U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono, Chair of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, led a Readiness Subcommittee hearing on the current readiness of the U.S. joint forces. During the hearing, Senator Hirono emphasized the importance of military readiness in the face of evolving global security challenges.
"Over the past few years, the global security landscape has evolved rapidly, presenting new and complex challenges to military readiness," stated Senator Hirono during her opening remarks. She highlighted the need for the armed forces to remain agile, adaptive, and prepared to address a full spectrum of operations.
Senator Hirono raised concerns specific to Hawaii, including issues with the Army's training requirements and engagement with the Native Hawaiian community. She also expressed worries about significant cost increases in Navy projects at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Regarding the Navy, Senator Hirono stated, "My concerns with the Navy continue, ranging from the backlog of ship maintenance, lack of accountability for senior leaders in the wake of Red Hill, to allowing mission critical portions of the runway and facilities at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam to deteriorate." She stressed the need for timely solutions to readiness issues in the Indo-Pacific theater.
During the hearing, Senator Hirono urged the witnesses to provide candid assessments and constructive recommendations to ensure that the armed forces maintain their status as the world's preeminent fighting force.
The hearing provided an important platform for a comprehensive dialogue on military readiness, addressing critical issues such as training requirements, infrastructure projects, quality of life concerns, and fatigue among servicemembers. Senator Hirono's dedication to ensuring the readiness of the U.S. joint forces was evident throughout the proceedings.