WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Seapower Subcommittee, today chaired a hearing to receive testimony from leaders of the Navy and Marine Corps on the state of their aviation programs.

Wicker asked about the chronic underfunding of the military under sequestration, as well as the status of several aviation procurement programs. Additional issues discussed during today’s hearing included an update on determining the cause of safety issues with naval training jets, integrating the next-generation F-35B joint strike fighter with Navy operations, and the Navy’s strike-fighter shortfall.

Witnesses at today’s hearing included:

• Lieutenant General Jon M. Davis, Deputy Commandant for Aviation, United States Marine Corps
• Vice Admiral Paul A. Grosklags, Commander, Naval Air Systems, Department of the Navy
• Rear Admiral DeWolfe H. Miller, III, Director, Air Warfare (OPNAV N98), Department of the Navy