Key Takeaways
- •Alexus G. Grynkewich (Commander, United States European Command) confirmed that EUCOM is providing critical logistics and power projection support for Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing high-intensity conflict against Iran.
- •Randall Reed (Commander, United States Transportation Command) warned that adversaries are targeting global logistics networks, necessitating the urgent modernization and recapitalization of strategic airlift platforms like the C-17.
- •Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY) questioned Grynkewich regarding a U.S. missile strike on an Iranian school, which the general attributed to a potential chain of tactical and intelligence errors.
- •Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) denounced the conflict in Iran as an unconstitutional "war of choice," while Sen. Roger F. Wicker (R-MS) emphasized that degrading Russia's military remains in America's interest.
- •Grynkewich projected that European allies will not achieve full conventional defense leadership until 2035, requiring Congress to monitor the long-term health of the defense industrial base.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
The Senate Armed Services Committee met on March 12, 2026, to examine the posture of United States European Command (EUCOM) and United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM). Chaired by Sen. Roger F. Wicker (R-MS), the hearing occurred during a period of significant military activity, specifically the ongoing conflict with the Islamic Republic of Iran (Operation Epic Fury) and the continued war in Ukraine. The primary witnesses were Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich, Commander of EUCOM, and Gen. Randall Reed, Commander of TRANSCOM. The hearing focused on the strategic shift toward European allies assuming more responsibility for conventional defense, the challenges of contested logistics in a peer-to-peer conflict, and the legal and humanitarian implications of the current war with Iran.
Key Testimony
Gen. Grynkewich testified that while the Russian Federation has demonstrated tactical failures in Ukraine, it remains a dire long-term threat with a resilient war economy and a massive nuclear arsenal. He highlighted a significant policy shift following the Hague summit, where NATO allies committed to spending 5 percent of their GDP on defense. Gen. Grynkewich estimated that while European allies are making progress, they would likely not be ready to take the lead in conventional defense until 2030 at the earliest, with full capability expected by 2035. He also expressed concern over the growing "axis of cooperation" between Russia, Iran, the People's Republic of China, and North Korea, noting that North Korean troops and Iranian drone technology are actively sustaining the Russian war effort.
Overview
Gen. Reed focused on the "contested logistics" environment, noting that adversaries are now targeting the global logistics network, starting with cyberattacks on domestic "fort-to-port" infrastructure. He emphasized the urgent need to modernize the strategic airlift fleet, specifically seeking replacements for the aging C-5 and C-17 platforms. Gen. Reed also discussed the vital role of commercial partners, noting that 40 percent of daily air transport and 90 percent of sealift sustainment rely on commercial carriers. He advocated for the continued support of maritime programs like the Tanker Security Program (TSP) and the Maritime Security Program to ensure assured access to U.S.-flagged vessels during crises.
Policy Proposals
Several policy proposals and legislative items were discussed. Sen. Mark Kelly (D-AZ) promoted his bipartisan Ships for America Act, which aims to revitalize the national maritime strategy and domestic shipbuilding. Chairman Wicker referenced the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which elevated contested logistics to a senior leader responsibility. Gen. Grynkewich also mentioned the "America First" arms export strategy, a Department of Defense (DoD) initiative intended to bypass the slow Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process by moving more items to direct commercial sales to speed up ally rearmament.
Overview
The hearing was marked by sharp partisan divisions regarding the war with Iran. Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) delivered a lengthy critique, labeling the conflict an "illegal war" and a "kingly oppression" launched without congressional authorization. He and Sen. Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI) highlighted the rising human and economic costs, including the deaths of seven U.S. service members and an estimated $20 billion in spending over 13 days. Conversely, Republican members like Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Sen. Jim Banks (R-IN) focused on the necessity of "peace through strength" and praised the administration for forcing NATO allies to increase their financial commitments.
Notable Exchanges
A notable exchange occurred when Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Hirono questioned Gen. Grynkewich regarding a U.S. missile strike that reportedly hit a school in Iran, killing 175 civilians. Sen. Gillibrand criticized the Secretary of Defense for allegedly gutting the Civilian Protection Center of Excellence, reducing its staff from 200 to 40. Gen. Grynkewich maintained that civilian harm mitigation remains embedded in military culture but acknowledged that a "chain of errors" often leads to such tragedies.
Overview
The following organizations were identified and discussed in the following contexts: - Russian Federation: Discussed as a primary threat to European security and a beneficiary of rising oil prices caused by the Iran conflict. - NATO: Referenced regarding the Hague summit commitments and the transition to a "NATO 3.0" posture where Europeans take the lead. - Ukraine: Mentioned as the front line against Russian aggression and a source of tactical lessons for counter-drone warfare. - Iran: The primary adversary in Operation Epic Fury; discussed regarding its drone exports and nuclear ambitions. - TRANSCOM: The subject of the posture review, focused on global mobility and contested logistics. - EUCOM: The subject of the posture review, focused on deterring Russia and projecting power. - China: Identified as a peer competitor providing dual-use technology to Russia and investing in global port infrastructure. - DoD: Discussed regarding its acquisition processes and the "America First" arms export strategy. - CENTCOM: Referenced as the command leading Operation Epic Fury, supported by EUCOM and TRANSCOM assets. - INDOPACOM: Mentioned regarding the potential for logistics strain if resources are diverted to the Middle East. - North Korea: Cited for providing troops and industrial labor to support the Russian war effort. - State Department: Mentioned in the context of Foreign Military Sales and reporting on attacks on American businesses in Ukraine. - Poland and Turkiye: Praised for their roles in NATO air defense and responding to drone/missile incursions. - Lebanon: Identified as a likely source of drone attacks targeting Cyprus. - CYBERCOM and NSA: Referenced as partners in hardening the cyber defenses of commercial transportation providers. - Cyprus: Discussed as a strategic location for U.S. assets and a target of regional drone threats. - Military Sealift Command (MSC) and MARAD: Discussed regarding the management of the strategic sealift fleet and the Tanker Security Program. - Kosovo: Mentioned in the context of the State Partnership Program with the Iowa National Guard. - Israel: Cited by Sen. Kaine as the catalyst for the current war with Iran following its February 28 invasion. - Civilian Protection Center of Excellence: Criticized by Democrats for being "gutted" by the current administration. - The New York Times and Google: Referenced regarding their reporting and mapping data used to identify the school hit in Iran. - American Chamber of Commerce: Mentioned regarding the 600 U.S. businesses operating in Ukraine that have faced Russian attacks. - Delta Air Lines: Cited as an example of a commercial partner in the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF).
Transcript
...approximately 80,000 military personnel in the U.S. European Command, EUCOM. He also serves as the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, making him the military commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance, NATO, the world's only nuclear alliance. General Grynkewich comes before this committee at a time of great turmoil. The United States is engaged in a high-intensity conflict in the Middle East while simultaneously supporting Ukraine's self-defense against the Russian invasion. EUCOM is involved in both efforts. The command provides extensive operational and logistics support to Operation Epic Fury. At the same time, it facilitates the flow of weapons and intelligence to Ukraine. And of course, our forces in Europe remain at the ready to deter and defend against Russian aggression. Our European allies provide access, basing, and overflight rights to our forces. This creates enormous military advantages for the United States. Our presence in Europe enables us to project power into adjacent theaters, most obviously into the Middle East, but also to Africa and now the Arctic. Our European allies are rightly increasing their defense spending. But we must recognize that they are sharing the political and military risk of war too, and that is every bit as important to U.S. interest. So this is a welcome development. Defending against armed aggression from Russia remains the most compelling rationale for the NATO alliance. Russia is led by Vladimir Putin, a war criminal and ruthless murderer and dictator. He possesses the world's largest and most diverse nuclear arsenal, and he always cheats on his arms control commitments. In Putin's twisted view of the world, Russia is the victim of historical injustices. He has proven willing to take on extreme risks to redress these perceived historical injustices against Russia, most notably by launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, an entirely a war of choice. Some have proposed a precipitate reduction in U.S. forces deployed in Europe. Such an action, which some have entitled NATO 3.0, would have us take an unnecessary vulnerability on at a precarious moment. Putin could easily interpret that action as weakness rather than resolve. During the Cold War, we shared the burden of conventional defense in Europe precisely because it was in America's interest to do so. This remains the case today. Europe has heeded President Trump's call to step up on defense spending. We now need to ensure that political will is turned into hard combat capability as soon as possible. Mr. Putin has a predilection for war and aggression. That is a fact, and it led this committee to place a floor on the U.S. military's force posture in Europe, particularly the Army ground maneuver forces. Mr. Putin's aggression has caused us to make that decision. We took that step in the National Defense Authorization Act that became law in December, a bipartisan achievement. The law reflects our collective judgment that now is not the time to accept unnecessary risks in Europe. The best way to reduce the need for defense in Europe is to degrade the threat posed by Russia's military. Ukraine is doing exactly that. Its success in defending against Russia reflects Ukraine's resolve and ability to innovate during wartime. We should support these efforts. We should immediately begin a crash program to take advantage of new production lines here in America, building new low-cost weapons to help the Ukrainians defend themselves. This includes low-cost cruise missiles, which we can build thousands of every year, and it includes new, more easily producible air defense interceptors. While General Grynkewich is focused on the European theater, General Reed supports the global joint force. TRANSCOM's expertise and precision allows the joint force to extend its reach far beyond the safety of friendly confines. Whether supporting Operation Midnight Hammer, Operation Absolute Resolve, or the hundreds of regular refueling and sealift missions required by other combatant commands. When most Americans think of the military, they imagine airplanes, warships, and big guns. Correctly, I might add. What they do not see is the system that moves all these pieces around the globe. A worldwide network of American logistic assets keeps our far-flung bases ready for action. We are the world's best military in part because TRANSCOM runs this complex system. China and Russia know this. These adversaries are not simply modernizing their armed forces, they are intentionally targeting our global logistics network to prevent us from operating around the world. Congress recognizes this danger. The Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, again, which was signed, which was passed on a bipartisan basis and signed by the President of the United States last December, elevated contested logistics management to a senior leader responsibility. We charged the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Vice Chief of the Joint Staff, and the Commander of TRANSCOM to work together to integrate contested logistics across the joint force. This statutory direction makes explicit what the battlefield has already proven: contested logistics is not owned by any single command or service. As I've outlined, these witnesses come before the committee at an important moment for American national security. I thank them for appearing today, and I look forward to our conversation. With that, I turn to my colleague, Ranking Member Reed.
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