the end of the year. the same rules apply. lets everyone show a little patience, but do what you need to do to ensure that you have a safe holiday with your family and friends. host: finally, what changes do you need to implement to deal with a bump up in holiday traffic? guest: we talked about the military airspace that gives us more flexibility throughout the system. but we are an operation 365 days a year. this is something that we plan for. we have all of the people in place to handle what is a very busy, busy system at the end of the year. host: michael huerta, thank you for being with us. that is all for "washington journal" this morning. it will be back tomorrow morning at 7:00 a.m. have a good day. [captioning performed by national captioning institute]

[captions copyright national cable satellite corp. 2010] >> you are watching c-span, created by the cable companies that offered as a public service. at 12:30 eastern today, the american constitution society will be posting a discussion of arizona's immigration law. we will have a live on c-span. over on c-span2, the american enterprise institute is holding a meeting looking a policy changes with the next congress. that started at : 13 this morning. you can see that live on c- span2. speaking of congress, they are

out this session for the thanksgiving break when they return, the house will focus on the ethics inquiry of charles rangel. a committee panel last week recommended center for the new york democrat, and the full house will meet to approve that. the senate is also up a holiday. well, it is a return, the work on a food sit -- when lawmakers return, they will work on a food safety belt. -- bill. can watch the house on c-span, the senate on the c-span2. lots of new cases in congress. republican jeff denham, and all but -- an almond farmer, defeated the democrat. also new to progress -- congress, karen bass one in the 33rd district.

for more about the all new house and senate members, visit our home page, c-span.org. barack obama to george washington, where more about the nation's presidents of line -- line at the c-span video library. searchable and free. it is washington you're white. -- washington your way. and now the senate armed services committee takes up the nomination and air force general to head u.s. strategic command and to lead africa command. they asked a wide range of questions, including don't ask don't tell and the start missile treaty. this is just over two hours.

>> good morning everybody. the committee meets to consider the nomination of claude kehler for strategic command and carter ham for africa, and did we give you a warm welcome. we have a welcome for two new colleagues with us this morning. sen. coons from delaware, warm welcome to you. senator manchin not sure but i

expect you will be here. -- not here but i expect he will be here. each of you have long and distinguished careers in the united states military. it is a pleasure to of both of you with us today. as you all know, without the strong and continuing support of your families, your military peers, yourlitary sacrifice are not possible. -- not the possible. general kehler, you are well suited to be ahead of strategic command. half yearstwo and a as the deputy commander of the strategic command. as you well know, strategic command is a challenging command with global reach.

a large number of challenging mission areas, including the following -- ensuring the united states as access to action in space and cyberspace, maintaining a reliable nuclear deterrent, and being able to respond, providing targeting and other support to u.s. joint force commanders, synchronizing global missile defense of plans and operations, coordinating regional efforts to combat weapons of mass destruction, planning and interpreting an accord ending intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance in support of strategic and global operations, cutting the implementation -- guiding the implementation of the new start treaty when it is ratified. i would note that there have been at multiple hearings of briefings on the new treaty. hundreds of questions for the record have been answered. robust budget request for the

nuclear weapons complex have been submitted to congress. it has been a year that the united states has gone without a replacement for the start treaty, and thus no ability to implement the new and sport and -- an important inspection and verification regime for the new treaty. we will ask a general kehler for his views on the tree. well space systems provides significant advantages, they also present the potential for significant of vulnerability. strategic command helps to ensure that the global access to the important systems is maintained and sustained. one of the newest and most challenging areas of responsibility for the strategic command is the area of cyber- operations, protecting and defending defense department networks and cyber assets and, if directed, engaging in

offensive theyber-operations. strategic command must also plan and prepare to be called upon to assist other government agencies with the defense of their networks. there are many issues that remain unresult in this area in which you will be involved, general, and we look forward to your views on these issues, including questions of authority, responsibility, rules of engagement. general ham, you have had a distinished career in the army and we thank you for your willingness to serve our country over the last 3.5 decades. if confirmed, you will be only the second matter of the u.s.- africa ancommand, and you will be forced to balance requirements of continuing to stand up this geographic combatant commands as well as play a supporting role in advancing u.s. policy objectives on the continent of

africa. general, the challenges facing africom a staggering. traverse and violent extremists in somalia and west africa, conflicts between state and non- state actors that bridge across borders. fragile governments that lack the capacity to check their presence beyond the bounds of their capitals, illicit arms smuggling routes, nations where peacekeeping or peace enforcing forces or the best and sometimes the only hope for security and stability. we look forward to hearing your views on these and other matters. at present, one of the most pressing concerns in the view of members of this committee is the involving fred post by certain al qaeda and al-shabaab elements in somalia, including the stated desire of these elements to attack the united states. there are a number of areas where the committee will be eager to learn your views, including the january 2000 --

the january 2011 referendum on sudan. and the ongoing atrocities that have been conducted by the lord's resistance army, the potential areas for expanded military relations with the number of key countries in africa. one area where you will be working together is in combat and the regional spread of weapons of mass destruction. you'll be working together on that issue. with the support of this committee, the cooperative threat reduction, the ctr program, has the authority to make a more global approach to combating weapons of mass destruction, including identifying issues and actions in africa. strategic command's responsibility for coordinating regional and global purchase and combating wmd and the program's

new authorities should result in a more comprehensive, coordinated approach to dealing with these challenges. senator mccain. >> well, thank you, mr. chairman. i would like to thank our distinguished witnesses for joining us this morning a their service to our nation. i would like to join the chairman in welcoming our two new members, senator coons and senator manchin kerri we look forward to working with you. i say to the witnesses, if confirmed, your authority will be critical to combating threats to the united states. freedom of access to space and cyberspace, global defense plans, operations. equally worrisome is trying --

is china's growing air and missile capabilities. according to the u.s.-china economic and security commission 2010 report to congress, it concludes that china has the ability to strike five out of six u.s. air force bases in east asia. the report also highlights china's increasingly sophisticated cyber warfare to abilities. earlier this year, chinese internet service providers redirected global internet traffic for a least 18 minutes, briefly hijacking what the commission report refers to as a "large volume of internet traffic," including data from the u.s. military. a large-scaled cyberwar attack was also reported -- cyber attack against google in china was also reported. it was the attack on its corporate infrastructure

originating from china that resulted in the theft of international property. this committee and he will be spending a great deal of time on this whole issue of cyber warfare. we don't know a lot about it, we have not really understood some of the things ththat friends and adversaries are doing, and it opens up, obviously, a whole new type of warfare that we are going to have to be much better prepared for than we are today. as commander of u.s. strat-com, you will play a critical role in combating these threats. a responsibility that the senate has spent considerable time reviewing, the new start treaty, reference is legally binding limitations on ballistic missile defense of the modernization of the nuclear weapons complex and the triad of nuclear delivery vehicles. i look forward to hearing your views on the the tree's handling

of missile defense, the current health of the nuclear weapons complex, and the need for investing in the development and deployment of the next generation of delivery vehicles. a general ham, i believe you are nominated for this command a critical time, not only with respect to security on the continent, but with respect to the possible growing threats to our homeland. in the past, i've been critical of u.s. military involvement in the horn of africa. other than providing more financial support to the un mission there and humanitarian support, i am unclear of what the administration, short of long-term plans, is to achieve stability on the horn. but the threat from the region, and interestsnds at the heland, as change significantly in the past two years.

given the command's integrated into-agency command structure, africom remains unique among equals. it is why africom must be prepared and resources to protect americans, american interests, american security throughout its area of responsibility. as we all might remember, in 1998, al qaeda launched attacks on the u.s. embassies in kenya and tanzania, killing 12 americans. al qaeda and related groups have executed subsequent terrorist attacks and east africa, including an american suicide bomber in somalia in october 2008. this summer in you got a, al- shabaab, a somali islamist group with ties to al qaeda, conducted its first successful attack outside smalley territory, killing 76 the people, including one american. al-shabaab has focused primarily on its neighbors.

then-director of national intelligence, dennis blair, in the senate select committee on intelligence hearing, testified, "al-shabaab and most africa- based al qaeda members will remain focused on regional initiatives in the near term. nevertheless, the leaders may elect to be direct to the homeland some of westerners, including north americans now training in fighting in somalia ." on august 5, more than a dozen somali americans, permanent residents, were arrested. attorney general eric holder announced that 14 people are being charged with providing financial support to al-shabaab. i trust that africom will continue to deliver its unique band of interagency security cooperation and building capacity. however, it is imperative that

africom acquired the necessary capabilities to identify and deter and counter all relevant threats to our nation's security. i look forward to our witnesses testimony. thank you, mr. chairman. >> thank you very much. senator manchin, welcome. there is a series of standard questions that we ask all of our nominees that i will now ask, and you will each just give us your response to the other. first, that you adhere to the applicable laws and regulations governing conflicts of interest? >> i have. >> do you agree, when asked for your personal use, to give those different from the administration in power? >> i do. >> will you ensure that your staff comply with deadlines and

requested to medications, including questions for the record? >> i will. >> will comply with responses to congressional requests? >> i will. >> will witnesses be protected from reprisals? >> they will. >> do you agree to provide documents including copies of electronic forms that constitute a duly constituted committee or to consult with the committee regarding the basis for any good-fifth delay or denial in providing such documents? >> i do. >> thank you, general kehler, general ham. we will turn your own remarks.

>> i would like to introduce my wife, marjorie. this is the first time she has attended a hearing in the senate. this is an exciting time for the kehler family. unfortunately, might to dubose sons are grown and cannot be here today. -- my two sons are grown and could not be here today. but our airmen, soldiers, marines, coast guard men -- i am very proud and grateful for the thing that she does. she has set aside the accounting profession to be part of a team to take care of our troops and families, and i'm especially proud because she and others like her have been doing an awful lot to work and support of women warriors. >> we thank her for that and all the things she does for us and for you. she could use maybe -- we could use some of her accounting talents in the pentagon. [laughter] she could join forces with for a

husband. -- with your husband. >> thank you for the opportunity to come here today it is my sincere honor to be the nominee to lead u.s. strategic command. i thank the president and secretary of defense for nominating me for this important duty. i thank the chairman of the joint chiefs of staff for expressing his confidence in my ability to serve as combatant commanders. if confirmed, i look forward to working with you to address the strategic challenges that face our nation. they are complex, unremitting, and compelling, and strategic, and plays a key role in age. nuclear threats continue, and new ones, state and non-state, are emerging. you and complex transitional linkages provide opportunities for terrorism and other security concerns. space is no longer the sole purview of the two superpowers. it is certainly not a sanctuary.

cyber threats present national security problems that we are only beginning to understand, and organizing for this challenge is still in its beginning stages. international security relationships need to be forged with rapidly growing new regional powers. all these developments will require more intensive and extensive cooperation across many elements of our government and the governments of our friends and allies. our ability to shape events to our interests will depend on the skill and dedication of the great men and women who serve our nation. leading strategic command is an awesome responsibility. if confirmed, in pledge to you that the strategic challenges facing our nation will commend all the energy and commitment i can muster. i am very fortunate that i've been the beneficiary of an assignment and entering an operational expenses and command opportunities that a line with the strategic command mission set, and that i believe have

prepared me for this challenge. if confirmed, i will also be fortunate and deeply humbled in following the path blazed by some of our truly great national leaders. i want to mention the most recent one, whose leadership has been deeply important in these past critical years in shaping our national posture. march and i are grateful to him and his wife as our dear friends. we wish them e best as they proceed into retired life. and as always, if confirmed, i look forward to working with and caring for the world's best soldiers, sailors, marines, chairman, civilians, and their families. mr. chairman, senator mccain, a distinguished committee members, it is a privilege to be before you today and i look forward to your questions. >> general ham. >> thank you.

my family is not here, but i hope they're watching by webcast. my wife is a longtime educator. our daughter was born in italy and she and her husband, an army captain, so star and purple heart recipient, -- silver star and purple heart recipient, live in georgia, and our parents of our first grandchild. my son was born in germany and graduated from the university of georgia. they are expecting -- he and his wife lived in northern virginia. they are expecting a baby girl this spring. mr. chairman, senator mccain, members of the committee, what i am listed as a private in 1973, -- when i am listed as a private in 1973, it never in my wildest imagination did i see coming

before the senate to be nominated as a commander. i was struck by two contradictory feelings. first, i was elated to have the possibility to serve in, at which i believe is of great importance, and for which there is a great opportunity. secondly, i felt a tremendous sense of humility, the humility and sense of honor the comes from being asked to continue to serve all along the men and women of our armed forces. i also recognize that if confirmed, i have big shoes to fill. of theen an admirer general and his wife for a long time and i'm proud to be their friend. we owe them our deepest thanks and appreciation. africa is important to u.s. interests, which include concerns over violent extremist

activities, proceed, illicit trafficking, africa's many humanitarian crises, armed conflicts, and more general challenges like the effect of h.i.v.-aids. the u.s. after command has the military component as the u.s. will government approach and has a role in addressing these issues. the key remains that africa's future is up to africa. if confirmed, i look forward to building upon the command's efforts to continue expanding the unique id entered-agency composition of the -- entered- agency composition of the headquarters. i tell us that if confirmed, i have a lot to learn about africa and the u.s.--- i acknowledge that if confirmed, i have a lot to learn about africa and the u.s.-africa command i did the same pledge i give to secretary gates, that i will do my best each and every day to uphold the trust and confidence you have placed in me to accomplish the many and varied an important missions of the command to the

best of my ability, provide for the well-being of the soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guard and, civilians and valleys entrusted to my care -- civilians and families and trusted my care, and i will work to it the best of my ability to make sure that the u.s.-after the command is focused on accomplishing its goal of support of u.s. objectives in africa. >> general ham. let's try the first round, seven minutes. we have a good turnout here today. general kehler, the committee has a provision in our 2011 defense authorization bill that would require the secretary of defense to report to congress by march 1, 2011, on cyberwar policy. the committee conducted an extensive examination of the proposal to establish u.s. cybercommand as a sub-unified

command under u.s. strategic command. our examination revealed that there are substantial and we some gaps in the policy and guidelines needed to govern u.s. military operations in cyberspace. senior department and defense officials testified to this fact and issue the committee that the secretary of defense understands the situation well and intends to have answers to many, if not all, of a major policy questions by the end of the calendar year. these are just a few of the unresolved issues. first, rules of engagement and authority for various command echelons, including cybercommand itself. second, how to the escalation. third, what constitutes use of force in an act of war in cyberspace, including compliance with the war powers act. fourth, the lack of a deterrence doctrine, what deters

cyberattacks. a status and process question -- what is the status of the secretary's said the policy review, and is the department on track to fulfill the year-end commitment to complete the review that was given to the committee during the confirmation process for general alexander? >> thank you mr. chairman. first, let me say that i recognize that in the whole area of cyberspace i have mucto learn. if i'm confirmed, this is one of the areas that will command a great deal of my time and energy early on. my perspective that today is as a service component to strategic command, we've been working to align our cyberspace activity under the new construction of strategic command, u.s. cybercommand, the components that fit that. there is much for me to learn here if i'm confirmed.

i would be delighted to dig into this further. you have to find, i think, the issues for well -- defined, i think, the issues very well but this is about all the pieces that need to be put in place to drive forward where we need to be postured in cyberspace. that work is under way. i think you and the committee are aware that the department of homeland security and defense have signed a memorandum outlining roles and responsibilities and steps that would be taken to partner together. those are all positive steps. there is much more to do. my understanding is that there is work on the reported that you are referring to that is continuing. in my preparation for the confirmation hearing, i was told that the expectation is that they would be delivering that on time. >> thank you. after the secretary of defense

and the joint chiefs -- last year, the cand secretary of defense of the joint chiefs recommended the face tactic approach to missile defense in europe. the president approved the recommendation. this year, the administration produced the ballistic missile but an interview that set for the u.s. strategy policy and defense. do you support the administration's missile against policies and priorities, including the phased out after perch a missile defense and europe -- faced active approach to missile defense in europe? >> yes, i do support those policies and be phased adaptive approach. >> general kehler, admiral mullan, chairman of the joint chiefs, the chair of the strategic command, and the director of the missile defense agency of all testified that the new start treaty does not limit or constrain our missile defense

plans and programs. do you agree? >> mr. chairman, that is my understanding as well. yes, i do. >> let me ask you a couple of questions about the new start treaty specifically. does the nude start treaty limit our non-nuclear long-range weapons -- new start treaty limit our non-nuclear of long- range weapons? >> ai understand it, it does not limit. it does, however, under certain circumstances, cause them to be counted under the limits of the start treaty. >> does it concern our development or deployment of missile defense capabilities? >> in my opinion, it does not. one relationship in the treaty, to put a final point on it, about not being able to deploy it missile defense interceptors

in the existing silos except for the five that we have already done so at the vandenberg air force base. it is not in our current plans, as i understand them, do that. >> is the administration committed to replacing the modernizing the aging weapons laboratory and industrial infrastructure? >> my understanding is that margaret the budget is on the hill and has sustained and modernization -- my understanding is that they are. the budget is on the hill and has sustained the modernization. >> you and the general counsel are serving as the co-chairman of the department of defense by the secretary of defense to conduct a comprehensive review of the history associated with implementing a repeal of the law commonly referred to as don't ask don't tell. your report is due to the secretary of france and later

-- secretary of defense no later than the first of december. you informed me that you are not authorized to discuss the content of the draft report before that time. this committee will hold a hearing on the report shortly after the secretary provides it to congress. we are urging that that be done, by the way, prior to december 1 if possible. you will be available at that time to discuss the content of the report. the question is just on the timing issue. i will not ask you about your views on the substance or what the substance is. do you anticipate that the working group's report will be ready to be presented to the secretary of defense before december 1? >> mr. chairman, i think it will take us until the first of december. the key factor remain for us in the review group is to received the review and comment by the service chiefs and service

secretaries, which is ongoing. we anticipate their comments soon. mr. johnson and i will review those comments and make final adjustments to the report, which is currently in draft form, and then we will deliver it to secretary gates on december 1. >> were to make every effort to deliver prior to december 1 if possible? >> yes, sir, in consultation with the super terry's office. > -- the secretary's office. >> general ham, since it was bought up, the survey went to four to thousand military personnel? >> -- 400,000 military personnel? >> that is correct. >> what percent responded? about 25%. >> more like 28.

>> excuse me, 28. is it true that they said in a preamble but dod is considering changes to the don't ask don't tell policy that would allow gay and lesbians to serve in the military without misperceptions about sexual orientation? is that true? >> yes, sir. >> it is preceded by a perception that they will maintain the high standards of conduct? >> yes, it is. >> general ham, what do you understand the relationship of between the al qaeda senior leadership and al-shabaab? >> from open source reporting, al-shabaab has claimed that there is a relationship -- >> what is your view of the relationship? >> they are stating that they had a relationship, certainly

conveys to me that that is the type of operation they want to engage in. i am not privy to the detailed information intelligence that would verify or refute that allegation. but they are a dangerous and destructive organization. you could notorry answer the question. i was asking you do as to what the relationship was. -- your view as to what the relationship was. what is the threat to the u.s. from al-shabaab, particularly given the rest of u.s. citizens apparently planning to travel to somalia to join al-shabaab? >> my understanding is that al- shabaab is, while primarily focused on internal matters in somalia, their recent activities outside the country conveyed to me of very disturbing interest in conducting more widespread terrorist activities, which is certainly are of concern to the united states.

if confirmed, it would be a high priority for me to understand better how we might counter that threat. >> well, again, it is evidence that americans are joining al- shabaab, right? >> my understanding is that in this particular case, that is true. >> whew. general kehler, notwithstanding russia's threat to withdrawing from thereaty, are you advocating the funding and development of all elements of the phased active approach for missile defense and a row, as well as implementing the strategy as portrayed in the ballistic missile defense review? >> yes, sir, i am. >> do you believe that the russian unilateral statement that the treaty is "effective and viable only in conditions where there is no qualitative or quantitative a buildup in the missile defense system capabilities of the united states of america" -- you know

that state was part of a signing statement at the time of ratification, right? i mean, agreement. have the russians made any public statements refuting that signing statement they made? >> sir, i don't know if they have or not. >> to your knowledge? >> to my knowledge they have not. >> given your involvement, you might know if they did? >> yes, sir. at this point in my currency, i have not seen everything, and i'm not trying to be evasive, but i have not seen anything. >> does it concern you that they would make a signing statement at the time that the agreement was signed that basically said that if there was any change, qualitative or quantitative

build in the missile defense system capabilities of the united states of america, that the treaty would not be viable ain their words? >> sir, all i can answer with is that the position, as i understand, is that those two are not related. >> but the russians have made no statement that it is unrelated. it is our position, right? g>> yes, sir. >> our recent press report shows that north korea's weaponry shows design characteristics consistent with the iran's most advanced missile. are you concerned that apparently the two countries, iran and north korea, are collaborating to produce improvements in both arsenals? >> sir, i most definitely concerned. >> and we have seen in and

classified matter just published reports -- unclassified matter just published reports that they're working in coordination to improve both arsenals. is that your view as well? >> the proliferation of missile technology, especially in areas like north korea and iran, is especially disturbing. my view, it is the number one threat we're facing these days -- the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction in the hands of the regional actress that pose a threat -- regional actors that pose a threat. >> do you agree with fdot's assessment that iran could develop or test an intercontinental ballistic missile capable of reaching the united states by 2015? >> i agree with dod's assessment. i was not aware it was 2015. but i do agree with dod's assessment.

>> it seems to me that it is deeply concerned that both countries have areas of expertise on both nuclear capability as well as missile technology, and transfers between the two countries is deeply concerned. >> i agree with that. >> are you concerned about mr. ahmadinejad's new relationship with mr. chavez in venezuela? >> yes, sir. >> how serious do you think that relationship is? >> from my current perspective, i am not more aware of that relationship than what we have been discussing in the open forum. this is one of those areas that, if confirmed, i will push into to get a better feel for those specific points. stratcom has authority working

with regional combatant commanders to address the kinds of threats outside the regional boundaries. >> well, thank you, general. i want to repeat what i said in my opening comments. this whole cyberwar issue is one that we have been working with senator lieberman and the homeland security committee and intelligence committee, and covers a number of jurisdictions here in the congress. i would argue that it is the greatest threat which we have the least knowledge and expertise, and just about any threat we face. would you view that as an overstatement? >> i would not view that as an overstatement. i think it is a serious area of concern. certainly this is one of those areas that demands, i think, the same sense of urgency that has been put on it the last year or so. my pledge will be too big right

into this and be as helpful as i can. >> thank you, mr. chairman. >> as senator mccain points out, the relationship of our committees have jurisdiction over parts of that issue is extremely important, and our working together, which is under way with senator lieberman and his ranking members, senator collins, and the intelligence committee is very important, the way the interagency is working together is very significant and important, as senator mccain points out. senator lieberman. >> thanks, mr. chairman. let me pick up from your comments and senator mccain's about how real the threat of cyber attack is, and how much i think the members of congress and the general public are not aware of it. perhaps even some are skeptical of how serious it is.

yesterday and led to three committee, we held a hearing -- yesterday on the homeland security, we held a hearing -- as the experts said to us yesterday, we don't know where this originated, we don't know what its target was, we know is out there, and it has the capacity -- it has now infected 60,000 computer systems in the world, including some in the u.s., and has the capacity essentially on command to disrupt the digital systems, the computer systems that control, for instance, electric power plants. when you think about the havoc --t had been unleashed in that could be unleashed in a country like ours, it is profoundly unsettling. very significant step forward in the memorandum of understanding between the

department of defense and homeland security. dod has responsibility for, obviously, defense websites the defense of capacity. the department of homeland security for the civilian infrastructure and the federal government non-defense websites. but dod and nsa have such extraordinary to the belief that they can inform what -- extraordinary capabilities that they conform with -- inform what dhs does. it was a homeland security that have the comprehensive capability to unravel the puzzle, if you will. we need your help, and i appreciate your commitment to that, general.

thank you for your service to the country. you are extraordinarily prepare for this assignment of the country as ask for you. general ham, i want to ask about the working group on don't ask don't tell. first, i appreciate that you've told us this morning that the report will be out by december 1, if possible, working with the esotery earlier to complete the work. -- working with the secretary earlier to complete the work for a want to ask about the table of contents. they're often focus on the leaks that have been surveyed -- there is in focus on leaks of the surveys of military personnel. but am i right is that that is just part of what you were going to do? could you just describe what else you and mr. johnson in 10 to cover in the report? -- intended to cover in the report? >> in the reference the secretary gates issued to mr.

johnson and myself, if the list of two tasks. the first was to -- it gave us two tasks. the first was to assess impact on the effectiveness and readiness, recruiting and retention, should repeal occur. the second part of our charge was to understand those impacts and develop a passkey for implementation so that if the laws -- a plan for implementation so that if the law was repealed, we would have compliance contingency planning. the directive to assess the impact contain a specific issue to conduct a systematic engagement of the forest intact families. the survey of the service members, active part in reserve, was one. we had a survey of family members. in addition to those two

statistically sound and and t analytically rigorous assessments, we conducted a number across the force in troops both large and small -- groups both large and small to get a sense of 40 topics of interest to the force and their families. we connected small, demographically focused focus groups. 9-12 junior enlisted marines, another simile organized groups. -- similarly organized groups. we established an online inbox for military members and families to provide anonymously their comments to us with regard to their thoughts about don't ask don't tell. the most difficult challenge we had, at least in my opinion, was how we get the sense from those who are gay men and lesbians

that are serving in the force today without triggering the requirements of the law that would cause them to separate. we established what we called a confidential communication mechanism through a third-party non-dod entity to get a better assessment of that. as far as i could tell, this is the most comprehensive assessment of a personnel policy matter that the department of defense is connected. >> thanks for that, and i agree, is recovering hands of, and to inform -- the decision -- it is very comprehensive entered informed position that congress makes -- and it should inform the position that congress makes. i want to ask a question about africa command. i regret with you in highlighting the threat posed by al qaeda -- i agree with you in

highlighting the threat posed by al qaeda and al-shabaab that those are the two highest counter-terrorism priorities, and it is a world war. we are involved intensively on the ground in afghanistan and are scaling down in iraq, but this enemy is occurring all over the world. i believe that these two terrorist groups in africa and the countries in which they are located are tests of whether we can essentially stop them or contain them before they spread and become something like afghanistan, if you will, and i note in your response to the dance questions that you said that the africom has seen of it every sourcing challenges in almost every field. -- significant resources and talent in almost every field. i hope you will provide top-to- bottom assessment of funding and resources and convey them directly both to the chain of

command and when you appear before the committee to this committee. can we count on you to do that? >> yes, sir. >> thank you. that is all the questions i have this morning. >> senator inhofe. >> let me get the unpleasantries out of the wafers. there are many things about the start treaty i don't like. -- out of the wafers. there are many things about the start treaty i don't like. they talk about the extraordinary events that would cause them to -- consequently, extraordinary events referred to in article 14 of the treaty include a build in missile defense capabilities of the united states and would give rise to a threat -- [unintelligible] that was further simplified by

the russians when it said that the treaty could operate and be viable only if the united states of america refrain from developing missile defense to the bill is quantitatively and qualitatively. i guess my question is, what is ambiguous about that? >> sir, i'm not exactly sure what you just ask me. --well, i'm asking you >> it does not sound like the russian position is ambiguous. but as i understand it, our position is not that one. our position is that these are not related. again, as i understand it, the regional threat drives missile defense planning. it is driven by strategic forces -- >> we are going to have to be advancing our defense systems. most people here don't see it that way, but we're going to.

many are concerned that the capability was taken out of poland. i would point out that the iranians would have the stability with the delivery system by to -- would have the stability with the delivery system by 2015 -- would have this capability with the delivery system by 2015. the thing that in the absence of that stability, we are not in more danger, western europe, eastern united states, by the removal of that system? quick answer. >> as i understand it, i don't think we are in danger, provided we go ahead. >> general ham, i enjoyed our long, long, long visit we had. i can only tell you that soldiers in the field, but once you talk to, don't feel that their input was heard during

this inquiry that was supposed to be taking place until december 1. it is my impression that we are required to adopt this position and how we best implement this thing? but i am interested in what you were going to be doing with some of the problems in africa that i am personally interested in. the general who handled this thing during the transition, and in general ward came along and did an incredible job, with, i think, inadequate resources. we have had a lot of little problems in africa that people don't know about. of course, they are familiar with what is happening in zimbabwe, a small yach -- somalia, eritrea, ethiopia.

one thing that i've been , acerned with thiis the lra lord's resistance army, starting in northern uganda and it has spread to rwanda, eastern congo. it was not until a few weeks ago that we passed, signed by the president, a policy to take out the head of the lra. i would like to get your position, and for the members of the committee who might be new, he started 30 years ago in some people call up the child soldiers, 13, 14 years old, and they are trained and they have to go back and murder villagers and parents. what is your level of concern and your interest in implementing the direction we gave in the law we passed

concerning the lra? >> i agree with you. i need to learn more about the lord's resistance army, but what i know from my previous assignment as director of operations on the joint staff, and what i learned on open source, is a horrific situation. as we discussed yesterday, i look to learn more of that personally and find ways that, if confirmed, africom can contribute to the solution to the problem. i am aware that africa, and has been engaged in -- africa, and has been engaged in providing capability to ugandan forces and that is a step in the right direction. i will look at this more closely to see what africom can do. >> president kagame and others -- all three agree that it is a

joint problem because this is moving aroundhe countries and central africa. at iay, that is something th would like to see a clearing point for any activity you have the updated on a regular basis. i'd like to have, during your command, and i think you are doing a great job in the command, that this be eradicated by that time. people know about somalia, sudan. but a lot of things are happening that we are not aware of. i am upset by the attack on western sahara. i'm trying to get something on the floor with a resolution on this thing, the horrible thing that took place there. these people have been out in the world is for 30 years now.

-- out in the wilderness for 30 years now. are you concerned with coming up with the solution that james baker was not able to do, i was not able to do, but to address the problem in western sahara? >> my understanding is that the issues in western sahara are not primarily military, but if confirmed, i certainly want to explore what the role of u.s.- africa, and might be to get a solution to that matter. >> it becomes military went armed forces are invading their, although i understand what you are saying. my time is up. it went too fast. you and i talked at some length, i want to make sure that you are on record on some of things you want to get done. we made a decision, a good decision on this committee, several yearsgo, right after

9/11, that we would assist the africans in building five african commands geographically located -- it was successful in west africa. rest has been lingering. the africans are not as aware of how we are trying to help them take care of their own needs. what i would like to do is have you look at. i'm sure general board would agree we haven't done enough with that. before the terrorist start coming down in greater numbers to the horn of africa to try to have this in place so that we won't be sending our troops over and they will be taking care of their own problems. do you consider that a priority? >> i believe regional approaches to the are the best in africa. >> thank you, mr. chairman.

thank you for your service and your willingness to extend your service in these new positions and a special thank you to your families for supporting you in this effort. general kehler, the current commander of stratcom has been vocal about the need for a new strategic command headquarters building and i have been extremely pleased with the progress we have made so far in addressing this vital need. the existing facilities, the failings that put the mission and its personnel at some risk, i know you have previous duty as the vice commander, and you would have the views on the importance and need of the new headquarters facility. to date, the design is 60% completion and construction is planned to break ground in late

2011. the progress is a strong indication of the commitment to the mission. what is your view on the need for a new headquarters to replace the existing facilities? >> i can base my view on this from the time i was deputy commander there. we went through a series of electrical fires, outages, and other problems that reflect the state of health of the building that was built in the 1960's. clearly something needs to be done, the demands of the mission there have placed stresses on that facility. the whole complex -- there is a whole complex that was never designed to address. if i am confirmed, i will make sure i'm looking into at and looking at an appropriate way

forward to make sure the people have what they need to get the job done. >> one of the things i have always tried to look for here and as a governor as well -- stovepipes within government, whether it's in the military or in civilian government, which establishes duplicates services, duplication of efforts over mission effectiveness or the expenditure of taxpayer money. general chilton has previously highlighted the importance of sharing information among agencies, including home insecurity, the department of defense, particularly in cyberspace. just yesterday, secretary gates said the future cyber threat is huge and that is no understatement. my suggestion is without strong coordination, agencies will continue to build their own

protective walls around their own unique situation. what is your view of stratcom and the role it should play against the growing cyber threats both to our military and civilian agencies? >> i think strategic man sits in a very unique position to have a very strong influence on the way the department of defense proceeds and also on these other relationships you talked about. as we talk about the roles going on, stratcom's role to ring

gauge with other combatant commanders to make sure cyberspace is being addressed across the military forces and stratcom's ability to look up into the policy world. there is a big role for strategic command to play in all of this and most of that is handed to them by the president and the unified command program. >> google or any other significant company, is there any paring possible in developing that partnership? will enhance our national defense? can we learn something from the private sector as well as having the private sector learn

something from us? >> in many cases, we are learning more from the private sector than we are learning from us. -- than they are learning from us. you are defining the big challenge of cyberspace -- is the ultimate partnership activity. comments inates' yesterday about the department of defense is a positive steps. >> maybe we will someday teardown all the stovepipes. there is limited personnel to address a rather diverse continent. one of the deficiencies we experienced in afghanistan was we lacked a country of soldiers

separate check -- that possess the right language and cultural changes. are we developing the right mix of skills -- can leave have the diversity and recognize the challenges in africa? >> my sense is yes, but not quickly enough. we start to see cultural understanding emerged first in our special operating forces. as general forces become available, it would be good to seek general understanding in the general forces. a way to do that is to the state partnership program. >> would this be one of your priorities to make certain we

direct enough of our resources so that we can get the kind of results we need to get? we cannot get it any other way -- are we not going to be able to make our mission successful otherwise? >> is confirmed, i now have to that personally and look at that across the command. >>y time has expired. >> thank you. >> thank you, mr. chairman. thank you for your willingness to take on the responsibility. in your response to the advance questions, you state the commander for the u.s. strategic command is responsible for the plans and operations of u.s. forces conducting strategic deterrence, including the mission of deterring attacks on u.s. vital interests. as the nominee to be combat

commander for strategic deterrence and assuring freedom of action and support of joint operations,, how important is it that the u.s. develop a long- range nuclear capability? >> i think it is critically important we continue with sustainment and modernization of all legs of the triad. i agree long-range strike replacements is appropriate and would advocate for that. >> the airforce has been working on identifying requirements and convincing the office of the secretary of the need of manned next generation strike platforms. what do you foresee as your role in developing and advocating for that type of system? >> if confirmed, one of the

things combatant commanders do is establish requirements. if confirmed, i would be responsible for setting requirements for such a platform. i know the airforce is studying some preliminary ways forward and i look forward to participating as a combatant commanders confirmed. >> there are on the order of 25 studies being done with regard to next generation long-range strike aircraft. yet there hasn't been any significant progress made to date. as a follow-up to my previous question, what can you see yourself doing differently than your predecessors when it comes to successfully advocating this to the office of secretary? >> i don't know if there is anything different needs to be done right now. i know from my air force had

this is getting a lot of attention. it is a lot of issues to grapple with to make sure they have the requirements correctly stated and outlined in a way to afford to match those requirements. i don't know if there's one thing i could do that would be different, but i would restate that if confirmed, my belief is modernization and sustainment of the entire force elements and the sustaining stockpile that goes behind it, the command and control that supports that are all important and i would advocate for all of them. >> as well as the next generation strike? >> yes. there is sustainment under way for the b-52's and the b-2s. >> another question that has to

do with the start treaty. the new start treaty includes a ceiling on operationally deployed nuclear warheads of 1550 warheads and 700 strategic nuclear delivery systems. what do you foresee as the possible implications of reducing the number of delivery vehicles and of the treaty? >> if you mean to get down to the treaty limits, i have not been part of the analysis, nor was i part of the negotiation activity. what i would say at this point is what i understand from my current seat, at those levels, 1550 operationally deployed warheads, 700 operationally deployed delivery vehicles, up to 800 deployed and non- deployed, that we can achieve our deterrence objectives.

>> the current plan to comply with the treaty would reduce the number of nuclear capable bombers to a maximum of 60. if my math is right, we have 20 b-2s that would remain nuclear- capable and would require rest to reduce the number of nuclear capable b-52's by half, to somewhere around 40, to stay around what they expect to be the 60 number of bomber delivery vehicles. what will the impact be stratcom on -- the impact be on stratcom 's mission? at level the become nervous about the viability of the bomber leg of the triad? >> first of all, we have decided to retain a triad, which i think is a foundational step we have taken. the exact mixture of that triad

has yet to be determined. there have been some numbers stated, but we have entry into force plus seven years to get to the appropriate mixture of weapons. i would like to take the opportunity, if confirmed, to come back with a mournful some discussion about what i think about the mixture of each individual leg. -- to come back with a more fulsome discussion. >> these systems would further reduce the numbers of bombers or icbm in our inventory. what is your position on the development of prompt global strike? is this an important capability and is it important enough we further reduce the other legs of the triad? >> as i understand the treaty, a prompt global strike weapon could count.

it depends on its characteristics, whether it is actuallyade it to an intercontinental range been this big risk -- intercontinental range ballistic missile. it doesn't have to count, but it could, depending on how we go forward. my view is we should go forward and continuing to develop long- range, conventional strike of some kind and i think, again, if confirmed, this is one i would like to come back and have further discussion. >> i think it would be important to determine whether or not but ever the prompt global strike would consist of what in fact fall under those caps and impact the other situation with regard to the triad. i see my time is expired. thank you for your service. >> thank you. i would like to congratulate

both of you for having been selected to undertake these responsibilities. i have no doubt from the quality of service to have given our country that both of these commands will be in excellent hands. general kehler, it was interesting to visit with you yesterday. my father spent a good bit of his air force career in sac -- two tours at vandenberg. it brought back a lot of memories of the really amazing work his generational cohort did in terms of pioneering these programs that have matured now and the discussions we're having today -- a lot of people don't realize the jeopardy this country was then in the late 1950's after the soviet union had gotten ahead of us with the sputnik program. the discussions we're having and the issues we're facing now are a direct product of the quality

of the work that generation put into this and, having grown up a good part of my life on those two bases, i wish you the best. general ham, we have had discussion here about the department of defense study on the don't ask, don't tell issue. i would like to say as the chairman of the said committee, i appreciate the cooperation you and counsel jay johnson gave us in terms of designing this study. i think it is important, if i may, to quote from what senator lieberman just said. he said the study should inform the decision congress makes in voting. we tend to forget that in our political taste here. this is a very important study for us, not simply to receive, but to examine and discuss.

your background as a former enlisted and infantry officer is very important to the credibility of what ever comes out of the study. having spent five years in the pentagon, i cannot remember a steady, this type of issue that has been done with this sort of care, not even having seen it or knowing the results, but i know the preparation going into it. it's going to be a very important study for us to examine. as i told you both yesterday, i regretfully put a hold on civilian and military nominations based on an issue of what i believe is non cooperation from the departments of defense. more than three months ago, i asked for a series of comparable historical data that goes into our analysis of all of these

commands and the efficiencies which secretary gates is attempting to put in the department of defense. i fully support these, but it should not have taken this amount of time. this is a basic -- providing this data so we can participate in discussions. it was not a political ploy. basically if you do not have the information, if you don't have the tools, you cannot do the analysis and have a discussion about where these reductions might be going in our commands. i'm very happy to point out that last night at the close of business, we did receive the first cut on this data. i am happily going to release any of these holes were forced to put in place in order to do this. we are going to examine the data and have fallen questions. but it's a very important part of how you're going to bring efficiency to the department of defense.

you are free at last. i have a question, general ham, on africa command, where the think headquarters is going to go? >> the headquarters today is in cigar, germany. i had -- is in stood guard, germany. i had a discussion about the president for this job and at one of the things we talked about was the necessity to conduct an assessment of the headquarters location. if confirmed, i will certainly do that and will consider a wide variety of locations to include the current location. perhaps other sites in europe. we ought to consider location of continent of africa and certainly there are locations in the united states and have asked to be considered as well. if confirmed, i will do just that. >> let me suggest you examine

our fault. >> i understand, sir. >> thank you. >> thank you and thank you for your actions on the nominations. >> in thank you, mr. chairman. i want to thank both of you for your service and congratulate you on these appointments. general ham, asked some questions and some of the concerns i have about africa. with all due respect to my friend from virginia, please look at florida also. we areleased to have 3 combatant commands in florida and we would appreciate your evaluation of florida. >> if you would yield, think you better at illinois and michigan. [laughter] we don't have any commands. i feel we are entitled to one. it's about time we had a command.

>> thank you, chairman. i had an opportunity to visit yemen as well as djibouti this past august and see firsthand what our forces are trying to do to combataqap and i'm very concerned about ties between al qaeda in the arabian peninsula and the -- like frieda tell me where your view is of the area and will be the plan of this country in the coming years to combat terrorism and the links between yemen and somalia and other african countries and radical islamic groups and all we're going to do to combat their threats to the country. >> senator, i agree with you. the extremist threat emerging from east africa is probably the

greatest concern will face in the near future. if confirmed, it becomes a priority. consistent with what i believe to be the commands highest authority, which is to protect, deter and, as necessary, defeat concerns and threats that would emerge to the u.s. homeland and interests. one of the challenges is, as you correctly point out, the area sits astride two geographic combatant commands areas of responsibility. one of the things i learned as a director for operations of the joint staff is that it's in those boundary areas where we must pay pretension to ensure the extremist organizations and others find no safe haven and no opportunity to transition and unimpeded between geographic

combatant commands. if confirmed, i would look forward to working very closely with u.s. central command to ensure we counter the threat appropriately. >> i believe outside of the pakistan region, the most dangerous place in the world right now is yemen and the thais to somalia. these uncovered and territories and the presence of people in yemen using sophisticated recruiting tools, who grew up in the united states knows how to attract recruits. it is as dangerous a place in the world as it could be. it is probably not something for an open hearing, but there is something for the communication and the fact maybe recruiting pokes through yemen and trading them in somalia, being focused on that is of very high

importance. >> if confirmed, i would take that as a high priority. >> i want to talk a little bit about your responsibilities at strategic command and the cyber concerns and cyber warfare and i know we are looking at a cyber command but how would that play into your responsibilities? >> when the secretary of defense decided in consultation with the president to stand up they said the unified command, what he essentially did was he consolidated a number of disparate activities going on inside the department of defense related to cyberspace into one place with a four-star, much like the relationship between pacific command and u.s. forces

korea where there is a sub unified command of that did exist within pacific command and yet operate with some degree of autonomy to take care of a mission they have been assigned. that's the same relationship we have here. strategic command, as i have reread the mission here recently, still has responsibilities to advocate, integrate, to be part of the command relationships with the other combatant commands. there is still quite a bit of work, both direct and indirect work, that goes on at strategic command level, but the day in, day out activities and command and control of network activities, those types of things are going on in u.s. cybercom.

>> so it is a command within a command? >> yes. >> can i talk a little bit about space policy? that is within your responsibility. with the degrading of our plans for nasa, although we were able to make some acmplishments before we went out for our recess in trying to continue the space program, tell me about your views of where we will be on the military side of our space program and whether or not you feel we're doing all we can to make sure we command space for military purposes. there is always the view we have to maintain high ground. at one time, aviation was a high ground, but we allis the future high ground. we don't want to be in a position where a competitor has

the command of space. what are your views on the command of space? >> the nature of space has changed pretty dramatically in the last five to 10 years. you will hear these words used in the department of defense -- space is congested, competitive , and complex. usedl also hear contested sometimes. what has happened is that from 1957, when there was one man may object in orbit to toda when there are 20,000 that are softball size and larger and there are 50 nations involved in some way in space, as nations that are space fairing with their own capabilities to get there and stay there are growing. given that china and others are emerging in space in a

significant way with very ambitious programs, things are different. as a result, a new national space policy was just issued. it says, essentially, that we need to maintain the competitive advantage that gives us in terms of war fighting capabilities and it says that to go about that, we will need to be more collaborative and cooperative with allies, france, partners and commercial. from a military side, leveraging those space capabilities has become the way we think we need to go to the future. we have turned the corner in many cases in acquisition difficulties. that's not to say we don't have any, but we have turned the corner in many of our acquisition difficulties. finally, in terms of our relationship with nasa, those are two separate and distinct organizations with two separate

and distinct organizations. we collaborate and partners since the beginning of the space age and are looking for ways we can leverage nasa, the department of defense, and the national reconnaissance office to make sure we are working together to be more efficient while becoming more effective. >> thank you for those comments. if i were in your position, the things that would be keeping me up at night would be cyber and space. those are two priorities where we have to keep our advantage and i appreciate your focus and attention. >> if i am confirmed, you can rest assured that those two will be at top of my list. >> thank you. i have senator burris down as being next. i think it is correct. >> this is more than likely last appearance before migrate committee and i want to commend you, mr. chairman for your wonderful work and the

opportunity to be able to serve on this armed services committee. >> it has been a real pleasure for us and the real advantage for us to have you here. >> thank you. to both of the generals, i'm pleased to be both today. i have more a statement and question, but i have -- if i have enough time, i would like ask a couple of questions. after reviewing both of your resumes, i'm confident you'll both serve commendably. i have had the privilege of visiting both over the past year. i have been able to see the capabilities under which will serve and the challenges which face. there are challenges out there, gentlemen. general kehler: i travel to omaha stratcom to see facilities and i was impressed by the dedication to mission shown by

the entire staff. i hope that -- i hope you look at those individuals and hold on to them. i see in your biography of your the deputy commander at stratcom, so [inaudible] on ballistic threats. i'm confident your the right man for the job and, should i be here to vote, rest assured you have my vote. by will be following your success. to general ham, your predecessor has laid the ground war -- the groundwork to take this unified command to the next level of efficiency and interagency cooperation. the united states african command -- there is so much more than training african troops in stability and security operations. they represent the united states and our military throughout the entire continent of africa.

what we find out is most americans speak of africa as a country. the have no idea the size and complexity of this continent with 53 separate entities and countries on this continent. i stress that point clearly as it has potential to be both your greatest challenge and your greatest success. the men and women as you command them through the usaid, the part of agriculture, department of state operations throughout the continent, but as the men and women in aeriform -- the presence in of a uniform that the men and women of africa will remember most. i'm excited to see the progress as i continue to follow your career upon leaving the senate.

again, i would like to thank both of you for sitting before this committee today and for your service to our country. you have put a lot of years of service in and i take my hat off to all of you gentleman who made it to the status you have made because of the contribution made and the confidence people have placed in you. you have taken on added responsibility now with these two commands. so i am proud to support your nomination and should i be here, i would be voting for it. general ham, i have a couple of points on africa. on the african union, by visited them and come to find out, i think was the first united states senator -- a lot of our congresspersons have been to the african union, but i was told of the first senator to come and

visit them at headquarters. they're building a new wonderful headquarters. please encourage my colleagues through your contacts to check out the african union. they're looking forward to seeing us and letting us hear their concerns. i also visited -- let me correct title -- the east africa standby brigade. it has all these different countries, trying to bring peace and security into this east african nations. they are concerned about our participation. general war has stood up this command and and his best. the resources are a problem and the other agencies that are there are really seeking to do what their responsibilities are. a lot of it is depending on the

military. i found out they were a little concerned about what african band was. you still have a pr job to do in terms of those african countries in what is our purpose? you'll also have to compete with china as they move into these various countries with their assistance. africa is the future for all our existing countries because the resources are there and we have to look at the can rebuild our relationships with those african countries in spite of the terrorism, and spite of the conflicts that exist. we need to have a better presence on the continent. as far as the headquarters is concerned, i would not mind chicago. art and went ons

to djibouti and into nairobi. i turned into my chairman a report of the experience and i'm just hoping, general ham, we can step up our presence and that the african countries understand we are there to assist them, not there to -- as they are concerned, about to take them over. here comes big america. you must work with those different factions that exist in all those different countries and i have a great deal of sympathy for you as you undertake that.

yet answered my headquarters question, -- you have answered headquarters' question, any idea where you think it's going to go? >> i think i should approach this with a blank piece of per and start with what is the requirement that, but the best recommendation for the headquarters location. >> i think every african country will want headquarters there, so you're going have problems a few select an african country. i see my time is up. gentleman, continue your service and continue to do good for the american people and take our message brought to the other countries and let them know we are here not as conquerors, but we are here to help civilization forward for the betterment of all mankind. god bless you all and your families and keep up the good work. thank you. >> thank you very much, center paris and a thank you for your major contribution to our nation

and this senate and the committee. it has really been appreciated. >> let me echo your words about senator burris. i'm going to miss him and i've really enjoyed serving with the former attorney general of illinois. i look forward to your advice and counsel as we continue our work in the senate. generals, thank you for being here today. general kehler, if i might start with you, i think you are familiar with a joint op-ed sectarian gates and a secretary clinton wrote this week where they said -- a joint op-ed that secretary gate and secretary clinton wrote this week where they said the ratified treaty creates a more stable, predictable and cooperative relationship between the two leading nuclear powers. russia and u.s. comprise over 90% of the supply of new weapons.

as a strong regional power, russia has a great deal of influence in dealing with iran and it's unclear weapons program. i believe new star will help to bolster our relations with rations which -- with the russians and our ability to put pressure on iran. what are your thoughts on that particular situation? >> i would agree that arms control agreement contributes as a piece of a broader relationship in many ways. i would agree my personal opinion. that would be helpful in the way you suggest. as a new start, as a step forward, there would be more to do as we discussed the tactical weapon arsenal that russians have.

by passing new start, we will continue to have those negotiations further about tactical nuclear weapons. we believe iran is the center of our efforts in the middle east and i believe we have to ratify the new start treaty. thank you for your comments. but the move to cyber security. i spent some time with secretary nepal ton of and i know -- secretary nepalitano. could you talk a little bit more about the involvement and the importance of this effort? >> again, if confirmed, as i mentioned before, strategic command has an important role to play. strategic command set to the confluence of a lot of activity for the department of defense.

strategic command has a strong advocacy role, certainly an integration role and my intent, if confirmed, is to try to continue to make strategic command a better and better and better partner both inside the department of defense and, as necessary, with vhs and others. >> -- with dhs and others. >> we have talked about our space and inner space, including this area of cyber security. i look forward to working with you when you are confirmed. that is my intent. general ham -- one final, and for general kehler. could you tell me about the final status of the space posture review? can you provide any insights on when we would see it and any

additional thoughts you might have. >> i'm not sure i can. i will have to get it for the record. the space posture review in large part contributed to to important documents. one is the new national space policy president signed some months ago. the other is a national security space strategy document being prepared as a follow-on to the policy. i'm not sure if there will be a separate space posture document or whether it's rolled into the national security space strategy. that national security space strategy is in coordination and should be available soon. i cannot specify exactly when. i will get that information for the record for you. >> i think we both agreed we are increasingly reliant on space for our economy and national

security and we know that increasingly space is congested and contested. we need to stay on the front end of this and i'm looking forward to your continued advice and counsel in your new position, given your past experience and expertise. general ham, i would like to turn to you. as i understand it, one of the missions of africom is to enhance the capabilities of africa through assistance programs. another part of the mission is to conduct or support actions in conjunction with u.s. government agencies and partners to reduce the potential for interstate conflict in africa by enhancing the government stability and economic within the sphere of responsibility. of those two basic missions, do

you see either as more important than the other, particularly in the context of a short, mid, and long-term concerns? i know that's a big question. >> in my view, they are indeed complementary efforts. the role of command is through a wide variety of programs and authorities. to help build the capacity african nations need at the national level and importantly to build regional capacity. if confirmed, this becomes an important requirement and task to see how we can best leverage the authorities and resources available to achieve the best effect. >> so those two basic missions, you not elevate one above the other? you see them as equally important operating in civilian

space to build a governing capacity? >> i think they do go hand in hand. if confirmed, i would have to look at as i was all the other requirements of command and cfa prioritization was necessary, particularly in the application of resources. if confirmed, i would look at that. >> i see my time is about to expire. let me make one final remark. the defense science board has been charged by the current commander and undersecretary of defense with assessing the implications of climate change on africa and the potential role you'd have in addressing these impacts. i would like to ask you to provide -- to commit to providing the committee with the underground.

>> if confirmed, i will. >> thank you for being here. >> thank you. >> thank you to both of you for being here. i will state for the record i'm looking forward to supporting both of you in these positions. i think you are highly qualified for these new challenges you are taking on. also, thank you to your families for the commitment they have to make in this venture and stressed it will be added to your household. thank you for that willingness. i'm not -- most of my questions have been answered. i would put in my pitch that alaska would be happy to take the command when you look for a location. we would tell you we are 90% by air to any place in the western world and can access most places through airport technology and

the clothes are airports under any conditions. i know general kehler knows that. let me -- i want to get a broad statement because i heard some comments somewhat worked up over the start treaty. i am looking forward to voting on this at some point. let me be a little parochial but clarify -- i anticipate your answer, it's more a set up because i want to make it clear one more time that the start treaty, another is discussion of missile defense and how it interacts with it, but my understanding is the start treaty does not affect missile defense in any way. let me ask you in an informal way, will the start treaty

hinder your ability to advocate for ballistic missile defense requirements in any way question mark >> i do not believe it will. >> it almost like we have to do this every hearing when we talk about the start because there seems to be a discussion to put in the air to let people spin out there a little bit and let the press carry it, but when i hear over and over again, especially when we have secretary clinton here and a secretary gates that it was a very clear it does not hinder our capacity. i is what is a thank you once again for putting it on the record so that it is clear and lovely and that part of the effort. let me home in if i can -- i am interested to know, assuming you are confirmed, can you give me

your sense or your understanding of the need of how you will advocate for our last line of defense when it comes to missile defense for this country? >> as you know, the current policy of our government is that we will deploy a limited defensive system against long- range threats from regional powers that could reach out and strike the united states and that's the basis on which the center network and the ground- based midcourse interceptors in alaska and a handful at brandenburg were postured. my responsibility i believe is to help advocate for that capability. certainly as long as that is our view about what we need to do.

>> [unintelligible] i know the director of the space missile defense plan comes up and he always takes january. we would love to have you up there. it is a unique situation and there are what i would call some deficits. the nearest town has one doctor and there's no clinic on base, to give you a sense of what they have to work with. we would love to have you up there at some point at your convenience. once you are on the ground, you will find a very committed community within a range of the base. it's also important, if you are confirmed, we would love to participate in any way we can to make that happen. >> i have been to alaska number

of times. >> very good. that's another piece of the equation. at some point, i will want to have some conversation about the long-term plan. another is one of rehabilitation and renovation to the facility. just to make sure we are on track on the dollar requirements. i know that in these tight budget times, everyone is looking to push where they can, but we think it is critical long-term and the investment is considered over the next several years will hopefully be continued. i don't have to have a conversation on that right now. but me ask a general question on the development of the two- stage ground-based interceptor as a hedge in the appointment -- deployment of a long-range adapt meant approach. if it is not achieved by 2020 --

if we cannot get to our schedule, do you see the two- stage ground-based interceptor as a hedge to make sure we are covered? >> i don't know enough about that. i would like to take it for the record i could. >> that would be great. not that i would say the military is not always on schedule, but there are times where planning and development of new technology gets delayed. if we don't have something to back against it as things change, i want to make sure we have a cohesive plan in that arena and not to say we're done here because we have a new plan down the road and then we missed some timetables. >> i apologize. i'm just not familiar enough with the details of the way down to render a comment. >> thank you. i know when i talked to general riley, he has it down to the

detail. you are just getting down to this position. in some advanced questions we gave you, you made a comment that robust access to space is a national imperative, which i hundred% agree. in -- which i 100% agreed. in alaska, we have the kodiak launch site, we have two missions scheduled this year. we have a very unique capability. but i would encourage you to look at that and help our office understand what you see is the potential if at all the potential of long-term relationship from your office and operation with the kodiak launch facility. there are a lot of federal dollars there to build the facility and it has great

capacity. there are already too missions this year from one component of the military. any comment on that? >> i think the mission is tomorrow. >> i think you are right. >> if confirmed, would be more than happy to get involved with you and have discussions about kodiak. >> thank you. that's all questions i have. i appreciate your time and congratulations again for your willingness to take on additional responsibility and commitment to this country. >> thank you. >> thank you, mr. chairman. gentleman, congratulations on your appointments to these positions. thank you for public service, your long service to our country. general kehler, as we have

discussed many times, the nation's space program, now you are taking it to a different level. in the strategic command, you are going to have to be concerned with the nuclear program. i would encourage you, as one of your first day they you do, which i encourage general chilton to do the same thing and i think he would reaffirm the this is good advice, go visit the three national labs. that's my suggestion. have you visited the three before? >> i have not visited all three. i have been through pieces in the past, you mentioned this to

me several days ago. i will do this if i am confirmed because there are deficiencies i have getting is on some of the aspects -- plus the rest of the weapons complex i will put is on early on. >> also with regard to the triad and the nuclear posture review, it states that each leg of the triad has advantages that weren't retaining all three legs. that strategic nuclear submarines represent the most survivable leg of the u.s. nuclear triad. should we retain all three legs of the triad? >> yes, sir, i do. >> do you want to discuss the significance of the next

generation of ballistic missile submarines? >> it is important as we look to the future that two things happen -- it is important we sustain the legs we have today. i know services have invested in sustaining this legs. i think it is important we sustain the command and control that makes sure the president is always linked to those forces. i think it is important to sustain the isr that supports all of those activities and it's important we put in place the modernization efforts to make sure we get to the next version of each of these. my understanding -- it looks like the first to come up for modernization investment will be a replacement to the ohio class submarine. if i am confirmed, i look

forward to working with the department of navy to make sure we understand and have clarified requirements and that they are actively moving forward. the other legs are under way, studies of various levels, i think it is important to have a replacement long-range strike aircraft and it is important to begin the process to modernize the nation's land-based strategic deterrent. survivability is a key aspect of the triad brings to bear. on a day in-day out business, the submarine is the most survival. it generated, the bombers are equally survivable. >> general ham, we have a problem of drugs going into west africa and that goes right up into europ