Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) participated in a Defense Appropriations Subcommittee hearing today to discuss the fiscal year 2004 funding needs for the National Guard and Reserve. Senator Cochran questioned the witnesses about the following issues: bringing new C-17 aircraft to the 172nd Airlift Wing in Jackson, locating a Littoral Surveillance System (LSS) at the Naval Station in Pascagoula in order to transform it into a major Homeland Security command and control activity for the Gulf, bringing Patrol Coastal Craft to operate with LSS, and transferring the Hurricane Hunters from USAF to NOAA. He also expressed concern about extended activation of reservists and asked what was being done to ensure predictability and stability. In addition, the Senator asked the panel about activating the national guard on short notice for extended periods of time.

Witnesses for the National Guard included: Lieutenant General H. Steven Blum, Chief, National Guard Bureau; Lieutenant General Roger C. Schultz, Director, Army National Guard; and Lieutenant General Daniel James III, Director, Air National Guard. Witnesses for the Reserves included: Vice Admiral John B. Totushek, Chief of Naval Reserve; Lieutenant General James E. Sherrard III, Chief of Air Force Reserve; Lieutenant General Dennis M. McCarthy, Commander of Marine Forces Reserve; and Lieutenant General James R. Helmly, Chief of Army Reserves.

Senator Cochran's opening statement and some Q&A will be available after 3:00 p.m. (Eastern) on the Senator's voicemail news line and on the Senator's web site at www.senate.gov/~cochran . You may record these statements as needed for newscasts or news stories.

Cochran News Line: Call our toll-free number and follow these instructions to access the news line: 1-800-545-1267

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