Yellowhammer Times

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) questioned three Navy nominees during a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing, focusing on defense technology, military workforce issues, and shipbuilding.

Senator Tuberville addressed Amy Henninger, nominated to be Director of Operational Test and Evaluation, about accelerating the testing and evaluation of critical technologies. He referenced Huntsville, Alabama’s role in hypersonic space warfare and quantum computing development. Tuberville said the U.S. is "already years behind our adversaries in these critical technologies" and asked how testing could be sped up given growing threats from countries like China.

Henninger responded: “Senator Tuberville, thank you for the opportunity to answer this. I am very familiar with Huntsville. I’ve been there many, many times to Redstone. I worked with the Cyber Red Team there, and I agree [that] it is a hotbed of innovation for the country. I appreciate all the smart people down there. And speed is very, very important. And speed with rigor is even better.

So, there are a number of levers in place right now that DOT&E can encourage the operational test agencies to employ. They include things like shifting left. They include things like taking advantage of training exercises or operational experimentation exercises. They include things like more tightly integrating DT and OT. The issue, in my view, is that those things are becoming our go-to for surge, and they should be everyday baseline in every test we do. So, I would like to see us move beyond surging with manpower and find […] more automated T&E, more digital methods, digital modeling, to speed and facilitate our test and evaluation processes.”

Tuberville also raised concerns about delays in the F-35 program: “Our F-35 program seems to take one step forward and two steps back. How do we fix that?”

Henninger replied: “Sir, thank you for the question. I’ve been out of the office for four years and […] I’m not tracking exactly what’s going on with the F-35. I haven’t been briefed on it. I know the Block 4 is coming up. I know there’s a lot of classified work on that. I am slightly familiar with it because I worked on it previously. But one of my first steps back into the office would be to come up to speed on all these weapon systems, especially the classified ones that I’ve missed the last four years, and understand where we, where our baseline is and what we’re doing.”

Addressing Benjamin Kohlmann—nominated as Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Manpower and Reserve Affairs—Tuberville criticized growth in Department of Defense civilian staff while military end strengths have declined over two decades.

“Mr. Kohlmann,” Tuberville said,“DOD civilian workforce numbers have exploded in the last two decades while service end strengths have decreased,the tail is eating the tooth and has become an enormous burden to the American taxpayer.Under the previous administration there were additional protections put in at request of labor unions to make it harder to fire unperforming employees.What is your plan to fix this bloated bureaucracy?”

Kohlmann answered: “Senator, thank you for the question.Coming from private sector there were many opportunities when we had to reassess our workforce…It is appropriate for government to make similar assessments…I think holding civilians and military personnel to very high standards…and holding them accountable for poor performance is critical…”

Tuberville also discussed conditions at military bases:“Yeah.And also with a lot of our military bases brick-and-mortar is an absolute disgrace…I know you’re not going be over brick-and-mortar but we’re going need your help…”

Kohlmann responded:“Senator,the state of how our service members live is critical…to both retention and recruitment…and look forward working…the Secretary…make sure…service members have right places live.”

The senator then questioned David Denton Jr., nominee for General Counsel of Department Navy,on legal advice being apolitical:“Mr.Denton,the previous administration flouted law…used office [to seek] and many others advance political agenda.As Navy’s top lawyer can you commit helping ensure Navy will follow statute advise senior leaders apolitically?”

Denton replied:“Absolutely Senator.”

On shipbuilding,Tuberville asked Denton about priorities if confirmed.Denton stated his focus would align with Secretary Phelan's priority on shipbuilding:“Senator,I think my most important priority…will be supporting Secretary Phelan’s most important priority which is shipbuilding…and getting battle force back where needs be…”

Tuberville closed by noting bipartisan support among senators Wicker and himself for increased attention on shipbuilding.

Senator Tommy Tuberville serves Alabama as a member of several Senate committees including Armed Services,Agriculture,Veterans’ Affairs,and others.