VIDEO: Hirono Highlights Importance of Readiness, Land Lease Negotiations, and Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific at INDOPACOM Posture Hearing

Sen. Hirono: "I think the key word here is consensus because I think it would be not in the interest of the military's presence in Hawaii if these negotiations are somehow short-circuited and that there is resort to condemnation-that would not go over very well, I would say, with the people of Hawaii."

~ Video of Sen. Hirono's question line is available here ~

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support, questioned Admiral Samuel J. Paparo, Jr., Commander of the United States Indo-Pacific Command (INDOPACOM) on key issues to Hawaii and the Pacific at a full committee hearing to discuss readiness, strategy and budget priorities for Fiscal Year 2027 (FY2027) in the Indo-Pacific region. During the hearing, Senator Hirono asked Admiral Paparo about the U.S. military's dwindling munitions inventory given the U.S. involvement in the illegal war in Iran, and how the military is working to ensure that our national security is not compromised by its current employment of these weapons systems.

"Admiral Paparo, you've been very candid about your concerns with the U.S. Military's magazine depth over the last several years and of course, with the illegal war in Iran, and you noted today that you believe that the magazine is being judiciously employed. I am not so sure about that, but you did note that we need to have a better mix… of the exquisite high-cost, low-volume systems with affordable high-volume munitions," said Senator Hirono. "That's an area that I would like to provide more support…"

Senator Hirono also highlighted the importance of the U.S. Military's continued negotiations with the State of Hawaii, regarding extending the use of critical military training lands, such as Pohakuloa Training Area on Hawaii Island. She emphasized that it is critical that the Army continue to negotiate "in good faith" with the state, to come to a resolution acceptable to all parties involved and does not "short-circuit" any discussions by simply seeking to condemn the land without exhausting all options.

"I think the key word here is consensus because I think it would be not in the interest of the military's presence in Hawaii if these negotiations are somehow short-circuited and that there is resort to condemnation-that would not go over very well, I would say, with the people of Hawaii," said Senator Hirono.

Amid turmoil abroad, Senator Hirono also discussed the importance of providing support to our regional allies, such as Japan and Australia, and especially working closely with island-nations in the Indo-Pacific.

"I just also want to mention that as we talk about the importance of strengthening our allies, we should not forget that our Compact island nations and the fact that we should be working very closely to support our Compact Nations and other island-nations, as China is very much extending itself in the Indo-Pacific area with regard to establishing stronger relations with Palau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, other island-nations," said Senator Hirono. "Let's not forget our island-nation partners."

The full transcript of Senator Hirono's exchange with Admiral Paparo is available below. Video of Senator Hirono's question line can be found here.

Sen. Hirono: Thank you very much for your service and leadership. Admiral Paparo, you've been very candid about your concerns with the U.S. Military's magazine depth over the last several years and of course, with the illegal war in Iran, and you noted today that you believe that the magazine is being judiciously employed. I am not so sure about that, but you did note that we need to have a better mix, I think that's where you were going, a better mix of the exquisite high-cost, low-volume systems with affordable high-volume munitions. You did note that we are working with non-traditional vendors to help us produce these other types of munitions. So, I am curious to know, how are we doing that? Are we providing encouragement to these non-traditional vendors to help us with providing automatic systems and other munitions that you are seeking to develop?

Adm. Paparo: Morning and aloha, senator.

Sen. Hirono: Aloha.

Adm. Paparo: Yes, most certainly. First, is that we are working with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). We have funded multiple tests, including the employment of a low-cost, hypersonic weapon off of U.S. aircraft this summer. And so, yes, we've encouraged, yes, we've experimented with DIU experimentation, and we have advocated very strongly with the department for contracting these capabilities. Those contracted capabilities are reflected in this year's budget submission, with orders in the hundreds, if not thousands of these systems.

Sen. Hirono: That's an area that I would like to provide more support because clearly we need to really move toward the kind of innovations that you have very much advocated for, the times that I have worked with you, so thank you very much for your continued leadership in this regard. I did want to mention that although you are not directly involved with the military services' continued negotiations with the State of Hawaii, regarding extending the use of very critical military training lands in Hawaii. Without those training lands, for example, it would be very hard to justify the Army's presence in Hawaii and therefore, the impact on our national security. So, I just wanted to bring the importance of-the significance of these negotiations and particularly, for the Army to continue to negotiate in good faith with the state to come to a resolution acceptable to all parties, and not short-circuit the discussions by seeking to condemn the land without fully exhausting the avenues. I just want to get your brief thoughts on that importance of these negotiations and how these negotiations should proceed.

Adm. Paparo: Senator, engagement is critical. Pohakuloa is absolutely indispensable to this nation's defense, it's indispensable to deterrence here in the Indo-Pacific, and I'm strongly in favor of every effort that leads to a favorable outcome to maintain 25^th ID (Infantry Division) and in fact, United States Army's continued usage of Pohakuloa Training Area, as well as all of the other key land lease issues that we're dealing with in the State of Hawaii, which also includes Air Force, Navy, Space Force, and then Marine usage. So, across the joint force, I am strongly in favor of building towards consensus and sensible solutions.

Sen. Hirono: I think the key word here is consensus because I think it would be not in the interest of the military's presence in Hawaii if these negotiations are somehow short-circuited and that there is resort to condemnation-that would not go over very well, I would say, with the people of Hawaii. So, any input that you have toward those kinds of negotiations would be much appreciated. Admiral, we are seeing increasing cooperation between Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China. And as U.S. forces remain heavily engaged in the Middle East, how are you working with the regional allies, particularly Japan, the Republic of Korea, and Australia, to increase cooperation and coordination among our partners in the Indo-Pacific AOR?

Adm. Paparo: Senator, all those relationships are on a strong, strong upper trajectory, including the relationships among them. And it is a daily matter of duty to work closely with all the allies.

Sen. Hirono: I just also want to mention that as we talk about the importance of strengthening our allies, we should not forget that our compact island nations and the fact that we should be working very closely to support our Compact Nations and other island-nations as China is very much extending itself in the Indo-Pacific area with regard to establishing stronger relations with Palau, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, other island-nations. Let's not forget our island-nation partners.

Adm. Paparo: Will do, Senator. And Republic of Palau, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands continue to be areas of Chinese encroachment across the grey zone, across elements of elite-capture and maintaining a close focus on those relationships is incredibly important to the defense of the United States of America.

Sen. Hirono: Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

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