COMMANDER, U.S.

PACIFIC COMMAND
(USPACOM)
C AMP H .M . SMITH, HAWAII 96861_.028

May 18, 2017

The Honorable John McCain

Chainnan
Commiuee on Anned Services
United States Senate
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Mr. Chainnan:

I appreciate your continued support and advocacy for capabilities to counter our near-~er
adversaries, while promoting peace through innovation and strength in the lndo-Asia-Pacific. l
support the President's FY2018 budget and feel it supports U.S. Pacific Command' s (USPACOM)
requirements. USPACOM has closely coordinated with the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the
Joint Staff, and the Services to ensure the final President's budget provides the adequate force
SllUCture needed in the lndo-Asia-Pacific, as well as fund key weapon systems and modernization
efforts to address adversary high-end capabilities. The following critical investments are crucial for
my "Fight Tonight" mission:

Procurement of precision munitions (i.e., MK-48, AIM-9X, AIM-1200, and SM-6)

Sustaining long range anti-ship missile procurement
Upgrading fourth generation fighters with fifth generation capabilities, to include investing
in Infra-Red Search and Track
Procuring sufficient fifth generation aircraft
Procuring VIRGINIA class submarines and enhancing other undersea capabilities
Resourcing advanced intelligence. surveillance, and reconnaissance, and command and
control systems (i.e., E-20 Advanced Hawkeye and P-8 Poseidon)
lnve$ting in survivable and un-exploitable long-range communications capacity

If additional funding becomes available, I would seek to further enhance our combat power
and strengthen alliances and partnerships in the lndo-Asia-Pacific through approximately $530M in
investments in the following areas:

Multi-domain battle exercises: $49M

Airfield damage repair and port damage repair initiatives: $9M
Royal Australian Air Force Tindal military construction (MILCON): $96M
Joint Region Marianas Anderson MILCON : $40M
MILCON for Dynamic Basing at Palau and Yap: $8M
No-notice agile logistics exercises: $SM
Increased Naha Military Port dredging: S40M
Low-cost portable surveillance systems or stateside affordable radar system: $13M
Battlefield lnfonnation Collection and Exploitation System - eXtendcd (BICES-X): $34M
Joim Training Capability and Exercise Programs: $106M
Achieve 9()0,4, of required inventory for MK-48 Torpedoes: $131 M
 As always, I remain appreciative to you and your colleagues for your continued support of
our service members, civilians, and families. If I can assist you in any way. please do not he.sitarc to
wnll~ mQ or 111y m;mb 11fmy ~tDff,
Sincerely and Very Respectfully.

HA~~
Admiral, U.S. Navy

cc:
The Honorable Jack Reed, Ranking Member
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff