general mcnabb. a highly distinguished chairman and joint force leader. this is a historic time for the united states africa command. we completed a complex short notice mission in libya and transferred control of that mission to and nato. the situation in libya highlights important matters about africa. first, this event illustrates the dynamics of the african political military environment. one that has seen the growing threat of transnational extremists in somalia, election crises, southern sudanese represent -- referendum. storage of the resistance army to name just a few of the challenges insecurity on the continent. in order for africa command to reduce threat to our interests abroad and at home we need to contribute to operations, programs and activities that help african states provide their own security in a manner consistent with the rule of law and international norms. we must continue our efforts to enhance regional stability through partnership not only with african states but also susta

general duncan mcnabb, commander u.s.ransportation command and general carter ham, commander of u.s. africa command. gentlemen, thank you for appearing before us today and think you for your lifetime of service to the nation. please come convey our thanks to those who serve with you in your combat areas. we look forward to hearing your testimony today. ranking members left. >> thank you, mr. chairman. welcome, general mcnabb congenital ham to testify this afternoon according to your comments and answers to the questions to a very important commands in the montreal transportation command first has an amazing job for the chairman referred to as logistics coming and you can imagine all the capabilities we have and where we would like them, but general mcnabb has to make sure the two things matchup and it's not an easy job and when you consider the interest throughout the world and where we have had to move equipment in recent years to do an outstanding job as to the men and women who serve in the transportation command. we h

general mcnabb is the one who has to make them work. you do an outstanding job, as do the men and women who serve in transportation. we have the c-17 and we are proud of what they do. there are a number of issues we will be interested in, how to downsize in iraq? how is that process progressing? what contingencies do you have in place? if for some reason it turns out we will be leaving our equipment arab and we expect. -- what contingencies do you have in place if, for some reason, it turns out we will be leaving more equipment there than we expect. afghanistan is not always a stable place. i would be interested in your feelings about how we are doing on that and what the major challenges are going forward and how we make sure we get the equipment to afghanistan that we need. in africom, you have a fair number of challenges in that region. there is a lot of political unrest in a number of nations across the top of africa to varying degrees. in the ivory coast, there are major challenges. the condo has an ongoing challenge in maintaining

i have two questions for you, general mcnabb. the first is for you in reference to ship repairs in u.s. shipyards. in a may 2004 report to congress, msc and assured congress that it was firmly committed to conducting the maximum amount of repair work practical in domestic shipyards and ensuring that msc ships are repaired in foreign shipyards only, only when directed by operational necessity and allowed by law. how does transcom ensure that operational necessity exists before authorizing repairs in foreign shipyards? and annual report to congress indicates that there are still a tremendous amount of ships being repaired in hong kong or singapore. so what more can be done to comply with congressional -- congressional intent? could you answer that for me? >> yes, ma'am. one of the things that military sea lift command, not wanted to take care of our ships, they also take care of the navy fleet. and the ships that they have forward, for instance, in the pacific are primarily under the chief of naval operations and support of the nav