our witnesses are sandy when it fell -- sandy winifeld, general william frazier, iii to be commander united states transfer command. we thank you to view 4, who many decades, have committed service to our nation and you're willing to continue that service in these positions with great responsibility and challenge. but me also extend on behalf of the committee our thank you to your family whose support has been so important in the success you have enjoyed and whose support for you makes a difference for the nation as well. as it is a tradition that we particularly enjoy, we would invite each of you to introduce any family members or friends who are here during your opening remarks. one of the first actions that all three of our nominees will carry out if confirmed will be to immediately implement the reduction of u.s. forces in afghanistan by 10,000 by the end of this year, removing the rest of the 33,000 u.s. surge forces from afghanistan by the end of the summer in 2012. these reductions are part of an ongoing process of transitioning, increasing responsibility for afghanistan secur