Command of Northern Command and commander of north American Aerospace defense command. We congratulate both of you on your nominations. We thank you for your decades of distinguished service to our nation and for your willingness to serve once again. Of course, we know today would not be possible without the support and sacrifice of your family and friends. Some of whom are with us this morning. As is our tradition, we hope you will take the opportunity to introduce your family joining you today. General scaparrotti, you seek to lead a command very different from the one your predecessor, general breedlove, inherited just three years ago. When Vladimir Putin invaded ukraine and annexed crimea, dismembering a sovereign nation in the heart of europe for the first time in seven decades, general breedlove led with clarity and purpose. He pushed ucom and nato to address the strategic reality we face in europe. That will be the urgent and unfinished task left to you, general scaparrotti, if confirmed. Over the past two years, Vladimir Putin has been learning from bloody experience in ukraine and syria that military adventurism pays, that diplomacy can be manipulated to serve his strategic ambitions, and that the worst refugee crisis since world war ii can be weaponized to divide the west and weaken its resolve. The only deterrence that we seem to be establishing is over ourselves. Indeed, two years after russia invaded ukraine and annexed crimea, the administration is still not provided Ukrainian Forces with Legal Assistance they need to defend themselves and which the congress has authorized for fear of, quote, provoking russia. This fear of escalation only encourages the kind of aggressive and dangerous behavior we saw last week when russian fighter jets conducted simulated attacks within 30 feet of a u. S. Navy destroyer in International Waters and performed dangerous maneuvers within 50 feet of a u. S. Surveillance aircraft in international airspace. The European Reassurance Initiative is a positive step first step to reestablishing deterrence in europe, but its just that, a first step. Russia is building an advanced networkess from crimea to the eastern mediterranean. Russian submarine activity in the north atlantic and the mediterranean is at the highest level since the cold war. Russias military modernization and expanding operations demand a comprehensive review of u. S. Force posture in europe, and the resources necessary to support it. But a strong response to Vladimir Putins aggression cannot come from america alone. With a flood of refugees pouring across its borders, nato has to step up. Our nato allies not only need to reverse declining Defense Budgets and honor their pledge to reach the 2 target within a decade, they must also invest in Critical Military capabilities that further alliance interoperability. A strong nato is in Americas National security interest. Nowhere has that been clearer than in afghanistan. Our allies have sacrificed blood and treasure fighting alongside us for 15 years. Now the balance of our shared mission and indeed the fate of afghanistan hangs in the balance. The president has announced he intends to reduce u. S. Forces in afghanistan from the current level of 9,800 to 5,500 by the end of the year. Such reduction will have profound consequences, especially the end of the u. S. Train, advise and assist mission and the highest levels of the afghan military. This is at the same time isil is now on the battlefield, al qaeda is resurgent, and the taliban is on the offensive. Just this week, the taliban conducted a suicide bombing in kabul that killed over 60 people and wounded more than 300, most , of whom were civilians, including women and children. The president has a decision to make. Maintain or increase the current level of u. S. Troops given conditions on the ground or continue with a calendar base d withdrawal. The right answer is clear, but whatever his decision, the president needs to make it as soon as possible. The uncertainty surrounding americas commitment to afghanistan discourages our allies, and encourages our enemies. Natos force Generation Conference is in june, and the nato summit in warsaw is in july. At stake is whether nato forces will remain in western and northern afghanistan or whether those areas will be ceded to the influence of iran or criminal drug rings. Have no doubt, nato will follow americas lead on troops in afghanistan. Its up to the president of the United States to show that leadership. General robinson, the committee looks forward to hearing your assessment of the threats the u. S. Homeland that it is tasked to defend, especially the development of advanced missiles capable of carrying nuclear payloads by russia, iran and north korea. Well be interested to hear your views on the importance of the u. S. , mexico security relationship. Heroin, largely produced in mexico, continues to ravage communities across our nation and demands a renewed effort to combat this scourge, both in our streets and at its source. We must reckon with the fundamental truth, that the real driver of Drug Trafficking is demand for drugs here at home. And while it is clear the Mexican Government must do more within its borders, our government needs to finally get serious about Border Security. As former southcomm commander general john kelly recently testified about our southern border, and i quote, the border is, if not wide open, then certainly open enough to get what the demand requires inside of the country. While Border Security is ultimately the responsibility of the department of Homeland Security, im deeply concerned about the lack of coordination between d. O. D. And d. H. S. Along the border. During a recent visit i made in sierra visa, arizona, i observed the army conducting Training Missions with the u. A. V. Fleet. Despite the aircrews flying along the u. S. , mexico border, the Training Missions were not being coordinated with the department of Homeland Security to surveil the border for Drug Trafficking activities. This is unacceptable. Not only does military training in areas along the border benefit military readiness by providing realistic training in a real world operationally relevant environment it can also provide a vital secondary benefit to d. H. S. Counterdrug and Border Security operations by increasing situational awareness. D. O. D. And d. H. S. Should be working to ensure Training Missions for u. A. V. Squadrons, ground sensor platoons and other units are fully integrated. General robinson, i look forward to hearing your views on how northcomm can contribute to enhancing interagency cooperation along our borders. Senator reed. Senator reed i want to thank both of them for their Extraordinary Service to the nation and recognize your families that served along with you. Ive had the privilege of knowing Cindy Scaparrotti for a number of years. Thank you, cindy. General robinson, your father , george, was a career pilot. And your husband was born in woonsocket, rhode island, so you already got some momentum behind your nomination. Thank you. The nominees who before us today have impressive records. General scaparrotti is commander of the United Nations command, United States force career. Previously served as director of the joint staff commander. InterNational Security assistance force. On and on. Including command of the 82nd airborne division. Thank you, sir. General robinson has been commander now of the air component of the u. S. Pacific command. She has been Vice Commander of air combat command and a list of other important assignments so thank you. General scaparrotti, if confirmed youll be command of the european command and natos allied commander. Youll be asked to consider a diverse array of challenges in the u. N. Security environment, including flows emanating from the conflicts in the middle east, north africa, the ongoing refugee crisis and the potential destabilizing effects and , aggressive behavior in russia, which the chairman has very accurately and thoughtfully pointed out. You will oversee the shifts in those efforts in europe. Along with our nato partners, we will be adding investments to deter further russian activities. The committee looks forward to your views on these and other complex issues. Youll also continue the important work that ucomm is doing with the Ukrainian Government to strengthen ukraines capacity to defend itself. The committee would benefit again from your views in this regard. And general robinson, if confirmed, your responsibilities will comprise of defending the homeland which ultimately is the most Important Mission we have. Including against such threats as cruise and Ballistic Missiles. You will have to support civilian authorities in this mission. Not only in terms of potential conflict, but also natural disasters which affect the country. And youll have to maintain close security operation ties with our neighbors, again, as the chairman pointed out, mexico in particular. And you will also be commander of norad. Binational command with canada which is a mission to provide aerospace warning, control and maritime warning at a time when the arctic is becoming a rapidly another area of operational activities for the russians and for ourselves and for many others. We look forward to hearing your views on all of these issues. Thank you, mr. Chairman. Mr. Mccain as is the custom of this committee, we need to ask some formal questions for the witnesses and just respond by yes or no if you choose to. In order to exercise its legislative and oversight responsibilities important to this committee and other appropriate committees of the congress are able to receive testimony, briefings and other communications of information. Have you adhered to applicable laws and regulations governing conflicts of interest . I have. Mr. Mccain do you agree when asked to give your personal views even if these views differ from the administration in power . Yes. Mr. Mccain have you assumed any duties or undertaken any actions which would appear to presume the outcome of the confirmation process . No. Mr. Mccain will you ensure your staff complies with deadlines established for requested communications, including questions for the record and hearings . Yes. Mr. Mccain will you corporate in and give witnesses and briefings in response to congressional requests . Yes. Mr. Mccain will those witnesses be protected from reprisal for their testimony or briefings . Yes. Mr. Mccain do you agree to come to this committee . Yes. Mr. Mccain do you agree to provide documents, including copy of electronic forms of communications in a timely manner when requested or to requested by a duly constituted committee or to consult with a Committee Regarding the basis for any good faith delay or denial in providing such documents . Yes. Mr. Mccain general robinson, we will begin with you. Welcome. Ms. Robinson thank you, sir. Good morning. I am honored to meet with you today as the president s nominee to be commander of the United StatesNorthern Command and north American Aerospace defense command. Id like to thank president obama for nominating me as well as the secretaries for the trust theyve placed in me. Its my privilege to be sitting next to my dear friend and league, kurtz karate, colleague, an incredible leader. It has been an honor to work with him in the pacific these last 18 months. I also wish to thank my good friend for his outstanding leadership in 39 years of dedicated service to our nation. If confirmed, it would be a tremendous honor to build on his efforts in this extremely important position. Id like to introduce my father, george howard, from jackson, New Hampshire, a 30year air force veteran and rf4 pilot. He also flew in vietnam. Ive looked up to him my entire life. Mr. Mccain i take it that his landings match the number of takeoffs. Ms. Robinson sir, hes here. [laughter] also my amazing sister, carol. An incredible nurse, mother, and wife. My full of energy niece and her husband is here. Megan works here on the hill. And finally, the love of my life, my husband david. A retired twostar reservist, fighter pilot, Thunderbird Pilot and a retired airline pilot. , i can tell this Committee Without hesitation that without his constant love and support, i would not be sitting here before you today. Today we face a rapidly evolving and growing threat environment, both in the number of those who wish to do us harm and the complexity of tools at their disposal. Our country faces many challenging threats from within and abroad, ranging from threats such as homegrown violent extremists, cyberattack, trafficking of drugs and other illicit products by transnational criminal organizations, two, threats posed by nation states such as russia, north korea and iran. In my experiences, the Pacific Air Forces commander and the air component for admiral harris, im intimately aware of the tenuous situation on the peninsula and throughout the region. And understand the potential threats posed to the security of our homeland. Defense of the homeland is a sacred responsibility and the Number One Mission of the department of defense. If confirmed, i will work passionately to uphold the faith of the American People have placed in these commands and ensure that we remain vigilant and postured to outpace any potential threat. If confirmed i will also continue to develop strong relationships with our homeland partners so that we are prepared to provide defense support to federal, state and local authorities as requested when the American People need it the most. And if confirmed i will further strengthen our outstanding friendship with canada, as well as growing our partnerships with mexico and the bahamas. Im deeply honored and humbled to have been nominated for this position. If confirmed i look forward to working this committee, to address the many challenges we face to defend our homeland and to provide defense support to civil authorities. I look forward to providing the committee with my candid views on issues and challenges and pledge to provide you my best military advise. I seek to establish a trusted relationship with each member of this committee. In closing id like to thank the , members of the committee and your staff for the unyielding support you provide the men and women in uniform and civilian service who protect our nation. These patriots are motivated by duty, honor and call to service and deserve the very best our , nation has to offer. Thank you for supporting them and recognizing the invaluable role they play in safeguarding our nation and our way of life. Thank you again for the opportunity to be here and for the committees consideration. I look forward to your questions. Mr. Mccain thank you. Welcome to your family. General. Mr. Scaparrotti distinguished members, i thank you for the opportunity to appear here today and also want to thank you for the support you provided to our Service Members, our department of defense civilians, and their families who selflessly serve in the defense of our great nation and in the defense of our way of life. I would also like to thank the secretary of defense and the president for their trust and confidence and for nominating me to be the next commander of the United States european command and supreme island commander. In particular, i would like to introduce and thank my wife, cindy, who is here with me today. Shes been by my side for 37 years and has been an essential part of my service. Cindy has supported me during multiple deployments, cared actively for our Service Members and families and raised our children, mike and stephanie. Like so many other military families, they have given much so that we can serve. Id also like to extend my sincere thanks to the republic of korea and the United Nations command contributing states for their steadfast cooperation and support in confronting a serious global threat in north korea. Without that, my experience leading and working in this Great Alliance in the midst of critical security concerns have prepared me for this next command, if confirmed. Finally, i would be remiss not to acknowledge the generals leadership as the present commander. His excellent leadership has been critical in meeting the many challenges in nato and europe and posturing force for the future. Americas closest allies reside in europe and uphold our shared democratic values. Additionally, transatlantic trade with europe constitutes over half the worlds g. D. P. If confirmed, i will work diligently to preserve the Transatlantic Alliance and these vital american and allied interests. This is a Pivotal Moment within the european command area of responsibility. As it faces numerous threats and strate