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Question. Are all ground and air tire stockpiles, or reserve inventories, depleted? Provide a list of those, by specific military tire, stockpiles or reserve inventories that are depleted or below required levels.

Answer. Tires are managed by two DOD activities. The Army manages tires for tactical wheeled vehicle systems (ground) at the US Army tank-automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), a Major Subordinate Command of the Army Materiel Command. The Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) manages aircraft tires at the Defnese Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) located in Richmond, Virginia.

Ground: TACOM Wholesale level managed assets consists of stocks to support operations/maintenance and War Reserve/Prepositioned Stockpiles. Wholesale stocks to support operations/maintenance are not depleted. There are currently 44 tire National Stock Numbers (NSNs) that are key to support of Operation Iraqi Freedom requirements. As of 3 Nov, only one each NSN was at zero balance. This item has a contract in place and direct deliveries to Southwest Asia in process.

A majority of TACOMS managed War Reserve assets of tactical tires are nearly exhausted. Most of the assets on hand are prepositioned in Northeast Asia (Korea) or are CONUS stocks dedicated to support of Northeast Asia requirements.

War Reserve requirements for tactical tires are currently $3.079 million. Of this amount, only $1.736 million is funded, or in War Reserve terms "protected”. Of this funded level, only $503,000 worth of tire assets is on hand.

The reason that the funded or protected level is only 56 percent funded is that historically the Army War Reserve Secondary Item (AWRSI) Army Working Capital Fund (AWCF) has not been fully funded. Tires funded at 56 percent is consistent with the total TACOM War Reserve requirement/funded levels.

TACOM War Reserve has not allocated available funds to fill tire requirements because tires have historically been available on short notice and they have a relatively short shelf-life. The shelf-life on tires is normally 5 years, non-extendable. TACOM War Reserve has stocked only the minimum quantities to meet Brigade Set Associated Stockage List (ASL)/Prescribed Load List (PLL) requirements, and initial conflict sustainment needs. This minimizes the impact of not being able to consistently rotate stocks outside of the major defense distribution centers.

Aircraft: DLA manages tires for the Army. DLA's Defense Supply Center Richmond (DSCR) manages all aircraft tire inventory. According to a query pulled on 6 Nov 03 by DSCR-Ŏ Systems Analysts, twenty-seven aviation tire NSNs are managed at this Inventory Control Point. Two NSNS have zero stock on hand; one NSN has zero backorders and a contract delivery of October 2003, the second item has a total of five backorders, and a purchase request for thirteen each with an estimated delivery of January 2004. Those tires are: 3. = 13.

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NSN 2620-00-288-0248, Stock = 0, ROP = 2, Due in NSN 2620-00-01-368-9949, Stock = 0, ROP = 1, Due in Five additional NSNs are below their respective reorder points, have zero backorders, with stock on hand and contracted deliveries due. Those tires are: NSN 2620-00-288-0248, Stock = 11, ROP = 644, Due in = 1167. NSN 2620-01-368-9949, Stock = 13, ROP = 547, Due in = 613.

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26, ROP = 135, Due in = 144.

228, ROP = 434, Due in = 218.
744, ROP= 1463, Due in = 521.

NSN 2620-00-288-0248, Stock NSN 2620-01-368-9949, Stock NSN 2620-01-368-9949, Stock Ten NSNs have stock on hand, and are above their individual reorder points with no existing backorders. An additional nine NSNs were identified as being managed by DSCR, with six items having an Acquisition Advice Code (AAC) for each of "J", indicating "Not Stocked" (procurement will be initiated only after receipt of requisition). All nine show no demand history.

One item at zero balance is AAC "Y" indicating, "Terminal Item" (Non-stocked). This was replaced by one of the five NSNs listed showing zero backorders/stock on hand/contracted deliveries due in.

In answer to the last part of the question, DSCR does not preposition tires for Army use.

Question. How many items (the exact number) make up the "Class IX items of supply requirement" referred to in the Army/Department of Defense Tire Procurement Issues Paper submitted to Senator Sessions' office in August, 2003? Please provide a list of these items for the record.

Answer. The Tank and Automotive Command (TACOM) Wholesale level managed assets consist of stocks to support operations/maintenance and War Reserve/ Prepositioned Stockpiles. The total list of tires and tire products managed by TAČOM contains 824 separate items.

[CLERK'S NOTE.-End of questions submitted by Mr. Tiahrt. Questions submitted by Mr. Lewis and the answers thereto follow:]

ARMY ROTATION PLANS IN IRAQ

Question. Mr. Secretary, please explain the Army's unit rotation plan for major combat units into and out of Iraq and other theaters of operation.

Answer. The Army's goal is to meet the mission requirements of the Combatant Commanders while simultaneously providing improved predictability to soldiers and families and increased sustainability of the force. The Army's Vice Chief of Staff presented the unit rotation plan in July; that plan continues to be revised based upon the requirements of the Combatant Commander. At present, all Army units, Active and Reserve, will remain in Iraq for up to one year unless the Combatant Commander determines that their capability is no longer needed.

Question. This rotation plan is based on a one-year deployment for combat forces. Are you considering establishing a 6-month rotation plan? If so when would that take effect?

Answer. Forces deploying to Iraq for Operational Iraqi Freedom will perform a 12month tour of duty unless the Combatant Commander adjusts the requirements. The length of time that units deploy to theater, and length of time between deployments, is dependent upon the global requirements of all Combatant Commanders, the particular of each operation, and the pool of available forces.

Question. Are you considering a different rotation policy for the Reserve forces? Answer. We are a nation at war, and our Army is at war. All units, Active, Guard and Reserve, will serve "up to 12 months" in theater. I want to emphasize that it is all about capabilities required in theater, not numbers. If the Combatant Commander determines a certain capability is no longer needed, then the units will return to home station.

PAYS AND ALLOWANCES

Question. Explain the alternative proposal the Department has recommended in the supplemental request dealing with the increased rates for Family Separation Allowances, Imminent Danger Pay and Hardship Duty Pay.

Answer. The fiscal year 2004 Supplemental Request includes $1.2 billion for Imminent Danger pay, Family Separation Allowance, and Hardship Duty pay. The supplemental request covers the cost enhanced special pays, for those personnel Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) deployed personnel in theater or in direct operational support.

The fiscal year 2003 Emergency Wartime Supplemental increased IDP temporarily by $75 per person per month (from $150 to $225 per month) and FSA by $150 per month (from $100 to $250 per month), effective from October 1, 2002_through September 30, 2003. The Department intends to continue paying IDP and FSA at these increased rates through December 31, 2003.

Beginning on January 1, 2004, the Department's plan is to begin paying an additional $225 per month in HDP to military personnel serving in OIF/OEF in a combat zone. This would maintain the same level of special pay as IDP and FSA, via increased rates HDP. Further, it would increase the special pay amount for members without dependents, who are serving in the same operation in the same location, by $150 (these latter members receive a $75 increase in special pay only via IDP) as a result of P.L. 108-11, whereby married members serving alongside them had received a total increase of $225 (an additional $75 in IDP and an additional $150 in FSA). The same increase in special pays should be normalized for all troops in combat, regardless of marital or dependency status. The additional $225 per month being paid to members in combat should be in recognition of the risk that they all face-not drawing any distinctions as to their marital status or number of family dependents.

The fiscal year 2004 Supplemental funding request does not include funding for special pays for personnel other than those involved with OEF, OEF and Operation Noble Eagle (ONE). For example, funding for special pays for troops deployed to Bosnia or Kosovo is not included in the 2004 Supplemental funding request.

Question. What is funded in the supplemental request for the incremental cost for each of these special pays?

Answer. The FY 2004 Supplemental requests funds for the incremental cost of Imminent Danger pay (IDP), Family Separation Allowance (FSA), and Hardship Duty pay (HDP) by Service are as follows:

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Question. The Supplemental budget request includes $431,000,000 for Morale, Welfare, and Recreation costs. Please elaborate on what these funds will go for, and in what locations.

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LIFT AND SUSTAIN MULTINATIONAL FORCES

Question. United States forces are getting some help in Afghanistan and Iraq from coalition forces. And we understand the Administration is working to get more coalition or multinational forces and to thus relieve the pressure on U.S. forces.

Please recap the multinational forces being provided by other countries now, and in the coming rotations.

Answer. 46 nations are currently providing support for stability and humanitarian operations in Iraq. Of this, 32 nations are providing approximately 24,000 military personnel for stability operations.

An additional 14 nations, including Pakistan, Turkey, and South Korea are considering providing combat forces for Iraq.

Additionally, we have just completed an analysis of combat support requirements for future rotations, and have identified 19 various missions which may be met by coalition forces. An evaluation of what countries can best fill these missions is ongo

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Question. What is meant by providing lift and sustainment to these multinational forces?

Answer. A significant number of countries with limited financial resources are willing to provide military forces for stability operations in Iraq. For these countries, the United States is providing strategic lift to the theater of operations, a 6 month personnel rotation, and re-deployment of forces and equipment to the home nation after forces have been deployed for 12 months.

The United States is also providing life sustainment and other logistical support to some coalition forces in Iraq at no cost. This includes the provision of water, food, laundry services, showers/latrines, vector control, medical care, fuel (including petroleum, oils, lubricants, and gasoline), and some equipment to include vehicles, battle dress uniform, and communications equipment. Equipment costs are largely covered by State Department Peacekeeping Operation (PKO) funds provided in the FY 2003 Emergency Supplemental.

Question. Are some countries that are not willing to contribute military units willing to contribute in this sustainment area by providing funding, equipment, or contractor provided services?

Answer. Nations that are not providing military forces for the most part have not demonstrated a willingness to provide funding, equipment, a contract provided services. One Gulf nation provided airlift to the Bulgarian battalion serving in the Polish-led division to the theater of operations at no cost.

Based on fundraising efforts over the last six months, we believe it is more effective to ask for contributions for reconstruction activities in Iraq rather than contributions for funding, equipment, or contractor services for U.S. and/or coalition forces currently operating in Iraq.

MILITARY PERSONNEL END STRENGTH LEVELS

Question. Each of the Services will start fiscal year 2004 above their normal end strength levels. What is the number of personnel each Service is currently over strength?

Answer. The table below provides the active duty end strength overages as of 30 September 2003 as compared to FY 2003 authorized end strength levels.

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Question. What is the amount requested in the Supplemental for the cost of the military personnel over execution?

Answer. The Supplemental request includes $2.5 billion for active duty over strength.

Question. What are the current active duty end strength levels for Iraq, Afghanistan and CENTCOM AOR?

Answer. The table below provides the number of active duty personnel mobilized by military operation as of the week of 22 September 2003. These force levels include active duty personnel supporting each operation, whether in theater of CONUS.

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Question. What is the current Guard and Reserve mobilization level for Reserve forces by operation?

Answer. The table below provides the approximate number of Guard and Reserve personnel mobilized by military operation as of the week of 22 September 2003. These force levels include all Guard and Reserve members supporting each operation, whether in theater or CONUS.

Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)

Mobilized Guard/

Reserve

65,600

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