DoD Nominee Grilled on Simultaneous Attacks by US Adversaries

Infrastructure and Support for Ellsworth AFB

• ✈️ Ellsworth Air Force Base is preparing to host the first operational and training squadrons for the B-21 Raider.
• 🛠️ If confirmed, Austin J. Dahmer commits to working with the committee to ensure appropriate infrastructure at Ellsworth, including protection from weather and evolving threats like drones.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Dahmer also agrees to work with the committee to ensure the Douglas School District is appropriately resourced to support the bomber community and their families during the B-21 mission's growth.

Assessment of Simultaneous Threats

• ⚠️ Austin J. Dahmer agrees with the assessment that if the U.S. engages in hostilities with China, adversaries like Russia and Iran will seek to press their own advantages in other theaters.
• 🌍 This situation underscores the central problem of addressing the scope and scale of threats from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and terrorist groups with limited resources.
• 🇺🇸 The department's approach prioritizes defending the homeland, deterring China in the Indo-Pacific, and increasing burden-sharing with allies to address the threat of simultaneity.

Operation Midnight Hammer and Iranian Threat

• 💥 Operation Midnight Hammer is highlighted as a significant achievement of the joint force with Israeli allies.
• 🎯 Dahmer agrees that this operation significantly decreased the Iranian threat in the near term and weakened the China-led axis.
• 💪 The operation is seen as a signal of the administration's commitment to peace through strength.

Operation Rough Rider and Houthi Threat

• 🌊 Operation Rough Rider is also presented as highlighting the president's willingness to employ decisive military force to achieve peace.
• ❓ When asked if Operation Rough Rider weakened the China-led axis, Dahmer stated he had not seen specific indications.

Allied Capabilities Without US Support

• 🤝 Dahmer believes that allies acting alone without U.S. support could not have achieved operations like Midnight Hammer.
• 💡 The specific capabilities provided by the U.S. joint force are considered unique and critical for the success of such operations.