U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee, led a confirmation hearing for Admiral Daryl Caudle, nominated to be Chief of Naval Operations.
During his opening statement, Wicker recognized Admiral Caudle’s leadership as Commander of United States Fleet Forces Command over the past four years. He noted Caudle’s responsibility for readiness, training, and deployment of naval forces and described him as “uniquely suited to guide the Navy through today’s complex challenges.”
Wicker emphasized the unique role of the U.S. Navy in global security. “The U.S. Navy handles critical maritime missions that no other nation could shoulder. Our Navy is unmatched in its capabilities. No other navy can operate complex naval exercises in the Pacific, defend Israel from Iranian ballistic missile attacks, and prosecute a campaign against the Houthi terrorists in Yemen – executing all of these missions nearly simultaneously,” he said.
He also pointed out Admiral Caudle’s efforts to improve fleet readiness: “Accomplishing all these objectives is no easy feat. Admiral Caudle has championed a ready fleet, targeting a goal of 80 percent surge combat readiness to ensure forces are prepared for rapid deployment. He also started the important task of rethinking force generation models to consider how we can more efficiently generate combat power. We must start addressing the global demand for United States naval presence by increasing the supply of ready ships, personnel, and equipment.”
Wicker referenced recent legislative developments affecting naval operations: “Last week, this committee released the text of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026. In addition to reforms proposed by the FORGED Act, our bill seeks to address maintenance challenges faced by the Navy’s surface fleet.” He explained that new contracting strategies would involve shipyards earlier in planning and empower fleets with greater oversight over maintenance.
Discussing budgetary concerns, Wicker stated: “The committee’s NDAA would help correct serious deficiencies in the Navy’s budget by proposing additional support for the service. Billions of dollars are misaligned between the Navy’s budget request and the recently enacted reconciliation law. If confirmed, Admiral Caudle must navigate these fiscal realities in order to keep readiness and modernization on track.”
He highlighted funding provided under recent legislation: “Fortunately, the reconciliation law gives the Navy a transformative opportunity. It includes $18 billion for shipbuilding, $5 billion for unmanned systems, $5 billion for rebuilding the maritime industrial base, $5 billion for munitions and missiles, and $2 billion for ship spare parts.”
Wicker concluded with an emphasis on leadership: “These investments are necessary, but they are no substitute for good management. Leadership starts at the top, and I hope that our nominee and Secretary Phelan will build an immediate partnership. The next Chief of Naval Operations will lead our Navy into the most dangerous threat window our country has faced in generations.”
Quoting Admiral Hyman Rickover on military preparedness—“In everything we do, we must ask ourselves: Does this directly advance our preparation for war?”—Wicker added: “We all seek peace, but the surest path to preserving peace is by building unmatched strength. I look forward to hearing from our witness how he will strengthen our Navy to meet the challenges we need.”
