Editorials

Reclaim Congress Trust - The Navy has an image problem on Capitol Hill at a very dangerous time. In the midst of a land war in which its chief contributions are individual augmentees, the Navy is losing its battle for trust among the lawmakers who pay the bills. Late last month, the Navy responded to questions from Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-MD, regarding the services plan to "neck down" its helicopter force to two models the MH-60R and MH-60S. Bartlett had posed six multi-level questions about wheth er the new helicopters were capable of taking on the Navy's medium and heavy lift missions. The Navy's response took 41/2 months and totaled just five sentences. Barlett called it a non - answer.Then there is Sen. John Mc-Cain, R-Ariz. who accuses the Navy of glossing over the expanding cost of the expanding cost of the Littoral Combat Ship program. How can you justify a cost-plus contract that goes from $160 million to $400 million? How in the world would you justify that to the American people? McCain asked during a Military Times editorial board interview. You think that they have confidence in the way they see that? they don't. McCain was asked how the Navy responds to his questions. The same answer I get when I ask about any other cost over runs he said. They're all justified, all necessary the military asked for these changes and, by golly, we have to pay for them. Bartlett and McCain, and their colleagues on the House and Senate Armed Services Committees, hold the future of Navy programs in their hands. As the Army and Marine Corps continue to grow, and the Navy and Air Force shrink amid questions about their relevance in the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts, the Navy cannot afford to be arrogant. On the contrary, Navy leaders must carefully and forcefully articulate their message to congressional authorizers and appropriators. The battle for funds today will dictate the force of tomorrow. Brushing off questions, not explaining requirements and casually accepting cost overruns puts that force in jeopardy. The Navy cannot afford to be so cavalier.