We are here today to discuss DOD's military construction, family housing and environmental programs, as well as the implementation of the 2005 base closure round.

As we meet today, our forces are very busy, and the services will soon begin implementing the 2005 base closure round while conducting operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, on top of all the normal work of the Department. The Army, which is bearing the brunt of our current operations, also has the most challenging task in the installations world. In addition to implementing the 2005 base closure round, the Army has to plan for the relocation of tens of thousands of forces from overseas, while also converting the structure of your brigades to the new "modular" format and creating new combat brigades. Secretary Eastin, this will require sustained effort and leadership from you and the entire civilian and military leadership of the Army. This subcommittee stands ready to do our part to make this work.

The Army is not the only service with major changes in the works. The Marine Corps will be moving thousands of personnel from Okinawa to Guam over the next several years. As with the Army's plan to return forces from overseas, this proposal raises a host of issues, including our ability to execute war plans, regional security and stability, airlift and sealift requirements, burden sharing, and of course the cost and schedule of construction needed to accommodate such moves.

As with the Army's proposed moves, I believe it is important to do this right. DOD and the Congress have made a big investment in the quality of life of our personnel over the past decade. These moves should continue in that tradition. We will be examining these proposals as details become available. We do not want our military families to have to move thousands of miles only to find themselves living or working in trailers at a new base where the local schools have no room for their children. I know that is not what the Department wants either, so I hope we will be able to work together to get this right.

There are other changes being considered that we expect to be discussing with you in the coming months. Of great interest to my state is the Department's plan, as stated in the Quadrennial Defense Review, to increase the Navy's presence in the Pacific. According to the QDR, the Navy will "adjust its force posture to provide at least six operationally available and sustainable carriers and 60% of its submarines in the Pacific".

Neither the 2005 base closure round or the 2007 budget request makes any specific proposal on forward basing of an additional carrier in the Pacific. I believe that basing an aircraft carrier in Hawaii, co-located with our nuclear capable shipyard, is in the strategic interest of our nation. Furthermore, the proposed increases in Air Force, Marine Corps, and Navy submarine force structure on Guam are going to severely tax their ability to support such a substantial increase in force structure. I believe basing a carrier in Hawaii will prove to be the best option from an economic and quality of life standpoint, in addition to its strategic benefits. I hope that Secretary Penn will be able to enlighten us as to when the Navy plans to move forward on implementing the QDR's decisions.

Finally, we are aware that the detailed material to explain the $5.6 billion requested for 2007 to implement the base closure round and relocate forces from overseas is still being developed. We understand that this detailed justification material should be ready by the end of this month. This committee, and indeed the Congress, has a tradition of not intervening in the BRAC disposal and reuse process by accelerating construction or cleanup efforts at one particular base over another. At the same time, this committee cannot in good conscience approve the use of such a substantial sum of money for which no details or plan have been provided, so it is essential that this material be delivered in time for our committee to review it prior to our markup.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I look forward to hearing from our witnesses.