Senator Fischer Questions Military Official on Preparing TRANSCOM for Battle

Enhancing TRANSCOM's Role in Lethal Joint Force

• 🎯 General Reed aims to sharpen TRANSCOM's contribution to the lethal Joint Force, emphasizing a ready tanker fleet capable of supporting both global contingencies and homeland missions.
• ✈️ With the B-21 bomber entering service, there's a critical need to ensure an adequate tanker fleet to support this new platform and its missions.
• 🤝 TRANSCOM is actively engaging with the Air Force through Warfighter talks to communicate requirements for supporting a nuclear bomber force, ensuring it remains an effective global deterrent.

Operating in Contested Environments

• ⚠️ In a great power conflict, the US must assume that ships and aircraft involved in sea lift or airlift will be targeted in contested environments.
• 🌍 General Reed has traveled globally to understand peer perspectives on threats and has improved staff collaboration in planning and exercising to better anticipate adversary actions.
• 🗺️ This robust approach involves adapting plans based on adversary tactics, evaluating remaining force options, and making informed decisions.

Recapitalization of the Ready Reserve Fleet

• 🚢 Sea lift assets are crucial for timely delivery of forces and material, but the Ready Reserve Force has faced reduced capacity and readiness due to aging vessels and underinvestment.
• 🚢 The Commander-in-Chief has highlighted the need for sea lift recapitalization, indicating a commitment to both building new and acquiring used vessels to return to sea capabilities.
• 🤝 TRANSCOM is collaborating with MARAD to increase capability and capacity within the Ready Reserve Fleet.