safest manner is that we should look towards that. And if confirmed, I would look forward working, working that particular issue with with you and your committee. Well, thank you. My time is up. But I think we would like to get back to you on what you think will be required in order to do that successfully. Thanks very much, Mr. Thank you, Mr Chairman. And thank both of you for being here. Thank you both as well for a very interesting phone conversations. Or I guess we met in person in your cases and grateful for that. I was encouraged by it quite honestly. And so I probably have more questions than time, but will submit the rest for later. I wanted to follow up. General been hurt with our discussion, but over the horizon. Radar. As I think I mentioned you, um, the lab in the Air Force lab and and nor anything did a North NORAD north Com did a test in North Dakota Camp Grafton, which is a national Guard, um, camp and facility. And our our feedback was that the results were far extended, actually, far far exceeded the expectations. And I just be interested in your knowledge of over the horizon right now what you see coming, if anything and how you think it might play out. Sure, Senator, um, anything that enhances our capability for domain awareness is going to be crucial specifically with regards to ballistic missile and cruise missile capabilities, a longer range, and to keep an eye on what may be going on over the Arctic and beyond. Specific to the test. I don’t have the details. I’ll get those from a Pharrell have confirmed but specific. We’re looking for this further discrimination, a suspicious, especially with ballistic missiles as they get more advanced, and the technology with debris and decoy kind of information would be crucial, and any of those radar capabilities would help us with that. It was around the top of vibrator May by throwing out that both of you could weigh in on, Um, we talked about the radar station at Cavalier that is a a space force station. Our and uh, has been there since the 19 seventies. It’s it looks, it’s age, but I’m wondering about the data that’s collected there. Is it still relevant? And is there more that could be done in terms of modernizing the space station at Cavalier for awareness? And we could start with General Center that the data that comes from that is absolutely critical to our missile warning architecture that we have throughout North America as well as the rest of the world in terms of ah, theme, age of the radar and those types of things I can speak from from a position of us space com have confirmed that that I would take a look at those capabilities and put the demand or the requirements to the US Space Force on work with General Raymond on improving, if that’s what we need to dio. So that leads to why wasn’t planning to be the follow up to that? But it makes perfect sense since we got that at Cavalier, and we’re still waiting for results. And to see just how specific and how clear images could be from over the horizon radar, the northern tier becomes important. You would talk a little bit about the Arctic, but there’s not a lot between Minnesota and you know, Michigan and say Montana and accept North Dakota and some some other important states. But what I’m sort of wondering about it as relates to the to the Arctic itself. And should an attack come from over Saskatchewan or Manitoba, you know, Are we prepared for that? Do we have the right equipment? We have enough tankers and bombers and response weapons. If something like that should happen, maybe General Van Herck, you’d be logical, Senator. My understanding is that the current ballistic missile defense system is capable of defending against the intended threat that we have today with regards to ah, bombers and additional threats. The cruise missile threat certainly is a concern, and that would be a top priority if confirmed. For me and and domain awareness, it goes back to your radar question, having awareness Azaz of what is coming over the rise in. So if confirmed. I look forward to partnering with you and the committee to ensure we get after that threat before my time runs out. I do want associate myself with some of the issues raised by Senator Shaheen with regard to a garden, and I know that there’s a process for doing that. I think a deliberative process, slow process doesn’t have to be done the way it’s always been done. Let’s just say that so with regard to space, I appreciate that. The only other thing I bring up that this point is, um, with General Dickinson. When General Raymond did visit Ground Force in the University of North Dakota in January just after being named chief, he did, he told the University of North Dakota. They’d be a great fit for a space related U. A r C University affiliated research centres. Since then, we know that has changed from a consortium of schools to a competition for a school or a group of schools, and the process has slowed down. So because we understand it’s going to Space command, not for space force that would actually run the York. So how do you envision a Space York coming together, and I certainly I asked that question also with the, um the statement that we sure hope that you India’s very seriously considered in a partner, Senator, that is a program as the deputy U. S. Space Command. Right now, that is a program that we’re actively looking at right now. We we understand the value, the absolute value of having a you arc as part of that. In my previous assignment, I was a chief of staff at us Stratcom, where we we leverage that you arc very well within that combatant command. And as we stand up U S Space Command, we’re looking at the best practices right now across the other combatant commands in the department to see how best to stand that up, to meet the needs that we’re gonna have And I envision over the next nine months or so that will have a that that program will come together in a formal way. I appreciate that. I’m just close by just again reminding you that way. Our northern tier state with important assets, academic and talent, and others, as well as a well positioned to both defend the Arctic and play a role in space. And with that, I thank you. Think you said a bloomin though. Thanks, Mr Chairman. Thank you both for your service and to your families as well. And thank you for being here today, Lieutenant General Ban hurt, uh, at the time that you are testifying here today, Attorney general bars testifying before a house committee, the Judiciary Committee on the use off federal policing forces against protesters in Oregon and elsewhere in the country. The question of the use of military force has also been raised. In fact, the president has raised it as a possibility. Would you agree with me that the American military should never be used to suppress First Amendment free expression center? Uh, what I would say is the American military should be the absolute last resort to be utilized. In any case, the first utilization should occur from local authorities than state and federal law enforcement. But the Constitution of the law allows for the use of force is if required. But it would be the absolute last resort, but not to suppress First Amendment rights. Because wouldn’t you agree that would be an illegal order if it were Ch’ti. Senator, I fully support protests of the First Amendment type. Exactly as you stated, there should be freedom to your First Amendment at any time. What concerns me is the protests that turned violent on those concerned me significantly. We can’t have that in the nation. We have to have abide by laws. And so ah, last resort would be the use of the military. And I agree with you that violence and law breaking that involves a threat of physical injury is to be deterred and to be prosecuted when it violates the law. But how would you? How would you decide whether military force is, in fact, needed, if ever, as a last resort to protect individual rights, as was done, for example, in the South at the time of desegregation, as has been done elsewhere? But I have seven today proposed legislation. It’s called the Civil Act that would essentially make the president certify or report explained to Congress why and whether troops are necessary. Right now, he can send troops abroad, and he must report back to Congress under the War Powers Act. He’s accountable to Congress specifically, by statute, there’s no such requirement. If he used his American troops against American citizens. How would you decide by what criteria? Whether forces necessary. And would you support legislation that would require some accountability to Congress? Senator, my understanding is that if confirmed as a commander of North Com, it would not be my decision to make the use of force decision that would come from the president to the Secretary of Defense as a direction. What I can assure you is, if if I felt I was being given an illegal, immoral or unethical order that I’m obligated to not follow that order with regards to your second question about supporting legislation, uh, I’m going to stay out of the policy aspect of that. If that law is enacted center, I will support it 100%. And let me ask you, finally, you’re familiar with what was done in Lafayette Park? Correct? I am for those National Guard troops within your, uh, purview, Senator, are you talking about in my current job or, if confirmed, a future job? And the answer is really neither those those National Guard troops. But we’re not Allocator assigned to us North commas. My understanding. What about the use of Air Force or Air National Guard assets potentially over organ. And I don’t know whether you’ve seen the report that there was some form of surveillance in these of an Air Force Plain center. I’m aware of that report. What I understood was it was a test mission that the United States Air Force had scheduled months in advance. It happened to coincide and was noticed, but there was no mission assignment to support anything on the ground in order. Let me just ask you, finally, will you commit as the commander of North com that you would report to us if, as about use of any military force involving American citizens, as we’ve been discussing to make sure I understand your question, are you talking about the proposal you have to enact? No. Let me let me rephrase it. I’m sorry. It was unclear. Would you, uh, report to us about the use of military force against American citizens in any incident after it occurred? Senator, I’ll answer that in two parts. First if directed and a lawful order to execute with military force. I will follow that. If this committee I would like to discuss that. Absolutely. I would come to discuss that. Thank you. Thanks very much. Thank you, Senators. Philip. Thank you, Mr Chairman. And, gentlemen, congratulations on your nominations. And thank you for your decades of service to our nation. Gentlemen, Herrick, I wanna talk a lot about your responsibility as the it in this important position with regard to your responsibilities overseeing the Arctic. I’ve been in the Senate 5.5 years. We’ve made very significant progress on focusing on this. Not because the Pentagon’s been focusing has been primarily this committee bipartisan way. Um, you know, we started the previous North con commander when I was here. Wasn’t that focused on the article hall? It’s got increasingly better. General Shaughnessy has been fantastic. So can you give me your sense of, um, you know, the great power competition that is occurring in the Arctic and what we need to do, I think we’re, unfortunately, way behind. But the Congress, the United States has been really pressing this issue to get the Pentagon toe wake up. And I think Pentagon is finally waking up. I give a lot of credit. General Shaughnessy. Um, Secretary of the Air Force. You may have seen Mr Chairman I would like to submit this. For the record, the new department of the Air Force Arctic strategy came out last week is a really good document again. 5.5 years of the Obama administration Arctic strategy in this hearing in this committee I referred to as a joke because it was 13 pages, six of which were pictures. Climate change is mentioned like six or seven times. And Russia was mentioned once in a footnote in China wasn’t even mentioned. So it’s a changing situation now. Can you give me your views? And then I’d like to ask some specific issues with regard toe the Arctic without objection that will be made a part of the record this morning. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Thank you, Senator. Uh, I see tremendous value in the the Arctic. Specifically if confirmed, what I would focus on is enabling persistence. And I’m encouraged by the strategy strategy that you talked about from the Air Force. I have read it. I think it is a great step in the right direction. China and Russia, as you asked about tremendous resource, is in the Arctic Russia, specifically using the militarization, taking approximately a dozen or so bases any of the reopening or opening to have significant influence in the Arctic. China calls himself a near Arctic nation, which I find hard to believe, but they do. But certainly they wanna have. Persistence in the Arctic is well. That demands persistence of the United States as well in my mind, and to do that would require some capabilities. I understand that. Journal Shaughnessy, North com have a requirement for fuel north of Dutch Harbor that couldn’t enable some a distant some additional capabilities for persistence. Communications will be a significant challenge. I understand That’s the number one priority for General Shaughnessy. Right now we have, ah third of that requirement in the nd a this year. So we’re making progress there, too? Yes, And so we sincerely appreciate that, Senator, that is crucial above northern In the northern latitudes, communication allows commanding control as well. And to deter and defend, you have to be able to command and control the forces. And so you have to have the infrastructure to support that. Let me ask about infrastructure General, just again this week. It hardly week goes by without a new, uh, media. Ah, an article or something in the press about the Arctic. Pompeo says US. Expand Arctic Roll to deter Russia and China That was in The Washington Post two days ago. Yesterday in The Wall Street Journal. There’s a huge article. Huge China’s move to buy Arctic Goldmine Draws fire in Canada as world powers seek dominance in the Arctic region. Opponents purchase Opponents of purchase say blocking deal is in Canadians National interest. You’re gonna be working closely with Canadians as you mentioned in your opening statement on this, and then the president just a month ago put out from him the memorandum on safeguarding US national interests in the Arctic and Antarctic reasons. I’d like to submit this for the record, Mr Chairman, but, um, what the president is asking you, the secretary, defense secretary, State secretary Homeland Security is look at that issue of infrastructure, his memo says. We need more ice breakers, and we need a presence of at least to us basing locations for these new icebreakers. Do you think it would make sense to put one of those basing locations in the part of America that actually is the Arctic senator? I do think it makes sense. And if confirmed, I continue to work with you in this committee to ensure that we get after that. Great. Thank you, General. Thank you, Mr Chairman. It gives Senator Hirono. I ask every nominee on any of the committees on which I sit the following to question. So I’ll ask you gentlemen the following to push. Since you became a legal that don’t have you ever he unwanted request for sexual favors or committed any verbal or physical harassment or assault of a sexual gauger. Start with you, general. Better No, Senator Dickinson, No Senator. Second question. Have you ever faced discipline or entered into a settlement related to this son of carpal? No, Senator. No, Senator. Thank you. You’ve been asked. This is where General, then her keeping asked a number of questions. And should you be confirmed, um, to your foot to the position con fermenter, uh, some questions along the lines of involvement in civilian protests. So we in recent weeks, we have seen disturbing levels of violence. He’s against American citizens exercising their right to protest. Assuming that you are confirmed. What kind of chaining will the forces under your Herm You get to deal with non violent protesters if Air called up Senator, if forces are called to be utilized, they would get training on the standing rules for the use of force and any training that would involve being in close proximity or with civilians. So is there any kind of training that you are are aware of that deals with the civilian nonviolent protesters such as G s killer Addition training? Do you think there should be specialized training for forces that are used to dealing in the military context when they are in a civilian context? Senator, I I do believe that if anybody from the military is going to be put into that situation, that we a senior leaders owe them the proper training. What I would tell you is if I am confirmed and if put into that situation, I will insure 100% that anybody put into that situation will have the proper training before they are put in there. So it would seem that you would be able to give me expletive it that you will do everything possible in your role as the North Com commander to ensure that forces under your purview do not, but I like the rights of American citizens when providing support to civilian authorities. Senator, I commit to you, have confirmed and put into that position where forces are going to be put in proximity to support either a federal agency or via on act where they’re in charge, that they will get the most training possible before they get put into that situation. And while you said that made a decision will be made by the president as a commander, I think you have some responsibility to make your own decisions. For example, General Milley apologize for his presence had left you square during the photo op of the president. So he was exercising his own judgment. And you may be called upon to exercise their own judgement too. I’m sure with the commitment that you are making today, you were asked about the importance of the A M National Guard and and provided support to escape the space. Come. And just for General Dickinson, uh, Jenna, show senator shaking her, had asked you some questions. And I just wanted to know that this year it was announce of the Boy Air National Guard has been selected to have one of four national offensive. Ah Skase controls Georgians and understand that the white your National Guard, is in the process of establishing ready to 93rd stay Central’s SWAT based at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kawai. So thank you very much for acknowledging the importance of their role in medium. Please come or did so. That’s not a question. I do have a question for you to General Dickinson. We know that you’re going to need a lot of qualified people you need with the Sam backgrounds. As we said upstairs space time and given the competition for talent across the Stem and Cyber Communities Hall, will you work with the military services to ensure that speaks thumb? Has the technical experts needed for mission in BiH speech to May? And what will you do to attract minorities, including women, to service in sleaze? Calm Senator, That’s it. That’s the question, is, is one of talent management is I think, what you asked me and how are we going to attract good talent from the stem stem of stem curriculum into the United States Space Command and my overall assessment being the deputy for about six or seven months now. And in my former job, U. S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command is we’ve got tremendous interest from our young population wanting to come and be a part of the space enterprise, whether it’s a commercial civil or in this case military. And so our ability to attract young. I think we’ve got a lot of people that want to come serve and a lot of young adults that want to serve their nation in this capacity. So I’m encouraged by by the numbers of people that are interested in doing that. And I think we as a department and if confirmed as the U. S. Space com commander, is that we need to have mechanisms in place that will attract at young Town. In my last job, we had a very robust scholarship program and opportunity for internships out of some of our universities across the country, and I would look to expand that so that we can maintain that that knowledge base in that expertise within the within the command. I hope that you will make concerted efforts to encourage minorities, which include Emma Teoh, uh, jobs based on, because there certainly a lack of encouragement for minorities and women and understand area. So I hope we will have a focus of effort. Teen age for student. Thank you. So your modem, Senator Cotton. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Thank you, gentlemen, for your parents. And congratulations on your nomination, General. Then hurt. I will speak about the nuclear threat facing the American people are lead negotiator for the new start treaty. Marshall Billingslea has warned that China is in the midst of what he calls an alarming crash nuclear buildup. We also have significant flaw in the existing new start regime. And then it does not capture Russia Significant advantage in what are variously called low yield, tactical or battlefield nuclear weapons. I don’t see much difference between tactical and strategic nuclear weapons. That’s both are devastating. As the Northern Command commander, you will have the Homeland Airspace defense mission. And so, from a military standpoint, do these two do these twin threats concern you. Are you worried about the risk of nuclear overmatch when Russia and China’s forces are combined to get to the United States Senator a specific? I’m confident and I’ve talked to Admiral Richard with our deterrent capability today that we can deter both China and Russia with regards to ah toe the new start specifically entering into a treaty that would put us at a disadvantage with one or the other. That would have to be something that I would have to really take a look at. I would be concerned about that, Senator General, I’m confident in our ability to turn that threat today as well. But what about in the next 5 to 10 year period? You concerned that what Mr Billingsley refers to the crash nuclear buildup in China could put us in a position in the near future, where we face a combined nuclear force of China and Russia that is greater than ours and therefore, that we cannot effectively deter center? I’ll, uh, I need to get smarter on that, to be honest it. But right now I understand that our deterrence has the capability to deter both. Now, with that being said, I am concerned with what I see about China, their rapid build up in their change of strategy with their nuclear weapons. If confirmed, I commit to you to work with you in this committee and the intelligence community to continue to monitor that. If I ever felt that there was over match, then I’m going to speak a loud as anybody in the room, sir. Thank you. Appreciate General General Dickinson. Russia has just announced that it will deploy hypersonic nuclear strike weapons with its navy. I know that counter hot hypersonic air already a top priority of the Department of Defense. Yet we currently have only minimal capability to detect these weapons throughout most of their very short, like profile. Do you believe a space based sensor layer eyes one of the most critical capabilities the department needs to detect and track hyper Sonics? Senator, I in my opinion, yes. We need to have a space based Ah, monsieur Morning kor detection capability. That is absolutely critical. Teoh, solve this problem with hyper sonics. Our ability to see that threat early in the in the sequence or the in the kill chain of that is absolutely critical to our success in defeating it. So I would look, if confirmed Teoh advocate for that capability in terms of building out a space based sensor layer to believe that Congress is sufficiently funding development of that capability at present, Senator my understanding is Ah, I believe it is at this point, you testify in the future, and senators imply that they’re ready to give you more money. You shall we say that you take it if you could get it, Okay. If confirmed, Senator, I would advocate for that. All right. Thank you again for your Parents Day branch Relations on your nomination, Mr Chairman, I will yield back the balance of my time. Thank you, Senator Kaine. Thank you, Mr Chair. These witnesses, I think, are very, very qualified for the positions for which they’ve been nominated. And I applaud you for your service. I have a plea. That’s really more of a plea for the committee that I have a question for each of you in the plea for the committee is sort of a I’m just gonna stated his heartfelt as I can. Um, I believe that this committee did really, really good work on the national offense authorizing act, and it passed by an 86 14 vote. And I think the chair and ranking did superb work with the staff and helping pull it together. It contains everything. It’s 1160 pages. It’s troop pay raises in its protection for military families and its shipbuilding and ship repair and its strategic advances on issues that my colleague Senator Cotton raised about wa way. It is a very complex bill, and the chair and ranking did a wonderful job with the committee. And then they did a wonderful job on the floor, and there were dozens and dozens and dozens of amendments added by not only arm services committee members, but members who are not on the committee. That’s to their credit. A similar bill passed the House with over a 2/3 vote. I don’t believe everything I read in the newspaper or tweets, but I was discouraged this weekend when I read that because President Trump does not like one port part of the bill, a bill that establishes a process for renaming military bases currently named after Confederates and three of those bases air in Virginia. I voted for the provision to establish the renaming process. But because he does not like one piece of the bill, there’s some consideration being given to either removing that even though it was in both sides, both the House and the Senate’s bills or delaying getting the bill to him. For that reason, I just want to plea that we not let base is named for Confederate generals, and the issue of those names become the dominating important issue that would bogged down a very good defense authorizing pill for three reasons. Number one. The priorities in the bill pay raises, shipbuilding, our nuclear deterrence are vastly vastly more important in the Confederate naming provision, regardless of how you feel about the provision or how people voted on it. Number two. This is the single most important piece of legislation I work on in a year in the Senate. And I would venture to say that members of the committee probably feel the same way. And for a place like Virginia, where I’ve got the Pentagon, the largest concentration of sort of military administrative power in the world. Quantico, where every Marine officer is trained. Norfolk, the largest seat of naval power in the world. This is the bill, the end days, that bill, where I have my entire communities asking me what’s gonna be for the pay raise. What do you don’t? For military families, they are on the edge of their seats every year about this bill, and they want to know what’s in it. And then when it passes, I put out a press release stating what’s in it, and then communities start to plan around it. President Trump tweeted out over the weekend that he was assured that the Confederate provision would somehow be removed. That puts uncertainty in tow. All of the things that I’ve mentioned people in Virginia about this bill, I don’t think we should inject uncertainty over the good priorities in this bill over an issue that is more minor important. Finally, the other reason that I would just urge us not to let the Confederate issue wag the dog in this case is this. This committee is the only place in the Senate work. I think we do this right. I hold this committee up all the time I’ve had to Republican chairman and one Democratic chairman of my eight years in the Senate. It’s the one part of the Senate that I actually think works where the chairman and ranking are open toe, letting every member offer amendments and get him voted up or down, and only when there are none left to offer do we declare it done. And then on the floor that share and ranking work assiduously with members of both parties to clear as many amendments as possible. I hold this up on all my other committees. Why can’t we do it this way? Why can’t we do it like the Armed Services Committee does? And I would hate to see that in the very predictable instance where we might see an issue different than the president. President Obama wanted to pull out funding for the refueling of a carrier, but we didn’t let that stop us. We got differently and we did it. And there been things where we disagreed with President Trump on. That’s what we do. But we shouldn’t be playing Mother. May I? With the president, we should do what we’re gonna dio, and then we should let the president do what the president’s going to do. But I don’t think we should let a minor issue dominate and slowed out in this bill. So that is my earnest plea of my colleagues and of the Senate and of the conferees. My question is this. Our chair and ranking did a good job during the month of April were quarantined and keeping us informed about how the D. O. D. Is dealing with the Corona virus issue. We had a weekly call and we were digging into it. But because of the outbreak on the Roosevelt, a lot of the discussion was about that. Should you each be confirmed in your positions, how will you deal with sort of the Corona virus and trying to, you know, keep your team safe and operating at a high level of effectiveness and efficiency? Should you be confirmed in your new role? Have you given that some thought, or what experiences you have in your current role that you bring to bear on that issue? Should you be confirmed, Senator, Thank thank you very much, Yes, I have given that some thought as the director of the Joint Staff, and if confirmed, North Com would continue to think about that. The department has put in a four tier process for testing to ensure that the mission continues. So Tier one nuclear forces, for example, four tier process to ensure that that folks Aer tested and if positive, they are quarantine accordingly. This is all about continuing with the mission, so Yes, Senator. I would continue with that process if confirmed in addition to that following the CDC guidelines and the policies of the department that are put in place to keep the mission effective and keep the force ready. If confirmed, I I I look forward to partner with you, the committee to ensure we can get through this. Thank you, General Dickerson. Senator, My current job is the deputy U S. Space Command. We we’ve gone through very, very detailed planning to make sure that we have accounted for the Corona virus in terms of making sure that our space mission areas have been protected from it. A Z you can imagine, Senator, we’ve got many no field missions within the command right now that we’re using and our ability toe take the guidance that we’ve received from d o D. Take that imparted into and are planning. Process is really we’ve had a good success story to this date in terms of making sure we preserve that space capability for the nation. And if confirmed, I will continue to do that and work with the committee as well as the department. Thank you both. I look forward to supporting both your nominations, Senator Jones. Thank you, Mr Chairman. On And thank both of our witnesses for your service and for your willingness not to continue to serve. Let me first. I want to strongly associate myself with Senator Cain’s comments about the nd a and every provision in it, including the removal of the Confederate names. I think that is it is so important right now. That and if if you know, if the president wants to continue to be on the wrong side of history on that point and that’s his prerogative. But this committee, Aziz Well, as the Senate of the United States and the House of Representatives have decided, they’re going to be on the right side of history on this. And I am hopeful that we can get this across the finish line and do all those great things that we have set out to do when we first started. Ah, consideration of that bill. General Dickinson. Thank you for shout out the roll tide Shout out earlier today. Um and also I appreciate the fact that your son, who just graduated is going to be training. If I helicopters, I’ll tell you, my son also just graduated, and right now he’s just kind of hovering around our house, waiting to go to law school or graduate school or something. But thank you for that. I do want to ask about your time in Huntsville. And as you are well aware with Space Command, uh, Huntsville was one of the finalists to be this headquarters for Space Command that got changed recently on that process has been reopened. And in a hearing last year, actually, a couple of hearings have raised concerns about that. I was pretty upset that that had been reopened because it seemed to me that there were some presidential politics coming into play. Secretary Esper. Secretary Barrett assured me that was not the case, but I still have my doubts. But the one thing that Secretary Esper talked about was the fact that no decision was going to be made. So I have two questions for you. A new question decision made before the election. So I have two questions. Did you talk a little bit? You’ve been in Hunt’s full is the head of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command. Did you tell? Talk to us a little bit about the importance of Hunt’s full in the operations there to our overall mission in space. Senator, My personal experience from being the commander in this Army space missile against command was that Huntsville is a great place to live in a great place to work. And I would tell you that my wife and I we enjoyed of the community as well in Huntsville, Alabama, and it does have, As you know, Senator has a lot of, ah, a lot of capabilities there in terms of this face enterprise with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, those types of activities along with Missile Defense Agency. So there are some. There is a lot of technical base, if you will. That’s ah indigenous, if you will in Huntsville, Alabama. Well, thank you. My next question about that is that if you know, I know that the basing decision is not going to be yours to make. But if confirmed, a za next commander of space com will you support Secretary Esper in keeping his promise about timing on And will you commit to offer your best military advice about the headquarters location based on the needs of the command and not the desires of political leaders. Senator I support Secretary Esper and his Ah, in his concept for the basing decision that will be made. I feel that it is, in my opinion, a fair, transparent, holistic look that will be done and is already underway. And at the end of that, Senator, I I will provide my best military advice if asked for that opportunity to the Secretary of Defense. Thank you, General. General Ben Hurt real quick. I know you and Senator Reid discussed about the lessons for any pandemic that may occur in the future. And I’m assuming that we’re also looking for the military. It lessons learned. I’d like to ask you real quick about the two hospital ships that we have the comfort on the mercy. I think that they were launched in 1976 in converted the hospital ships in 86. Would you agree that those hospital ships provide an important capability that we wanna have in future pandemics? And would you support in trying to modernize those assets and maybe increasing the number of those type of assets? Senator, I agree that those hospital ships are crucial to our warfighting and any response and execution of any oh, plan of specific to their modernization, If that is a way forward. Absolutely. I would support that to ensure that we keep that critical capability for the future. Great. Thank you, General. Thank you both for your service. Thank you, Mr Chairman. Well, thank you. And before going to our last member, which would be Senator Duck Worth the last two Democrats to speak. Both made quite an issue out of that wouldn’t statement that the president has made. And I’d like to clarify a little bit because I happen to agree with that statement that he made. It’s ah, it’s an objective on an objection to trying to rewrite the history of America. Now, I was stationed many years ago of a station and Fort Lee, Virginia. So I know a little bit about have a little bit of personal background in that, And I think there are a lot of people who just legitimately I don’t want to disregard the history of this country as actually happened. And that’s a legitimate concern. Senator Duck Worth. Thank you, Mr Chairman. I do think that it is important to remember history soon. You should never repeat itself, but a soldier I did not care to be serving at Fort Rucker, Alabama. I love what record I love. Don’t the enterprise was our area had some wonderful times there, but I certainly did not appreciate copy posted to a base name for a trader of raised arms against our nation. I’m general can hurt Our country is facing a daunting challenges. A definite pandemic has killed more than 148,000 Americans in a matter of months, and economic recession is battering our country. And members of the National Guard have been ordered to intervene or their fellow Americans exercise their First Amendment rights, a situation that has both troubled those concerned about the state of civil military relations and taste many of our parts. Man in a difficult situation at the center of public debate, the resiliency of our country and our government is truly being tested. The National Guard has not been exempt from this, and you’ve had this to special partially already. Today, the guards domestic contributions have been simply staggering. The National Guard has activated thousands of citizen soldiers and airman domestically while continuing to carry out regularly scheduled missions and overseas. That is why earlier this week, the national reached a new peak of over a shoot mentioned 120,000 personnel mobilized for wide. In your own words, gentlemen hurt. Can you tell me how you see the National Guard’s role in the execution of North calms missions? Thank you, Senator. The National Guard, as you point out, is doing incredible things all around the globe, and I think today it’s it’s over. Almost 70,000 Guardsmen, not only in the United States but abroad, but the National Guard plays a crucial role in the North. Com mission. Defense support of civil authorities is crucial across all 50 states and in territories to ensure that linked and ready to go that North Com routinely trains and works with the National Guard and the States. And so that relationship is vitally important. What I would commit to you if confirmed, as I will continue to do that. I worked closely with General Hawkinson as he gets in the seat on all the governors and the tags as well. That’s a crucial mission, man. Thank you. Thank you. In mid May, during the height of Corbett 19 response efforts. I was alerted to friction points between National Garden North. Com There appears to be a lack of first hand experience among North home leadership concerning how the national court response occurs at the state level. In the past, the deputy commander in North Com was required to be a National Guard officer. Now that position is open to any reserve component officer, not necessarily a guards. If a commander or deputy commander North Calm does not have much experience with the National Guard or hold manned missions, it can be hard to understand many of the guards complexities. For example, the National Guard ran into issues with North, um, feeling to appoint dual status commanders. Fortunately, the guard was able to address these issues, but not every situation will afford the luxury of time. Gentlemen hurt have confirmed. How do you plan to increase the North com Senior leaderships understanding of the National Guard’s complexities and its mission requirements and, if confirmed, will you commit to recording and publishing North obsolescence? Slur from its response to Corbett 19 and civil unrest to ensure North call does not experienced similar difficulties in the future. Thank you, Senator with with their guards to the first question. If confirmed, I would work closely to ensure that all the senior leadership gets a proper training on exposure to the key National Guard leadership. With regards to the lessons learned, the department is going through a process right now to capture lessons learned from Cove It I commit to you in this committee that we will share those lessons learnt on if confirmed from a north perspective, implement those lessons learned it will be crucial thank you General Arabic, and said, I just have a minute left my questions on the decision and timing on the headquarters of locations have been asked. I just wanted Teoh make you and your family for your service, but also to let your son if you could relay a message to your son, tell him real pilots fly air assault. Well, thank you so much. I like that it’s a tremor, Thank you very much. And let me thank your witnesses that are General Van Herk and, uh, General Dickinson for the time you given us in the frank ways in which you have responded to the questions and we’ll be looking forward to working with both each of you in your new capacity, Thank you very much and we’re adjourned