WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., today participated in a full committee hearing discussing the future force posture of U.S. European Command (EUCOM) and U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM).

In his remarks, which were submitted for the record, Wicker highlighted the urgent need to continue support for Ukraine as the Ukrainians begin their counteroffensive. While Wicker said that Congress has stepped up by delivering Ukraine the tools it needs, he also emphasized the importance of working with EUCOM and others to ensure transparency and accountability in Ukraine military aid.

“The war has entered a new phase as Ukraine prepares to go on the offense after beating back months of relentless Russian attacks,” Wicker said. “Congress has already stepped up by providing significant funding to assist Ukraine, and more may be needed in the future. Accountability is essential to maintaining bipartisan support for Ukraine and the trust of the American people.”

The Mississippi senator also discussed the importance of strong logistics and infrastructure for the armed forces to complete their deterrence mission. As threats from China and Russia grow, Wicker emphasized the need to improve sealift and airlift capabilities to support our often distant combatant commands.

“The Department of Defense has struggled to develop a coherent strategy when it comes to joint contested logistics. We must be proactive and thoughtful on this issue, not reactive and shortsighted,” Wicker said. “Contested logistics in the Western Pacific should not just be a combat-credible capability, it must be seen by our adversaries as a force deterrent. We are moving too slowly at almost every point of our logistics infrastructure – including fuel supply and sealift and airlifts fleets.”

EUCOM commander General Chris Cavoli and TRANSCOM commander Jacqueline Van Ovost testified before the committee.

Read Senator Wicker’s comments as prepared for delivery below.

Good morning. I thank our witnesses for being here and for their flexibility on scheduling this hearing.

Today’s witnesses highlight the importance of properly resourcing the National Defense Strategy to deter regional aggression and to prevent that aggression from becoming a global conflict. European Command’s area of responsibility covers 50 countries and territories, but Ukraine is the command’s primary focus today. Transportation Command is the linchpin for equipment distribution in Ukraine’s fight against Russia and is crucial in supporting the Indo-Pacific Command against the Chinese Communist Party.

These are two different commands with two very different mission requirements, but they support one single goal: to deter Russia and China.

Over one year has passed since Russia’s unprovoked, illegal, and brutal invasion of Ukraine.? The courage and ingenuity shown by Ukrainian troops, many of whom were civilians before the war, continues to be nothing short of heroic. EUCOM leads U.S. military assistance efforts, in coordination with allies and partners, to support Ukraine.

The war has entered a new phase as Ukraine prepares to go on the offense after beating back months of relentless Russian attacks. I welcome General Cavoli’s thoughts on the current conditions of the war and its possible trajectory and the role Congress can play in helping Ukraine win. I would also appreciate General Cavoli’s best military judgment on what more could be done to sharpen the military capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

Congress has already stepped up by providing significant funding to assist Ukraine, and more may be needed in the future. Accountability is essential to maintaining bipartisan support for Ukraine and the trust of the American people. The current accountability requirements seem to be working, but we would be interested in General Cavoli’s views.

In addition, I hope General Cavoli will describe the significant role allies and partners play in supporting Ukraine – I am especially interested in learning about the contributions of our European friends and the impact they are making. This war matters greatly to the United States, but it is being fought in Europe’s backyard.

Ukraine is EUCOM’s primary focus but not its only one. I welcome General Cavoli’s thoughts on how EUCOM and INDOPACOM are sharing lessons learned from the war. We also need an update on EUCOM efforts to counter Chinese moves in Europe.

TRANSCOM has a unique mission set in that it supports U.S. forces around the world. In its work helping with the Afghanistan evacuation, delivering crucial weapons to Ukraine, or planning for contested logistics in the Pacific, TRANSCOM has shown it is key to the implementation of the National Defense Strategy.

Late last year, General Van Ovost gave an interview on logistics in which she said, “I don’t like to be a miracle worker, I like a very stable plan that we can actually execute.” I am also in favor of an executable plan. Unfortunately, I do not believe that plan exists as of now. The Department of Defense has struggled to develop a coherent strategy when it comes to joint contested logistics. We must be proactive and thoughtful on this issue, not reactive and shortsighted.

EUCOM has seen firsthand how difficult it is to supply a major modern war. Contested logistics in the Western Pacific should not just be a combat-credible capability, it must be seen by our adversaries as a force deterrent.

We are moving too slowly at almost every point of our logistics infrastructure – including fuel supply and sealift and airlifts fleets. I would appreciate an update today on what resources or authorities TRANSCOM needs to support contested logistics.

I thank our witnesses and look forward to their testimony.