From the U.S. Government Accountability Office, www.gao.gov

Transcript for: Testimony: Military Readiness

Description: On May 2, 2023, GAO's Diana Maurer testified that the
Department of Defense faces several challenges as it works to rebuild
and restore readiness across the military while also modernizing its
forces. DOD's readiness rebuilding efforts are occurring in a
challenging context that requires the department to make difficult
decisions regarding how best to address continuing operational demands
while preparing for future challenges.
 
Related GAO Works: GAO-23-106673, Military Readiness: Improvement in
Some Areas, but Sustainment and Other Challenges Persist

Released: May 2023

[ Diana Maurer: ]
 
  Broadly speaking, mission capability - can units execute their
missions - has declined since 2017. While the Army and Marine Corps
improved in the ground domain, we found declines in the sea, air and
space domains. For example, only two of 49 aviation systems met their
annual mission capable goals. The vast majority missed by over 10%. 
  
  The F-35 program in particular, suffers from a variety of sustainment
woes. Fleet wide mission capable rates have declined every year since
2020, and the Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps face substantial gaps
between what it costs to fly the aircraft and what they can afford. 
  
  The Army needs to improve helicopter safety and address shortfalls in
rail support and sealift training that affect readiness and the ability
to move to the fight.
  
  We found the Navy had nearly $1.8 billion in deferred ship
maintenance, mainly in its cruisers and amphibious ships. The Navy also
faces a significant crewing shortfall which can harm mission maintenance
and safety. 
  
  Yet even with all these challenges you just heard, the U.S. military
is the best in the world. Our work helps keep it that way. GAO will
continue to provide independent, hard hitting and constructive reports
to help the services and help the Congress carry out its important
oversight responsibilities.
  
[ End ]

For more info, check out our report GAO-23-106673 at: GAO.gov