Good morning. This hearing of the subcommittee on readiness and management will come to order. Subcommittee meets today to receive testimony from undersecretary defense for acquisition and sustainment, ellen lord concerning supply chain integrity fourth apartment of defense in the United States. Since her initial confirmation as the under secretary of defense secretary lord has oversensitive give acquisition reform at the department of defense and i am sure we will talk about some of that today. As the u. S. National armament director she has traveled to see the u. S. Throughout the u. S. And the to see our allies and partners with regards to the development and Manufacturing Activities around the world and unfortunately has seen how reliant the u. S. Defense Industrial Base chain has become particularly as it relates to china. With the rise of china and Great Power Competition and the Global Pandemic the vulnerabilities and gaps in our supply chain particularly as it relates to the Na
Subcommittee meets today to receive testimony from under secretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment, ellen lord, concerning supply chain integrity for the department of defense in the United States. Since our her initial confirman as the undersecretary of defense, secretary lord has overseen significant acquisition reform at the department of defense, and a chill well talk about some of that today. As the u. S. National armaments director she has traveled to see the u. S. , throughout the u. S. And to see our allies and partners with regard to the development and Manufacturing Activities around the world, and, unfortunately, has seen firsthand just how reliant the u. S. Defense Industrial Base chain has become come to class relates to china. With the rise of china and Great Power Competition of the global covid19 pandemic, the vulnerabilities and gaps in our supply chains particularly as relates to National Security have taken on a new urgency. What you think Ranking Member k
Ms. Lord so senator, this is a key area of focus for the department. Fact, every monday, senior leadership, military, and together for a National Defense strategy implementation meeting. Topics we are focusing on here in the near logistics forsted reason. Y employment. This becomes much more of a challenge. One would say the number issue is planning to understand do. Were going to and we need to look at our make sure we to are there in a time of need. We have warfare plans. Detailed logistical plans to go along with that. Just as were sending aircraft little notice th and perhaps surprising some. Places, ding aircraft surprising others. We have a lot of work going on n logistics that we dont talk about. But to be there for the very reason you state to support the war fighter wherever they might be. Senator duckworth are there any should ar procedures we be considering to address these challenges . You,tary lord i will tell very important question and offer. Id like to take that for the
Listening in washington and around the country and around the world. I am mike ohanlon at the Brookings Institution. We are honored to host mark esper who, after being introduced by my boss, retired general john allen, he will offer remarks on how the covid19 is affecting the armed forces and anything else. I will ask questions and then i will hear from you. If you have not already submitted your welcome to do so. Apologies that we may not get to all questions. Ado, let me hand the body the baton to john allen. Good morning. My name is john allen and i am the president of the Brookings Institution and it is my great pledge to welcome you all to , featuring dr. Mark esper. Esper was sworn in as the 22nd secretary of defense on 2019. 0 323, he served as a secretary of the toy from november 20, 2017 the summer of 2019. He is no stranger to service. He is a 1986 west point graduate and upon graduation he was commissioned in the infantry and that makes at least two infantrymen on this call.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. I am the president of the brookings institution. It is my great privilege to welcome you all to todays event. Secretary esper was the 27th secretary of defense. He had served as the acting secretary in june and july of that year also served as secretary of the army to the summer of 2019. Secretary esper is no stranger to service. He is a west point graduate and upon graduation was in the infantry. Upon completion of ranger training, he served in the 101st Airborne Division and participated in the 1991 gulf war with the cherished screaming angles. Eagles. He retired from the u. S. Army in on7 after spending 10 years active duty. For much of the decade that followed, secretary esper continued his service. The former Senate Majority secretary forthe defense under george w. Bush. She would go on to a distinguished career in the defense industry, most recently serving as Vice President of relations for raytheon. Honored. Especially given the ongoing crisi